I’m always on the lookout for inspiring ideas to fancy-up my salvaged furniture.
Embossed and raised stenciled furniture has been around for years. DIY’ers have now come up with a variety of easy and inexpensive ways to achieve this look. With these easy methods, a raised stencil can be used on furniture, cabinets, books, frames, walls, or pretty much anything you can apply a traditional paint stencil to.
This was my first time applying a raised stencil. It was a fun learning experience and easy to do. Through trial and error, I’m sure I’ll get better, faster and more adventurous with my future designs.
A big thank-you to Sausha at Sweet Pickin’s Furniture who’s beautiful work inspired me to give this a try! In true Denise fashion, I only glimpsed over her tutorial. I confess, I’m challenged when it comes to following instructions and prefer to dig in and learn as I go. I’m sure sometimes I could make things a lot easier for myself by learning from other’s experiences – something I could work on.
Sausha suggests Vinyl Spackle because it’s very durable. When I read the product I bought (non-vinyl Spackle), the instructions said “Do Not Use For Skimming”… well isn’t that kind of what I needed it for? This was a concern because when it first dried, it seemed crumbly-soft to me. Like if I was to touch it, it would fall off like sand. However, once I gave it sufficient drying time, the Spackle dried perfectly hard and durable. Yaaay! After posting this project on Facebook, many of you chimed in with various products to use for raised stencils. Spackle, Joint Compound, Gel Medium, Embossing Cream, Decorative Cement Mix, Texture Paste, and Fine Stone by Artisan Enhancements just to name a few. Thank you everyone!
Another thing I could have done differently is choose a more durable stencil. I used a Martha Stewart stencil because she has gorgeous designs, but her stencils are thin and flimsy – sorry Martha, I call’s it like I see’s’ it. 😉 The stencil would have been easier to work with if it was heavier and had a little more depth to it so the embossing would have been a slightly more raised off the dresser.
Here’s the supplies I used for this raised stencil technique:
:: Martha Stewart Stencil
:: Miss Mustard Seed’s “French Enamel” Milk Paint
:: Flexible Plastic Putty Knife
:: Dap DryDex Spackling Compound
:: Painter’s Tape
Here’s how I applied the raised stencil:
After cleaning and sanding my piece, I gave it a good wipe down with my enviro-friendly tack cloth. Then I positioned the stencil exactly where I wanted it. I taped it in place with painter’s tape (you could also use a spray adhesive). Holding the stencil perfectly flat against my drawer, I pushed the Spackle into the stencil area using a flexible putty knife making sure to fill all areas evenly.
Once the entire stencil design was filled in with Spackle, I gently removed the tape and pulled up the stencil to reveal the design. I did this while the Spackle was still wet.
After each stenciled drawer, I washed and dried both sides of the stencil because otherwise it made a mess. Here I’m cleaning my design up with a toothpick which worked really well.
This is the dresser all stenciled and ready for paint. It took me a while to decide on color. I went with Miss Mustard Seeds ‘French Enamel’.
After two coats of Milk Paint, I gave the paint and raised stencil a sanding. I really like how the white showed through and I’m guessing you can tint the Spackle to whatever color compliments your furniture.
All sanded and ready for dark waxing.
And here it is antiqued in a dark wax.
I really like the embossed effect (even more than the traditional painted on stencils) because it adds extra dimension and interest to a piece.
You can find more inspiration on raised stenciled furniture on Pinterest or see how I made my own DIY Stencil here.
Feel free to let me know what you think of this piece and if you have any questions/tips on decorating furniture with a raised stencil technique, I’d love to hear from you!
Look forward to seeing you tomorrow for Q-T-T!
Denise x
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Hi Dee.
I love this piece! How have you found the Dap Dry Dex holds up as a raised stencil medium after several years? I want to give it a try on my daughter’s bedroom furniture, and, since you did this several years ago, I thought I’d ask. Beautiful work! Thank you.
That blue is amazing! Do you recall the exact color? I’m looking to FINALLY do something with my Mom and Dad’s 11 drawer dresser… (I really should say STARING at it for months 0.o)
I want a blue, or a blue green, or green…. lol. I can’t decide! Seeing this color let me know BAM! That would be perfect!
