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!!

Small Kitchen BIG Transformation

A kitchen remodel needs to be functional first, but never forget to show off your personality in it!  I can't say that enough.  This is the place you eat, hang out with family and friends, try out recipes, and read the paper with a cup of joe. Its where you get inspired and feel comfort.  It is a very personal and important space of any home.  So when my clients, Diane and Dan, asked me to come back and help them with their kitchen after designing their living room, I was honored.   

BEFORE

AFTER

Every square inch in this kitchen counts due to the small size of the space.  To make it feel larger we added a fun stripe treatment on the far wall to bring your eye to the back of the room.  The big mirror then reflects the light back into the space creating an airy open feel.  The rich dark woods of the furniture grounds the space and looks luxe against the cool colors on the walls.  The most important and most worked on detail in the space was the table.  We had it custom made to fit in this nook perfectly, to allow as much seating as possible, while keeping as much usable surface space as possible.  And by using a bench instead of chairs allows Diane and Dan to keep the table against the wall when it is just the two of them dining and keeps the space open.

And when they have guests over, they can pull the table out and have 4 to 6 people around it.  They don't have a dining room so we made the kitchen feel like one by fitting in a rockin' buffet and contemporary table lamp to create a romantic glow at night.

Who says a kitchen has to be ordinary. Just because we used a bench doesn't mean it has to be for function alone.  Make a statement using bold graphics on the upholstery like we did.  And I love these chairs.  The shape with the smokin' hot white leather cut into the tobacco finish looks so contemporary.  

The other side of the kitchen received a little makeover ON A TEENY BUDGET!

BEFORE

AFTER

Changes to this side of the kitchen include a new granite counter top, nickel hardware, elegant faucet, and roman shade in a yummy dark chocolate.  And of course, a creamy gray paint color creates a calm feel in the work zone.  No need to change the cabinets or appliances.  Wow....what a difference!

I urge you to be bold and let go when remodeling your kitchen.  Have fun and be fabulous!!

Important Body Part For An Interior Decorator

The most important body part for an Interior Decorator to possess is a good set of ears. From the first sit down, to each and every pow-wow there after, my client is counting on me to pick up on what he/she is looking for in a design plan without actually saying it outright. I figure it out through casual responses to my questions, through visual aides that include hand puppets and miming, and by listening to how hard they laugh at my jokes.

Just yesterday, I helped an adorable couple in New Tripole, through this process. I knew it was going to be a good meeting because Roxette ‘Dangerous’ came on the radio as I neared their home. After screaming along with the song, I parked, popped the trunk, and dragged out a million and one decorating tools.  By the end of our meeting, we put together a super stylin’ and eye catching design plan that includes a graphic wall treatment and very fun fabrics (diggin' thomas paul).  Check them out below:

We had a good time figuring out if the pattern in this juicy green thomas paul fabric was inspired by a mushroom, maracas, or a ping pong paddle.  Whatever it is, they loved it and we are making them into drapes for the living room.

This bold black and white diamand graphic by duralee will be such a grand statement hanging in an apple green dining room.

These bold colored and large patterned thomas paul fabrics screamed to be framed, so that is just what we will do. Using crisp white mattes and oversized black frames, they will be a focal point in the dining room, and tie the living room and dining room together.   

Can you tell I am ready for spring!!!

Office Makeover in 2 Days

I received a call on Friday from a local business that was in need of a quick makeover by Monday morning, just in time for them to be interviewed by the media about a new unique product.  Ok, time to start humming the entire Rocky Balboa anthem. 

Step 1: take on the 2 spaces that will be seen on Monday:  Reception Rm and Conference Rm

Step 2: Decide what changes to make & measure measure measure

Step 3: Run around like mad to local stores because no time for custom anything

Step 4: stop for deoderant and new hammer

The RESULTS:

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Sorry about the poor photo quality.  I used my i-phone (pretty good for phone quality I say).

A Home Office Inspired By A Pizza Box

A few weeks back my friend Tracy came over with pizza. The most gigantic box of pizza I had ever seen! I had no idea anyone could consume so much pizza, but we all did! And the jokes that ensued became childish. At the end of the day I was left with the box, and a crazy idea.

I thought the box would make the perfect stencil. So I used the box to create a wall treatment in my home office. What do you think?

Here is how I did it:

With the help of a ruler, level, and scissors, I cut out a 29” circle.  Using a graph paper, I plotted out where the circles would go.  Based on my graph the circle size allowed for for circles horizontally and three rows vertically.  After splitting the wall in five equal parts using painters tape, I traced the box onto the wall with a pencil, starting in the center.

I painted the outer and inner pencil lines using a small paint brush with a fine tip first. Then used a larger brush and it took two coats. Paint I used for the circles is Sherwin William’s Reflecting Pool. The walls are Sherwin Williams Egret White.

After two nights, and some frightening expressions from P, my hubby, I finished. 


The large scale makes my walls look very tall. And, no, it does not smell like pizza!


For complete detailed instructions CLICK HERE. Houzz, a design and decor loving website, featured it on their homepage.