If you are someone who wants to try something new with paint in your home,…
Hallway Makeover with a Stencil
Happy day after the blizzard! If you’ve kept up with me on Facebook, you’ll know we’re getting some wild weather in Upstate New York. But I actually like the cooler temps, because they are the perfect time to do indoor projects, like makeover an entire hallway with a stencil like I’m about to show you today!
Although I love the walls in my old home, I was getting a little tired of their lack-luster look and decided a stencil would be the perfect opportunity to spice things up. Cutting Edge Stencils sent me the Heritage Grill Allover Stencil to try out and I couldn’t be happier with the makeover I did on not one, but all four walls in my upstairs hallway. I thought the hall was a great place to have a little fun with a stencil so off I went.
Supplies
- Stencil – I used the Heritage Grill Allover stencil found here
- Paint of your choice – I used chalk paint by Annie Sloan for this in Pure White. Cutting Edge recommends using latex paint with their stencils and I agree. While the chalk paint works, I don’t recommend using it. More on that later.
- Small paint roller – For this size of a space I recommend using a small, quality roller. I invested in these Purdy Jumbo Mini Rollers
since they make good stuff and I use mini rollers a lot. {Affiliate link}
- Painters tape
- Stencil adhesive
- Large drop cloth
- Pencil, level, tap measure, ladder as needed
How to Stencil
To start, I measured the largest wall space and made a line where the middle of that space was and marked at the very top of the wall by the ceiling. Then I put the middle of the stencil up to the middle of that line, making sure it was level and used painters tape to secure it to the wall in all 4 corners.
I did use stencil adhesive, which is sold in craft stores, and it helped to keep the stencil flat while I used the paint roller.
First I stenciled that space, then moved the stencil directly below it, lining up the openings where the next section would go and stenciled that part. I worked my way straight down the wall until I got to the bottom. That way there was minimal overlap of the stencil and less chance for smearing, and the top part of the wall was dry for me to move on to stencil there.
I continued to work this way all around the walls. At the end of the first day, I made sure to do as many parts of the walls as I could, so they would dry overnight and I could overlap the stencil to complete more of the walls.
Since this is a hallway, I had lots of incomplete sections to stencil. Versus one large flat wall space, I had seven doorways to work around, and nine foot ceilings. Talk about lots of moving of the stencil!
At the end of the first day this is what I had. Mostly completed areas, with lots of trim to finish up.
Thankfully Cutting Edge Stencils provides a top part and small section of the stencil for you to use for just this part. And my particular stencil was such a repeat pattern, that it worked perfectly for me.
One way I found worked best for the trim against the door frames and along the baseboards was to sponge on the paint. I simply held or taped up my stencil part and dipped a piece of foam {from upholstery} lightly into the paint and then sponged it onto the wall on the stencil. It worked perfect and went pretty fast. Since there was a lot of this to do, I did as much as I could one day and then waited overnight for it to dry before continuing on parts that overlapped.
I wanted to make one note about the paint. I had heard that using chalk paint for a project like this will work great and smear less, so I did use chalk paint. While I love the flat look on my walls, the chalk paint dries differently on the stencil and thus will flake off throughout the process. This is by no means a fault of the stencil, it holds up great, however as Cutting Edge Stencils recommends, use latex or acrylic paint very lightly for stencils. See their videos here.
This project took me two weekends of stenciling, but of course that included sleeping in, dinner out, breaks in between and all kinds of other activities. It was not 4 solid days of stenciling and actually Dan commented on how fast it went. Did you see my updates on Instagram?
Now I will stop blabbering and get to the after pictures! First, above the doorways. I love the way the stencil “ended” so cleanly at the ceiling and above the frames. Like it was meant for my hallway!
Here is the largest wall space. I love seeing the large expanse of the pattern on the wall. I’m totally happy with how it came out.
This is a view of that same wall when you are walking up the stairs. I stenciled under the light switch and around the sconce as much as I could.
