There’s a lot going on here this week. Hopefully you saw the announcement that I’ve been invited to do a painting workshop at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Montgomery County. There are two dates where I’ll be covering the same material. You must register before the end of July. If you’ve ever wanted to see what the ReStore is all about, or if you’ve ever wanted to learn some painting tricks, this is the time. I’d love to see you there.

This is a great tie in, because I’m actually at Haven Conference this week, meeting with great home decor product vendors and creative people. I attended last year and couldn’t wait to come back. It’s in Atlanta, the world headquarters for Habitat for Humanity, and last year we had one of their head folks come speak…and make us cry. That might happen again this year. If you want to keep up with what’s going on while I’m at Haven Conference, please be sure to follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

But what I really wanted to show you today is something that I’ll be covering at the ReStore painting workshop, and that’s how to use modern graphic stencils. Do you remember this little number, the painted lampshade makeover from a few weeks ago?

One of the things I love about stencils is that once you buy it, you can use that pattern wherever you want to customize almost anything. I knew that the nightstand in KittyCat’s room could use some refreshing, and coordinating it with her new lamp was just the thing. I love this fresh pattern, called Small Kinetic Floral (#6175S) from Royal Design Studio Stencils. So, here was the nightstand before:

Notice that it’s missing a drawer? This is where I admit that it’s not always smooth sailing at my house. KittyCat destroyed that drawer in a tantrum a few years back. She’s past that stage now, so my plan is to add a shelf and stencil that to match. Here’s the funny part…I actually stenciled this nightstand about 20 years ago. Actually, I think it was stamped, but it’s the same idea. I can’t wait to get rid of the evidence! Blech. Makes me shiver.

All right, you know the drill. A fresh coat of white Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloane. Remember, one of the virtues of this paint is that you don’t need to prime, even to cover my awful deco disaster from decades ago.

Tack down the Royal Design Studio stencil with a little ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape. (Remember to enter their $5K contest going on right now.) Here’s a little trick: if you can’t quite fit the whole stencil on, run a line of painter’s tape under the last row you can use, so you don’t accidentally paint more than you mean to.

Then I did the same thing to the shelf. You are actually using such a thin coat of paint, that it dries almost immediately, so you can use it on another surface that quickly.

Attach the shelf. Did I mention I don’t get to use my Ryobi AirStrike Nailer as much as I would like to? Two quick hits were all I needed here.

And here’s the finished nightstand makeover. The bottom two shelves will always have books on them, so there’s no point in fussing with a stencil here.

This bold design is much nicer, fresher, and most importantly, Kittycat says she loves it. In the end, that’s all that really matters. Do you think my girl likes pink? I promise you, I did not pick the shirt she was wearing for this shot.

This is the kind of thing you’ll learn more about, and maybe even get to try your hand at, if you come to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Be sure to register soon. And follow me this week as I’m sharing lots more great ideas from Haven Conference.