Design Inspiration. Planet Stencil Library.

Applying Fennel with a foam roller

Can't wait for summer?  Bring the outdoors in with fennel stencils. Our fennel wall was stencilled using foam rollers but large stencil brushes would work well too.  Three colours of matt emulsion were used .Load the roller lightly with paint from the roller tray and then roll away the excess paint onto hardboard or something similar.  The roller should be barely damp with paint before applying through the stencil.Apply a light, even spray of repositioning adhesive to the back of the stencil then press firmly into place.  Y-75 Fennel is a large stencil and may need some low tack tape to help hold the weight.  Roller the paint gently over the stencil work from the edge of the stencil into the holes.

  Try not to push paint under the shapes.  The paint should be dry within seconds.  Build up density in layers rather than overloading the roller.
Peel away the stencil, move it along then stencil it again.  When you have enough pattern, stop. Fennel wall was stenciled using the darkest colour first.  Then perspective in the pattern was achieved by over stenciling the design in lighter shades to give an illusion of depth.  A mixture of large and small fennel stencils were used.

The beauty of stencilled pattern is that it can be applied in any colour, it can decorate surfaces such as floors, furniture and fabrics.  Plaster can be troweled through a stencil to add dimensional pattern.  The Fennel stencil is available in two sizes.  It is very quick to do and as you can see from the pictures it is very versatile.

Helen.

Who or what influenced who or what?

Yesterday, I was leafing through the March issue of Elle magazine (the US edition) and came across this ad for Missoni:

Now a couple of years ago, we were designing our Big and Bold range of stencils.  We were stencilling roomsets to show off how these decorating masks worked.  By using the decorating mask system, you can create patterns that you couldn't with a traditional stencil.  The Chevron is a perfect example of this.  When Chips created this roomset using DM4 Chevron No. 2, I remarked, "How very Missoni!".  To which Chips replied, "If you say so".  That implies that he is not very sartorially minded, but I assure you...despite his current favoured uniform of huge sweater, denim shirt and jeans, he knows his Versace from his Chanel (a good designer is well versed in all the creative arts).  But I also have a 1930's knitted tea cosy that looks as though it walked straight off of the Missoni catwalk so what subconsciously inspired his scheme is a mystery.  If you think that you cannot gain inspiration from something as utilitarian as a knitted tea cosy, think again.  Here is the photo said tea cosy (masquerading as a cushion on my armchair at the moment).

It's quite something, is it not?  Finally, here is the roomset featuring the Chevron Decorating Mask.

 

I would like to think that Missoni's current collection was inspired by our photograph (being arrogant enough to think that anyone at Missoni had actually seen our photo).  Given that Missoni might have subtly inspired it in the first place, that has a nice sort of symmetry to it, don't you think?  However, I suspect the tea cosy might have had more to do with it.  If unusual objects have inspired any decorating schemes of yours, please leave a comment.  We'd love to hear what sparks an idea.

Rachel

weeping willow and sweeping swallow

As promised a few days ago here is the step by step willow stencil project.

Do you fancy creating a screen, a blind or a wall of weeping willow and sweeping swallows?  You do?  Then read on.

Our swallow stencil features three birds of varying sizes which helps if a flock of swallows is required. Spray a light coating of Spraymount to the back of the stencil and press it into position.

  I want the willow to hang over some of the birds, so I need to stencil them first.  The swallow's body was stenciled in Paynes Grey acrylic from Liquitex and the head was stencilled in red oxide and soft white from the same range.

Next, I added the JA73 willow stencil using bronze paint . The stencil has many clumps of foliage that fit together to make varying lengths of willow. I rather like this bronze, sparse arrangement and could have left the wall as it now..... but that would be a very short demonstration and I should show how one can add other colours and layers. Another layer of willow has been added.  This time it is stencilled with copper.  JA129 Carp nestles above the skirting board. A layer of baltic green foliage sits on top of the other colours.  Some of the green leaves are embellished with a white stripe along them.  This is not crucial.  I was just being arty.

Don't you think this would be an effective way of decorating fabric for curtains too?

Helen 

Putting other lamps in the shade

  Lampshades are just one of the many objects around the home that might appreciate the facelift that stencilling can provide.  This one is decorated with BB79 Squiggle.  It was stencilled with Pot of Silver from The Stencil Library and the lamp base was gilded with aluminium leaf.  The following shot shows JA52 Wave on a shade in Rachel's bathroom.