Here is a closeup of the stencil on the wall. You can see how crisp the lines come out using a roller and the subtle variations in the paint, which I actually love. They give it some depth. This is a very accurate color portrayal of Creamy Mushroom by Behr, the wall color, and the Pure White by Annie Sloan, the stencil/pattern color.
Here are some before and after pictures of the hallway. The stencil gives it such personality!
This is the right side of the hallway from the front of the house, where my famous Keep Calm and Carry On poster is. Such a difference right?
This is now the new view of that part of the hall, looking out from our bedroom. It definitely spices up my view.
And we since added some of Dan’s artwork to the walls. He is a graphic designer and illustrator and we love having his original work showcased in our home.
Details of this Project
- Wall color: Creamy Mushroom by Behr
- Stencil: Heritage Grill Allover Stencil by Cutting Edge Stencils
- Stencil paint color: Pure White by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
- Tools used: Paint tray, small roller, adhesive stencil spray, painters tape
I love this stencil so much I even used it to make a table runner for the dining room. Did you see it on my holiday home tour? It’s amazing what a different look you can get with a stencil just by the background color and paint you use. And it’s so easy to see how they can be used for crafts and other home decor.
Sharing with Weekend Bloggy Reading at Serenity Now and Creativity Unleashed at One Project Closer’s The Better Half.
Disclosure: I was provided a free stencil to do this project. All opinions on the stencil and project are my own.
Love how your hallway turned out.I would love to win the Chineses Ginkgo stencil 🙂 thank you
Woo hoo! Wouldn’t mind getting into some of this action.
I used a cutting edge stencil in my living room, on an accent wall. Everyone think is it is wallpaper! I am planning to do my foyer next! So easy and fun with dramatic results that are impressive!!!!!
I love your hallway! Loves gorgeous!
I just love the kitties!
Holy cow! I love it! I have a small bathroom that I was just debating what to do with. Thank you for putting the paint color in too, because that is a FANTASTIC color! I’m pretty sure I’d have to do something a little crazy in my bathroom…maybe the zebra stripe all over stencil! So excited!
I still don’t know which one I want to do my sitting area walls in my master bedroom. I’m stumped. I like so many of them.
I’m really liking the Beads All Over stencil. Totally not what I thought I would be drawn to, but hey! Whatever!
love the stencil you used!
My wife and I have been looking to add a little pizaz to our kitchen, and this might be the way we are going!
I love how the hallway turned out!! I really like that Shipibo stencil…I would use it in our powder room. Thanks so much!
I love the Westbury stair riser stencil.
I really like the chevron and birch all over stencils
Love the one You used! its My FAVE..
Your hallway looks beautiful! And I love the table runner idea as well. There are so many cool stencil designs to choose from, but the Belgian Lace Allover really jumped out at me.
This is so stunning!!!
Just found and explored your blog a bit! Went over to follow you on Pinterest and saw this exciting post and giveaway. LOVE your hall, what depth that stencil added!!Newly a single mom after a couple dozen years and I would love to step out of my “vanilla walls” box and try something like this!
I think I like the trellis the best, but there are so many great ones, it’s hard to choose! The birch trees are super cute too for a nursery. Your project really looks fantastic! What a great DIY project 🙂
This is gorgeous! Your walls look like they have expensive wallpaper! I love it!
it looks beautiful…very inspiring to do mine too!
Would LOVE to win! I already know the stencil I NEED and where I want it painted!
Love it! I have the same hallway base color and could totally see making this work with a stencil project, should I be fortunate enough to win one.
Love the chevron stencil.
I LOVE how this turned out! I am looking for something to do in our upstairs hallway to tie the bedrooms together without being all matchy-matchy. I think a stencil like this just might do the trick!
I like the Funky Wheel Wall Stencil!
I LOVE Damask stencil Anna, it’s elegant and classy. This stencil is a beautiful design.
Love what you did with the hallway. I’ve been looking at CE stencils for a while but have been afraid to try it. After reading your post, I may just order one (I like the Morrocon & Trellis designs). That is, if I don’t win one! Thanks for the chance to win.
http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/bird-flock-wall-stencil-pattern.html Flocks of Cranes – wow! Gorgeous!!!
