In previous posts, we mentioned how effective pattern on pattern can look. This post covers stencil pattern on top of wallpaper. Wallpaper and stencilling need not be mutually exclusive and can look very effective together. As before, the key to a successful look is to get the two patterns to compliment each other rather than fight. The following photographs show examples of successful stencil and wallpaper marriages.
This first picture comes from the book "Wall to Wall" by Linda Barker which features many wonderful treatments for walls. We love this scheme. It features our Big & Bold Blossom decorating mask on top of Cabbages & Roses wallpaper. Our Big & Bold range includes many patterns and motifs that can be used both as traditional stencils as well as masks for reverse pattern as shown here. First the wall was covered in the retro style rose wallpaper. Then the masks were put in place. You paint around and over the mask so that when it is removed, wallpaper patterned blossom is left behind. This is a successful partnership between the old fashioned rose wallpaper and the modern, crisp large blossom resulting in a contemporary twist on a traditional look.
This image, and the next two, show roomsets using stencils on top of textured wallpapers from Tektura. This room was covered with brown wallpaper with a bark-like texture to it which we thought would compliment the bamboo stencil. First we applied JA72 Bamboo from our Japan range in bright turquoise. Next, we used our Big & Bold circles as masks painting over and around them in black paint. You can stencil onto textured surfaces with great effect and the texture of your surface can add to the stencilling. Just take a bit more care when stencilling very textured surfaces as your stencil will not be able to sit perfectly flat on your surface. The bamboo stencil is made up of two sheets of bamboo parts so you can build and grow your bamboo in any way you like.
This photo shows our Designer Cherry Blossom stencil, DR2, from our Garden Room range, stencilled onto pinstripe wallpaper from Tektura. The thin vertical stripes of the paper compliment the free-flowing curves of the cherry blossom stencil. DR2 is a sheet of component parts that you build and grow in any direction you like. Here we have stencilled it in off white and pale pink. Feather butterflies were stuck on the wall afterwards. The same stencil appears on the cushion.
The paper on this wall is also from Tektura. It is called decoupage paper. Rather than hanging it in strips like normal wallpaper, you tear off random sections and layer them up in any shape you want on your wall. No measuring needed! After the wall was covered, we stencilled a quotation using a style from our forthcoming "In Your Own Words" range of stencils (where we can make up your favourite saying, name, words in a choice of about 40 different fonts) in metallic gold paint.
I love this final image. It was something the talented stylists at Elle Decoration (UK Edition) did a few years ago. They took our JA47 Cherry Blossom stencil (from our Japan range) and stencilled it in metallic gold on top of a rose covered wallpaper. The simple shapes of the cherry blossom stencil compliment the full-on blowsy and colourful roses. Another reason that I loved this feature is that they did this inside a caravan which immediately made me want to go out and get a caravan to decorate, but Helen wouldn't let me put one in the garden. What you cannot see is that they stencilled the outside of the caravan as well, in our growing ivy stencil, DR1.
If you have existing wallpaper that you like, but just want to update it, think about adding stencil pattern. You will come up with something totally unique. Or if you are a die-hard stencil fan, like me, but love the wonderful wallpaper patterns that are available nowadays and are afraid of being disloyal to the stencilling medium, find a way to use both together. Some of our other favourite wallpaper companies are Neisha Crosland, Timorous Beasties, Second Hand Rose (for vintage wallpapers), Cole & Son, Flavor Paper. R.
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