painted wallpaper how-to & share your project
Painting ‘wallpaper’ in my office has been one of the most ambitious projects I’ve done … but it totally paid off. Even after eight months, I still love it. And I’m pretty fickle, so that says a lot.
I know many of you have done your own versions and I’m so excited to see what you’ve accomplished. At the end of the post, you can link to your blog to share.
If you are thinking about painting the wallpaper pattern, you can read the first tutorial {HERE}. I’ve updated the template, which you can also find at the end of this post.
One question that I get from time to time is “how do you create the double lines?”. So here is a mini-tutorial on how it was done. For ease, I did this on our large chalkboard with a chalk pen, so just pretend that it is a wall, I am tracing with a pencil, and that I am using a paintbrush and paint to fill it in.
First, cut out your pattern.
Next, start at the top of your wall {or chalkboard, in my case} and trace around the pattern.
To get the double line, move the template down and space it out about 1/2 inch from the first.
When you trace it, it will look like this:
Keep going …
… and you’ll eventually cover your surface.
When you are ready to paint, use a 1/4 inch flat artists’ brush and paint along the inside of each shape.
Here is how it looked when I really did it.
If you look closely, you’ll notice some pencil lines. I suppose I could have erased them when the paint was dry, but they don’t bother me. The finished walls are not perfect, but they are interesting and add subtle pattern and they make me smile.
If you’d like to give it a try, you can download the template below.
{click to download}
Now, if you’ve done your own painted wallpaper, please share you project!
. instructions .
1. link directly to your post {not just your blog}
2. add the ‘share your project’ link button to your post {copy & paste}
Enjoy clicking around for lots of painted wallpaper inspiration!
Linda
Love what you did! Thanks for sharing your template. I plan to use it in my daughter’s bedroom. She likes the Moroccan look and I’m going to surprise her by repainting one wall in her bedroom while while she is away for a few weeks this summer. Hope to share pictures later.
Tabula Rasa
http://erleichdahouse.blogspot.ca/2012/06/phase-i-main-floor-bathc-90-complete.html
Just finished today… and loved the meditative quality of this project
Can’t wait to see what it looks like with the final decor touches in my Bathroom!
Another trick to hide the pencil lines (of not using the same-colour-as-the-lines trick, I rolled over them with a coat of paint (same as base wall colour) to lighten them up.
Renee
What size/type of paint brush did you use?
donna
what color are your walls! looks great!
Shannon @ Polish and Sugar
I finally got the courage to try this! Thanks for providing a stencil to use
http://polishandsugar.com/wall-stencil-pictures-and-tutorial/
Cindy
You are such a lifesaver!! I have had this project in my head for weeks but have been unable to figure out how to do it on my own. Now I have your template, tutorial and some great pics of yours and your readers’ projects and have no doubt it will come out terrific! I’ll send along a photo when I’m done.
Whitney
I totally love the wall color base.. what color and manufacturer is it?
Thanks!
Anja
Aaaargh! I just thought I was done for this year – after finishing our basement bar, I didn’t have any new big projects in mind. And now I see this! It makes me want to start on my walk- in closet and I soooo don’t have time for it!
No, seriously, this is really great! Thanks for sharing!
Debbie
Now it makes sense! Thanks for the repost on the double lines.
Lindsay
I just want to say, this looks amazing!! And thank you for posting the template and instruction, huge help! I am recruiting my mom to come help me tackle this in my family room this week. Will post pics when it’s done. Thanks again!
Amy
Hey! Thank you so much for posting this. I’ve started this project in my bathroom and it looks great. My wall looks like a rainbow though because I can’t decide on a color to use. Any suggestions on how you landed with white?
Thanks!
DC
When looking to redesign my bedroom, I got and idea from a design that I saw on a television show and tried to find that wall paper. Lo and behold, I was searching the “rate my space” site for room ideas and came across your website. The blogs are really light and funny and then I see…what could it be, but the same design of wallpaper from the TV show!!! You are awesome! I am excited and have a renewed sense of urgency to get that darned room painted…LIKE yesterday. But it seems this design is going to take a few. I look forward to posting before and after pics myself!!
Terri
Thank you for sharing in such detail and especially how to get the double lines..it is so helpful as a client loved this look and asked me to acheive it in her home.
Appreciate it!
Blessings,
Terri
Joanna Hyatt
This is amazing! I’m decorating our nursery for our first little one and this is going to look stunning. What a great way to give some pop to a small space with minimal cost. Thank you!!