Wish I had a twitter account so I could get in on those 2 extra entries. Although, entering this late may mean I miss out anyway! 🙁 Such fun stencils – even if I don’t win, totally buying Otomi tribal stencil for my bedroom! Like you I’ve got an old house, and you know how difficult it can be to have wallpaper on these walls – especially without the benefit of painted woodwork. I’ve long admired a bedroom from DC interior designer Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey that used the uber-expensive Schumacher Chenonceau wallpaper (which looks eerily similar to the Otomi stencil) and decided a long to use that room as inspiration – but I knew I couldn’t wallpaper. I searched and searched for a stencil in the pattern – never found it, TIL TODAY!
Thanks so much for the heads up, keeping my fingers crossed that I win – but if I don’t, I’m calling you to help me! You seem to be a pro! 🙂
xoxo,
Artie
I like the Dandelion Stencil- so pretty!
Japanese Peonies Allover Stencil
I love many of them but it is one of my favorites
I love the Weep Cherry Wall Stencil. They have awesome beautiful stencils and it’s hard to choose.
WOW!! I was so impressed by your hallway on the Cutting Edge blog site that I came to have a closer look. You did a wonderful job on this project and the results are evident. I’m going to use one of the new Ikat patterns, (not quite decided which one yet), they showed on a “Hometalk” post for an accent wall in our master bedroom and you’ve given me the perfect color combo. Thanks for sharing your idea and your instructions, I will use latex paint as you suggested. I love how the white paint on your hallway walls doesn’t look “solid” white, the slight variation in tone looks fabulous. Again, thanks for sharing!! Btw, your husband’s Artwork is super, he’s obviously also very talented!!
I love them all! One of my favorites is probably the Houndstooth all-over stencil.
The stencil looks great!
Your hallway looks fabulous! What a gorgeous difference! I love Cutting Edge Stencils – so easy to work with! I think my favorite has always been their Charlotte Stencil, but I just took a look at their new designs and there are several that have caught my eye!
love how it turned out – definitely makes your hallway so much prettier. you should add your space to my linkup of blogger’s homes 🙂 http://www.jadeoak.com/2014/01/design-in-your-home-best-of-2013.html
Wow! I was not expecting to see so many great stencils. The Sakura and birds one really had me envisioning how great our library could really look. 🙂
I loved the Anna Damask Stencil.
I really love the Nagoya Allover Stencil, it is so cute, I would love to win this!
I love the Beads AllOver Stencil!
I love the Herringbone Allover Stencil!
It would be perfect for my children’s room!
Perfect Catch Allover Stencil
I like the chevron stencil.
I like the Chevron stencil and the Dandelion stencil!
Your hall looks fabulous! I’m dying to try a few especially diamond damask!
I love the Japanese Peonies Allover Stencil!
I love the Home is where the heart is stencil!! I absolutly love your outcome of you hallway. Made it look totally different!! Really classy!!! GOOD JOB!!! 🙂 And I am so not kidding you! It really really does look awesome!
I love the birch forest allover stencial
love love love!
I love their new Birds in Trees Allover wall stencil. I want to stencil some fabric to make curtains for my living room with it. Thanks for the giveaway. Your hallway looks amazing!
I like the Spring Songbirds Wall Stencil. Thanks for the giveaway!
http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/wall-stencil-decal.html
Love the Damask stencil Anna
oh wow! I love the Marie-Antoinette Ceiling Medallion Stencil! Must have to go with my chandelier over my dining table. Beautiful!
I love the Bullfinches Stencil
I like the damask style the best!
The Birch Forest Allover Stencil is amazing! I can’t wait to build a forest in my home!
I love that stencil, and the grey and white turned out super gorgeous! Just stopping by to pin this, and let you know I featured it on my blog today; thanks for sharing at Creativity Unleashed!
Hi Jessi,
Thanks so much for featuring my hallway! I’m going to include it on my featured page. It was a fun project and made such a difference in the space!
It’s beautiful! I need to do this!