How to create your old gold Art Deco stencil

Either purchase a stencil from the internet or you can make your own. To make your own choose a stencil pattern you like from the internet, enlarge it to fit the dimensions of the area you wish to stencil, and print it out on to card. Tape multiple printouts together to get the stencil to the correct size. Cut the stencil out using a craft knife.

Top tip: As well as saving money, the advantage of making your own stencil is that you can size it to the dimensions of your area.

You will need

• Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen tinted to Resene Tuna for the wall; quantity will depend on the size of the wall.
• One testpot of Resene Gold metallic
• Masking tape
• Stencil
• Stencilling brush or small piece of foam

Instructions

Step 1:  Using masking tape, tape off the area around where you want to stencil so that you don’t accidently get paint on the surrounding walls. Position your stencil at the top of your wall, making sure that it is straight and level. If your walls and ceiling are plumb, then this should be easy! If not, use a level. Hold the stencil in place with a few pieces of painter masking tape.

Step 2:  Using a stencilling brush, dip it into the paint and then dab it on to a plate or piece of scrap cardboard to ensure that you get a thin and even coverage of paint on the brush. Too much paint on the brush will cause bleed-through on the underside of the stencil. Dab the brush on to the holes of the stencil, making sure to get a good even coverage. Do this all over the stencil.

Step 3:  Carefully remove the stencil by peeling it off – do not slide it as this will smudge the paint. The paint dries quickly and if you are careful not to move it too much, you should be able to re-position it straight away for the next repeat. Repeat the painting process all the way down the wall. Every time you start a new repeat, make sure you line up the stencil in the right place and that it remains level. Remove the surrounding painter tape as soon as you are finished.

Top tip: If you work quickly, any bleed-through can be touched up with a damp Q-tip.

Top tip: For a multicolour effect choose different parts of your stencil to paint in different Resene testpot colours. E.g. You might choose to paint the main part of the stencil in a favourite colour and use a metallic Resene testpot to add a touch of luxe to smaller parts of the stencil design.

Styling and images by Fleur Thorpe, 2018.