Design Inspiration. Planet Stencil Library.

Guest Blogger: Aaron, age 15

Hello, I am Aaron and I am a 15 year old student at Prudhoe High.  I am doing my 2 weeks work experience.  Work experience in Britain is mandatory for all 15 year olds.  They must choose a place that interests them or they would consider for an actual job at a later date.  Therefore, I chose The Stencil Library as I am interested in graphic design.

During my time here at The Stencil Library, I have enjoyed a lot of things. I have also been inspired to make my own stencil in the form of a famous quote from The Italian Job (my favourite film) to decorate my new bedroom, but more on that in a minute.

Within 5 minutes of arriving, we covered health and safety issues. Rachel told me where fire exits are in case of an emergency.  I was also informed that I couldn't go anywhere near any sharp objects like knives and I wasn't even allowed to drink paint!

Rachel then told me about the project I was going to be doing over the next couple of days... I was to design and make the new front cover for The Stencilled Home DVD!  This was only a 'homemade' version to be tested at the annual stencilling convention in America.  This obviously made me very excited.

Over the next couple of days I came up with numerous designs to put forward to Helen, Rachel, Heather & Lesley.  They all liked some and disliked others, but the two which got the most approval were the pale blue and the pale green designs.  I chose the blue one however was outnumbered 4 to 1 as everyone else picked the green one.  I then continued with adjusting my idea and correcting spelling mistakes.  I printed off my final draft which got the approval from everybody.  The DVD will be available online soon.

On the Friday afternoon after my lunch break (they allow me to have one), I was asked to design a stencil for a special thank you gift.  Helen had shown me how to use a stencil.  I  was given the splatter stencil in one hand and a blank piece of stencil film in the other, and I was told that I had to design the persons initials using the stencil.  I made a couple of designs and Helen chose the one which looked best.  I hope the person who is receiving the gift enjoys it and uses it!

On the Monday I was greeted with a palette sized stash of old catalogue pages to be sorted out.  I was hoping at the time I would enjoy it however after an hour or so, I was warming up to the idea of leaving it as the job was quite repetetive.  But, it had to be done and I was glad when Rachel told me that was enough for the day, and so were my paper cut fingers.

On the same day I became part of the special group of people that have had the pleasure of getting a tour around The Stencil Library home.  Of course you can see it on video (or now DVD for US customers) but I've seen it in real life!  All that page counting had in actual fact paid off.  The house had exceeded all of my expectations and was in fact double the size of what it looks like from the outside!  I was also surprised that it does feel like a regular home.  It wasn't a showhouse home where it had perfect rooms that looked like they are never used.  You could see a television that blended in with the Raj room's color scheme and use of accessories.  This included organ pipes fixed onto the wall which was a nice touch. 

Another example of this was the fridge freezer in the kitchen which had been disguised with gold leaf and stencilling covering the two doors.

 

I really don't want to give much away but the house is spectacular!  You should experience it yourself.

On Tuesday I got stuck into making stencils for my bedroom.  I got the measurements for my Italian Job stencil so then I began to design how I wanted the finished product to look.  I chose a quote from the film to stencil onto my wardrobe: "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" - Michael Caine, The Italian Job

I used the 352 Typewriter stencil font.  You will be able to see how my project went later as Rachel has told me that I have to finish decorating my bedroom by the end of the summer holidays and she will then photograph and post the finished results.

I then tested out my newly acquired stenciling skills with another stencil I will be using: NC105 Tyretrack. It was great fun and kept me quiet for an hour or two!

On my last day I was treated to a lump of chocolate cake which was beautiful and since then I have been typing out this blog entry!

I have really enjoyed my time here and this has been because of the following things I have done:

• Designed and made a DVD cover for 'The Stenciled Home'
• Designed my own stencil
• Had a tour of The Stencil Library house
• Was taught how to stencil by Rachel and Helen

However doing the catalogues wasn't so enjoyable or as fun as the other things.  I'd still come back again though.  Aaron.

Fashion for your Walls 2008

A friend who works for Tektura Wallcoverings sent me this photo recently:

Fab frock isn't it?  Would it surprise you to know that it was made partially out of wallpaper?  It was designed and made by a company based in Edinburgh called Trendenza. 

They offer an interior design service.  They decided to create a bespoke gown using some of the fabrics, wallcoverings and tiles they stock as part of a press launch and as a way bring the products more vividly to life.

