Stenciling helps personalize any room.
Take a child's room, for example. Children love to see their name as decoration, whether it's carved out in wood or on a plaque hanging from the doorknob or, best of all, stenciled on the wall. It's a very easy process. Companies such as Stencil Planet (www.stencilplanet.com) sell letters that can be applied directly to the wall. The letters are available in different fonts, sizes and colors.
Stenciling isn't just for walls. How about stenciling a flowerpot or large planter? Plants are always welcome in the home, making the rooms feel cozy. Stencil designs can incorporate the theme or colors of the room. How about stenciling holiday placemats? Kits are available for that, too. Part of the fun is in making them, and then it's even more fun when it comes time to display your "masterpieces."
Is there an old treasure chest in the attic? Clean it, repaint it and then stencil some fleur-de-lis or other such interesting designs. How about an old cocktail table? Stenciling could make it the focal point of the room.
Rummage sales are great for finding treasures to stencil, such as tables, chests, lamps even old chairs. That old bedroom set you just inherited can become a real treasure by stenciling patterns on some of the drawers or on the headboard.
Are you considering renting space for your business? Is the floor an unsightly, unfinished cement? Not to worry. Stencil magic is here. You can turn an ugly cement floor into a work of art with simple stenciling. The ideas are endless, such as stenciling brick pavers, stone pebbles, even a welcome mat at the entrance. Many such kits are available from stencil stores, such as StenSource International www.stensource.com).
Back to the walls. There are many Web sites that can give you ideas and how-to steps for stencil designs. Want to make a room patriotic? Stencils4u.com can help. Check out the picture of the bedroom with the walls of stars and stripes. The site walks you through the process and even tells you how to "antique" the walls to make the stenciling look like a worn American flag.
Other items such as shower curtains, throw pillows or countertops can have your personal, creative stenciling touch. If it has a paint-able surface, it can be stenciled. Let your imagination go wild.
Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, an interior designer in Naples, Fla., is author of "Mystery of Color." For design inquiries, write to Rosemary at DsgnQuest@aol.com.