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.
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.
No, #2 did not help me trace the pattern, he was just my model.
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}
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.
It takes a long time. But if you try it, just keep going : it is so worth it!
Here it is again in it’s ‘after’ state.
And there you have it.
A project that was simple to do but just took lots of time and a steady hand.
You are welcome to use my template.
Need help understanding the double lines? Read this new post.
Share this tutorial & template with your friends via facebook
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Wallpapering takes a great deal of time. I can only imagine how long the painted wallpaper project took in order to brighten up that office area
https://firstrealestatenews.wordpress.com/
Thank you for this tutorial and template!! I have made a dull ‘nothing’ background wall really into a work of art with this!! Went with a pearlescent turquoise background and silver metallic for the pattern. Soon to add 50’s yellow frames in various styles/sizes with ancestors photos to make a gallery feature. Everyone LOVES it and now people are asking me to do their walls too!! lol THANK YOU!! Was totally worth the hours of time, shaky hand (that made it take longer!!) and the paint covered hands as I fixed little paint stuff ups!!!!! :-) You Rock!
Great job! I am so impatient. Your project looks really tough for me. How many hours does it take ? If there are more than four it would be a nightmare for impatient people. I am almost envy you. :) Best regards! http://claphamhandyman.org.uk/
I really like your designs. And patience.
I can’t get over how darling this is. I never would have thought that kind of effect was possible for painting, especially since I’m not a professional. This is making me look at all the walls of my home differently. I just want to pain them all! | http://ccspainting.com
How did you do the corners???
I just got as close to the corner as possible and painted. Nothing too tricky.
Since the template for the painted wallpaper doesn’t download, can you advise the dimensions of the template? General height and width information would be enough, I think – I’m just trying to get a general idea of the dimensions to see if the scale will work for my space. Thank you.
The template is found in The Archive (log in here: https://jonesdesigncompany.com/the-archive/).
I absolutely love your work! I was inspired to paint a small hallway with your template (I forgot to connect the pattern but still love how it turned out). Thank you for the inspiration! Michelle
I love how you did this. I tried to get the template but it is not showing up in the archive? Am I looking in the wrong place or is it no longer available? if it is available could you email me and link me to where I can get it? I am wanting to do a wall in the kitchen like this. Thanks so much.
You are an artist….you made this look easy…keep on creating!
I just saw this pin today. I thought it was a lot of work until I came to your site. It WAS a lot of WORK. I just assumed it was a stencil that was pounced. You did an awesome job as did your four year old. You must have been painting for weeks. It’s beautiful.
Love this. I was going to wallpaper but couldn’t afford it and then I found your blog. Could you email the template to me? I tried to find it in the tutorial things you had and can’t find it. I am 70 and kind of bad at the computer. Thanks you again it is beautiful.
Finished my painted wallpaper…one month later :) love it!
Yea!!! Hope you love it.
Hi Emily,
Your tutorial is amazing!
I just finished my Powder Room wall following your instructions. Here is the link for you to have a look.
http://tinyurl.com/mj8lds5
Thanks
Oh! I LOVE this!!! I want to do this to a small wall in my bathroom… What is the dimensions of the template?
I’m still working on my bedroom because I ran out of paint (I was using some left over I had lying around). Thank you so much though! It totally made the room http://instagram.com/p/eBabbBO2WG/
Here is a link to my site showing your hand painted wallpaper http://www.oldthingsnewblog.com/2013/05/hand-painted-wallpaper.html
I absolutely love. Wouldn’t this make a lovely background for my blog wallpaper? I’m searching! Thanks for the tutorial.
Patti
I don’t have the most steady hand so I didn’t think I could pull it off… But I did! And I love it, thank you for the template and tutorial. Saved me money on buying those expensive stencils I’ve been browsing through online and so worth the seven hours I put into it!
Here it is ….http://instagram.com/p/dx-B05yH6y/
I think this is beautiful, but I would make a stencil and save lots of time!
This is so nice! I can’t wait to paint my own. when searching for more inspiration, I found this cute shop Wonder Wall Decal, they have this pattern precut. It’s the easier way out for those who have shaky hands! : )
Just curious how you made sure the pencil marks didn’t show? I am interesting in using this design, but after my hubby “surprised” me by finally painting stripes in our daughter’s room I was horrified to find dark pencil marks that would not come off with eraser or in some cases showed through the paint. I have been leery of stenciling since.
There are faint pencil lines on the wall, but they are hardly noticeable. Just be sure you trace lightly. You could also use chalk for a wipe-off-able option.
What is the specific brand and size of your paint brush? I LOVE this idea and I’m planning on slowly redecorating my room and I want to do this on one of my walls but I like things the exact way I see them and I was wondering what’s the size and name of the brush.
I just grabbed a brush from my kids’ craft stuff. It is a flat edge and about 1/4 wide. Hope this helps!