 

(drawing copyright Eleanor Neil)

Tektura's amazing Eco Velvet forms part of the bustle.  This paper has a velvet finish and is a modern take on traditional flocked papers.  Gorgeously tactile!

Here is another view of the dress and bustle:

I think you will agree it is quite stunning and certainly worthy of a red carpet appearance.  Not to mention that it is a creative and imaginative way to show off interiors products.  Helen mentioned in a previous post that we were toying with a press campaign called "Fashion for your Walls" a few years back.  After seeing this photo of the dress, I thought I would dig out one of the mock ups we did of the idea using our chinoiserie panel stencils.

Now I am inspired to work on the idea again.  Watch this space.  Rachel

(photos: Trendenza and Tektura)

Tim Walker Photographs

I can't remember ever being so excited to receive a book as I was when "Tim Walker Pictures" arrived.  I had waited for months but it was worth it.  It has taken me since May to complete this post.  The lilac was in bloom when I started it!!  I wanted to be able to link you with the UK and US amazon stores so that you could learn more or buy your own copy.  I have finally sorted out how to do it.

I enjoy the grand scale of Tim's imagination, here a model wears a lilac sprigged dress in a room filled with lilac.  In turn, I was inspired to scalp our lilac trees to fill my desk.  Many readers may know Tim Walker's work from European editions of Vogue Magazine.  I was first introduced through his picture of Lily Cole in India wearing the fabbest dress draped over a spiral staircase.   Lily features a lot in his work as does Northumberland, my home county. This is Eglingham Hall.

I want to be there amongst the balloons.  The pictures are stunning and the narrative is amusing and informative.  The stories behind the pictures are quite fascinating and the English weather tries it's best to thwart the fashion team on many occasions.  Imagine what a breeze would do to this shot or a good old Northumbrian gale!

I could happily co-exist in Tim's world.  Some of his pictures seem a little like Helen world.... but he has more talent, a bigger budget and is a way, way better photographer.  To see more of Tim Walker's work visit here, buy his book or stay tuned to our blog.  Recently I travelled to London to see his exhibition at The Design Museum.  I had a fabulous time and will post the results when I return from the Stencil Convention in America.

In the meantime please, please let me get famous and hip enough for Vogue to commission Tim to do my portrait. 

I want to be on that staircase, or suspended in a room full of balloons or rolling in vats of M&M's or riding a giant papier mache horse through the Northumberland surf. 

Dream on.   Helen.

Charleston Stencil Convention

Well, it's that time of year again when I pack my stencilled suitcase, passport and traveler's cheques and head off to America for the annual SALI stencil convention.  This is the last year that the name SALI (Stencil Artisans League Inc) will be used.  A new name for the organisation will be unveiled during the week.  Stencilling is now just one of many, many surface decorations promoted and encouraged by the group.  Anyone can join SALI, hobbyist or professional.  Visit them if you want to know more.  You have to be a member to take part in the classes at the convention, but the expo is open to all.  Where is it?  Well, this year it is in North Charleston, South Carolina at the Embassy Suites from the 21st of this month. Get all details the SALI site.

Our USA distributor Stencilwerks will have a booth there selling our stencils and some of their own brand. 

There are some leading stencil names teaching at convention: Melanie Royals, Sheri Hoeger, Lucretia Moroni, Gary Lord, Lynn Brehm and Carol Van Gerena are just a few of them.  Oh, and there's me too!

I am just teaching two classes this year as I would like to sightsee and hopefully take a class with one of the other teachers.  One of the subjects I am offering is how to create Print Rooms such as these:   We will use stencils and photocopies. I'm also teaching how to use some of the latest stencils techniques such as decorating masks and silhouette stencils.  We have a photo gallery showing the range of masks.  Click here to see more of them, or here for more Print Room pictures.  Some years I have taught up to five classes, demonstrated at the expo and helped man the booth.  Every year I say "next year I'll take it easy".  Well, this is that year.  I want soak in the interiors of historic houses, see Spanish moss on the trees and revel in the heat.  Oh, and look for the nearest branch of Anthropologie of course.

I am excited because I have been invited to view the stencilling and the garden at the Charleston home of one of our customers.  I feel very privileged.  Rachel has been reading about the garden in a delightful book called "Mrs Whaley and her Charleston Garden".  She posted about it recently on this blog.  

There are two internet chapters of the SALI organisation which is handy for people like me as there is no way I would be tripping over the Atlantic for the monthly meetings.  One of the online chapters is holding a wild shoe party and I may wear these:  I made them years ago with a bunch of silk flowers and a glue gun. Their maiden flight was to a fancy restaurant and the host asked whether I'd had my feet in the salad! 

