How to Stencil: Metallic Tribal Wall Finish

Looking for a custom, contemporary stencil finish that is hip, hot, and maybe even a little masculine? Here is an easy tribal stenciled wall treatment that combines warm metallic shades with an uber-cool tribal stencil pattern. We used the new Triangulations Wall Stencil from the Bonnie Christine Stencil Collection to create this fab feature wall look. This versatile design also comes in a smaller scale at the Triangulations Furniture Stencil, and I think this finish would look equally divine on a clean-lined furniture piece, don’t you?

Specialty stencil products from Royal Design Studio “shine” in this stencil treatment-AND make it SO much easier than it looks. We alternated several different colors of our Metallic Royal Stencil Creme paintsthroughout the pattern. Royal Stencil Cremes glide on a cover like a dream, and provide a dramatic pop on a dark-colored background. We topped it off with some randomly place Tamise Flakes. Tamise Flakes are tiny broken bits of real Metal Leaf that are great for glittery accenting. Black Royal Stencil Size for gilding provides the perfect base for these, and is designed to apply cleanly through a stencil pattern-so you can do it right the FIRST time. Read on to see how this all comes together in the Golden Triangles Tribal Stenciled Wall Finish…

Stencil Supplies for this project:

• Triangulations Wall Stencil from Royal Design Studio
• Royal Stencil Crème Paints: Bright Gold, Copper Kettle, Antique Gold and Flat Black
• Black Royal Stencil Size
• Tamise Flakes Sunshine Mix
• American Walnut Stain and Seal
• So Slow Super Extender
• 6- 1.5” Stencil Brushes (one for each color)
• Painters Tape
• Cheese cloth / lint free rag
• Behr Ultra-Premium Plus Eggshell Finish: Rave Raisin (Basecoat)

Begin with your stencil in the center of your feature wall. Before you start stenciling use Blue Painter’s Tape to identify a few elements of the design that you will apply the Tamise Flakes to-approximately one per row.

Use 1 ½ “ stencil brushes to stencil the individual triangle elements. Alternate the metallic Royal Stencil Creme colors: Bright gold, Copper Kettle and Antique Gold. Note that you will want to use a different stencil brush for each color. Once in a while, stencil one triangle element of the pattern in Flat Black to add more visual interest to your overall design. I stenciled 3 or 4 black triangles per stencil repeat.

PRO TIP: An easy way to isolate the colors in each triangle without using tape, is to use a piece of paper to cover the element next to where you are working on.

Remove the pieces of Painter’s Tape and stencil 2 coats of Black Royal Stencil Size in those triangles.

Once the Stencil Size is tacky (about 10 minutes) use your fingers to add the Tamise Flakes in those triangles. It will look more dramatic it you leave some back showing through, so just apply a little at a time and smooth lightly with your fingers.

Once you have covered the triangles to the desired amount,  use a piece of cheesecloth or soft rag to burnish the metal leaf into the size and remove any loose flakes. It is not necessary to clean you stencil after every repeat (clean maybe every 5th repeat) and having the colors now on the stencil will help you move faster as you continue the stenciled finish.

This next step is an optional “toning layer”. I love to use toning (antiquing) layers, especially on metallic finishes, as this makes the overall look much richer and brings it more “together”. Stain and Seal is a water-based gel stain that is designed for wood finishing, but it also makes a great glazing medium. In fact, it is important to always mix it with some So Slo Super Extender, as it will be too opaque and fast drying otherwise. For this treatment, mix 1 part American Walnut Stain and Seal with 1 part So Slo Super Extender.  This will create a translucent, fluid toning medium. Stencil the stain mix over the pattern using a 1 1/2 “ stencil brush. Use cheesecloth to soften and remove any excess glaze as you complete each triangle.

The final effect! Do you love this Metallic Tribal Stenciled Wall finish? Just imagine the possibilities when combined with different stencil patterns, alternate background colors and different stencil colors. With stenciling it’s always fun to “think outside the lines” and explore many different possibilities.