I used your tutorial and template to create the wall in my bedroom a couple of years ago and it’s still my favorite thing in my house! Thought I’d share. :)
http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Bedrooms/My-Fabulous-Hand-Painted-Wall/detail.esi?oid=25344001
I printed your template and followed your directions to do my accent wall in my living room!
Here it is: http://instagram.com/p/ZQFu9CmgPd/
It took me 2 coats of the base paint, 2 hours to stencil and 12 hours to paint it in. Took me all day but I love it!
It looks amazing!
I did this and my one wall in my dining room (above the wainscotting). Took about 10 hours. And I thought I was going as fast as I could while still doing a good job. Your office must have taken forever!!!
Thanks for the template and inspiration! I tagged you Instagram so you’d hopefully see my finished project. :)
Nicely done! I couldn’t see the full image because your ig account is private, but from the teensy thumbnail, it looks great!
After reading about your painted wallpaper- I think that perhaps you should be nominated “Princess patience”!
that is amazing! how beautiful. i don’t think i would have the patience for that. i am considering a similar design, but it would have to be a stencil.
Thank you so much for the quatrefoil template – I used it to create some artwork for my bedroom :) Much-o appreciated!!
http://creativelment.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/diy-quatrefoil-art-project/
I’m going to try this in my sitting room. Wish me luck! Patti
This is greatI Thank you! I’m going to try it this weekend!
Stunning! What a fantastic tutorial you’ve provided. Megan
Do you think if I blew up the stencil to a 16×20, would it appear too big on the wall? BTW…love it!!!
this is the final product, LOVE the wall treatment! hands still aching hahaha :)
http://erleichdahouse.blogspot.ca/2012/09/phase-i-main-bathd-final.html
Great tutorial, thanks for sharing!
I used this pattern on an accent wall in my living room. My wall color was “Drizzle” by Sherwin Williams (a muted teal), and for the Moroccan quatrefoil trellis, I just mixed drizzle and white in a SOLO cup. I used CHALK instead of pencil and had fabulous results (super easy clean up, too!). I also used a level as a precaution.
Thanks again!!
Never mind…I found the template. I am soooo doing this project and when i do and post on my blog I will be sure to give you credit for the idea!
OMG I love this. I just really wish you caould email me the pattern so I could really do it on my own. LOL I am trying for a Moroccan theme and I would love to do this in my bathroom. Thats so elegant
Love your blog! Thanks for sharing your template. When I try to print the pattern, the print preview is blank. Do I need to download this in another program to print? Suggestions?
I found you through another link but wanted to stop by and tell you I did a version of your stencil on my wall and LOVE it!!! THank you for the freebie!!!
http://notsoblandlife.blogspot.com/2012/08/come-stencil-with-me.html
I just did this in my bathroom closet and loved it so much and was so sad that you’d barely see it that I painted it on one of the accent walls, lol. THANK YOU for posting this!
WOW. I LOVE this. I really want to try but I am thinking about just doing one wall instead of painting whole walls.
What do you think???
Thanks .
This looks amazing! Thanks for the guide and the stencil. I just finished doing my wall in my bathroom and I can’t stop looking at it. I can only imagine how long it took you to do the whole room!
Thanks so much for sharing this amazing tutorial! I did this project with a “Dusted Plum” as base and “Shimmering Bronze” as stencil color — beautiful, just beautiful! Thanks again for sharing the pattern — I blogged about me working through your tutorial on my site: http://joshjohnson.squarespace.com !
Thanks again! Many Links provided to your site / tutorial through my blog.
Josh.
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!!!!!
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
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
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!
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
OMG what an amazing blog and tutorial! I’m so happy I found this :D
You have a big fan now!
xoxo Julieta
Can you send me the template to paint my walls? I don’t see it on your website?
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!
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!
Love this… saves you money! Just do a little when you can!
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.
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 :-(
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?
Did you only paint one coat? or two?
I only did one coat. You can see through it a little, but that doesn’t bother me.
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.
Was wondering which paint colors you used for this as well as the finishes.
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
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!
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
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:)
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!
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!
WOW. What a fantastic wall treatment. This room looks amazing. Your poor aching hands did a great job!
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!
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!
This is just what I have been looking for to do in my bathroom. I am a little confused if you could help I would really appreciate it. It looks like this is double lines. Did you just a bigger stencil as well? Not sure how to get is started on wall but know once I do, I will be good to go. Thanks
Emily,
I love your painted wallpaper! I’m thinking of doing this on an accent wall in our bathroom. But I have a question: About how long did this take you? Honestly. :) I know it’ll take a good amount of time, just curious how much time I should set aside. Thanks!
What did you do about the pencil lines after the painting was done? Did they show through?
I love this! You have a great website full of wonderful ideas!!! Thank you for sharing.
Your wall turned out so fun! I used your template and painted my wall. Thanks for sharing with all of us! I posted about it and linked back to you. Thanks and have a great day!!
