DIY Stencil Tutorial: Paint a Linen Fabric Wall Finish

Royal Design Studio
by Royal Design Studio
2 Materials

The elements of design that every room needs are color, pattern, and texture. But with so many elements, it can be hard to include each when you are decorating. Not to worry! We’ve got you covered! Wall Stencils and a unique wall finish is all you need to decorate with color, pattern, AND texture. In this DIY décor tutorial, we show you how to do the technique of dragging, or stria, which creates fabric-like texture to an otherwise smooth wall.

Video Tutorial!

Supplies:

Mandala Fusion Tile Wall Stencil from Royal Design Studio

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® in Old White and Pure White

Behr Premium Plus Interior Flat Paint in Merino

Aqua Glaze® by Faux Effects®

Off White Latex Paint

Premixed Joint Compound

4”-6” Nylon Roller and Tray

4” Chip Brush

Wallpaper Smoothing Brush

Plastic sheet or contractor’s paper

Painter’s tape and paper towels

PAINT A LINEN FABRIC FINISH

Step 1: Place down plastic sheet or contractor’s paper to protect the surrounding floor area. We’re about to get messy!

Step 2: Mix 1 part latex paint with 4 parts premixed joint compound. You can use a drill mixer to speed up the mixing process, if you have one available.

Step 3: Generously load a 6” paint roller with the paint mix and roll it onto the wall. Make sure to paint small areas (18” by 36” sections) at a time because this paint mix dries very fast!

Step 4: Immediately drag a wallpaper smoothing brush vertically through the paint mix on the wall. Use a takeoff and landing technique with the brush to avoid obvious starting and stopping points. Allow to dry.

Step 5: Repeat Steps 3 and 4, but this time drag the brush horizontally through the paint mix.

Step 6: Smooth out your start and stopping points as much as possible. Allow the wall to dry.

STENCILING THE WALL

Step 1: Center and secure the Mandala Fusion Tile Wall Stencil on the wall with painter’s tape.

Step 2: Pour Old White and Pure White Chalk Paint® side by side in the paint tray. Double load the 4” roller with both colors at once. Use the off-loading method and remove excess paint onto a paper towel.

Step 3: Use the roller to stencil the mandala design onto the wall with light pressure and in random directions. The multiple colors and random painting directions will help give the design a distressed fabric look.

Step 4: Use the registration marks built right into the stencil to repeat the design across the wall.

Step 5: Mix 1 part off-white paint with 5 parts Aqua Glaze.

Step 6: Load the 4” chip brush with the glaze mix and use the off-loading method and remove excess paint onto a paper towel.

Step 7: Use the dry brush technique with light pressure and cross hatch motion. This will highlight the raised areas of the stria finish.

Stencils and Supplies from royaldesignstudio.com

And there you have it, folks! Texture is a key element to creating a special space, and this DIY tutorial is a great way to include texture in your home in a totally unique way.


Has this project inspired you to transform your home with a designer touch?

Discover more imaginative ideas in our article on 14 Budget Ways to Fake Your Way to Your Designer Dream Home.

Resources for this project:
Mandala Fusion Wall Stencil
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  • Siegrid Monika Yebba Siegrid Monika Yebba on Oct 08, 2018

    I like the blue plant etage. Is it a DIY? If not, any info on where to buy it?

    Thanks.

  • Renee Renee on Aug 02, 2019

    Do you have any suggestions on how to navigate corners when applying the linen texture and the stencil?

  • I have two questions. First, can you explain "take off and landing technique"? And do you think I could do this over wall paper I primed it first? This is exciting! I really wanted to add some texture to a room but it has 40 year old wallpaper that wont budge and I REALLY dont want to have to sparkle the whole damn wall. Pretty sure this would kill two birds with one stone 😉 thanks a bunch, im feeling inspired

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