Create A Clover Stencil Wall Treatment

First DIY project of 2012!  The Clover Stenciled Wall!

Recently I spent a few days up on a ladder with a quart of paint..... and you know I loved it!  I have done wall treatments before, but this was the most tedious-NOT hard, just tedious-but SO worth it!!  Using a clover shaped stencil made from poster paper, I traced the cut out across my entire wall, creating a pattern, then colored in the pattern using a beautiful shade of orange paint.

This print was my inspiration for the space.  It is a John French photo, who took killer shots of fashion models in black and white between 1950-60's.  I lucked out finding this one at a craft store that sold prints. I had it mounted to foam board and framed (no glass means no glare).  I love the way the model is standing, showing off the adorable little dress that steals the show. And the bundle of pearls along the big floppy hat are perfect pairings for it.  Where can I get that boldly patterned dress??!! After looking at this print I knew I wanted to display it on an equally bold patterned wall set against a crisp white back drop, to bring life into the grey scaled photo.

This is the wall BEFORE.  It is getting prepped for the new wall treatment. I began by taping off all moldings and trim, then painted the walls a crisp white (don't worry, a big sheet covered the entire sofa before painting :) ).

To create this wall you will need:

-poster board

-pencil

-scissors

-painters tape

-paint (I used a quart size of Sherwin William 2854 'Caribbean Coral ')

-one fine tip paint brush

-one wider tipped paint brush

The Steps:

Creating the Stencil.  Using your pencil, practice drawing your stencil on paper.  Try different designs.  To visualize how it will look across an entire wall, recreate the pattern over and over on a piece of paper (like above).  When you are ready to create your stencil, grab your poster paper and pencil.  Lightly draw your stencil. Make any changes to it, and then cut it out.  To get this clover look I traced a cereal bowl to ensure that each rounded side was equal.  This clover stencil is 14" around.  

Tip-stick with a stencil that is at least 14" or you will have a lot more tracing to do, and painting.

 Where to Start On The Wall.  Begin in the center.  You want to give the illusion that the design keeps going,  so where the wall hits the ceiling, the floor, and the two side walls, you will only have room to trace part of the design. 

Begin Tracing.  Once you have found the center of the wall, place your stencil there.  I stuck painters tape on the back of my stencil to hold it in place.  Trace it.  Then, using your level, make a tiny pencil mark every 7"s across the wall at the same level as the top and bottom of the tracing.  This will ensure that your lines of pattern are straight across the wall. 

You can place painters tape where your marks are, as a guide as well (see above).  Once you have marked out an entire row and traced on your stencil repeatedly until you completed that row, do the same technique for the rows above and below.  

Begin Painting.  Once the entire wall is traced out in pencil, grab your paint and a fine tip paint brush.  Slowly paint the edges. This will take a bit of time but it is important to stay within the lines so it does not look messy.

Two Coats of Paint.  You will go over the edges 2xs to get nice thick look.

Once you have outlined all the tracings in paint, you will fill them in with your paint.  Using your wide tipped brush, give it 2 coats.

Tip -Keep a paper towel handy.  If you drip on your wall quickly clean it up.

Take extra care at the walls edges.  

It took me a weekend to complete this wall. I worked during the daylight hours only.

Ta da!!

AFTER:

 

OK, if you like the look of the stenciled wall above but looking for an easier way to get the look, try one of these joyful wallpapers by Antonina Vella.  This line of wallpaper is not very expensive and full of inspiration.  Here are my faves:

Nicoletta GM1248

Angelina GM1209

You can find more info on these wallpapers at York Wallcoverings, or head to your local Sherwin Williams store to see the books in person!!  TIP-Bring tissues for all the drooling!!

Make A Dream Tree For Luck & Beauty

Dream Tree

 You have heard of a 'vision board', 

but what about a 'vision tree' called a Dream Tree!  

Sit it by the fireplace, the foyer, or create a smaller version for a table top centerpiece.

A Dream Tree is meant to add a sweet natural warm feel to a space, while being a constant reminder of all the dreams you hope come true.  Every leaf on each branch will contain a dream (a wish) that is hand written by you.  It is an easy and inexpensive DIY project you can do in one day!  It can be a small centerpiece on a table top, or a large focal point on the ground.  Once you create it,  you will see it every day and envision your dreams coming true!

This is a kid friendly project too!! 

SUPPLIES YOU NEED:

Felt paper

Scissors

Clear tape

Double sided tape

Jute twine

Branches

Leaves

Vase to place the branches in

(You will also need white copy paper, a Sharpie with a fine tip and double sided tape for writing your dreams on the leaves.)

*You can find the branches and leaves outside your home or at a park, and the rest can be found at a craft store.  Choose a vase that is deep-can be small and placed on a table top, or larger and placed on the ground.

