Hi ladies, I am a professional decorative artist, and may be I can help with damask stenciling. We do a lot of this finish for our customers, and really it is not that difficult, in fact for us the damasks are big moneymakers. The trick is to keep your contrast low, (so your mistakes don't show) and to keep your stenciling level. Use bubble level or laser level to keep it vertical. We always use foam rollers with rounded ends to roll the pattern, this way it's super fast. You can use brushes too if you have patience and lots of time! :) Damasks look best over a subtle mottled background, like sponging or colorwash. You still can do it over straight paint, but it may look less sophisticated. You should make a sample on a board before starting! Make sure you like your colors and your technique before hitting the wall. Thicker stencil will last longer. however broken stencil is easy to fix with pieces of clear packaging tape. You'll have to clean the stencil few times during the project because it does get pretty clogged with paint. Sometimes it is helpful to have 2 stencils so you don't have to clean them during the project. The easiest way to clean a stencil - place the stencil on a back of a baking tray( or other flat tray) in your sink and scrub it with a dishwashing brush under running water. this way it doesn't get entangled and bridges don't break. Make sure you have a mesh strainer in your drain to catch all those dried paint particles! Here are some nice quality damasks, priced very reasonably, check it out at http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com For inspiration and to see finished rooms please look at our decorative company portfolio at http://www.specfindesigns.com Hope this helps, Sincerely, Janna Here is a link that might be useful: Cutting Edge Stencils

I bought the redi-strips of leading but never used them. They are straight & harsh looking! the liquid leading works much better. I taped stencil to back of glass & worked on front. That would work on a window but not a glass or other things.With the Gallery glass I just leaded in 1st & added the colors inside. Some I did on the sheets of acrylic or whatever it is,came with kit & then peeled off & put on mom's window between garage & patio. It's held up well! When using Enamel paints on glass I always clean window with alcohol & then take care not to touch it as oil in fingers comes off on glass.Paint won't stick to oil! Good Luck! Jan

When we sold our house a couple years ago, we painted and decorated everything, and since we happened to be professional decorators, it turned out very nice. We also hired a designer (friend) to give us some extra advice. We had lots of stenciling done in our house, painted ceilings and used designer furniture. We basically 'staged' entire house, making it look like something you'll see on HGTV, cozy, inviting and classy, then professionally photographed it and created slideshow on Flickr. We placed the link to that slideshow in our listings. (We did a free listing, which was a great thing!) Our idea was that a prospective buyer will fall in love with the pics before they even see the place. It totally, completely worked! In fact, there were a few people instantly interested, and the house sold in 2 weeks above asking price with all the furniture. The truth is, most people don't have the decorating vision and like to buy what the see. White walls are not attractive or inspiring to most, and definitely not cozy. So if it looks good, they will be thrilled. Tastefully done place is very attractive to buyers. So yes, while painting everything white is definitely one way to go, it will not give your home any character or advantage over other homes on the market. I would say: definitely stencil, paint, decorate and especially stage to the best of your abilities! it's fun, and you'll be proud showing off your house to buyers. use Pinterest, Houzz and designer magazines as your guide, and avoid crazy intense colors. And here's a great source for inexpensive stencils: Cutting Edge Stencils, just in case you go the stenciling route! Best of lick with your house! Here is a link that might be useful: Cutting Edge Stencils

Thanks again. Can't show the mirror because.... .....I haven't found the right one yet!! So, we have the full length one still across from the door, but no mirror yet. I did find one, but was very hesitant on using it because the frame was 4" thick and fear of odd shadows really troubled me. I returned it. Tis the season for holiday stuff, and no mirrors in the store. I'm sure I'll get one soon though. It's on the radar.