How to stencil an accent wall

February 17, 2014

Last I left you I had told you about our little kitchenette spot that I’m super excited about:

IMG_7902

I had finally painted the cabinets and installed the countertop. I’ve actually made some progress over the past few weeks but this big project I finished up last night. My goal all along has been to tile the wall above the cabinets but I haven’t found what I want just yet. Actually…I have, but it’s really expensive. So I want to pull the rest of the area together first and then decide if I want to drop some cash on the tile.

So to dress it up in the meantime, I decided to go with a stencil instead:

How to stencil a wall

I thought it would work great with the slightly more modern vibe we have going in the basement. I actually had this one in my hands months ago for another project and decided against it but remembered it and went back for it. It was $17, but 40 percent off with my Hobby Lobby app and coupon.

When it came to the color to use with the stencil I went with this stuff from Krylon:

Silver paint

Again, from a project that never was. :) I got it last fall from True Value but I’m guessing you could find it anywhere Krylon is sold? I think it’s made to mix with another color but I liked it as it was – it’s a very light silvery finish.

Just like tiling or flooring, the first one is the most important – make sure it’s exactly where you want it because it will set the tone for the whole wall. Some use a light spray adhesive on the back but I didn’t need it:

How to stencil a wall

As long as the stencil is level it will lay down flat. I used my small one to check it each time:

How to stencil a wall

Now the amount of paint you use is really important. They sell stencil “stampers” at the craft store for projects like this but geesh, a wall would take forever with something like that. I always use a foam roller, just make sure you roll most of the paint out of it:

How to stencil a wall

You hardly want anything on there at all. If you have too much it will get under the stencil and you’ll be mad. :)

Use decent pressure to paint over it – not too heavy but enough it covers well:

How to stencil a wall The great part about using so little paint is that it dries super fast. I was able to keep moving and even use my delicate painter’s tape over it within about five minutes.

I stood back after a few and LOVED it:

Stenciled wall

It took a few hours – I did it while we watched the All Star game in the basement and it took the length of the game – about three hours from start to finish. The last little corner by the light switch took me longer than anything. It’s always the last part of the project…always.

But I was pleasantly surprised by it – I really love how it turned out!:

Kitchenette in basement

I was just using what I had but the silver paint ties in perfectly with the hardware and the lights. The drawer hardware is the same as what I used on the mudroom bench (from Lowe’s) and the door hardware I already had.

Here’s a look at it without the lights on:

Basement kitchenette with stenciled wall

Love it! I got the base installed around the cabinets while I was at it – it’s coming together!

Next steps – paint and caulk the base then install the shelving on the wall. I’m using these Ekby brackets with wood: 

ekby-bjarnum-bracket__03265_PE073754_S4

And then finally get that sink installed! (It will go on the right side of the kitchenette.) A wise reader reminded me we need to install a GFI outlet there since we’ll have water nearby, so that needs to happen too.

For now I’m really pleased with it and I toasted some pizza rolls last night to celebrate:

Stenciled wall in silver

:)

Once I get our basement cleaned up I plan to give a rundown on the whole space. I haven’t shared the costs and how our plan came together and want to do that.

Have you stenciled a wall? It’s been a while since I’ve done it (last time was in the pantry) and I’m always surprised with the difference it makes. It’s such an inexpensive project too!

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Comments

  1. That is just gorgeous - favorite stenciling project I've seen yet. Kudos!

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  2. That looks great, Sarah! Also, it just so happens I used the same stencil on my porch floor last month! Love it.

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  3. Looks perfect there, Sarah! I love a good stencil as a focal point - really gives a great pop! I have one in my office, and always get compliments on it. People think it's wallpaper - ah, no, something much easier to change out when I change my mind. :-)

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  4. This is absolutely beautiful and stands out just enough to make a large impact. I get really nervous when using stencils but I love what you've done here.

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  5. It looks awesome!!! I love that you celebrated by making pizza rolls! (:

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  6. I am totally crushing on it!!! Great job.

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  7. Lovely!! Wanted to pin, but it won't allow and when I hover over a picture the pin icon will not appear? Is something wrong?

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  8. Am I the only one who sees the Steeler's logo in that stencil??

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  9. I love how this turned out! I've been looking for inexpensive alternatives to tile for our kitchen backsplash. I think this type of treatment would be perfect. Thanks for sharing!

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  10. I love this! The tone on tone with the bit of shimmer looks so good! I like how it adds interest without being super in your face. Gorgeous!

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  11. Ohh, I love that stencil! The silver shimmer color looks great and adds just enough color without the stencil over taking the wall.

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  12. Ooooh, I love it, Sarah! The shimmery silver is gorgeous. I may even like it better than tile! I just stenciled a wall for the first time myself and also used a roller like you. I did go a little to heavy on the paint a couple of times and had to do some touch up, but I love my result. I went with a herringbone pattern. Love the stencil you chose also!

    - Tasha @ Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body {www.designertrapped.com}

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  13. Love how it turned out. The metallic finish is great, I have yet to try and conquer a big stenciling project like that. I love the impact that they always have.

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  14. I am so totally going to do this SOMEWHERE in my house! It looks amazing!!

    Super great idea!

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  15. I don't usually comment on posts (sorry!) but that looks seriously gorgeous!!!!! I love the look of stencils, but they can sometimes look overwhelming. Your shimmery silver dresses it up without being too over-the-top or in-your-face. Love love love it!

