| If you are a lover of true Victorian | | | | offset repeat of the same design. A |
| decorating, then a beautiful damask | | | | "wallpaper" effect. |
| pattern antiqued with gold metallic | | | | A great idea for truly elegant walls, a |
| paint is your "end all" wall treatment. | | | | stenciled damask pattern offers the same |
| It's easy and fun to do, then step back | | | | regal effect but you can do it yourself. |
| and fall to your knees over its beauty | | | | Here's how: |
| and authentic appeal. | | | | Paint your walls a deep color. Now you |
| In my research on the history of damask, | | | | will stencil the design in a paler |
| I found that Damask patterns and weaving | | | | version of the same color. For instance, |
| actually began in Florence, Italy in the | | | | deep gold walls with pale gold |
| early 1400's. The methods for weaving | | | | stenciling. |
| such intricate silk designs which showed | | | | Use a level and create a pencil line for |
| a reversal of the design in satin on the | | | | your first row of the damask pattern. |
| opposite side, was such a closely | | | | Repeat the design across the wall in a |
| guarded secret that anyone caught | | | | straight line, leaving a gap as wide as |
| immigrating to share the secret would | | | | the stencil design between each repeat. |
| surely be beheaded. | | | | Drop the stencil down to the next row |
| Well, history being history, wars were | | | | (again use the level to make sure you |
| fought, plagues were battled, times | | | | are getting it straight) and stencil the |
| changed and the secret spread across | | | | same design "between" the repeats above. |
| Europe, making the damask pattern and | | | | Cover the entire wall. |
| technique quite commonplace. | | | | Once the design is dry, add gold |
| Damask patterns started within the | | | | metallic paint to translucent wall glaze |
| linens textile industry but its | | | | and apply with a brush over the entire |
| popularity caused it to spread to other | | | | wall. You will watch the colors deepen |
| parts of the home decor scene to include | | | | slightly and see a sheen develop that |
| furniture, wallpapers, with pillows and | | | | gives the entire wall a regal feel. |
| drapery items as well. | | | | If a deeper antiquing is desired, rather |
| By the turn of the 20th century, damask | | | | than to use the metallic paint, mix |
| patterns were a staple in Victorian | | | | brown "tint" with your glaze. Tints are |
| decorating and have stayed a popular | | | | typically available on line or in |
| decorating theme within the Traditional | | | | specialty paint stores and are more |
| decorating style ever since. With | | | | sheer than wall or craft paint. |
| today's new interest in Italian | | | | Mix just a slight amount of brown tint |
| decorating, the damask pattern is simply | | | | with the translucent glaze then wipe on |
| a natural since it originated in Italy. | | | | to the wall with a rag, wiping it off as |
| Typically, in wall decor, damask | | | | you go. This will deepen the pattern and |
| describes an all over pattern that | | | | give the wall a more aged appearance. |
| completely covers the wall with an | | | | |