Decorator Leslie Curtis joins Bob in the project house's parlor to discuss the room's wall treatments. In lieu of wallpaper, stencils are used to add a decorative touch to the interior walls�a decorating solution borrowed directly from early 19th century America. Artist Ken Forcier is on location to demonstrate the stenciling process, showing how the stencil patterns are laid out and applied to the wall before paint is brushed on. Bob takes a turn at the brush, applying paint to one of the laser-cut Mylar stencils supplied by MB Historic D�cor.

Bob talks with artist Margo Datz about decorative striping and stenciling in the Victorian Cottage master bedroom. She uses a template to insure the lines are the same distance from the ceiling along the wall. Margo provides a tip when using painter�s tape. She seals the tape to the wall with adhesive matt medium to prevent the paint from bleeding under the tape. She shows Bob how to add a stencil pattern to the painted wall trim.

Work continues on the parlor's wall stencils. Bob and Ken Forcier are applying the second "layer" of the stencil�an ochre hue to complement the first shade of blue. To aid in the vertical alignment of the stencil patterns, Vila crafts a makeshift plumb bob using a washer tied to the end of a thread and secures it to the wall with painter's tape. Another tip: Adding a small dog ear to a corner of the stencil makes it easier to peel the stencil from the wall after the paint has been applied.