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  16. Hi ! This is the first time I comment on here - I absolutely LOVE this overall stencil, especially the Silver shimmer which is exactly what I have been looking for ! I have been googling the Krylon Color Creations Shimmer Finishes but can't find it.... Maybe they stopper making it ? Bummer !

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    1. Here's the page on their site that I found: http://www.krylon.com/products/color-creations-acrylic-latex-enamel-quart/
      And here's where it says they sell it: http://www.krylon.com/locator/
      I didn't see this exact color on there though. You can also use a glaze from the hardware store to get this same effect -- just check the faux finishes area. :)

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  17. looks amazing! I might just try this on my backsplash!

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  18. I love it!! I"m sure you've mentioned it before, but what colour did you use on the walls? It's really nice.

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    1. Thank you! It's called Marina Gray but I had it lightened a bit. More info here: http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/05/picking-out-basement-paint-colors.html

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  19. Wow, that's a lot of bang for your buck! It turned out really, really, really awesome. And I LOVE those lights.

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  20. Looks really good! I stenciled borders on all my rooms that I have painted. The same border, but different coils to harmonize with the room. I also stenciled one wall in the living room above the chair rail. I used those little brush stampers

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  21. I think the paint and pattern is perfect Sarah! Looks absolutely fabulous!

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  22. I oh so LOVE this! I painted a friend's kitchen, including the cupboards last summer and I said I would come back when I had a back splash plan. I think you've definitely helped me! Congrats on a great look!

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  23. Sarah, do you wait until each square is completely dry before tackling the next one? How long in between squares? It looks fab! - Lisa

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    1. I waited a few minutes at least -- probably five to be safe! It really does dry fast! You'll just want to feel to see if it's tacky.

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  24. This looks amazing. I just discovered your blog and I'm kind of obsessed. This wall is awesome - congrats!

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  25. That is so freaking beautiful!! I have never stenciled before. Will have to give it a try.

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  26. Where did you get this awesome stencil?

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  27. WOW!!! Love this! I haven't stenciled in ages and nothing on this scale...now I've got the bug, I want to do this in our half bath. Great job! Thank you for sharing this.

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  28. Ok, this is too freaky, about an hour ago I told my daughter we need to do this very thing to her bedroom wall. Thanks for the tutorial. It looks so cool!

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  29. Stenciling scares me... But this looks great! You're absolutely right about the color tying in with the hardware and pendant lights. Makes for such a polished and pretty kitchenette!

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  30. Not to sound stupid, but I have always been afraid to stencil because I don't know how to line up the stencil so it looks good (like yours - awesome!) Any tips/hints you can give me?

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  31. It looks so great! Almost like wallpaper. I'm with some other readers, how the heck do you line up stencils so they match up. etc?

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  32. This is gorgeous! I want to stencil some wall in our house some day too. I like how yours has that subtle tone on tone look with a little shimmer.

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  33. Wow! That turned out awesome. I would love to do that in my house.

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  34. I love this look! I have been going back and forth about stencil ing in my daughters bedroom but now that I have seen yours I am definitely going to do it. It gives a wall so much interest but can be very subtle at the same time. It turned out beautiful

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  35. You've inspired me...that looks wonderful! Can't wait to see more. :)

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  36. Whoa, is it possible to fall in love with a wall? That's crazy beautiful!!

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  37. Amazing! I can't believe the beautiful results with such a simple process...thanks for sharing all the tips...now, where to try this in my house? :)

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  38. I have thought of stenciling silver over our gray walls in our bedroom. This is beautiful. I'm going to have to do it now.

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  39. That looks great! I would have caved and just bought wall paper, hired a paper hanger and paid the bill.

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  40. That looks amazing! Are you going to have any mirrored walls as a back drop to the shelving? Say like antique mirroring? Just thinking mirror backed shelves would be so perfect in that space, and opens it up.

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  41. I really, REALLY, love this! You've made stenciling look like something that actually isn't too difficult to tackle so I really appreciate that! :)

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  42. Looks great! I stenciled the wall in our entry (with the same color just high gloss finish) and the wall behind our bed (with a shade lighter). I used the hand stamper (like a round dot sponge by Martha Stewart) since I was too afraid I'd overload a roller and create a mess so it took FOREVER! But I get a ton of compliments and I feel it makes the room.

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  43. This is beautiful! I did a similar project in the bathroom in my old house and want to do it in my new house. I really struggled with keeping the stencil in place using just tape, though, especially in the corners. Did you have any issues with this, or any hints you can share?

    On a completely different note, I have to tell you how much I love your site. In fact, it inspired me to start my own blog. I am so impressed with all of your projects and your writing style. I hope that someday I will be as successful as you have been with blogging. Keep up the good work!

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  44. I love it! Just a touch of shimmer.

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  45. It turned out so pretty. I love the softness of it. Stencils are kind of a pain sometimes, but they really provide such a nice impact, and soooo much cheaper than wallpaper. I just finished a stencil myself except mine was the whole room. Time consuming but I'm happy with how it came out:)

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  46. I don't even have the words to say how much I love this wall project. Way to go!

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  47. This turned out sooo pretty! I have the same stencil but have never used it -- now I'm wandering around my house trying to find a place to use it!

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  48. Beautifully done ... you made it look easy.
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

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  49. This is so beautiful.What is your basement paint color?

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  50. perfection. wonderful job, it really adds spectacular bling to the wall!

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  51. This is so gorgeous!! You have really inspired me to get started on stenciling my dining room. I can't seem to find this paint on the Krylon website though, will have have something similar.

    www.bajantexan.blogspot.com

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You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!