Brick Stencils: Faux Painting Made Easy
One of the easiest faux painting finishes is faux brickwork. It can add interest to a dull flat wall or drab concrete surface, either in the home or in the garden or patio area. The great thing about it is that reusable stencils, easily available from many retailers, make the job really quick and easy, even for beginners.
The Brickwork Look
An uninteresting floor or wall can become an eye-catching feature with a brick finish makeover. Indoors, the unpainted brick look is trendy and modern with the warm colors of brick complementing other decorating styles. Outdoor spaces can also be enhanced. Brickwork (especially aged brickwork) has a soft, warm appearance whereas plain, untextured concrete floors can be stark and ugly.
Brick stencils can be used in various scenarios. If you want to extend existing brickwork you can use faux painting techniques and brick stencils instead of resorting to the expense and hassle of actual construction work. If you have a brick feature to restore, you may discover how difficult bricks can be to rejuvenate effectively. Stripped brickwork can be ugly and is easily damaged, with unsightly results.
The Pros and Cons of Stencils
Especially if you’re new to faux painting, brick stencils have many pluses and few minuses. In some cases (for example, if you need to match existing brickwork) you may have to mark out your design manually, or create your own stencil to match what you already have. If you can buy a stencil to suit your purpose you will save a lot of time. The only real downside of stencils is that their fixed size can create problems with corners and edges (especially curved edges, for example around a circular or arched window).
Which Design?
You’ll be spoiled for choice when choosing amongst the patterns of brick stencil on the market. You will need to consider which design best suits the space or surface that you’ll be making over.
Make sure that the scale is in proportion. Consider the space available. You may not want large bricks in a small room or small blocks in a bigger space. The size of the brick is one factor influencing the degree of texture that results. Some manufacturers offer customizing and re-sizing of stencils.
You will also need to consider how a design will complement your room and its architectural and decorative style. Swirling or irregular patterns can create a soft effect and may go well in older or cottage-like homes and traditional-style gardens. Plain rows or geometric designs, including herringbone patterns, may suit a more modern house.
Free Your Imagination
You don’t have to stick to an authentic effect, with red and brown bricks. Make the most of brickwork patterns with stencils but add any color you like for interesting results. Faux painting techniques will allow you to recreate the effect of brand new brickwork or, for an ancient or rustic look, crumbling brickwork. Stenciling makes creating the pattern easy but you can play with color and style to achieve the desired look.
Tags: Decorating, Gardening, Home, home and garden, home improvement, interior design, painting
