by Debra That Painter Lady Conrad
If you have a plain wall or concrete floor, indoor or out, that is in need of a makeover, faux brickwork can be the ideal solution. Using readily available reusable stencils, you can transform a surface into an eye-catching feature. It’s a quick and easy faux painting technique that is ideal for beginners.
Brick Finishes
An uninteresting floor or wall can become an eye-catching feature with a brick finish makeover. Indoors, the unpainted brick look is trendy and modern with the warm colors of brick complementing other decorating styles. Outdoor spaces can also be enhanced. Brickwork (especially aged brickwork) has a soft, warm appearance whereas plain, untextured concrete floors can be stark and ugly.
Brick stencils can be used in various scenarios. If you want to extend existing brickwork you can use faux painting techniques and brick stencils instead of resorting to the expense and hassle of actual construction work. If you have a brick feature to restore, you may discover how difficult bricks can be to rejuvenate effectively. Stripped brickwork can be ugly and is easily damaged, with unsightly results.
Brick Stencils – Pluses and Minuses
With brick stencils you can cover large areas quickly and efficiently. The only time where you are likely to encounter difficulties is with corners or if you have curved features, such as doors or windows; fixed size stencils can be awkward to use in some spaces. You may even have to finish off these problem areas by hand. If you are matching your design to existing brickwork, you may have to make your own stencil or in some cases, manually mark out your pattern.
Which Design?
Brick stencils vary according to the pattern of brickwork or paving, and brick size, producing different effects. Some may be more suitable for your space than others, so plan carefully.
Make sure that the scale is in proportion. Consider the space available. You may not want large bricks in a small room or small blocks in a bigger space. The size of the brick is one factor influencing the degree of texture that results. Some manufacturers offer customizing and re-sizing of stencils.
Also consider how the pattern will match your architecture, dcor or space. Modern home with clean lines may invite a plainer, more geometric pattern. That could be simple rows, but a herringbone design can also look neat. Circular or swirling patterns can soften a space with hard lines, or complement older architecture, rustic dcor or traditional gardens.
Be Creative
Sometimes the best effects are produced by breaking the rules. You can play with colors other than browns and reds, exploiting brickwork patterns and texture, rather than slavishly simulating the real thing. Faux bricks can be made to look clean and new or you can go for the aged and distressed look, enhanced with the use of faux painting techniques. Stencils are the basic method but there is plenty of scope for experimentation and innovation.
Find more brick stencil ideas from That Painter Lady. Then claim your free “Insider’s Guide to Faux Painting” and avoid all the common mistakes, get success tips, find the right products for the job and more.