STEP 1

Decide how big you want your Dream Tree to be then find an appropriate sized vase for it.  

Then gather and arrange your branches in it.

*once they are in your vase you can cut them to the size you want.

STEP 2

Time to create your leaves!

Using a pen, trace one of the leaves on your felt paper and cut it out.

STEP 3

Using your scissors, cut a little hole toward the top of the leaf.  Then loop a piece of jute twine through the leaf, tie it in a knot, leave three inches then make another knot, and cut the excess off.

STEP 4

Grab a Sharpie with a fine tip, white copy paper, and tape.

Write as many wishes as you want on the white paper using the Sharpie (the height of your words should be shorter than the height of a piece of tape).  

Cut around each written wish like the photo above with scissors.  

Cut a piece of tape long enough to over each cut piece, place over the piece of written wish, and cut the excess off. 

STEP 5

Grab your double sided tape.

Place a piece on the back side of your wish paper.

Then press the back side down on a felt leaf.  

STEP 6

Hang your leaves on the branches!

IDEA TIP -

*Use this project as a learning tool for kids by renaming it 'The Thankful Tree' and instead of writing your wishes, have everyone write what they are thankful for!!  This is a great idea to do on a rainy day or as a project during Thanksgiving.

Follow the same step by step instructions as above.

"I am thankful for the Earth!" 

Happy Fall Everyone!!!

For more ideas on hot Fall home decor trends and inexpensive ideas CLICK HERE.   

Boys Zig Zag Blvd. Bedroom Revealed

The assignment was to create two bedrooms- one fit for a sweet little four year old girl who has a love of flowers, of the perfect color pink, and of books, that are ever growing in her room.  And another bedroom for a very cool and charming six year old boy looking for a more rockin' room that ignites his creativity.

The budget was minimal, about $1,000 for both rooms, purchasing items that would make the biggest difference, and having fun with DIY projects to sweeten the space!

The reaction raised the roof!  We completed both bedrooms while the family vacationed.  Through a lot laughter, creative dizziness, and inspiration drawn from two little kids, the family came home to two fun designer destinations.  The kids ran right up to their rooms.  All that was heard was a high pitched scream 'Oh my gosh!' 'Oh my gosh!' 'Oh my gosh!'  There was a lot of jumping on the bed and rolling around with a giant smile.  My favorite part was when the little boy looked at the zig zag wall and asked "How does Shoshana think of this cool stuff? She is so smart!"  And kids don't lie :)

 Enjoy!

Watch the video of this reveal. I will share all my secrets and give tips CLICK HERE

Zig Zag Blvd.

A cool kids Bedroom

THE DESIGN

 THE REVEAL

BEFORE

 AFTER

The Paint.  We used Sherwin Williams 'Anew Gray' on the walls and 'Gray Area' on the ceiling. For the Zig zag wall we used Sherwin Williams 'Classic Light Buff' and 'Decisive Yellow'.

The Lighting.  Plug in wall sconces from IKEA were added above either side of the bed for more direct and accessible reading light.

 BEFORE

 AFTER

The Wall Treatment.  See below for how it was done.

Big Bold Initial Pillows.  To create a fun focal point on the bed we added DIY pillows we embellished ourselves.

 BEFORE

 AFTER

Window Treatments.  We added a DIY valance over each window using yellow cotton fabric and a 2 inch white ribbon.  After sewing a rod pocket seam and hemming the edges we just added the ribbon using 'no sew' fabric glue.

Add Shelving.  Displaying achievements is a great confidence builder for kids!  Shelves are excellent places to hang light weight awards because they do not take up any floor space.

BEFORE

AFTER

Work Station. We added a desk and chair from IKEA for reading and writing.  It is near the window so it will get more natural light during the day.

The Wall Treatment. The room definitely gets its superstar feel from the new wall treatment.  And although the yellow color is bold, it is used just enough to make this little boy excited enough to think that I am cool.

Below are the steps we took to create the Zig Zag wall. 

1. Using graph paper, we plotted out the design based on the dimensions of the wall.  

Tip - To make it feel like an ongoing zig zag we began our first yellow stripe 1 foot down the wall.  For the same reason we made sure our zig zag started with a downward line and ended with an upturned line.

2. After painting the wall Sherwin Williams 'Classic Light Buff', using a measuring tape  pieces of painters tape were placed at every point in our pattern design. 

3. The dots were connected by long strips of painters tape, always making sure the tape was straight as it went on.  

 4. The edges were cleaned up using a blade lightly on the wall.

5. Using Sherwin Williams Decisive Yellow, the paint was rolled on and the painters tape came off!

To see how to create Personalized Initial Pillows CLICK here

To see how to create DIY Fake Flower Head Art CLICK here

To see how to create a Stationary Stagecoach CLICK here