Stencilling patterns or motifs is a great way to introduce accents of colour into a room. Stencils can be simple or 'naive' in style - ideal for children's rooms - or they can be intricate and grand, making them perfect for more formal rooms. Cut the designs from stiff stencil card and apply the paint using a stiff, round bristle brush in a dabbing motion through the cuts in the card. Stencil paints are water- based, but acrylic or oil-based stencil paints can be bought in small pots, while the sticks are wrapped in sealed film. Small 'tester' pots, available at DIY stores, make ideal stencil paints.
You can buy ready-cut stencils and pattern books for you to cut your own. You'll need a sharp scalpel to cut the card. If you can't find a motif or pattern you like ready-made, leaf through some books, look at some antique ceramics or visit your local museum for inspiration and draw your own. If you make a stencil out of stiff acetate, you will be able to transfer the design onto it using a photocopier.
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