DIY: Furniture Stenciling

If I could get $1 for every time a project started with a random search on Craigslist, I would be so wealthy.

This project started with a search for a headboard.  I found an entire bedroom set for $200 and talked the owner into $140.  1 Queen Headboard, 2 night stands and an ENORMOUS dresser.

Thinking of all of the possibilities made me giddy.

First the hard part, my least favorite...sanding. 

I am so lucky to have a slave to do it for me.

Scroll down below to see before and in-progress images.

During the sanding process I did a little research to figure out what I wanted the end result to be.

I decided on white paint, and yellow accents.  I fell in love with this stencil set on Amazon from Martha Stewart...

After sanding, the priming started.  

I did 2 coats primer (3 on the grooves and curves) letting dry at least an hour in between.

Then I painted the furniture the color POLAR BEAR from Home Depot Behr Paint.

It was easy for me to decide where I wanted the stenciling to be.

Each night stand had a carved area on top, decision made!

The head board had a long rectangular cut out as well, decision # 2 made!

On the dresser, I kept it simple and only stenciled the drawers.

I painted the area I wanted stenciled with my favorite CITRUS ZEST Home Depot Behr Color.

STENCILING HOW-TO:

I followed the simple directions on my stenciling kit:

Measure out where you would like stenciling to be

Clean surface of any dust or debris

Tape Stencil in place 

Apply paint with a dry brush technique

Let dry

Apply another coat of paint

Carefully peel stencil away from furniture

Dry brush painting (if you aren't familiar) is using a brush dipped in paint, and then wiped on a towel or sponge so that a sparse amount of paint comes off the brush.  It will remind you of chalk and if using white paint will look chalky as well.

After it dries, peel off carefully making sure to remove all tape.

WARNING: Stenciling takes a lot longer than you think it will.

Most of that time is waiting for paint to dry.

So make sure you have some musical tunes or a TV show to keep you company.

Next you match up your stencils to the pattern already painted and repeat your dry brush technique!

The dryer the better, it will take longer, but the paint won't bleed.

I added another couple of steps to make sure my furniture was going to last.

1. I lightly sanded the paint ridges to make the surface smooth.

If you choose to do this use a very fine grit sand paper.  This allows you to smooth out a project without taking away your painted finish.

2. Varnish. This varnish below is my favorite because it glides on like water, and truly dries Crystal Clear.

You won't end up with any yellowing if using a light color paint.

I did 2 coats on all furniture pieces.

The finished products!

Nightstands

I used as end tables in our family room

HEADBOARD

Long Dresser

Used as fabric and craft storage in my living room

These pictures were taken from my phone so they aren't as crisp.

I would do this again in a heart beat if I knew for sure it would turn out just as cute.

Although, Mod Podging cute scrapbook paper where I wanted would have been so much faster. :)

Cheers,