DIY Wall Stencil

Before I get started, I know the last time I tried to put music up, it didn't work, so I'm trying out a new method. Let's hope it works!



The house is still crazy, and that is mostly due to the fact that we do not have closets yet. Sure, they are there, but without shelves, drawers, or well, anything for that matter. We've finally muscled up and bought some wood and are designing built-in closets (yay) and we actually scored a piece at an estate sale for the kiddo's closet!

Looking at all those empty closets though has inspired me to dress them up a  bit. Originally, I was thinking wallpaper. Here is what I imagined:

But, wallpaper ain't cheap...especially the kind of wallpaper I'd like to install. So I moved on to another option, stencils. Since it is way smaller than mine, I decided to experiment in the kids' closet. I thought about purchasing something (and a Google search will confirm that there are a plethora of options out there) but, I decided to be adventurous and make my own. 

I started experimenting with shapes on a sheet of paper. I played around with squares, circles, diamonds, etc... After deciding on a pattern, I used small bowls to trace circles on a large poster board.

Sorry, I know its hard to see in this picture. I wasn't after the circles though, I wanted the diamond pattern that was created by overlapping the circles on one another. 

After that, I used an X-acto knife to cut out the diamonds.

And then it was off to stenciling. I used the color Blue Suede by Martha Stewart, and a sponge brush, to apply the stencil.
 

It was a labor of love, as it took close to five hours to do the back wall of the kids' closet, but it was well worth it!

Here's a shot with the bedroom wall as a contrast.

 
As you can tell, the closet doors haven't been installed yet, or the trim for that matter, but it will look great once they are! 


Next up, was installing the closet system we picked up for $50 at an estate sale. It's a part of a California Closet and you guys know how expensive that is! When we put it up on the wall, it had all these unnecessary, and ugly, holes. Thankfully we got an extra shelf!

After a little bit of measuring...
 

And a little bit of cutting...

We attached the piece using liquid nails, and wallah, holes be gone! 

And the final product!

Again, no doors or trim yet, but you gotta admit, it looks freakin' awesome. I swear I find myself roaming in to their room, just standing there, staring at it!

And for the cost breakdown:

              Small paint sample..................$3

              Sponge Brush........................$1

              Poster Board........................$.50

              Closet System.......................$50

              Total Project.......................$54.50