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stenciled china cabinet {a tutorial}

 I’ve always wanted to try a stenciling project in my home….and I’m so glad I did! This Royal Designs Studio stencil turned this plain jane china cabinet into something amazing!

This stenciled china cabinet is an easy and fun stenciling project…read on for the details…

stencil a china cabinet

Having never stenciled anything before in my life, I was nervous about whether or not I’d be able to do it.

But I can tell you now, there’s nothing to it (I loved it so much I purchased a second stencil for another project almost immediately after completing this project).

Here’s what you need:

royal design studio stenciled china cabinet

I used the Endless Circles Lattice stencil for my project. It came (quickly) in the mail and included basic instruction on using the stencil.

My biggest concern was being able to line it up correctly, which didn’t end up being a problem at all.

I used Martha Stewart stencil brushes for this (found at Michaels).

I also used this Extender for my paint…

royal design studio stenciled china cabinet

Royal Design Studio recommends Folk Art Extender, which I couldn’t find at my Michaels. I was thisclose to doing this without the use of an Extender, but decided at the last minute to see what Hobby Lobby had.

And, let me tell you, using an extender is a must! I tried to both ways and definitely found the paint easier to work with using the extender. It makes the paint thinner and easier to manipulate, a must for stenciling projects.

And here’s the before picture of my china cabinet…

royal design studio stenciled china cabinet

Now, just so you know, I didn’t actually stencil the inside of my china cabinet. Instead, I used foam board (found at Michaels), cut to fit the cabinet, and stenciled that.

royal design studio stenciled china cabinet

I positioned the stencil at the top left of my board (following the clear direction that came with the stencil), loaded my brush, wiped off the excess and began.

Now, I did not use a stencil adhesive. I figured that since I was working horizontally, it wasn’t necessary.

I did, though, use some painters tape just to help me hold it in place.

royal design studio stenciled china cabinet

 Almost done! I was really getting excited about my new stenciled china cabinet at this point…

royal design studio stenciled china cabinet

This project took about 4 hours to complete, but the vast majority of that was drying time between coats.

royal design studio stenciled china cabinet

I luuurve how this turned out. I seriously couldn’t be happier with my *new* stenciled china cabinet!

Looking for more stencil inspiration? I stenciled a vintage dresser, as well!

How about you? Have you stenciled before? Do you want to learn? What in your home would be made happier by some stencil love?

Sunday 29th of July 2018

Absolutely beautiful look! Good job!

Cait

Thursday 31st of May 2012

You are so smart to use foam core! Brilliant. PLEASE share what color green that is! I must buy it!!! THANKS!

Nikki Kelly

Thursday 31st of May 2012

This is so clever! I just love the repeating pattern stencils, especially the geometric ones. I am working on stenciling my studio right now with a stencil from cutting edge designs (birch tree forest) and its taking forever! And you're totally right, the drying time makes it take even longer!

Nikki Kelly @ the ambitious procrastinator

Nikki Kelly

Thursday 31st of May 2012

Oops, I forgot to add the link to my post! http://theambitiousprocrastinator.blogspot.com/2012/05/lost-in-trees.html

Heather

Thursday 31st of May 2012

Perfect!! I love that used foam board making it an interchangable piece.

I have just started getting into stencils myself. My biggest project was stenciling curtains http://thatredheadedsister.com/painted-curtains/

I love how easy they are to use.

Jan

Thursday 31st of May 2012

Your cabinet turned out just beautiful!! I am curious, though, about the foam board thickness. Did you have to cut the depth of your shelves down?