Decorating with Stencils

Gold Leaf Ivy Kitchen

By Victoria Larsen

Having spent many endless hours in this kitchen for some 17 years, I decided it needed something truly cheery.......
So I gave it "gilded" Ivy!

I masked off a thin line 4" down from the ceiling and painted a forest green stripe. I then took a liner brush dipped in the same paint and began simply painting "swirling" vines around the line as if they were "curling" and down the wall at various intervals and levels.

I cut out 3 Ivy leaves, large, medium and small and began stenciling them in clumps on the vines. Once everything was dry, I stenciled the veining to the leaves, not with green paint, but rather with gold leaf adhesive. When it was dry, I simply placed the sheets of gold leaf over the adhesive and rubbed with my finger.....

Result: REAL gold veining to my Ivy!
Suddenly I loved being in that kitchen. It felt "regal" in a sense and I stenciled matching napkins, table cloths, even an ivy vase to carry the look even further........... Then went for the cupboards and drawers!
Sometimes something so simple can be so elegant and fun to do, giving you a completely different outlook on your home.

Gold leaf is relatively inexpensive and can add incredible beauty to raised plaster stencil designs as well. Give it a try!

Exciting News!
Victoria's husband Dana has finally released his fabulous "Smooth Jazz" CD that includes Victoria's single "Gravity".

Give a listen for free at
cdbaby.com
today!
Click here!