DIY's Shannon Kaye to demostrate stencils at Women Today Expo
Knoxville News Sentinel
Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Knoxville will never be known as Tinseltown.  But the city might temporarily lay claim to the title of Stenciltwon when Shannon Kaye, host of DIY Network's Fresh Coat , takes the expo's Fashion & Entertainment Stage to share tips on how to incorporate stencils into interior paint projects. 

Starting at 10 a.m., Kaye's March 13 segment will demonstrate different stencil products and techniques.  Her goal is to show visitors how painting with stencils can have a big impact without going to a lot of effort.

"When you mention stenciling, most people think of ivy and kids' projects or a simple border," Kaye says.  "But there are a lot of beautiful stencils available these days, many of them big enough to use on your entire wall."

"Stencils are a great way to create an updated wall at a fraction of the cost," she adds, "plus it's much easier to change when you're tired of it or getting ready to move."

Kaye will show guests several examples of stencils available today.  She will also show homeowners how they can create their own stencils using a utility knife and some poster board.  These homemade stencils allow users to mimic patterns on an existing piece of fabric in the room and they can also be incorporated with store-bought stencils to create a unique look for any wall.

Kaye, who has been the host of Fresh Coat for three seasons, will invite volunteers from the audience to assist her during her presentation.  "I want people to see how easy this is," she says.  "I like to tell people that, with the right tools and just a few tips from experts, you can make your work look fantastic."