Stenciling correctly

Apply a small amount of Chalk Paint to a clean surface, such as the Annie Sloan MixMat. Use a stencil brush and dab the paint evenly onto the stencil. Be careful not to use too much paint at once – multiple thin layers are better than one thick one. Keep the brush dry to avoid paint bleeding under the stencil. Experiment with the thickness and opacity of the paint for interesting effects!

Alternatively to using a brush, you can also stencil with a foam roller. Pick up some chalk paint with the roller and roll it on a clean surface (e.g., on the MixMat or newspaper) to remove excess paint. The less paint on the roller, the clearer your design will be. Roll from left to right as well as from top to bottom over the stencil for even color coverage.

Done! With a stencil and a bit of paint, you’ve turned a simple surface into a unique, custom piece. Whether fine patterns, graphic shapes, or playful ornaments – when stenciling, you can combine colors and motifs to suit your own style.

And stencils can do even more: Not only furniture, but also walls, floors, textiles, or rugscan be creatively designed with them. Even single accents can have a big impact.

Want to start your own stencil project? Download the complete guide and get started.