 It should be a week full of friendship, education and parties.  I'll show and tell on my return. Helen

Fabulous Pugs

  

There are many things that make me smile.  One of them is the Fabulous Pugs 2008 calender.  I have one beside my computer.  The pictures are based on the Fabulous Pugs book by Lisa Knapp.  It must be one of the few pug books that I do not have in my collection.  Look at November's offering.... Andy Warhol Pug.

 

Is that not gorgeous? 

He appears to be sitting in front of a Warholesque background which I think is very similar to my Psycho Pug painting. 

 

Psycho Pugs was the first painting that I sold and variations of it are still for sale.  I used our multi-overlay Contemporary Pug stencil over a background of damask stencilled with iridescent paint.  Want to see more pug?  Of course you do.  Here is Carmen Miranda Pug. I have a frock very similar to hers.

 

And here is our simple pug stencil.

 

It is inexpensive and guaranteed not to snore or shed fur.

Photographs on calender are by Danny Strickland.

Amazon.com . for Fabulous Pugs.

  Helen.

Mrs Whaley and her Charleston Garden

"...a garden should be a sanctuary...[it] should push back the wilderness and be an intimate place safe from lions and elephants, whatever was out there."

 

Recently, I had been in contact with a customer about stencils for her dining room.  We got to e-chatting and I found that she lived in Charleston.  As it happens, this year's SALI convention (July 21st-26th) is in Charleston which I happened to mention to our customer in case she would be interested in attending.  I had also mentioned that Helen, who will be our representative and teaching at the convention, was thoroughly looking forward to visiting Charleston and hopefully some of the old houses to see their interiors.

 

At this point, my customer mentioned that she lived in the historical district in Charleston and that their garden was quite famous as her mother had written a book about it called "Mrs Whaley and her Charleston Garden".  Having attended Vanderbilt University, I was well used to Southern charm and hospitality so I was intrigued enough to look this book up on Amazon.  I only had to read a couple of sentences about it before I put it in my basket.  I have just finished reading this book and I can only tell you what an absolute delight it is.  Yes, it is mostly about the garden (and I am no gardener), but it is also full of anecdotes and recipes and general advice.  It is a small book and would make the most excellent gift to any person who enjoys anything to do with gardens.

I have continued to correspond with Mrs Whaley's daughter, Marty (who is mentioned in the book as the artist and decorator of the family - wonderful) partly about how much I enjoyed the book, Helen's visit to Charleston and her decorating projects.  She has kindly arranged for Helen to see the garden and possibly some others on the street which I know Helen will enjoy because she is the gardener of our family.

Marty also sent me photos of the finished dining room scheme we had first corresponded about which is just beautiful.

   

She has used IN48 Panel Pack to create the panels on the walls.

 

She has also used the border IN43 along the skirting board which is such an effective place to put a border stencil.

  

The stencilling was done in a pale brown on wonderful old linen coloured walls (my colour description, not the actual paint colour).

Marty also sent me photos of some of her work of which I will share a couple with you as they, too, are lovely to look at.  She sells her art through Dog & Horse Fine Art and the Wells Gallery.

 

You can tell she is a gardener's daughter as she has seen and brought to the canvas all the wonderful and vibrant colours seen in flora.

   

I may not garden and I may not be able to identify many flowers or plants, but I do find the garden the most wonderful source of inspiration and yes, a place to be safe from the lions and elephants.  Rachel

Domino, inspiring the bloggers

What a lovely surprise.  This morning I had a comment from Taddie Tales on the recent post about our bare trees stencil.  She complimented us on our stencils featured in the latest issue of Domino magazine and did I mind that she had blogged them?  Mind?  Of course not.  I am honoured.  It will take a week before I see an issue of Domino.  I arrive in America next Saturday.  In the meantime, I went immediately to her blog to see what Domino had done with our stencils.....nice job.  Thank you, Domino!  They have used the lower half of our Chinoiserie panel set.  It look like they might be stencilled in shades of grey...oh, take a look at Taddie Tales as she describes it better than me and there are photographs.

Also, Domino featured ten international bloggers.  Sadly for me, I was not one of them, but my friend Di from the wonderful Designers Block was.  She was also interviewed on two other blogs the same day.  They were enjoyable and interesting interviews.  Go visit and follow her links.  I have known her thirty years and still learned new things.  According to the comments it seems many others want to know her too.

