| Creating your own stenciling effect is easily done with | | | | When you have covered the chosen area with the |
| rubber stamps and Venetian plaster. By pressing the | | | | compound you then simply place the rubber stamp |
| rubber stamps into wet plaster it can really help to | | | | wherever you want it. You will normally have around |
| leave an excellent impression. This type of design | | | | thirty minutes maximum to place all of the rubber |
| stands out on the wall and it also helps to create | | | | stamps onto the wall before it dries. If you ensure that |
| shadows which can look mysterious and enchanting. | | | | the stamps face different ways each time you do |
| Creating the Right Designs for Your Home | | | | them then you will end up with an effect which looks |
| There are hundreds of stencils you can choose from | | | | like wallpaper. Many people prefer this and luckily |
| with rubber stamps which makes it easy to find | | | | enough if you do not get the desired effect straight |
| something to suit your tastes. You can find them either | | | | away you can always start again as it does take thirty |
| at a specialty store, a craft store or even on the | | | | minutes to dry and that is plenty of time to redo the |
| Internet. Really when attempting to decorate the walls | | | | design. |
| in this manner, you will need a stamp which is fairly | | | | It is always better to do sections of 3x3 foot before |
| large in size. If you want something inviting and homely | | | | moving on. This will ensure that you get the desired |
| then plant designs tend to be quite good such as | | | | results and it breaks it down into an easy to manage |
| leaves, flower heads and fern. However if you cannot | | | | area too. Finish off by letting the compound dry |
| make up your mind then you can easily make a little | | | | thoroughly and then cure it for up to 48 hours before |
| collage of all different designs. | | | | you paint over it. Water based primer will allow you to |
| With most paint types they need no preparation, but | | | | seal the compound and then you can successfully |
| with high or semi-gloss type walls you will need to add | | | | paint over it. Always be careful not to let the paint fill |
| a water based primer. You can start by using a flat, | | | | the design as that could cause it to lose some of its |
| wide scraper and smooth down an even amount of | | | | shape and effect. Again work in small 3x3 foot |
| joint compound. Usually a 1/8 thick on a 3x3 foot | | | | sections and once you have finished painting the walls, |
| section of the wall is about right. If you use a thicker | | | | let them dry thoroughly before enjoying your handy |
| compound then it is possible that you will cause the | | | | work. |
| impression to look a little blurry. | | | | |