Britli
bits-of-this-and-that.blogspot.com
I love this- if I could I would do my whole house!! Can you tell me what color the base paint is? I love that too!!
Thanks-
Oh my goodness, this is amazing! Found you via gingibersnap.com, and I’m so glad I did!!
Love this idea but of course I like all of your things. Thank you so much! God has certainly blessed you with wonderful talents that you share with all of us.
I did something very similar and blogged it, I linked up to this post for you!
http://kmanndesigns.com/blog/2011/08/02/hand-painted-wallpaper/
Thanks so much for this great template!!! love it!!! :) what a great work u did!
this is stunning
K… Just found your website. AmAZing! Maybe you have allready answered this question somewhere else but what is the name of the the base color that you have on the walls? I want to do this in my office craft room!! With the exact colors. Thanks for the hard work!
I LOVE this!! Starting tomorrow! Thanks for the great tutorial and template :)
OK, I’m still in the stenciling stage but after one wall I decided to buy a big piece of poster board and draw your template of three, connected top to bottom and centered along a straight line.) It’s REALLY helping me to keep my line straight and my spacing even. Thankyou so much for the idea. I’m doing this in my dining room, even my husband is excited about it!
Here’s what I’ve always wondered about stenciling a wall. How do you cover up ALL of the pencil marks? Do you take caution to paint over them ever so slightly? And does it really cover when you use one coat of white paint? I’m a detail person, and that’s the one thing that’s kept me from going for it.
What is the color of the wall that you stenciled on. Please let me know the color and brand of paint you used. Love the technique!
This is absolutely gorgeous!! A beautiful design. You are so talented.
Don’t miss my Exciting Giveaway from Tracy Porter… last day to enter!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Ok, I see, but how did you get exactly the same width EVERY SINGLE TIME & make it not get crooked, etc? PLS TELL ME!!!
Looks absolutely fantastic! Might be the inspiration I need to ‘de-beige’ some of my walls…
Love that “wall paper”! You are a wonder! The tutorials are wonderful! Please keep inspiring!
Wow, you must have NOTHING better to do.
nothing better to do than make beautiful art!? sheesh! Get a life!
Wow, some people just don’t have anything good to say. My mother always told me that if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all. It sounds like you’re the one that needs to get a life!
Your moniker Eat the Rich says everything we need to know. You’re a hater.
The walls are beautiful and I am working up my nerve to do this in my master bedroom. I’ve heard of stencils you can just roll over. Any comments on those? Thanks!
This is a double line… how did you do the double? Did you make a second larger one? I’ve been searching for a stencil tutorial for my new house. Thanks so much!
Did you do one or two coats of paint? Thinking the paint plus primer was a good idea….too bad I just thought of it and I already started with normal paint! : )
I just did one coat of paint. If you are feeling ambitious, two coats would look more ‘finished’ – but it is a lot of work!
I love it :) and can’t wait to try this!!!
I can’t even believe how clever this is and how amazing it looks! I’m not sure if my hand is steady enough but I am so inspired to give it a try:)
Beautiful. Any good tuts on how to create a stencil?
that looks fantastic! I don’t know if I’d have a steady enough hand for that, but you did lovely work!
did you see the ‘green’ binders at Target with this same pattern?! thought of you!
BRILLIANT! I am planning on doing this to my formal living room in a damask print- I really want designer paper but with over 45 a roll- this alternative is right up my ally! I will be posting to my blog soon, & hope it turns out as beautiful as your print!
Thank you thank you thank you! I am doing a mini-makeover to our dining room and this is perfect (combined with new window treatments). I was considering wallpaper or painting the entire room, but this is so much better. And I can work on it while my son naps, and won’t need to set aside an entire day to tackle the whole project at once. :)
Thank you so much for sharing this! I made mine into a headboard: http://coopcrafts.com/2011/04/17/stencil-painted-headboard/ My textured walls made it a little difficult, but I love the way it turned out!
Hi,
I really love the taupe color you used for the walls. Can you tell me what the color is?? thanks!!!
WOW! Talk about talent! I LOVE THIS!!! I’m going to try to paint a headboard for my client…..I’m a little scared though. So did you seperate them about an inch apart?
Your patience is AMAZING! I’m thinking about doing something similar on a tiny wall in my bathroom and have been feeling overwhelmed. But if you can do that giant wall, I’m sure I can manage the 3 feet I have…
I absolutely love this! I have looked at it over and over again. I just bought my paint today for my living/dining room and will be using your pattern on the main wall! I know it’s going to take time to do it, but I am so excited to start!
I can’t open the link either, and my new office walls are calling to me! :) Please relink the link!
This is just gorgeous! I love that so many people have used it in a variety of ways! :)
i would love to use this template on my new bedroom walls. i can’t seem to get the template to open when i click the link. maybe i am doing something wrong, i don’t know. help, please!