I will attempt a bit more faded into the center top, where my Dad used to stretch his arms across it reading maps or drawing model airplane plans! OH… now I’m thinking an aero themed stencil….. Gosh!
Hi Sharon! I LOVE that blue too. This piece sold to a lady in Oakville. She ended up contacting me back saying she LOVES the blue and wanted a night table to match. Anyway, the exact color is MMS French Enamel. Hope this helps and have fun with your 11 drawer dresser… sounds like a GREAT idea! 🙂
I had a suggestion for making a bit thicker ‘details’ to add to your pieces. Years ago, Aleene’s made a 3D Design Paste and templates for just this purpose. I don’t know if they still make these but their ‘templates’ were just stencils cut out of foam sheets – you know, the kind school kids use to cut out door hangers and such. I would imagine that this would be super simple to diy with an exacto knife; giving you the options of using a storebought stencil as your pattern, or printing or drawing your own designs.
That is gorgeous! I’ve heard of milk paint, but have never used it. I am thinking of redoing my long dresser, and am searching for ideas. If you don’t mind me asking, how do you get it to look distressed (weathered?)… Is that from the sanding or because of the consistency of the milk paint, or both? And what kind/brand of wax did you use at the end?
Thank you,
Another Denise 🙂
Hey Dee {my nickname is Dee too!}, for this piece I mixed my own DIY Dark Wax using Minwax and CeCe Caldwell’s ‘Vermont Slate’.
Hello… love your site, very inspiring. Was wondering where you purchase your furniture appliques? Is there a great place to get them wholesale?
You can find some amazing appliques at Bomar Designs, Etsy, Chic Mouldings, or Do It Yourself Chic. Home Depot, Lowes, Home Depot and Lee Valley also carry them but it’s a limited selection.
Hello Denise! I have just recently found your site, but have really enjoyed and been inspired again by your ‘creations’! I’ve been in the antique and furniture “renewing” business(my term for all of this fun stuff) for quite a while, so its easy to get stale sometimes. I’m currently planning a furniture painting techniques class for customers at the hardware store where I am the Paint Dept. mgr. and will be including some of your inspirations and website for them to use for their own projects.
This raised stencil effect is yet another cool idea I will mention. Someone really ‘crafty’ could make their own unique stencils too.
Thanks for being generous and sharing your great techniques. Creativity is contagious isn’t it?
Looking forward to more…. MTW
Hi Mary! Thank you for the kind words and sharing the SI Blog at your classes… I’m super flattered! I feel so lucky to meet like minded ‘creatives’ because just as you say, inspiration and creativity IS contagious. I gain and learn so much from all of YOU. Here's my attempt at a DIY Stencil. 🙂
Denise it turned out GREAT!!! I used a quilting stencil and spackling paste. 🙂 I tinted the spackle and love it. Now I am thinking either the Silhouette Cameo (have it) or some of the cool feather stencils on Amazon. :)) SOOOO many possibilities. I love the colors you chose also. I’ve not tried milk paint …. yet. I’m in the middle of packing for a move from Ohio back home to Florida so I’ll be chock full of ideas.
Thanks always!!!
Christina
A quilting stencil… I wouldn’t have thought of that! All the best with your move back to Florida Christina. I could really use some Florida weather right about now! Sitting at -11 but feels like -18!
Denise! The dresser looks beautiful!!! One of the other things you can use to raise your embossing is an old-fashioned metal stencil that is used for paper embossing. I’ve used it with embossing medium AND spackle. Both work equally well but spackle is cheaper! 😉
A metal stencil is probably much easier to work with seeing as it’s thicker and not so flimsy. Such a good idea!
That just rocks ! turned out gorgeous and when I saw the teaser photo the other day, I thought you must have put several layers of the medium on to get the raised effect so well (thinking that’d be a bit daunting and time consuming with coats dry time, leaving stencil on, etc).
Totally going to try this now. I have the perfect bland chest of drawers that could use an embellishment between the drawer pulls.
Time to find a stencil to cut out on the Silhouettte cutter (advantage there I think, is that I can cut out as many as I need out of sturdy vinyl or even scrap card stock (be great to use that up) and do them all at once, then just toss them).
As always Denise, love your creativity and info ! Awesome job
Thanks Chez! I’ve heard amazing things about the Silhoutte cutter. I’m sure you’re going to be SUPER creative with that!