Decorative Painting Stencils

Cutting Out Stencils For Decorative Painting

By Penny Vedrenne

Cutting out stencils is the extra step of a cut-and-paint stencil design. Cut-and-paint stencils require you to actually cut out the openings (islands) where paint is applied. However, for the extra work, they provide some great advantages.

A cut-and-paint stencil design is usually printed on paper and so it can be reduced or enlarged to fit almost any project size. This is a big deal. If you like a Plastic Pre-Cut Stencil and it comes in two sizes -small at 2' and large at 4'- and the area you have for an image is 1' then the plastic stencil will not work for you. Take a cut-and-paint design to a copy machine and resize it to whatever your project area requires. Flexibility is great!

Also, cut-and-paint stencils are less expensive. You are not paying for the manufacture, warehousing and shipping of a product. If you can find downloadable stencil designs you can have your stencil immediately and no delay to your project. Just download the design and print out on your printer.

So far I referred to cutting out stencils on paper, but you have other options. You can purchase sheets of materials like acetate, mylar, wax paper, stencil film or clear overlays. These options allow you to create a permanent stencil that will be resistant to the penetration of oil, dyes, and water-base paints and ink. Simply trace your design onto the stencil film and cut.

You will find many options for materials useful in stencil making. They can be found at your local craft supply store, on line and office supply stores. You'll find it sold in letter size sheets or rolls for larger stencils. You may even find some clear sheets that will work in your printer or copy machine. When you are looking for a good film for making stencils, you want a material that will accept ink or marker so that you can trace onto it. Look for a matte finish. Also, a matter finish is best for the finished stencil because it will not encourage paint to seep under the edges.

Well on to the one disadvantage: Cutting the stencil.

If your paper stencils are in a book, I would recommend making a copy of each stencil overlay for the project you have chosen. By using the copies, your book and originals are preserved for future use. Don't forget that you can reduce or enlarge the size to fit the area you want to place the picture when you make copies.

Using a craft-knife cut out the objects on the stencil. Make sure your blade is sharp at all times. Dull blades may cause a paper stencil to tear or not go completely through plastic sheeting. The goal is to cut along each line only once with a firm, smooth motion. With your free hand, hold the stencil firmly and rotate the stencil so that you are always cutting with your wrist at a comfortable angle. This will help you maintain control over the blade and not veer off course.

When cutting past a thin bridge area carefully use a firm finger to hold down the paper. Try to keep your fingers well away from where you are cutting. If you are working with a multi-layer stencil don't forget to cut out the registration holes in each of the four corners, which will be used for the alignment of the stencil overlays.

As for recommendations on craft knives, I prefer an X-Acto knife with a #11 triangular blade. But an OLFA knife with the snap off blade refills is a fine option too. Again, just make sure the blade is sharp. Of course, be very careful when working with a blade and protect your fingers. Always be alert.

Well, I am sure that once you get the hang of cutting out stencils you will find the many advantages well worth the extra work. Happy Stenciling!

Looking for some great and unique stencil designs? I have just the place - [http://www.designsfrompenny.com] - You'll find everything from Fleur de lis to Oriental Designs to Tree Frogs and many children's patterns. You can purchase stencils individually or in collections of related images like The Secret Garden, At the Seashore, For a Princess, Old Fashioned Luggage Labels, Wine and Spirits, Angels, Cherubs and Antique Door Hardware. And best of all you can get your stencil as a downloadable pdf so that you can get your project off to a quick start. However, if it's more stencil how to information that you seek then look no further. Just visit http://www.all-about-stencils.com (our sister site where you can find all you need to know).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Penny_Vedrenne

Home Decorating Ideas Painting

Decorative Painting Techniques

By Christopher Holt

Creative Painting Specialist Techniques

Making a elegant area might be as easy as attempting a decorating painting method. Based on the actual technique, the final results may end up being casual, trendy, or even sophisticated. Fake surface finishes will hide a wide range of sins, such as irregular as well as damaged drywall. Geometric styles may help to make a space appear smaller or perhaps bigger than it actually is. Washes bring incredible level of colour to get a spectacular outcome.

Simply because paint can be so affordable, you are able to go crazy using various designs as well as finishes. Out of the ordinary styles are usually a great means to express your own individual style and also help make your house really feel like home.

A few decorative painting methods will certainly need specific faux painting equipment and/or paint glaze, however you may be astonished at exactly what you can carry out with general household products.

Fake Surface finishes

Faux coatings usually are created in order to imitate some other surfaces. Marble, granite as well as some other natural stone effects, natural leather, parchment, and also timber grain surface finishes tend to be all preferred selections.

Using a bit of creativity, you can easily produce surface finishes which appear just like old metal- tarnished bronze, pewter or even gold, rusted tin or perhaps metal, and also fake verdigris can be achievable. Do not forget about the option of fake brick or even ceramic tile finishes- each work nicely within the kitchen area.

To get the most authentic result, retain a small sample or 2 or maybe a picture of the actual material you are attempting to create. Relate to this frequently when you blend and apply your colours.

