Using Rubber Stamps With Venetian Plaster
Creating your own stenciling effect is easily done with rubber stamps and Venetian plaster. By pressing the rubber stamps into wet plaster it can really help to leave an excellent impression. This type of design stands out on the wall and it also helps to create shadows which can look mysterious and enchanting.
Creating the Right Designs for Your Home
There are hundreds of stencils you can choose from with rubber stamps which makes it easy to find something to suit your tastes. You can find them either at a specialty store, a craft store or even on the Internet. Really when attempting to decorate the walls in this manner, you will need a stamp which is fairly large in size. If you want something inviting and homely then plant designs tend to be quite good such as leaves, flower heads and fern. However if you cannot make up your mind then you can easily make a little collage of all different designs.
With most paint types they need no preparation, but with high or semi-gloss type walls you will need to add a water based primer. You can start by using a flat, wide scraper and smooth down an even amount of joint compound. Usually a 1/8 thick on a 3×3 foot section of the wall is about right. If you use a thicker compound then it is possible that you will cause the impression to look a little blurry.
When you have covered the chosen area with the compound you then simply place the rubber stamp wherever you want it. You will normally have around thirty minutes maximum to place all of the rubber stamps onto the wall before it dries. If you ensure that the stamps face different ways each time you do them then you will end up with an effect which looks like wallpaper. Many people prefer this and luckily enough if you do not get the desired effect straight away you can always start again as it does take thirty minutes to dry and that is plenty of time to redo the design.
It is always better to do sections of 3×3 foot before moving on. This will ensure that you get the desired results and it breaks it down into an easy to manage area too. Finish off by letting the compound dry thoroughly and then cure it for up to 48 hours before you paint over it. Water based primer will allow you to seal the compound and then you can successfully paint over it. Always be careful not to let the paint fill the design as that could cause it to lose some of its shape and effect. Again work in small 3×3 foot sections and once you have finished painting the walls, let them dry thoroughly before enjoying your handy work.