Helen

Photograph from Taddie Tales.

NEW Bare Trees Stencil

I like the way that the metallic paint reflects colour and hints at a landscape beyond the bare tree trunks on this stenciled wall.   Our new tree trunk design is available in Online Exclusives.  It's name is simply 'Bare Trees'.  It comes in three sizes: a border version which comes in two sizes and a full wall version which has been used in this photograph.  I will be decorating with the smaller border version soon.  Custom sizes can be sought by contacting us.  Bare Trees is a reverse stencil which means that you paint your wall the colour you want your trees to be and then stencil a background colour back in. 

This wall has proved very popular with visitors to our shop, the stencilling took an hour and a half and I used a foam roller and silver paint.

We've also added a fabulous fireworks stencil to the Online Exclusives range of stencils.  We shall be doing a room set with this one soon and when we have a photograph will post it on the site.

We have also updated our Special Offer stencils on the site.  There are some great bargains to be had. Helen

ILVA Experience

No, no, no!  I have just found out that one of my favourite stores, ILVA might be in big trouble.  I could get seriously poor from shopping at ILVA, not that their prices are high as usually they seem quite reasonable to me.  My problem with ILVA is that there is always so much there that I want to buy!  I have neither the space, bank balance or the need for much of the lovely things that I see there.  Thank goodness for clients as I can shop for their homes instead.  Brilliant solution...I get the ILVA shopping experience, but not the bill at the end.

Do you remember the post about the cherry blossom stencil on the stairs?  Wouldn't this rug look fab with that stencil?...If that stencil was not on a steep stairway, oh and in a different colour, but you know what I mean. 

Even the simplest of their displays are attractive.  I liked this play on the traditional blue and cream stripe tableware.

Wouldn't this glass fronted cabinet look fab with it's shelves heaped with colourful sweaters?  Rachel did this in her stenciled Cherry Blossom dressing room.   

I don't have enough sweaters.

Claire Milne showed this photo of her glass front cabinet on her lovely blog she has some lovely photos and kindly let me share this one with you.  What a perfect excuse to buy a cabinet as I have so much fabric needing a dust free home.

I was restrained dear reader and the cabinet stayed in ILVA.  I did buy a set of these felt table mats.  I thought they were quite stencil-ish and looked well with the black lacey stencilling in my kitchen.  I bought more silver cake stands to add to the ones that I heaped with crystal at my birthday dinner party.  I collect cake stands.  They are useful to add height to flower arrangements, candle displays and many other things.  I had wanted this one for ages and it is now half price.  In the winter it will be full of oranges and in the summer I will float flower heads in it.  Someday I might even serve cakes on them!

Is this not nifty?   The lid keeps the egg warm.  I think there is something very Jeeves and Wooster about it.

The stencilling surrounding it is OTT36 from the Ottoman Tile range.

I know many of you will not have ILVA in your country and there are not that many worldwide.   I am suprised how many people in my home area have not realised this gem is in our vicinty.  Hey neighbours, it's on the same retail park as IKEA and DFS.  Use it before we lose it!

Helen

Free Flowing Paisley

Our customer behind the glorious "Lavatory of No Restraint" has sent us photos of her latest project.  This time she has created a subtle scheme for her beach house using our IN47 Large Paisley Pack.  I am always thrilled to see what customers do with our stencils not least because they come up with different ways to use pattern.  The free flowing paisley shown here is a perfect example of that.

I always thought paisley had to be used in a formal regimented way, but our customer did some research and found that it tends to show up in two ways: either symmetrical configurations (as I expected) or "more organic, uncoordinated clumps" (my customer's words).  She decided to go for the latter.  The paisley is simply done in white on a lovely sand coloured wall.  The stencil itself is made up of three motifs and has two layers on the main large paisley motif.  In some places she has used both layers, and in others, just a single layer (initially thinking she would go back and finish the layers, but decided she rather liked the look).

  

She feels that the more free flowing layout suits the space and also the house, given that it is a beach house, being reminiscent of the waves.

I think the result is just gorgeous and the rooms looks so peaceful and relaxing.  And I have now seen a new way to use our paisley stencil.  Our customer has promised to send us photos of her next project which is to stencil chandeliers onto a wall in her daughter's room.  But she has warned me I may have to wait a while as it will take some time to clear a path to the wall that has to be stencilled.  I am sure it will be worth the wait.  Rachel.