TT270.D74

Includes index

Stencil Stuff 8 What's a Stencil? 10 Shopping for Stencils 12 Anatomy of a Stencil 14 Water-based Paints 16 Oil-based Paints 18 Brushes 20 Sponge Products 22 Tools of the Trade 24 Diva's Definitive Techniques 28 Diva Color Theory 30 Diva's Definitive Technique 32 Loading the Brush 34 Stenciling 101 36 Quick Fix 40 Using Paint Creams 42 Cleaning Brushes 44 Cleaning Stencils 46 Stencil Projects 48 Base Coat Basics 50 Surface Repairs 52 Borders 54 Project 1: Continuous Frieze 56 Project 2: Tightly Registered Borders 64 Project 3: Bordered Floorcloth 70 Planning for a Motif Frieze or Border 74 Project 4: Random Ivy Border 76 Allovers Repeats 82 Project 5: Stone Block Wall 84 Project 6: Damask Wallpaper Repeat on Easy Pearly Faux Finish 92 Project 7: Mirror Image Wallpaper Repeat 96 Project 8: Checkerboard Wallpaper Repeat 100 Trompe L'oeil Stenciling 104 Project 9: Trompe L'oeil Niche 106 Project 10: Acanthus Vase 112 Project 11: Cottage Creeper 116 More Tips from the Diva 126 Checkerboard Allover Pattern 127 Acknowledgments 128 Index 128

Self-styled “stencil diva” Jan Dressler tells beginners everything they need to know to get started, gives experienced stencilers new techniques, and even enlightens experts with unique tricks that make the work go faster. Each page explodes with color, creativity, information on the basics, and exquisite projects. Paint a continuous frieze of antique roses, a beautiful bordered floorcloth, a checkerboard wallpaper repeat, and much more. These techniques are so simple, easy to master, and appealingly illustrated that even the most timid home decorator will feel a surge of confidence as soon as she completes her very first stencil.