Stenciled Walls

 “I love wallpaper patterns but after tons of wallpaper scraping in our old farmhouse, I will never apply wallpaper.  Scraping wallpaper is my least favorite DIY project.  Using the cutting edge stencil was the super easy. Little prep, little clean up and once I got a rhythm going, it went quickly. I love that it looks like wallpaper but I chose the colors, it was so much less expensive and I did it myself!”
Closet before:  
Now with beautiful new color thanks to Dutch Boy Refresh paint.  It’s a light blue called Fountain of Youth. The perfect backdrop for a fresh new look.  Speaking of fresh!  Not only is Dutch Boy Refresh paint zero VOC, check out the key features:
  • Exceptional hide and durability
  • Gives mildew-resistant coating
  • ZeroVOC / Greenguard® Indoor Air Quality Certified

Tools needed:
  1. Cutting Edge Stencil’s “Whispering Elm Wall Pattern Stencil
  2. 3 different colors of paint (Roeshel used less than 1/2 a quart for her closet.  It doesn’t take much.) Roeshel used Mythic Paints in Woodbury and Bleached linen in her pattern.
  3. 3 foam rollers
  4. Paper towels
  5. Paint tray or foam plate
  6. 3 pieces of painter’s tape
The stencil comes with very easy to read directions, tips and tricks.  At first, I felt scared with placement and where to start.  I chose the right top corner of the wall since this is the most viewed side of the closet.  No measuring required.  Once she developed a pattern (eyeballing stencil placement), the rhythm and pace sped up.
1. Place the stencil on the wall (secure with a piece of painter’s tape).
2.  Roll the foam roller into the paint, covering the roller.  Then roll on folded paper towels to evenly coat the roller.
3.  Roll over the open areas of the stencil. 
4.  Repeat until entire wall is covered in the 1st stencil pattern.
5.  Repeat with Steps 1-4 for Stencil #2 and then with Stencil #3.
6.  Clean stencils by laying them in the utility sink under running water and rubbing with a sponge.  Hang to dry.
Tips:  Use a clean foam roller for each color/stencil. After coating the roller with paint and rolling on the paper towel, roller is good for about 3 turns with the stencil. Again – no measuring required.  It’s magic.  Okay, maybe not but the pattern works out and imperfectio
ns aren’t noticeable.
Here is closet after with the look of painted wallpaper.  No ripped or torn wallpaper in the future, no wallpaper removal. There is no lighting yet in the closet so colors are off in pictures.  The walls are a very light aqua blue and the stencils are in a light tan/white and silvery green. What do you think?

Delightful Order – Closet Under the Stairs

DaNita from Delightful Order is a new blogger but she already has an amazing start on some great before and after transformations to share.  I’m ‘showing off’ one but be sure to check out her blog for more makeovers.

The toy closet under the stairs before…

Toy closet under the stairs now…

Take another look!

See the all of the details of her toy closet transformation at Delightful Order.

A pretty and organized use of space and a fun reading nook!  Thanks so much for sharing, DaNita!  I look forward to seeing more!  🙂

Do you have a before and after you’d like to show off?  Email your link or photos to thediyshowoff@gmail.com
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Kitchen and Craft from Take Heart

Check out this kitchen before. Wallpaper border.  Check.  Wallpaper border.  Check.  More wallpaper border. Check.

If you were blessed with this, what would you do?  Run the other way?  Danielle from Take Heart and her husband were up for the challenge and went right to work in making this kitchen a place more appetizing and less pink tiled and less wallpaper bordered.  New cabinets, new paint, new counter tops, new – everything. With little salvagable, they stripped the room and started over.  See the full kitchen remodel on her blog.  The above kitchen is now this kitchen:
I didn’t realize I was holding it in, but isn’t this a breath of fresh air?  I love the transformation! You have to see the details!  (here)  Great job Danielle and Caleb!  It’s gorgeous!

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Not only is Danielle a talented DIY’er when it comes to home improvement, she has a great tutorial for a felt and yarn wreath too! I love these!

If you haven’t met her, pop over and show her some blog buddy love. 🙂

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*DIY Show Off Holiday Highlights party and a special holiday giveaway will be up and running tonight!  Don’t forget to stop back!
The DIY Show Off