Thank you so much for sharing this great tutorial! I gave my bathroom a makeover and I absolutely love it! Here are a few pictures of the finished product: http://juxtapositionsc.blogspot.com/2011/03/guest-bath-reveal.html
I just painted this in my bedroom! It looks fantastic! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Here are the before and after shots!
http://everydaywithemilyfay.blogspot.com/2011/03/bedroom-im-insane-wall.html
I just painted this in my bedroom! It looks fantastic! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
This is beautiful…TY for the pattern too..My husband is Moroccan and I would love to paint this in our home…Will send pic when I do it…Diane
I just finished painting my bathroom and something was missing but i could NOT put my finger on it. I just subscribed and saw this and VOILA!! I found the missing link.. THANK YOU!!
Thanks so much! I filed this away for me to try.
Warmly, Michelle
Fantastic… you have a very steady hand & the patience of a Saint… ha ha
Very nice, I may just give this a whirl in our entry.
I am totally going to try this in my front office/mom cave! I am doing black and white with pink accents. I have a black and white rug and pink curtains so can I do grey? Or should I paint the room grey and do a white pattern? Loooove how yours turned out!
You are so kind to share the template! Love this! Just a question…I can see that you traced the template, but there seem to be two sizes of the design. Did you use two templates or just freehand the larger part of the design?
Thank you thank you thank you for sharing your template and what you did. I got an itch for something fun just on Sunday evening and went for it! By Tuesday evening I had a new wall painted in our hallway. LOVE it!!
http://www.kimschmidtphotography.com/2011/03/the-wall/
i did it!! i did a slightly different version and used a metallic green paint in my new craft room.. here is the link to the pics!
http://craftyland.blogspot.com/2011/03/craft-room-makeover-before-and-after.html
you are brave for doing the whole room. the one wall i did took for-ev-er!!!
thanks for sharing the printout!
kimberly.
I used your template to create an accent wall in my dining room and am THRILLED with the results. I’ve gotten so many compliments – thank you! I posted the pics on my blog http://www.naptimenovelties.blogspot.com.
WOW, this is truly stunning. I have a rental, so won’t be doing it myself anytime soon, but this is great to pocket away for a later time. If I’ll have the patience is the real question. Great job!
Thank you so much for this wonderful tutorial! I finally completed it in our guest bathroom and I absolutely LOVE it! Thank you sooooo much for sharing! http://thelenzs.blogspot.com/2011/03/its-done.html
beyond inspiring! more more more!
i will definitely be trying this out once my (future) husband and i get our own home! beautiful!
Hi! I used this stencil in my pantry and i LOVE the way it turned out! Thanks so much!
http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com/2011/02/organized-pantry.html
This will be a perfect way to use my sample jars from Behr paint! Better get busy, friends are coming to visit this weekend!
I also found your blog and used the template to do this…
http://thepowers-thatbe.blogspot.com/2011/02/armoire-redo.html
I stumbled upon your blog a few weeks ago and took your stencil and idea and used it on an entryway wall, so I thought you’d like to see the result: http://victorianintherough.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/my-inexpensive-but-time-consuming-wallpaper/
Ok…so I saw this and fell in LOVE and of course had to try it. (My husband is doubting my sanity at this point) We bought a new house almost two years ago and I was really struggling with the nook that is set back for an entertainment center…but we just have our monster flat screen on a lower cabinet so a ton of the wall was exposed. So that wall has gone from beige to slate blue to dark khaki….then after seeing your project I got really wild!! I had a few things working against me such as the wall is pretty heavy in texturizing and the actual nook has an arched ceiling so those were interesting to work around but I took it all in stride and got started! I painted the wall a beautiful “Tiffanys Blue” or “Robins Egg” is what I call it in front of my husband :) and then did the “double” stencil as you did and used a pretty dark grey paint on the pattern….I think my pattern was a bit bigger but I am VERY happy with the end results!! It took about 3 days working during nap times and after my little guy went to bed but sooooo worth it!! It went from craptastic to FANTASTIC!!! Thank You! I don’t have a blog page where I can post a picture but rest assured I did you proud!
Kristin
Just fantastic! I linked it to my “stencils” project post too so you’ll get lot’s more visitors over here having a look!
Me too. I cannot figure it out either.
Great idea ! I love it and really not expensive. Thanks from France
I am so doing this in our new house! I can’t wait! Only I don’t have the patience to do a whole room so I’m just doing a focal wall in our master bedroom. Thank you for the great idea!
This looks like a room I would never want to leave. Completely awe inspiring!! I am going to do this in my office, but like several other comments, I’m a little confused how to come up with the double lines. I definitely like the dramatic affect of the double lines. Any add’l comments to add on that subject? Thanks!
To the above comments, couldn’t you just photocopy it and shrink it down to like 70/80%?