Do not attempt perfection; a few unevenness and also variance in colour as well as texture usually are desirable. These small defects produce a more genuine finish, they will furthermore cover up much less than smooth surfaces.

Additional Popular Ornamental Surface Finishes.

A number of really common techniques call for making use of several paint colours as well as unusual items in order to produce unique textures. With regard to a subdued finish, select very similar colours and also sheens; far more spectacular outcomes may be attained through choosing different tones as well as layering shiny paints over smooth or even eggshell surface finishes.

Colour washing entails putting on a small wash of colour on top of an already present paint job. This method is reasonably easy and also produces deep, unconventional colours.

Ragging and also rag-rolling may be carried out using a range of products; cotton or even denim cloths, plastic-type bags, as well as saran wrap along with aluminium foil all produce fascinating and exceptional results.

Spattering can be a lot of fun technique regarding children's areas. Merely flick colour upon the walls utilizing some type of brush.By using thin paint plus rigid bristles generate small specks of colour; thicker paint along with soft bristles produce bigger blobs.

Sponging is actually a really organic-looking surface finish which may cover up imperfect drywall. Irregularly formed sea sponges usually deliver a much better outcome compared to regular kitchen sponges. This may become sometimes an additive or even a subtractive method, based upon the preferred outcome.

Stippling, or perhaps pouncing, entails dabbing colour on using a brush. The firmness, size of your brush, as well as the method it is held define the actual ultimate effect; this may end up being random or even really regimented.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Holt

Decorative Painting Walls

Suggestions For Painting and Decorating a New

Office Space

By Mark M Allen

Did you know that renovating an office space is one aspect of establishing a new business or moving out to a new commercial space? Yes it is, because not all companies can risk or can afford to get a fully furnished office space. With all the things and equipment you bring, it is necessary that you arrange them in the right manner to boost productivity among your workers and to avoid clutter that may lead to accidents and injuries in the work place.

In a new office space, you normally feel confused as to what you should do, where to place things, how to make it look presentable, what color to paint the walls and what decorations to place. These things are some of the factors that you need to note when transferring, moving out or opening a new business enterprise. Lots of things will be on your mind and these make it more difficult for you to decide. Remember that you are not alone because there are many business owners who are in the same scenario like you do. This is a very difficult task to accomplish because you have to consider several things to make it presentable, nice and healthy not only for you workers but also for your customers. Decorating or refurbishing your office do not need to be expensive and extravagant by hiring professional interior designer and buying expensive decorative items because even you can do it right with the help of your employees, your creativity and your skills.

If you find your workplace dull and uninspiring, it is time that you do some refurbishment, makeover and redecoration. It does not mean that you need to perform a complete makeover on your business office, but you merely enhance it by adding color, incorporating decorative items and rearranging things.

Tips to consider when decorating your new office space:

 

• Paint -- If you have walls, what shade of paint would you choose? Did you know that color plays a dramatic impact on your feelings? The best office wall colors are light tones of yellowish, neutral hues such as taupe, or perhaps light shades of great colors for example green or perhaps blue. Warm colors provide you with energy; fairly neutral colors keep you in a state of balance; and cool colors help relax a person. Sometimes, painting your own walls might be all the business office decoration you need to help improve the style and add sense of your space.

• Wall Decorations - You can add pictures, paintings or the like on your bare and empty walls. If wall art is the interesting as office adornment, choose a painting, poster or image which appeals to you; a thing that will put a smile in your face.

• Lighting - If you find you have enough accessories and color in your business office, but you noticed that something is apparently missing, then probably you need to incorporate enough lighting to your workplace. If you do not have a window in your workplace, make sure you plenty of overhead lights. It is also best if you obtain a workplace or floor lamp with a flexible neck so that you can not only shift the light to be able to where you require it most, but additionally so you can use different varieties light bulbs which emulates the light given by the sun.

• Ornaments -- Finally, additional office adornments you can consider are plants, area floor covering, furniture and so on. Just remember, when decorating your working environment, you need to ensure you do not clutter your area to avoid accidents and injuries.

 

With the tips and suggestions mentioned above, you can decorate your new office effectively.

Mark M Allen is a business writer who provides information on rent office Philadelphia and Phila virtual officeamong others.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_M_Allen

Home Decor Paint

5 Affordable Updates Using Decorative Painting

By Kami Tremblay

1. Apply the base coat yourself: To keep costs down, ask around to your family and friends, I'm sure you'll be able to find someone who is willing to help you base coat. Then the artistic work can be applied to the base layer.

2. If the wall paint is less than 1.5 years old, and in good condition: Work with the existing wall base color, to do a color change. By using the base, and adding glazes, you can have a dramatically different looking room with half the effort, and a great new look.

3. Have a 'decorative painted boarder' added around a room or in selected areas: This works great in any room. Most clients have done this in hallways, kitchens and bathrooms. When you add a vine, or flowers to any wall color, you instantly get a different feel, and colors you never knew will start to shine through the room. Give the impression to guests that you got the whole room re-painted.

4. Paint the ceiling with a faux or decorative flowers: That's right, look up in your home. These often neglected spots in the home are a sure way to give any space a 'wow' factor with out re-doing the whole room, with minimal costs compared to a whole-room re-paint, the ceiling is a great spot to get a change.

