How to Stencil an Outdoor Rug
Royal Design Studio Stencils contacted me a while back & asked if I would like to test out one of their stencils…umm…ABSOLUTELY! I was like a kid in a candy store trying to find the perfect stencil out of all of their beautiful designs. I really have been coveting after a few patterns for months now, so now I had no excuse not to get to work! After going back & forth I finally decided on the Large Moroccan Key Stencil with another project in mind. But as soon as it arrived I knew I needed a new outdoor rug.
I have been looking for a patterned outdoor rug & have either been deterred by the price, the size, the color or the pattern.
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| { Previous One Kings Lane Sale $199 (too expensive) 5 x 7 (too small) } |
I could not find the exact one that I wanted. So why not make my own?
I ordered a ridiculously under priced rug from Home Depot. It was $26 with shipping for a 6 x 8 rug. ( I will say that I was a tad nervous upon reading the reviews… but I went for it anyways. It is unbound, but after a few days of sitting outside & after it is painted, it lays just fine. )
Next comes the paint. I researched, debated, discussed all the numerous ways I could paint this. I decided to stick with what Royal Design Studio recommends, Acrylic Craft Paint. Be sure if you want to tackle an outdoor project that you read the labels. You need to find a paint that is either specified for outdoors or lightfast. Mine was lightfast. I used 3 1/2 8 oz. bottles of DecoArt’s Americana Acrylic Paint in Calypso Blue. I also mixed mine with a fabric medium to allow it to soak into the fibers a bit better. For the fabric medium I used 1 1/2 6 oz. bottles of Martha Stewart Craft’s version.
Time to prep… I decided I wanted a border like the image above…
Start stenciling… I started out using a spray adhesive (needing to have used it in the past with other company’s stencils) two stencils in & I had no need for it. The stencil is thick enough that you don’t need the additional adhesive to obtain a clean line.
I also had excellent luck using a stencil brush. I have tried regular brushes & rollers before, but my best success came with the stencil brush. When loading up your paint brush be sure to brush off the excess paint. You are not looking for a wet brush. You can always go back & add more for coverage if needed…
Once you have filled in your entire stencil peel back & TADA!! This was the point where I did my happy dance! The lines came out so crisp, even on the pile of the rug. Remember the acrylic paint dries fairly quick so there is no need to wait until it is completely dry before moving on to the next stencil, just as long as there are no globs.
& thanks to Royal Design Studio’s registration marks, built into the stencil, lining up your next stencil is a dream.
Keep stenciling… It’s looking good right?
I will say that stenciling is a labor of love, but it is really quite rewarding to step back & say… “Look what I did!”
I told you the lines were crisp!
This rug has completely transformed our deck.
& even inspired our Concrete Block Planter Table Project.
We had to step up the rest of the space to match the rug!!
& of course I had to make new outdoor cushions to complete the look… Yes, that is a rare breed of blue zebra. If you can’t have fun outside, then where can you?!?
Our rug has already been put to the test by our dog, the little’s & Mother Nature. I can say that it has passed with flying colors!
Thank you Royal Design Studio for allowing me to review your amazing product.
*** If you have been coveting one of their stencils too, you will probably want to stop back by this week. I’m not sayin (but I’m sayin) there might just be a GIVEAWAY!***
Disclaimer: I was given this stencil by Royal Design Studio to Review. I was in no way obligated to give positive feedback… It is just a GREAT product, deserving of rave reviews.
L I N K I N G U P T O:
OMG Kristin! Seriously, this is one of the most beautifully executed and photographed projects I've seen done with one of our Royal Design Studio stencils-EVER! Your talents are far reaching, your taste is divine and I am so impressed and so proud to share this stencil project. Many thanks!
Thank you so much Melanie!!! I really was thrilled with how easy this stencil was to use & HELLO impact! Thank you again for this opportunity.
I totally want to do this project!!! We had an outdoor rug several years ago and it has since been trashed, but I've had my eye out for another. Your pattern and color choices were perfect, it totally ties your space all together. I want to hang out on your deck!
Thanks Jennifer! Come on by π
It turned out amazing! I love the stencil and color you picked! Your photography is awesome as well! Great post! =)
Love it!!! I have an outdoor rug that does not look so happy after about 3 or 4 years outside. I am thinking I could power wash it, dry it and basecoat it for a clean slate for stenciling. Would love a rug that looks like yours!!!
Fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing your talents!
That rug looks so profesh! The whole look is really pretty and serene.
That is one amazing rug! Wow! It really does set the tone, doesn't it?
π
Linda
P.S. You should contact Amanda at Serenity Now and ask her to add in a thumbnail for you. There isn't one now, but this is so visually amazing that it is worthy of an amazing thumbnail …
Great job–and I love the stencil. I'd love one like it for my deck.
That's amazing! I can't believe you could get an outdoor rug from Home Depot that cheap, first of all, and ok, so it was kinda ugly, but your stencil job made it gorgeous! I really want to try this, thanks for the inspiration! Little Bit p.s. I'm gonna follow you on facebook, or LF depending on what you have.
Beautiful job on your rug! It looks great!
I LOVE it! I need one, now! π Coming over from Remodelholic, and I'm off to look around your site.
Oh my goodness! I LOVE it! I've used the royal design stencil as well and love it!
That is AWESOME! Love the graphic look and fun colors! DIY at its finest!
That looks incredible! I tried to stencil a rug, once, but it was one of those thick sisal rugs and it DID NOT work. I'm going to have to pin this for future reference. Thanks for linking up!
Enjoying looking through your blog…new follower! Thanks for the inspiration!
http://www.lifelovelarson.blogspot.com
Wow, thank you for sharing this. I never thought this could be done. I have always known that it works perfectly on floors but I had no idea it is as effective with rugs. I have to say that you did an incredible job. Thank you for this post.
Thank you for this post. This will surely inspire lots of homeowner to try new thing on their own. You did an amazing job on this and you showed that stencilling is not just for floors, walls, and glass but also for other surfaces like that of a rug. Your design you chose is also beautiful.
I was totally inspired by this post and I am almost done with my rug. Just curious if your rug is still holding up. I was thinking about using a scotch guard product on it…I even called their offices and they recommended a water repellent product (since it is used outdoors). Just curious about your opinion before I finish. Thank you for all the great instructions and tips!
It was outside in all the elements for a year & looked great!! Little mildew, but nothing more than any other outdoor rug. We recently gave it away as it is not working with the new project being done, but I would totally do this project again!
What a lovely idea! I'll be linking to it on our Flooring pinboard. Check it out at pinterest.com/homedepot.
– Chante
Love this! What color is your rug originally, taupe or granite?
Thanks!
Do you think this would work for inside? Or is the paint to "crispy"? I've been looking for a patterned rug similar to your inspiration rug but can't seem to find one in my budget or preferred colour!
theunforeseeablefuture.blogspot.ca
When you use the fabric medium it really softens up the crispy factor! I think it would work great.