Much like the faux finishing industry, the stenciling industry has undergone a revival. Many of the artists of today are pushing for sophisticated, layered and of-the-moment options. We like to keep up with the current interior design styles, and the stencil and product manufacturers have kept up with our demand.

Stencil companies used to be synonymous with simple designs and borders. You know the ones I’m talking about. Chickens, hearts…the hideous unsophisticated borders with the tiny houses, butterflies or checkered squares…geez, I think I’m going to have a panic attack. Let me get myself together.

Phew. The clients of today are ever more savvy and they hire designers who keep up with them. In order to realize a designer’s vision, our techniques need to get ever more elegant as well. For instance, large graphic designs are increasingly used for a perfect shot of drama. These designs can be achieved via a one-time use stencil (more on these later), cutting your own stencil design or using a projector.

large stencil design in modern room image via Regina Garay

Additionally, Allover or Repeat patterns are also being used in a fantastic manner. Companies such as Wallovers are producing beautiful stencil designs with great patterns.

Wallovers Roundabout Design Artist Cynthia DesignsArtist : Cynthia Designs

Wallovers Branching Out design Artist Kass Wilson http://kasswilson.comArtist : Kass Wilson

One-time use stencils are being used by artisans to allow for creative new techniques simply not possible with traditional mylar stencils. One company leading the way is Modello Designs — with applications for virtually any surface. Here are some examples for ceilings and floors. By the way, that ornamental ceiling is featured in a How-to DVD by Deshu House. It features the entire project and teaches you how to achieve the look.

Modello Floor Joan Kingsbury (floor) is http://www.joankdesign.com/ Artist : Joan Kingsbury

Modello Ceiling Deshu House How-to DVDDeshu House

We’ve also used their designs not only for walls, but for accent surfaces such as curved ceilings and niches.  Here two photos from our work.

Garay Artisans work on repeated arch ceiling

Garay Artisans decorative painting in Niche

There are some instances when cutting your own stencil is a must. We recently worked on a client’s home where we literally pored over every stencil catalog available with no success in finding the right design. Having a limited time frame, we drew a custom design and it proved perfect. We cut the design out of mylar and proceeded to do the technique the very same day. If you’d like to learn how to cut your own stencil, Britain’s Stencil Library has an incredible blog, Design Inspiration, which had a post on how to do just that.

Design Inspiration How to Cut a Stencil

I hope this has introduce you to new stenciling techniques and resources. Let me know if you have any questions — I’m here to help! Have a great day!