painted wallpaper {a tutorial}
When I first took over the front office, I knew I wanted to make it a lighter, more inspiring room to be in. I thought about painting stripes because I really do love them, but I already have some thick ones painted in the boys’ room. Then I thought wallpaper would be nice. But here’s the thing about wallpaper: 1. I always like the most expensive one and 2. putting it up is a pain {although now that I think about it, it would probably be easier to hang wallpaper than to paint it. Oh well.}
So I decided that instead of looking for bargain wallpaper, I could just make my own. I really like these curtains from Ballard Designs and decided to take the pattern as my inspiration.
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Here are the steps:
1. Create a template {or download mine at the end of the post}
2. Trace the design onto the wall. Over and over again. Now it makes a lot of sense to use a level to make sure you are not drawing diagonally down the wall, but I didn’t go to such effort. I think I have a pretty good sense of straight {if that makes sense} so I was able to eyeball it.
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No, Brady did not help me trace the pattern, he was just my model.
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Check out those sweet grubby little four-year-old fingernails.
There were sections where the pattern got a little wonky, so I just improvised and figured once the entire pattern was up, you wouldn’t notice little imperfections. The one thing I did try to do was to keep the pattern equal along the top & bottom of the wall {see photo}
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3. Paint over the lines {I painted along the inside of the line}. I used a small paint brush that was the width that I wanted the lines to be and white latex paint we had leftover from the kitchen.
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It takes a long time. But if you try it, just keep going … it is so worth it!
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Here it is again in it’s ‘after’ state.
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And there you have it.
A project that was simple to do but just took lots of time and a steady hand.
To download the template that I used, click here.
Need help understanding the double lines? Read this new post.
Share this tutorial & template with your friends via facebook












































Annabellea.com , Archive » Shabby Coast Cottage Painted Floor
[...] the web for inspiration, I came across a fabulous blog - Jones Design Company and she has a tutorial on painting a design on a wall. I loved it and thought that it would look great on the [...]
Latisha
Thanks for the fantastic tutorial! I was wondering if you cold tell me what color your wall was painted? That looks like it would be a great color for my foyer!
Beth Brevik
I am so in awe of your patience and steady hand. It looks spectacular. If I might ask, did you also paint the little gray dresser? The paint color is exactly what I’m looking for to paint a dresser of my own, and I was wondering if you could divulge the name of that shade. Again, great work!
Diana
Hi there,
I was just directed here from Young House Love and I love this look. I always thought i couldn’t do a stencil because I have ornage peel textured walls. But it looks like your walls are textured. Did this inhibit you in any way? Would you suggest this on a textured wall or a smooth wall?
Thanks!
Becky
WOW. What a fantastic wall treatment. This room looks amazing. Your poor aching hands did a great job!
shalynn
loved this tutorial so much that i used it! if you’re interested to see it, here’s the link: http://shaysbucket.blogspot.com/2011/10/home-tour-living-room.html.
thanks so much for your creative juices!
brandi
Hi Emily! Your room is absolutely gorgeous! I love the painted wallpaper so much that I decided to use the template to stencil a bench! You can view it here if you like! http://bet1975.blogspot.com/2011/10/bench-makeover.html
Thank you so much for sharing!
diana thao
I love this tutorial so much that I use this design for my closet. If you would like to take a look here is my blog site:
http://dianathao.blogspot.com/2011/10/i-really-hate-this-closet.html
Thanks so much for posting this tutorial:)
Kjirsti and Tom » Blog Archive » Introducing. . . . Our finished Masterbath!
[...] must thank Jones Design Company for the template and [...]
Baklund Design » Blog Archive » Stencil projekt, måske…
[...] billede fundet her, andet billede her og det sidste [...]
Amy @ A New Old House
Hi Emily,
Your design completely inspired me to try this on a small hallway wall this past weekend! I am in awe of your patience & steady hand!