5. Add a Decorative Accent wall: By picking one wall in a room, and applying a decorative paint finish(faux), stencil or bold pattern, you can easily update any room for any season or change.

Kami Tremblay is the sole Proprietor, Principal and Artist of Kami Tremblay Design, Decorative Painting based out of Baltimore, Maryland. Since 1995 she has been the creator of high end finishes and murals for homes and small businesses. Read her blog at [http://www.baltimoreboston.blogspot.com] or her website athttp://www.kamitremblaydesign.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kami_Tremblay

Decorative Home Painting

A Beginner's Guide to Wall Painting and Home Decor

By James Carri

Wall painting can be customized to fit any lifestyle if matched well with the sculpture and furniture of the house. Wall paint colours can have a great impact on people and it's important to make the most of them when decorating your home. With the help of some home painting ideas, you can transform your home to give it a wonderful look that can make it more welcoming for family and friends.

With self-expression becoming a trend worldwide, everyone is looking for home decor ideas to get that perfect look for their home that reflects their unique style. Furnishings, accessories, flooring, and lighting are some of the aspects that can alter the decor of your home completely. On the other hand, wall painting is of equal importance as it complements the other mentioned aspects, giving an enhanced appearance. You can make your home look more appealing with the range of colours and ideas that are available today. One would be surprised as to how much of a role do paints play in decoration, as it forms the background for interior home decor.

However, it is difficult to choose good wall paints as there are many variations available in the market. To choose the most suitable one, the first thing to consider is the room you are looking to paint. If it's your children's room, then you can go for vibrant or lively wall painting ideas such as glow paints. Glow paints glow in the dark and give your kids' room a fun and interesting look. If painting the entire house with one colour is what you are looking to do, then you have to be a little more careful while choosing the paints as it will form the base for your home decor. When selecting a colour scheme, one must keep in mind that most of the home painting techniques make use of two shades of one colour. The darker shade forms the base and the lighter one tops it to make the final look much lighter. The paints chosen have to be compatible with the rest of the decor of your home as well. To spice things up, there are different wall painting techniques like ragging; sponging or stamping that can give your walls a unique and special touch.

Keeping all this in mind, one has to also emphasize on selecting the best and most trusted brand of paints as quality precedes all. There are several attractive colours with their numerous wall painting schemes out there. You can even use different painting patterns and designs to make the walls brighter, colourful and welcoming. With proper application of these wall painting ideas, you can make your home much more inviting and the perfect place to spend time in.

Interior Architect with a leading firm in the Caribbean. To read more on home decoration and painting ideas clickhere.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Carri

Decorative Painting Techniques

How to Paint a House -

Choosing the Best Paint

By Deb Murray

The two most important things when it comes to house painting are preparation and the quality of the house paint. Understanding the different types of exterior house paint will help you choose the best paint for your house.

Exterior house paint is made up of three main components: Medium, binders and pigments. In addition, paint manufacturers add various ingredients to enhance their paints fade-resistance, mildew and mold resistance, pest-resistance, and longevity. The pigment gives the paint its color; the binders, bind the paint to the surface it is applied to and the medium is what the pigment and binders are mixed with to form a liquid.

Types of Exterior House Paint

There are two main types of exterior house paint, classified by the medium used: water-base and oil-base. Water base exterior house paint uses water to mix with the binders and pigments. Water base binders include latex, acrylic and other synthetics such as urethane or vinyl. Oil base exterior house paint is really more of a traditional term rather than a current description. Today, the medium for oil base paint is mineral spirits and is called alkyd.

With exterior house paint, the rule is you get what you pay for. More expensive paint has more pigment and better quality binders. It will last longer and be easier to work with than the lower priced spreads.

A Note About Priming

Priming really deserves its own article (and it will get it). Suffice it to say you should never use a water base paint over oil base paint without priming first and all raw wood should be primed before painting the top coat. (Rule of Thumb: You can apply an oil base paint over a water base paint, but never the other way around.)

Water Base or Oil Base: Which Is Better?

There are excellent water base exterior house paints and excellent oil base exterior house paints. To make matters even more confusing, either may be used successfully for most applications. (see rule of thumb above) Never the less, there are some differences.

Water Base Paint compared to Oil Base:

Easier to clean up

Almost odorless

Cannot be applied in cold weather

Faster drying

Tendency to show brush marks

More flexible, so that it will be able to withstand expansion and contraction better

Better resistance to UV fading

Oil Base Paint compared to Water Base:

Harder to clean up

Strong odor

Can be applied in colder weather

Slower drying

Shows brush marks less

Less flexible

UV exposure will cause it to fade faster

Keep in mind: Just as location is important in real estate, it is also important when choosing an exterior paint. Local weather conditions are a major factor when choosing house paint. A knowledgeable salesperson at the local paint store should be able to explain why certain paint has properties that are better for your locale.

© 2007 Complete Books Publishing, Inc.

How To Paint A House: Proper Preparation [http://fsbocomplete.com/how_to_paint_a_house_preparation.html]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deb_Murray