WOW!! That is beautiful! And the patience that you must have! I can’t believe you had the patience to hand paint that! Ohhhh…if only I had a ounce of your patience. : )
okay, so i did it! i really wanted to do the double stencil like in your office, but i’m not nearly that patient. i cannot beleive you did an entire room. i did the backsplash in my kitchen. oh, and i didn’t use pencil, i just painted around the cardboard template. thank you for the lovely idea! http://spanns.blogspot.com/2011/01/change-of-plans.html
Stacy….I did this and I did get the double line effect….its all how you lay the stencil pattern. The double line is created by the stencils next to each other…make your pattern piece that you will be following and maybe play around with it until you get the double line. It took me about 3 across and 2 up to see I wasn’t laying them right and went back and got it all figured out. Good Luck!
Hi Emily! This is amazing! I downloaded your template and used it for two little walls in my family room. I did it a little different but it is awesome! I blogged about it, check it out if you have a second. Thanks so much! http://www.bklhome.blogspot.com
dumb question…. how did you get the smaller lines inside the other ones? did you have 2 stencils, one smaller one???? i am trying to figure this out in my head :)
wow! that is just gorgeous! I have been thinking about doing something similar, this is such a helpful post with the pictures and everything – just what I needed to get going! Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi there I just wanted to say thank you so much for this post! I was able to transform my guest bathroom with your stencil…you can see it here-http://ajaleesweetlife.blogspot.com/2011/01/bathroom-makeover.html
Looks great, but how did you get rid of the pencil lines so well?
help! the stencil link is not active. can you pretty please repost (or send it to me)? i am DYING to try this asap. thank you!!
What an incredible idea!! It turned out beautifully! I’ve been looking for something like this.
Shannon
http://www.akadesign.ca
I just finished remodeling one of our hallway closets and used your amazing stencil as the finishing touch. Here’s the link if you want to check it out: http://keephomesimple.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-and-improved-hallway-closet.html
Thanks for providing the stencil and the amazing inspiration!!!
~Robin
oh my, this is so gorgeous! I will be doing this in my mudroom. Wish me luck!
What do you think about trying this in a very tiny powder room? I just can’t get this PR the way I want it and I thought using this technique but using a more clear metallicy paint(like centsational girl http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/07/painted-trellis-wall/) for the lines would give my powder room the glam that I’m going for.
oh. my. goodness!!! I have been looking for a solution for my office, and I’ve found it! I wanted to do wallpaper, but I have the same problem. all the stuff I love is pricy, and I don’t have smooth walls so that creates another little hurdle. as soon as I saw your painted wallpaper room, I thought “man, it would be so great if she posted a tutorial!”… and you DID!!! thank you so much! I am definitely doing this, and I’ll be sure to send a picture once I do!
Just started this project in my dining room! I just started my day one blog and linked your tutorial/blog to it…thank you so much! Please check it out when you have the chance at: http://nestdecorator.blogspot.com/
Thanks again!
Kaitlyn
I love this so much! I don’t have a creative bone in my body so bare with me as I try to figure this out… I am about to start tracing in my office. I can’t figure out how you got the double line look? If I trace it and paint just along the inside I will only get a single paint line. What I am I not understanding? I am so excited to give this a try… maybe not a good idea for a beginner, but I am so inspired! I LOVE your tutorials!
Okay! I got it figured out:) Like I said… beginner!!!
I was wondering the same thing. How does it end up like there is a double line?
Hi Heidi-
How did you get the double line figured out??? I am also trying to figure that one out…
Thanks!
I’m also wondering about the double line, I can’t figure it out for the life of me!
you are Amazing! what a beautiful space you have created!
thanks so much!
Ah man! I wish I’d seen this BEFORE I did my Quatrefoil project! It would have saved me some serious aggrevation! Someone left a link to you AMAZING room on my blog. Now I’m feeling frumpy with my project as I didn’t do it NEARLY as well as you did. I LOVE how your room turned out. I would certainly recommend that you trace and paint with a stencil rather than the method I used with a stencil.
http://thegregbeefamily.blogspot.com/2010/09/silver-home-office-craft-room-alternate_08.html
Perfect back-of-the-bookcase project!! Curses, I already have bead-board installed!
Love it!
Ellen
Absolutely beautiful….I think I may actually try doing this to our guestroom. I’ll let you know how it turns out!
Your office looks beautiful!!!
Just thought of a question: what did you do about the pencil lines??
You might be able to try a magic eraser, so long as you don’t rub it over the paint. You could erase first, then use the magic eraser lightly overtop to get rid of the eraser smudge.
Thank you so much!! I AM GOING TO DO THIS in our front hall. It just cries for a grand wallpaper, but that is not on the top of our list for budget. I will send pics… in, like, a year (hahaha!!). Really. What a great project!
I am definitely going to try this. My walls are a similar beige/golden color. Do you think it will look ok in a large bedroom? I would also like to know what size paintbrush you used.
