I gave you a sneak peek a few weeks ago of my sister’s basement craft room that we are working on. She has this great space down there and after they got floating engineered hardwood floors installed, as part of the “great flood” of 2011, she was excited to do something with the space. She decided on a craft room. Never mind, that she is not that crafty. She does enjoy parties and having a place to store wrapping paper and supplies.
Besides a pretty craft room is a huge perk! Wall color: Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray
It’s really hard to show a stencil project and do it justice, but I’ll try to describe this one. This stencil is by Cutting Edge stencils, one of my sponsors. They make very fine stencils too and I enjoyed this one. I love the feathery feel of it, along with the diamonds.
The one difference in this stencil and the one we used in my sister’s bedroom is the first one had registration marks and this one does not. I do prefer registration marks. This one overlaps, meaning, you add the paint where needed after taping up on the wall, then remove the stencil, move down the wall or over to the right or left and overlap part of the stencil that has already been painted. So, it just takes a bit longer to line everything up this way. There are more points that have to be lined up before you begin painting again.
We used a pretty Folkart pearlized paint in Ivory and small foam rollers.
Because there was more stencil to cover with this pattern, it took us a little longer on this one. Probably around 4 hours total, still not that bad. We started in the middle top of the wall and moved to the side, then back down below the first one. The paint dries fast, so you don’t have to worry too much about the overlap part, but to be safe, we alternated back and forth, left to right, and down.
It actually goes pretty fast once you get started.
Isn’t this a pretty pattern. Diamond Damask at Cutting Edge.
All finished! We had to tape the stencil close to the ceiling and on the baseboards to cover the entire wall, but we made it all work. The good thing with stencils is, you can make some mistakes and they really don’t show up. We learned how to work it and make it work as we went along. There’s a leveler that comes with the stencil too to help keep everything level. We didn’t use it, but it might help.
Overall, we really loved the stencil and I especially loved the pattern.
Stencils give almost a hand-painted look to a wall and I just love that. Again, I’m ga-ga over stencils these days and would love to do more. My friend, Debbie, wants to do a dramatic one in her powder room, so that is on the list too.
Come back tomorrow and I’ll show you the room in progress. My sister got a few pieces of furniture in there, including Craigslist finds, Martha Stewart furniture and some fun organizing ideas. I’ve got a great giveaway tomorrow too, so don’t miss it! We have a few more things to add in here, but it’s coming along.
Are you loving stencils yet? These large ones are so fun to work with and are the perfect way to accent one wall. I really like just doing one wall with them or in a small powder room, I would do the whole space. So much better than the commitment of wallpaper!
Are you going to use a stencil anytime soon? Have I convinced you yet?
Joining Traci’s Best Projects of January link party!
I love the stencil wall design! I have a large bedroom wall that I will be trying this on. I have read many great reviews on Cutting Edge Stencils and now I am just trying to narrow down the design! Thanks for sharing Rhoda!
That’s a great stencil- the pattern is not too heavy. And using a paint with a little sheen adds an extra oomph to it. I love stencils, such an inexpensive way to customize anything. I stenciled drop cloth fabric to recover some dining chairs, love the way it turned out.
Love the design and the pearlized paint is beautiful. You have such wonderful stenciling talent!
Hi Rhoda,
I have just received my shipment of the cutting edge stencils in a large damask pattern. I did also order the stencil level. I did like one from Jan Dressler as well that was a large damask pattern. I have not used them yet as I need to repaint the wall I am going to put one of them on. I really do prefer stencils to wallpaper, especially when it comes time to change the wall.
Morning Rhoda,
I am a big fan of stencils. I have been stenciling since the 1980’s when it was very popular in Houston at the time. I was very lucky to have worked for and been friends with a master stenciler. She taught me well and I loved the looks you could achieve. I love creating beautiful and functional canvas floorcloths with stencils also.
I enjoyed this post and the wall is gorgeous.
Enjoy the day
Janet xox
http:/theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/
You’ve turned me on to stenciling…I’m thinking about my powder room as to start small. Your stencil looks beautiful…I’m nervous about my pattern being crooked…is the level a must for a newbie?
Thanks for sharing such an informative post!
HI, I really don’t think using a level is necessary. That would just take more time. As long as you line up your stencil in the middle & top of the wall, you should be OK. I know now all walls are even, so you will end up slightly off as you move down, but it is really not at all noticeable once you are finished with it all. We were off on one side, but you can fudge the placement and just keep painting the bare spots & it will all blend in fine.
