Painted Tile Backsplash, Stenciling

Materials:

acrylic paints (FolkArt by Plaid--Country Twill, Linen, Barn Wood, Wicker White)
clear glazing liquid
paintbrushes
natural sea sponge
stencils
stencil brushes
painter's tape

Steps:

1. Mix three parts clear glazing liquid with one part of Country Twill. Apply it to the walls with a dry brush using a cross hatching technique.
2. While still wet, use a damp sea sponge and a random motion to change the look of the texture from harsh lines to a soft mottled finish. Let dry.
3. Tape-off 1/4-inch grout lines, and then paint them in with undiluted Linen paint. Remove the tape as soon as they're done and let the lines dry (about an hour).
4. Tape-off the vertical grout lines and paint as above.

Materials:

three-part stencil design (Tea Time by Plaid)
painter's tape
level
tape measure
large stencil brush
non-liquid stencil paint (Stencil Decor by Plaid--Ship's Fleet Navy #26207)
paper towels
pencil

Steps:

1. Determine the desired height of the stencil and use a level to lightly pencil a line around the room to line up with the guides on the stencil sheets. Remember that a line like this might not need to be level--when working close to the ceiling, it might look better if the stencil follows the ceiling line just in case the ceiling isn't quite as level as you'd like it to be.
2. Tape the first part of the stencil in place. Rub the stencil brush around the top of the stencil paint and dab it on a paper towel to remove any excess.
3. Use a comfortable circular motion to add the paint to the wall. Reload as above when necessary. This technique offers the advantage of creating a variety of shades using the same stencil color by varying the application pressure.
4. Once the first part of the stencil design is complete all the way around the room, add the second and third overlays as directed, allowing the paint to dry between layers.