What a wonderful project — the look of wallpaper without ever having to tear it down. Marvelous. I have featured this project on my blog as one of my August bookmarks.
OMG! OMG! There is nothing left to say. This is amazing! I can not believe you hand painted al of that. OMG! WOW!
Emily! I’m in the middle of this project…..the stencil is exactly what I was looking for. I’m “wallpapering” my entertainment nook in our front room. So, now I’m to the painting part and I’m wondering if you can tell me exactly what size paint brush you used. I purchased one from Roberts, but I’m nervous to start and mess up the pretty pencil lines. :)
LOve LOVE LOVE your blog and your spiritual inspiration. xo
I’m back, looking, and looking again. I love this so much! I keep trying to picture how it would look in my small dining room. Trying to decide if I really want to take this on….
In a small room, do you think it would be too much?
Londen
Saw this tutorial thanks to Brooklyn Limestone. What an awesome idea! I hope to do this someday when I have my own house (instead of rented apartment with oh-so-boring off white walls). Thanks!
This is crazy amazing! I have included your tutorial on my blog under “Fabulous Makeovers I Admire”. This is just an incredible amount of patience, determination and talent combined. Hats Off!
Hello! I did something similar to this in our kitchen – we aren’t allowed to put up wallpaper, but I was really wanting something to break up the wall in there and really love the combination of yellow and turquoise/teal. I love it! It’s so bright and sunny and I get happy everytime I walk in there (except, of course, when I’m doing dishes).
http://www.abbeycatchat.com/2010/03/im-in-love-wallpaper.html
This is amazing! I’m going to try this in my powder room! Thanks for the template!
Wow, this is inspiring, love how it came out!!
I can’t believe your patience – and your straight eye!
I love your armchair by the way.It looksso snuggly AND stylish. The room looks amazing! Well done!
Wow! Now THAT is a treatment! I think I could manage this in my powder room. Bravo to you and your steady hands!
Another great tip when doing this project is to trace your pattern with white chalk.
That way you don’t have to erase any pencil lines! Just wait for the paint to dry and then wipe off the chalk with water :)
Love your room. Love your blog. I have read the whole thing…In one day.
Oh…. my… goodness!!!!!!!!!! This is beyond gorgeous. I think I can go as far as to say that it’s perfect. Oh if only I wasn’t living in a rental! Putting this in my favorites all the way a the top. Excellent job.
I am in AWE that you had the patience and time and ability to do this with four kids.
You’re amazing!!! So fabulous!
*Lisa
This is gorgeous and I commend your accomplishment! Not being one who has walls she can paint, I wonder, would it be easier to papercut a stencil out of a piece of poster board and spray paint it? (Sorry, I just think this every time I see a gorgeous and unattainable painted-wall-treatment)
So beautiful – you did an amazing job! I love to paint patterns on my walls – this must of taken a lot of time.
Susan,
http://entertainexchange.blogspot.com/
Party and Entertaining Inspiration
I used your template, but made it just a little bit bigger. I was only doing one wall in my bathroom, so I wanted more of a statement. I love the way yours is so subtle in the end. I may go for something more subtle in a different room in the house. Thanks for the tutorial!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5438805&id=711480871
Divine! I might try this on a smaller scale – it’s just so classy and gorgeous.
I am loving your site and all of your creativeness! I may be lost here. NO I am lost here. Did you use two differ sizes of your pattern to create this look or am I just imagining that?? I would like to try it out somewhere in the house but can’t quite figure out exactly how you drew the pattern on the wall. I am sure it is a DUH moment but thanx for any input!:)
Did you get a response to your comment? I was thinking the exact same thing! I even drew it on paper… how did she get double lines? I would love to know if you heard… Thanks!
Wow, I love this. Thank you so much for sharing your template! I am not sure I have the patience to do this for a whole room, but I am very tempted to do a feature wall.
OH MY GOSH! what else can i say? it is gorgeous and you have some patience!!!!
Very Very classy. I love it.
WOW. That is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing!
I have true admiration for the steady hand that painted that wall. It looks like a lot of work but the end result was so worth the time and energy. An inspired idea and great execution.
That looks awesome!!! So smart!
WOW! That…is… AMAZING!!! Great Job.
You must have a LOT of patients! ;)
That is truly stunning! I LOVE it! Does the white paint conceal the pencil lines? Or did you have to go back and erase them somehow?
So completely awesome….Thank you so much for sharing this! I cannot wait to read your other posts.
Wow! How beautiful your room is and all done by hand! I’m so impressed, great job! :)
Wow!!! You did such an amazing job…your room looks so beautiful…straight from the magazine pages. My hat is totally off to you, I don’t have a steady enough hand, nor the patience to try and tackle this. Simply gorgeous!
