If you have a steadier hand and more patience than we do, stencils offer another option -- other than vinyl graphics and wallpaper -- for your walls. And Britain's The Stencil Library is reportedly the world's leading designer and manufacturer of decorative stencils.
But these aren't necessarily stencils you'd find in a twee British cottage. Yes, The Stencil Library has the type of stencils you might expect -- Arts and Crafts designs and proverbs and quotations -- but it also has Chinoiserie and modern design selections. There's even a category called Bad Attitude, which includes a footprint, a thumbprint, and barbed wire. We like the Chandelier, shown here -- it reminds us of the Glo Canvas we featured last year.
There are over 3500 designs to choose from, and they can be shipped worldwide.
Stencil Library is AWESOME - and this post brings back memories! The owner of my last apartment had done the bedroom Vegas-style: Mirrored wall, black wall-to-wall carpet, parchment-colored wallpaper and a black-and-gold valance.
After covering the valance, ripping up the carpet (which covered nice parquet floors!) and painting over the wallpaper (shh, I know), I was stuck with a wallpapered door. I ended up using gold paint with the Chrysanthemum pattern shown here to create a beautiful pattern. It went perfectly with my new Asian theme (vibrant pinks/reds and dark wood floors).
Love those brits! Another option is the Stencil Gallery:
http://la.apartmenttherapy.com/la/how-to/stencil-the-floor-013801
stencil library ROCS! and shipping isn't bad, if the more ornate stencils are expensive, a bit.
eeeck, i would love to see your apt -- pinks/reds, asian and chrysanthemum in gold paint sounds wonderful and intriguing.
I recommend the Stencil Library to anyone who is keen to try out stencilling! I finally managed to find myself a stencil brush and away I went! Shipping is fast (it comes in a roll that sorts itself out after a day of flattening) and efficient, with good instructions on how to use and care for your stencil. I am now onto my third canvas for a series that I'm doing along my walls...