You make it seem so easy, Rhoda! I have two that I need to get going on and my plan is not even to do a big wall like you’ve done here. They are just small walls. I have got to let go of the fear {haven’t done a stencil in years!} and just do it. My biggest issue is that the previous owner did not leave us any of the paint she used in this condo {she tried to sell it to us at the closing and we declined}, so mistakes can not be made!
I recently saw this same effect done in a dining room on HGTV. I love the subtle tone on tone color. Here’s a great wall stencil tip video from Genevieve Gorder on HGTV: http://www.hgtv.com/video/tips-for-using-wall-stencils-video/index.html
Its beautiful Rhoda!! What an amazing craft room- I cant wait to see the rest of it. I wish I had the patience to try stenciling- i would give up after the first few sections.
Y’all did a great job…love that stencil.
Blessings,
Linda
Stunning. Could see that in a formal dining room. Going to show to DH for our master bedroom. Enjoy your blog and especially home projects.
Love the stencil! Looks great. I really like the subtlety of the color contrast. So nice! I too just tackled a cutting edge stencil, if you have a chance then check it out! http://www.bungalow54.com/2011/11/afforestation.html
Thanks for all the inspiration!
Wow, what a great idea, I love the silver touch. I was wondering where to get great stencils from, I was looking for one in New Zealand prior to Christmas and could only find small ones. Thank you for the link, I will be checking it out.
Lee
Hey Rhoda! I love the stencil look and this color is gorgeous! I think I might jump out a window though if I tackled a stencil room project….I have NO patience 🙁
I love it! That would look great in my dining room, but I think I’d be too afraid to attempt it on my own. I’m not very artsy. lol Wish I knew someone who was cause it looks absolutely fabulous. Love the sort of cottage look. I can just imagine it above a sidboard lined with my beautiful Mason Cason bowls. I work with Pacific Merchants and they have some really nice servingware if you’re interested. Use this code on checkout: PM20YEARS and get a 20 percent discount! http://www.pacificmerchants.com/specials/new-seasonal-specials-and-sets-1.html
Hi Rhonda, really love your stencil project. It’s gorgeous… I really want to experiment with stenciling. Can a beginner really do a good job or do I need to take a class first?
Also, love that you used pearlized Folkart pearlized paint in Ivory. Can that be easily painted over or would it need to be sanded when I get tired of the wall?
Love seeing your projects, they are wonderful!
Hi, Nancy, a beginner can definitely stencil! It is not hard, just takes time and a little patience. The hardest thing about this stencil was lining it back up with the next area down & overlapping previous paint. Old eyes have a hard time seeing those little details, so that was the most challenging part. But, It is totally doable for a beginner for sure. They are forgiving! If you get one, try to get one with registration marks, those are the easiest to do. I don’t think you’d have a problem painting over the pearl paint either, but if you did, you could always prime first & that should take care of it. No sanding necessary!
Rhoda, thanks for replying. I think you’ve convinced me to take the plunge and attempt stenciling. I love wallpaper but my husband never wants it on any wall again..(since it’s a pain to take down…) With stenciling I can just paint over when tired of it…
I will definitely get one with registration marks. Do you have a preference for stencils, Cutting Edge or Royal Designs. Saw the one you did in your sisters makeover… Lovely!! Have you ever done a damask stencil? I read that it’s best to faux the wall first with damask instead of directly over flat paint. Opinion? Again, thank you so much for replying.
Nancy, both companies have great products, so just read on the ones you like & see if they have registration marks. That was definitely the easier application. The one above is considered a damask, so that is the only one I’ve used. I am not sure I’m following the suggestion to faux the wall first? I would just go over the base wall color you want to use the stencil on & not make it overly complicated. You can do it!
Love what you did. What’s the wall color?
Hi,Jessica, the wall color is Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray. It’s actually more blue/gray than the pics show.
Thanks Rhoda!!
Hi! I found your website via Pinterest. Your home is beautiful. I never knew these wall stencils even existed! I will definately be ordering some!
🙂
Meg
That wall looks amazing. I was thinking about doing an accent wall like this in a nursery with a light lavender and some other color. I am super nervous though cuz last time I stenciled I ran into a problem because the stencil was hard to clean in between and I ended up smearing paint that was left on it onto the wall. Do you have any suggestions for this problem. I am obviously a huge beginner!
This is a beautiful stencil! I love the colors and the actual design. I just started experimenting with stenciling in my own home. You can check out my first project on my blog here: http://levees-lace.blogspot.com/2013/02/for-love-of-stenciling.html
Thanks for the great post!
Also, my sister lives in Atlanta now (just moved this past year), and I think she will really enjoy your blog 🙂