Listen….can you hear my oooohhhh’s and aaaaahhhh’s? So amazing I might be crazy enough to do this in my dinning room or laundry, something small. I love, love, love it!
Such a statement! I really like this.
I LOVE your room! It is fabulous!!! I was wondering if you might like to guest post sometime on my blog — Tatertots & Jello? I would love to have you do a project and spotlight your blog!
XOOX
jen
Love this!
this is now the third time i’m looking at this. i love it.
it’s so inspirational.
not only do i want you to link it up with us as i want our readers to find you, i also really want to do this.
when i get back from vacation, that is.
i think i already commented / emailed you that the linky party is here:
http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-tutorial-linky-party-9/
+ you can come back every wednesday with new tutorials.
thanks for sharing!
Wow! I love, LOVE, love this! Gorgeous, now if only I had a steady hand! :)
Thanks for the template…I am going to try to paint my daughters plain white drapes in her room (I am going to use a light pink paint!). I will send you a pic! Wish me luck! LOVE LOVE LOVE all that you do. Thanks for the inspiration!!!
I am speechless! I love it and really admire your genius. I woul love to try this but I dont think I would have the patience to do and entire wall or room… .. WOW…just WOW… Great Job.
Hi Emily-
What a great job. It looks fabulous and worth all the time and effort you put into it. I did this to my mud room a few years ago and recently needed to update the room and had to paint over it – the first roll over of paint was hard to do.
I love the fact that you had your little ones help out. So cute. My daughter’s always wanted to help me out and I let them. Seeing them so proud of their little spot they painted or stitched, or glued on for me always made me smile with delight.
My best- Diane
Ok, I am totally going to do this in my foyer. I have been trying to figure out what to do, but really didn’t want to commit to wallpaper. So gorgeous! I hope my hand is as steady as yours. Maybe a glass of wine first, LOL! If it’s okay, can I feature you on my blog,
http://www.justpleasedaspunch.blogspot.com
Thanks for the great idea!
Oh Emily – It’s just gorgeous. More than I admire the beautiful walls, I admire your patience, diligence and steady hand. I could/would never attempt something like this. You can be very proud. It’s really just perfect.
I seriously can’t believe you HAND PAINTED that whole room! It is GORGEOUS! I am totally in love. I would love a room like that, but there is no way I am doing what you did. You are crazy awesome!!!!!!!!
Coming over from Blondie… it looks amazing, but holy cow!!! I can’t imagine the time it took you! Kudos!!!!!! :)
What a great post! And a wonderful job! Lot’s of work but I can tell you have the patience for it. Your kids are adorable and it is so great you can involve them in your projects. They will always remember that. Also you are teaching them creativity and ingenuity. mo *hugs*
Wow, that looks like a lot of work! But, it did turn out fabulous! Thanks for sharing the tutorial.
WOW your tutorial inspired me but I dont know if I have the energy to paint all that!
I love the chest of drawers in the finished photo. Did you paint it? If you did what colour did you paint it, it looks lovely!!!!!!
Girl, way to rock it out. I love to be inspired by Ballards too.
You must have a LOT of patience! But it look so great, I love your style.
this is beautiful,and cost-effective.
sooo, do come link it up with us so our readers can find you and love you also: http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-tutorial-linky-party-9/
ps new party every wednesday, open all week, findable from Fine Craft Guild homepage.
…. as well, if you have a future wall painting project that you wish to be featured at FINE craft GUILD, then, BEFORE you post the tutorial on your own website, contact us. (yes, this is an official invite, and yes, your project execution is that good.)
R
Wow – I have just stumbled across your blog and love all that you create! I am especially in love with your office. I have seen this type of “wallpaper” treatment over blogland using stencils but love your idea of using a template! I am currently renting and can’t put up wallpaper but my daughter wants this in her room!
Thanks for the inspiration and sharing your “secrets”
Barbara
Wow it turned out so good! I loved that. Major inspiration.
That looks absolutely amazing!!!!
OMG! That looks fabulous. I’m really glad you shared this tutorial. I wonder how it would look in a small bathroom. Hmmm, thinking, thinking, thinking and yup, I think I’ll have to try it.
Thanks so much for sharing. I’m really enjoying your blog.
Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com
Beautiful! Impressive!
I’ve stenciled walls but I don’t think I have the nerve to free hand paint on our walls,
I can’t lie. It looks a little intimidating (I don’t have a steady hand nor a “sense for straight), but I REALLY want to try– maybe I’ll start on an accent wall in the guest room. Thank you so much for the template and tutorial!
Wow, This looks fantastic. I love it but I don’t think I would have the patience for this big of a project. Of course, if you would like to come and help…just asking!
Hugs, Sherry
Really labor intensive – but so gorgeous!! You must have a very steady hand, it looks perfect!
~jan @ thepaisleycupcake.blogspot.com
I found you through Lit and Laundry.
