Stenciling a floor

By MATT FOX
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Most people consider themselves lucky to find a home with hardwood floors. My decorating partner Shari Hiller and I admire the warmth and character that well-maintained hardwood brings to a room.

Unfortunately, not all hardwood floors have been properly protected from stains and scratches. In these cases, the floor is no longer an asset, but rather an eyesore.

What can you do with a floor that is seriously ugly? Carpeting is the answer in most homes, but Shari and I have also used a more unusual method to beautify unsightly flooring _ stenciling.

Stenciling floors is a great way to decorate, adding charm and character to any room. Floor stenciling can be used in a variety of ways. Floors can be stenciled in just a small area, all the way around the perimeter of the room or as an all-over design imitating an area rug or a stone walkway.

Stenciling a floor is fairly easy. With no ladders to climb and no dripping paint, it is certainly easier than a wall-stenciling project.

The first step is floor preparation. To ensure that paint will adhere, floors need to be cleaned so that they are free of dirt, wax or grease. If your floor has been varnished, you may also need to sand lightly with 180-grit sandpaper.

Ready-made stencils are available in a wide variety of patterns at most craft shops. If you'd like to be even more creative, however, you can draw and cut your own stencils.

Traditional stenciling designs typically include leaves, flowers and berries. Don't feel limited by this; your plan can include any object, shape or geometric design.

Regardless of whether you are designing a stencil for a border or to imitate the look of an entire area rug, the process is similar. To begin, draw out the dimensions of your room using graph paper.

Decide how large you would like your stencil design to be and then create your pattern on the graph paper. Be sure to pay careful attention to the pattern in the corners, as some designs turn corners better than others. It is sometimes helpful to use colored pencils for a more accurate picture of the look of the finished stencil.

Once you are satisfied with your design, enlarge and transfer it to the plastic stenciling material. If you are using a single color, you will only need to cut one stencil, which can be used multiple times. If you are creating a multicolored design, you will need to cut a stencil for each color used.

To double-check that your stencil is the correct size, it's a good idea to photocopy the pattern. Then lay the copies around the room to check for size and correct placement.

There are several ways to paint the stencils. The fastest way to apply the paint is with a sponge or foam roller, although you may find that the paint tends to bleed under the stencil using these methods.

A more accurate way to apply the paint is with a stencil brush. Paint is less likely to bleed under the stencil because of the stiff bristles.

There are also several different mediums available for stenciling. Craft stores sell small bottles of paint especially made for stenciling, but any latex paint will work. Dry stenciling crayons are also an option. Whatever your choice, it is helpful if the product has a short drying time.

Just as with any other decorative painting technique, Shari and I always make a sample board before we start the actual project. It's a good way to try your hand at stenciling without making costly mistakes. Once you've got the hang of it, move on to the real project.

Start in the most visible corner of the room and work outward. Use blue painter's tape to hold your first stencil in place. Apply one color at a time, moving the stencil as needed. To prevent the design from smearing, be sure to clean the stencils often.

By the time you make your way around the room, the first area will more than likely be dry. Complete the rest of your design in the same manner, stenciling one color at a time until the entire pattern is complete. Once the paint has cured for a few days, protect your design with a few coats of non-yellowing polyurethane.

After completing your stenciling project, I'm sure you'll agree that your efforts have been well-rewarded. Stenciling will add character to any room, transforming your scratched and stained hardwood into a thing of beauty.

(Matt Fox and Shari Hiller, authors of "Matt and Shari's Great Weekend Projects" (DRG Publishers), also appear together frequently on HGTV. For more on Matt Fox & Shari Hiller, visit www.hgtv.com or www.mattandshari.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)