This shade lives in Rachel's bathroom too.  We call this design eyelashes, but it's real name is MD50 Coral.

Finally, this large lampshade gets a simple, linear treatment with MD36 Beads stencil.I used just a segment of a repeating pattern.  See me in the reflection stencilling and photographing at the same time?  What a multi-tasker!

The lamp is part of a room that I stencilled recently.  I will share more of that project soon.

Helen

Tyne Life Magazine

Readers living in the Tyne Valley area have just one day left to buy their copy of The Hexham Courant Tyne Life magazine.  After that the feature on The Stencil Library is yesterday's news.
That's a shame really, because this was a very entertaining read.  We like all the features that are written about us, but this one had us laughing a lot (in a good way!).  It was written by Kay Cooper and the photographs in the magazine were by Tony Iley.

Family jewels

I have brought you quite a few stencil related posts recently so I thought we would have a change today.  For no other reason than I thought you may enjoy them, I bring you photographs from the Morris family archive.

Firstly, I introduce Cassius the kitten. These slides were taken in the late 1950's and 1960's by my father (Rachel's uncle).
This is Tiger Balm Gardens in Hong Kong.  There was one in Singapore too and it was a fave haunt of my brother and I during our childhood. The picture below was probably my first visit there. Click on the pictures to see details.  I write many posts about Chinoiserie decoration and stencils.  I expect I am receiving Chinese art vibes through my pushchair.

Any readers familiar with modern day Singapore might not recognise this street scene.

  This is the Singapore that I grew up in.  See the clothes drying on poles above the street? I leave you with an image of the Brittania swimming pool in Singapore. I remember drinking Cola floats there and the way the drowned roaches used to float in the spitoon at the edge of the pool.  Oh no, I cannot leave you with that image.  Bring back the cute kitten.

Aahhhhhhh.

Helen 

20th Anniversary for Chicago Institute

Are you going to be anywhere Carol Stream, Illinois on the 20th of March?   I'm not, otherwise I would be taking up an invitation from The Chicago Institute of Fine Finishes.  They are celebrating their 20th year in the decorative arts industry by hosting a fun-filled and informative open house from 10am until 8pm.   You’ll have the opportunity to experience the latest materials, newest finishes and some fab stenciling.   There will be refreshments and prizes too!  Owner Kathy Carroll  runs one of the foremost schools in faux finising in the USA and a flourishing eStore.  Want to know your marble from your burr walnut?  Speak to Kathy.

Helen

New stencil workshops for 2009

The Stencil Library are bringing you two new workshops and one old faithful this year.  The original stencil day course will be offered again.

Stencilling Day 1:

Time: 10am-5pm,  Price 69.00 GB Pounds.  This workshop starts with the basics of stencilling and builds to encompass many professional techniques.  The emphasis is on practical work with demonstration and discussion.  We will stencil various media onto different surfaces.  You will also learn to cut a stencil.  The programme includes lunch and a tour of The Stencilled Home.  Students will receive around 30.00 pounds worth of supplies to take home.  This workshop provides an overview of many aspects of stencilling and is suitable for both beginners and those with some experience.

Dates: Sat June 27th,  Fri September 4th

Our first NEW workshop is Stencil Day 2. This class works well as a companion to Dday 1 as it covers quite different territory.

Stencilling Day 2,  New Stencil Techniques:

Time: 10am-5pm,   Price: 69.00 GB Pounds.  This class differs from Stencilling Day 1 because it explores less conventional methods of applying stenciled pattern.  Decorating masks, feature walls, silhouette and overlay stencils are all presented during the day.  Although this workshop builds upon techniques learned in the Stencil Day 1, the projects can still be achieved by beginners.  Lunch is included.

Dates: rehearsal date Sun June 28th, Sat September 26th

We also have a new half day class which explores stencil techniques that can be used in the creation of a Print Room.  We have a photo gallery of Print Rooms on this blog's side bar.  A Print Room Class was introduced last year and this one has evolved from it.