That is beautiful. You must have a steady hand and patience. ~~Sherry~~
This is just so beautiful!!!! I LOVE it!! I would love to do this in our “dining room” (we don’t entertain formally so right now it’s not really holding much …. eventually we would like to put a piano in there with some seating.) It’s the room you see right when you walk in the front door. But there is a chair rail in there and wow … what do you think? This would be too much with a chair rail in the same room, right??
Wonderful job! Such a delightful room!!
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
I have painted ‘murals’ on my kids’ walls. I, too, hate wallpaper – so hard to change. What I found is if you use a larger print, it’s really easy to paint it on your walls. What I did was go through wallpaper books and children’s books. I borrowed an opaque projector from the library and projected the pictures and prints onto the wall and just painted on top of the projections. ;p
I LOVE THIS! I have been wanting to do something like this in my foyer forever and have even bought another stencil from The G Brand. I have always liked those curtains from Ballard too — def going to give it a whirl and will send pics when I do! Love your style!
This is gorgeous! You sure did put a lot of work into it but it really paid off. I don’t think I’d have the patience to do all that but I love the end result.
I just wanted to stop by and let you know that I linked to this post today from the new Home & Garden channel at Craft Gossip. :) My hope is to share many of the fabulous projects I see everyday with the vast CG audience. I hope you will not only stop by and subscribe to CG, but will tell your friends about the new category! Hope you see some traffic from it!
Your feature will appear in the main Craft Gossip RSS feed, on the main home page and can be found directly here
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/diy-wallpaper-with-paint/
If you would like a “featured by” button, you can grab one here!
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/
Thank you so much for sharing the tutorial and the template! Your office looks amazing!
this looks great! kudos to you for this diy project. i wouldn’t have the patience
oh my…emily! love this and your steady hand girl! i think you are super patient. beautiful!
Beautiful job! And yes, you are patient!
It’s beautiful!!!! I think I’d have pulled out every single one of my hairs by the time I finished something like that. LOL
it looks like real wallpaper, you did an amazing job!! would love to try it sometime!
how pretty! you’re amazing
I also really love this! It looks so pretty!
ahhhhh love it!!!! Thanks so much for sharing the template. I hope to try this in my teeny tiny guest bathroom one day soon. I’ll share pics when Im done (hopefully) :-)
Oh my gosh you are the most creative person ever. I never would have thought to do that! Love the idea!
this is AMAZING!!!
i thought it was wallpaper so i immediately thought “no.”
but i then i see your paint…oh wow.
WOW.
i actually felt a since of calm come over me when i saw YOU painting.
that looks therapeutic. really.
this room is beautiful.
LOVE it.
:)
i just realized that is the same shape as the white tiles i just bought for the kitchen backsplash! i love it! now, for trying this out! i am not sure if my crazy self can handle it! you are good!
I just LOVE IT! ;)
That is seriously awesomesauce! amazing! I am trying this some day for sure!
Hi! So after nester posted this pic of your office back in May, I’ve been obsessed! Obsessed I tell you! Last week I even made my own template but it seems my sizing is all wrong for the repeat. However, thanks to your fab tutorial I will be attempting this in my powder room next week (read: smallest room in the house) over pretty aqua walls. thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your method and also for sharing your gorgeous home. i just adore you!
Presently straining my brain to think where could I/should I do this in our home??? You are so inspiring. If you can do this with four little ones, than surely I can do it with three – surely? Your little boy’s hands are so precious – so sweet he was “helping” you.
um, wow. this is unbelievable. I have to try this somewhere in my house. I think my office. yeah. I really think I’m gonna do it. I’ll keep you posted!
I’m not joking…can we be neighbors? I adore your sense of style and need help! We’re in Columbus, OH and I find myself checking your blog several times a day! Thank you for the pics and the ideas.
We’ll be moving across town soon so all of these tutorials are making me excited!
i am going to be fully honest with myself and admit i am nowhere near ready to do this on even one entire wall, but i am SO glad you showed us how you did this. because i might be ready to do this to a piece of furniture, for example. wouldn’t it be cute to do on the sides & top of a dresser and then paint the drawers a solid color? if i do it, i PROMISE you i’ll send a pic! you’re SUCH an inspiration to me ~ SO glad i found you through the nester!
I love it! Thank you for the how to, and for sharing your template. I always wonder how people create their own templates. Is there a certain program you use?
I may try this in our study!
I am in love with this idea. Your room looks gorgeous! Thank you for showing us how you pulled that all together!
OHH!! Thank you! I can’t wait to try this, i think I have *almost* convinces the man to let me do this! I was waiting on this tutorial and pattern!! Thank you Thank you Thank you! I will send you a picture.
sigh… I am new to your blog, and I am in heaven with all your projects. I really like this one. It is so awesome.
Thank you so much for sharing the tutorial… it is beyond inspiring! I’m a little nervous about the steady hand part… and maybe the patience part, too!