Last week I wrote about neutral and colored walls and mentioned my fondness for wallpaper. If you want something truly special, though, hand-painted designs and textured finishes transform walls, ceilings, and furniture into one-of-a-kind features.
My husband and I have tried various paint projects over the years—striped walls, a Lord of the Rings mural in our son’s nursery (painted mostly by him)—and we’ve always wanted to try stenciling a room to achieve the look of hand-painted wallpaper.
Full disclosure: I once attempted to stencil sea creatures at our beach house. It did not go well.
Royal Design Studio offers a wide range of beautiful stencils that make it easy to create refined, wallpaper-like effects. Many of their designs bring to mind the elegant patterns used by designers like Candice Olson.
Stenciling and faux finishing are excellent ways to highlight an existing architectural detail—or to create a focal point where none exists. These techniques let you add pattern, depth, and character without committing to permanent wallpaper.
I love the flexibility stenciling offers. You can cover an entire wall for a wallpaper-like effect or add small flourishes in selected places. Combine stenciling with textured paints or glazes and a flat surface becomes rich with dimension and visual interest. The possibilities range from subtle and sophisticated to bold and dramatic.
A well-executed stencil makes a distinctive design statement and lets you personalize a room in ways that stock wallpaper or paint sometimes can’t.
If you’re ambitious, you can extend these techniques to ceilings for a dramatic, room-defining look. Hand-painted or stenciled ceilings add unexpected charm and draw the eye upward, creating a sense of intentional design.
Small pieces can be charming too. A stenciled chair back or an accented piece of furniture brings personality to a room without overwhelming it.
Stenciled floors are another inventive option—unexpected and beautifully detailed when done well.
Royal Design Studio provides many ideas, step-by-step tips, stencil patterns, supplies, and instructional materials for stenciling and faux finishing. Their resources are helpful whether you’re a beginner learning a new skill or an experienced crafter refining techniques.
Browse their catalogs and galleries for inspiration. I find myself imagining stencil projects all over my house—so many little places to add interest. Even when I’m supposed to be focused on other tasks, decorating ideas keep popping up.
Image credits: all images (except the Candice Olson image) are provided by Royal Design Studio and used with permission. Royal Design Studio is a partner of The Inspired Room.