How to Save Money Redecorating Your Dining Room with Faux Molding

If you're sick of looking at plain painted walls, here's a way to paint, and by using stencils, mimic the look of molding.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a border stencil
• adhesive spray
• several stencil brushes
• craft or milk paint
• walls
• quality paper towels
• a level

1. This border can be applied at chair-rail height or at ceiling height.

2. Measure, mark with a pencil and check for even marking with level. If you are using a 2 layer stencil, you'll also want to mart the registration mark, which helps align the next layer. Go around the room, repeating the marking for best results.

3. Spray adhesive to the back of the stencil, and align it with markings Apply with a fairly firm touch, especially @ the edges between the stencil and openings to paint.

4. Using an appropriate sized stencil brush, (Large med., or small--depending
   on the size of the area to be painted. You will need separate brushes for each color you paint. To stencil, you use what's called a "dry" brush technique, which means that you load the brush with paint, and "off-load" most of it onto a good quality paper towel. dry brushing and dabbing strokes keeps the paint from seeping under the stencils edge.
   To paint stencils, you hold the brush perpendicular to the wall and apply paint in a dabbing motion.

5. If using a two layer stencil, wait until the first stencil is well dried(several hours) before applying the overlay. To be precise, you follow the registration marks you made with a pencil, and line this up with the registration mark on the overlay. Repeat the same painting process for the overlay.

Tips & Warnings

• Focus on the placement of the stencil and the "dry-brush" approach.
• This is SO much fun and so inexpensive, it tends to be habit forming!

[Limowreck]

on 8/15/2008 Excellent idea! Great instructions. Very easy to follow. Thanks for the home improvement tip.