Even if your house is brand-new, you can instill a vintage look in the bathroom using a stencil technique. Three varying shades of oil paint, two coats of tinted glaze, and gentle dabbing with cheesecloth create the illusion of a beautifully designed, well-aged wallcovering.

The design is repeated over the entire wall and each stencil calls for blending three paint colors, so plan on devoting at least a few days to this project. Because it is time-consuming, a small bathroom is the ideal location for trying out the technique.

Before tackling the project on the wall, experiment by applying the color on a piece of poster board or scrap drywall and patting the pattern with cheesecloth. Once you’re satisfied with the look, use the same approach to transform a bathroom into a masterpiece of old-style elegance.

Materials to Buy

• Quick-release painter’s tape
• Foam paint rollers
• Satin-finish cream-color latex paint
• Decorative stencil
• Pencil paintbrushes
• Artist’s oil paint in raw umber, earthy green, and burnt sienna
• Oil-base glaze tinted with gray and purple
• 3-inch paintbrush

Tools to Gather

• Drop cloths
• Lint-free cloth
• Cheesecloth or cotton rag
• Plastic scrubbing sponge