First of all...LOVE that pattern....wonder why...

Anyhoo, back in the day when I stenciled a lot I used a temporary spray adhesive rather than just taping down the corners. This really gave a nice finish. I think you want to use a stencil brush, and after dabbing it in the paint, you want to practically have the brush dry! Dab off most of that paint and then you stipple it on.

I'm also thinking about doing a stencil in my dining room if I paint it that dark purple. I am interested in using the same color, but in another sheen. I'll be watching for your updates!

(My favorite gray strip is the one with the Baltic Gray on it, it goes really nicely with browns. Check it out. It is BM 1464 - 1470 strip)

OOh i can not wait to hear how it goes I order a large damask print stencil for my hall am afraid to start tho:( Good luck!!! And please show pics!

I've never done stenciling, and to be honest, I always thought of the country patterns which really aren't my style. I love yours! What it a good source for more stencils like yours?
roarah - I'd love to see your stencil too.

I don't stencil enough to comment on the how to's but wanted to say that's an awesome design and your plans sound lovely. Good luck with it and I hope you post pics afterwards. I have a feeling it's going to look fantastic!!

For an allover pattern like yours, I'd use a 4inch dense foam roller. Cutting Edge Stencils has a good tutorial on roller stenciling (link below). The most important thing to remember is to offload! Too much paint is what causes run unders. Practice on a piece of posterboard painted with your basecoat until you get the hang of it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wall Pattern Stenciling Instructions

pps7-

I agree with jpaints, use a foam roller and don't load it up with paint, it's not like painting a wall, less is more with stenciling. I haven't done it in years, but practice and give yourself plenty of time, once you get on a roll, you'll want to keep going, seeing the progress is very satisfying.

Good luck, and post pics when you're done.

sandyponder

I did stenciling in our bedroom but it was just a single damask stencil. I used latex paint and a stencil brush. I was going to use a foam roller but I thought it'd be more hassle. I used so little latex paint on the stencil brush it dried nearly immediately and I had to periodically stop and clean the brush and stencil as they would get gummed up, so just a heads up.

I did purchase a similar stencil to what you have for our dining room but I haven't tackled that project yet.

I see a problem. Space is 23 inches, stencil is 22.5 depending how the stencil is laid out you aren't going to get enough space to repeat the pattern (top to bottom )to make it look like anything.
Most stencils I've seen have one row of design it's up to the stenciler to put the stencil together to make the wall design.

Thanks for the tips. The roller would certainly be easier. I'll definately give it a trial run and get the adhesive spray. Carol, the stencil has 3 rows. It' 30" wide so it's a big one. It was on the expensive side, but I thought I'd make it easier on myself the first time around. Amj, I bought my stencil on etsy from royal design stencils. I've heard good things about cutting edge stencils as well.

Any more opinions on roller vs brush?

Dh thinks it will look wierd that I'm only doing the wall in between the cabinets and not the whole room. I think it will look fine. Any opinions on that?

I'm thinking of buying my first stencil too and giving it a try. I think I'm going to go with the one in the link I'm providing. I think it's so elegant. I first saw it in the beautiful kitchen of The Little Round Table blog (if you've never visited there, you are in for a treat!).

Here is a link that might be useful: Stencil