Stencil Book

The invasion of books by British interior designers and craftspeople, stencilers among them, continues here. Downplaying esthetic considerations, Saint George provides a practical workbook with excellent photographs of stenciled furniture, walls and accessories, though the stenciled items are sometimes dark, coloristically vague or ill-proportioned. Designs for children's rooms are not Saint George's strong suit: a fey imagination takes over. Nor are her more formal designs striking, but all is not lost: this no-nonsense book offers practical instructions and more than 30 stencil designs to cut out or trace. As alternatives to the dubious aerosol paint method of stenciling, classic brushes and stencil crayons are advised. Pull-out stencils are printed on translucent stock suitable for cutting and sturdy enough not to soon wrinkle or wear. (Mar.)