Stenciling
Kitchen Cabinets
Stenciling
is a quick way to add color and style to your kitchen. A
wide variety of decorative stencils are available for
adding detail to painted cabinets. The safest approach
is to use a small accent, rather than a dominating presence.
What You Need:
* Stencils as desired
* Stenciling brush or sponge brush
* Straightedge
* Yardstick or tape measure
* Pencil
* Paper towels
* Tape (for attaching stencils)
Instructions:
NOTE: Taking the doors off the cabinets
may make measuring and painting easier.
1. Lay out the pattern. You can do the stenciling
with the doors on or off, whichever is most convenient.
Using a straightedge and ruler, mark the boundaries
with a light pencil line. Position the accent figures
so they are spaced evenly along the length of the cabinets,
centering as needed (depending on the pattern).
2. If you have never stenciled before, spend
some time practicing on paper. After you have repeated
the process several times, you'll develop the technique
that produces the most pleasing results for your taste
-- experiment with a lighter touch and uneven as well
as consistent applications.
3. Apply the paint to the cabinets. Attach the
stencil in place firmly. Dip the stenciling brush or
sponge in paint, then blot it on a paper towel until
it is nearly dry. Apply the paint to the stencil with
a firm, tapping motion.
(Note: A sponge brush makes the work go
quicker, but does not allow you to create subtle shadings.)
4. Remove the stencil. Allow the paint to dry
a bit, then carefully peel back the stencil. Don't slide
the stencil as you remove it, or you will smear the
paint. Borders and additional small designs may be applied
by using stamps or by hand-painting.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4. If stencil areas overlap,
wait until paint is completely dry on one area before
placing the next stencil.