Techniques For 21st Century Print Rooms:

Time: 1.30-5.30pm, Price 55.00 GB Pounds.  Students will explore techniques to create modern versions of 18th century print rooms.  A mixture of stencilling, decoupage, handpainting and gilding will be practised.  A demonstration of texture stencilling and overglazing will also be given.  Walls, screens and furniture are all suitable subjects for a print room treatment using your favourite prints and photographs.  This class offers a grounding in many absorbing techniques and the PR Tassel stencil is yours to keep after the class.

Dates: Rehearsal date Mon June 29th, Sun September 27th

What is a rehearsal date?  Well, we do a rehearsal before launching any new class.  It is so that we can make sure that the timing works. We also need to test that the projects are attainable and enjoyable.  Rehearsal class prices are 10.00 GB Pounds cheaper than the prices given above.

Want to know more information, get a brochure, join us for a workshop?  Just email, call or fax us.

Private courses and tours of The Stencilled Home can be arranged. 

The details of the July USA classes that I am teaching for IDAL in Memphis, Tennessee arrived today.  I have a glitch to sort out and when that is done I will give you details and links.

Helen.

Dinner mats and willow stencils

This week a set of Chinoiserie style dinner mats inspired me to create room sets featuring stencils from the Japanese range at The Stencil Library.

Our bird and blossom collection and the designer willow stencil were both created by us at the end of the last century.  The actual parent willow tree grows in Stocksfield near our home.

These designs have been popular with stylists, designers and home decorators ever since.  I think they still look fresh and contemporary. 

A variety of photographs on this Design Inspiration blog and on our web press pages show many interpretations of both the bird and blossoms and the willow, including large scale versions of the stencils.  Perhaps none of the other pictures started as a dinner mat.

The first of my room set photographs featured the colours seen in the mat.  Actually in this picture, the colours look nothing like the mat...but they did in real life, honest they did. and then the idea grew to decorate a chair with birds and blossom stencil no 1, which in turn grew into a bedroom

  The willow stencil is made from components that are overlaid to create either sparse or lush foliage in as many colours as one wishes.

I have created a step by step tutorial showing another of the many ways to use this stencil.  It will follow this post in a couple of days.  You will also be able to find it in our projects section along with willow on a stencilled silk dress.

JA73 Willow is an extremely versatile stencil because the user controls the ultimate size of the design and it works well in any colour.

Helen

Keep Calm and Carry On

A few years ago, I bought a reproduction WWII poster.  It simply had the text "Keep Calm and Carry On" written in a modern, cream coloured typeface on a red background.  The classic simplicity of both the look and meaning appealed to me.  I wanted to put it at the top of the stairs leading into my flat.

We do regular house tours of our stencilled home, and I thought the poster's saying was appropriate when visitors are bombarded with so much pattern and colour in our house.  It has taken me this long to get the poster framed and in the meantime, it has grown in stature.  The current economic climate is so dire here that it has been likened to times during and just after WWII.  So, all of a sudden, morale building posters and sayings from the war have become popular and sadly, relevant again.  One can now purchase bags, t-shirts, mugs, mouse mats, teatowels and even a rug of this poster.

(photo: www.pedlars.co.uk)

However, I didn't realise until I read a piece in the local paper the other day that the whole phenomenon started right here in Northumberland.  One of my favourite places in our county is Barter Books. 

It is an enormous second-hand book emporium in what is the old train station at Alnwick just up the coast.  Alnwick is home to Alnwick Castle (home of the Duke & Duchess of Northumberland) where the famous Alnwick Garden is situated and parts of Harry Potter were filmed.  It is a nice (and regular) day out for us to drive up the coast and go to Barter Books for a good browse and then tea out somewhere nearby.

(photo: Simon Greener)

It is at Barter Books that I bought my copy of the poster.  They had an original framed and on the wall people were always asking to buy it so they had copies printed and would sell them.  According to the article in The Journal, the poster was found in a box of books.  There is only one other known original copy of the poster because it was never put into use at the time.  To date, Barter Books have sold over 40,000 copies to all sorts of places worldwide.  It may never have been used at the time, but it has certainly become iconic now and I just love the fact that its worldwide popularity started right here in our little corner of the world.

But, never mind keeping calm, I think I'd rather....

(photo courtesy of gruntzooki on www.flickr.com)

If you fancy making your own variation on the Keep Calm poster, then we could make a stencil for you of your desired text.  Our FNT05 Classic Modern typeface is the perfect copy needed to create the look.

What is your favourite morale boosting saying?

Rachel.