Years ago, about 8 to be exact, when I was creating the videos and projects for Royal Design Studio’s Extraordinary Stenciled Effects program I did some glass etching projects to include in the video series. For the round glass table above I applied contact paper to the glass and traced one of our stencil border patterns on it, adjusting it mightily so as to make it curved rather then straight. Then, each piece was hand cut with a swivel knife and I then etched it using the Etchall Creme that we sell creating an actual chemical frosting on the glass surface. Three years after THAT I started Modello Designs, where we actually DO ALL that on the computer and cut from rolls of vinyl. It’s SO much easier to use the precut vinyl, as you can imagine!! Well now, we have yet another option….

EtchLook vinyl is vinyl that very closely simulates the look of actual frosted glass. Not only do you not have to cut it by hand, you don’t actually even have to go through the etching process at all. You simply apply it and, Viola!, etched pattern on your glass or mirror surface.

I actually had to replace the glass for the tabletop, because once you etch it chemically, it’s permanent. The EtchLook vinyl is semi-permanent, meaning that it is permanent-until you want to remove it. It’s very durable and holds up to cleaning and such. On the tabletop above I did apply it on the underside (you have that choice) for obvious reasons and it looks great and totally realistic.

It also is ideal for mirrors. Wouldn’t this be a great way to dress up a boring bathroom mirror? You could do a Modello design as a frame all around, something random as shown, or even a pretty valance effect with a border going across the top.

My favorite application that I’ve done so far, though, is the lower panes on my studio windows.

Not only does this add privacy, it filters out the “view” of the parking lot next door….

AND , my favorite part,  it casts pretty patterned shadows on the wall in the afternoon. I have a couple more windows here that need a similar treatment. Now if I could just make up my mind about the designs…..more info on EtchLook vinyl patterns here!