While some people find stenciling tired or overdone, the key is subtlety. Subtle designs and very subtle colors will give your items a custom touch without that overdone feel. While ivy all over everything has been done to death, there are some nice contemporary stencils available.
There are also many different types and colors of fabric paint offered that you can use to give plain fabric treatments some sparkle. You can also add an interesting design to furniture pieces, cabinetry, and walls. Stenciling is a great way to help tie pieces together even if they wouldn’t otherwise go together.
While stencils sometimes look out of place because they are too bold, too intricate, or too colorful for the space, they can be used in a restrained way to create an unassuming effect. For example, it is best to stencil only one item or just a few pieces to spread the design around the room. Often, people get carried away and stencil everything in the space to match. That’s when stenciling makes a room feel kitschy. Choose modern designs and use stencils sparingly. If you then use subtle colors or go tone on tone, you can create an interesting, more custom feel.
If you decide to use stencils on your walls, use them to highlight focal points, architectural features, and special objects instead of using them all over. Accenting a corner, creating a charming design above a fireplace, or using a stencil to “frame” a piece of artwork and draw attention to it, are all great uses of stenciling.
While stenciling can be a fun way to add a whimsical touch and bring more color and interest to a space, it does not have to be limited to those uses. Stenciling can also help you create a feeling of understated elegance, when subtle designs and colors are used.