(I’m apparently lacking in those , so improvised a bit… but still love it!)
http://new1790house.blogspot.com/2011/11/dressing-up-wall.html
Thanks for sharing your creativity!
-Amy
Jenni
Hey! I followed your tutorial and am VERY pleased with the result! Thanks so much for sharing. It’s on my blog if you ever want to check it out. Once again, thanks so much!
Amy
I used your tutorial to do an accent wall in my bedroom. I just wanted to share with you. Thanks for the inspiration.
http://castle-creations.blogspot.com/2011/11/bedroom-re-do-if-i-could-snuggle-with.html
Christina
Was wondering which paint colors you used for this as well as the finishes.
Christina
Was wondering which paint colors and finishes you used. I am looking to do my entryway and living room nook and your wall color looks grand. Thanks for the tut! Cannot tell you how many times I keep coming back to this project.
Erin
Did you only paint one coat? or two?
emily
I only did one coat. You can see through it a little, but that doesn’t bother me.
Krista
I’ve been looking and looking for something to do with our powder room, which is currently BRIGHT yellow! This is perfect. I was reading everyone’s comments, but I couldn’t find where you posted what colors/paint you used? I’m going to start tackling this project tomorrow! Thanks for the great post! I’m new to following blogs (stumbled upon the greatness of it thanks to pinterest), so how do I follow yours?
Lindsay
Hi! I really want to use your template but every time i click on it nothing shows? I signed up for your newsletter an all but still nothing comes up
Donna
Lindsay, I was trying to pull it up in firefox but had to you internet explorer and it came up. You might want to try another browser.
Nicole Sosa
Love this… saves you money! Just do a little when you can!
Ashley Walsh
Emily, it has only been a little over a week since I stumbled upon your website (when looking for table skirt ideas…) and you have inspired me SO much!!! We have been in our new home about 8 months and I have had serious decorating block….until I found your site! I decided to tackle the office last weekend and copied your painted wallpaper idea. It turned out AMAZING! My husband and I are so happy with the end result. Thanks for giving me the spark I needed to dive into decorating our new home!
Toniette
I just finished doing this on a little 4 ft nook wall in my living room- I LOVE it! I used a white paint pen, b/c I’m 6 months pregnant and didn’t want to mess around
It worked out really well! Thanks for the inspiration!
Jill
Can you send me the template to paint my walls? I don’t see it on your website?
Julieta
OMG what an amazing blog and tutorial! I’m so happy I found this
You have a big fan now!
xoxo Julieta
Irma Barajas
I was surfing around different painting blogs and forums and ran across your site. Love the pattern you came up with the imaginative way you began and implimented. Great way to put the imagination to work and come up with a real work of art. Thanks..
Please come by and visit my site. I have several how to articles. Thank you
Valerie Gosselin
Thank you so much for your post ! We have a century-old buffet from our great grand parents and we wanted to make it stand out in our dining room. Luckily, I came across your website, and think your wall stencil will look absolutely beautiful : ) I painted an accent wall dark royal blue, and will buy the gold colour metallic paint from Benjamin Moore. I’m starting today, can’t wait to see the results!
Victoria
Thanks so much for sharing this!! I love stenciled walls and these are so pretty!! I wanted to let you know I linked this up on my blog today: http://www.vixenmade.com/2012/04/amazing-home-decor-makeovers.html
Meg @ Revamp Homegoods
Totally love this room and thanks for sharing a template! I used it to create an accent wall of my own in my kitchen (and linked back to you) at http://revamphomegoods.blogspot.com/2012/05/house-to-home-working-wonders-kitchen.html
LC
EMILY!!!! i am Moroccan living in the US & I wanted to update our kitchen I was going to order some stenciling online then i came to your site, as soon as I saw the wall i thought MOROCCO!!!!! so this weekend i had a day off and I woke bright and early and followed your instructions! i was able to finish the whole wall in one day , i drew & painted ( i would reccommend taking ur time lol cuz i had a major arm pain lol) but IT IS AWESOME!!!! i am still in the process of updating the kitchen I will send you pictures when its all complete! THANK YOU for the awesome idea!!!!!