Monday, March 1, 2010

D.I.Y.O.Y.? Imperial Trellis Stencil How-to.

Thanks to Erin Gates from Elements of Style for the post on my project and for perpetuating the madness. I did notice that someone on her blog commented that they wanted to hire me to do this project for them. Boy, did that make me laugh!! As if. But if you want to tackle it yourself? Be my guest (and if you are here from EOS, thanks for stopping by!)...

First, go to Decorator's Best and order a sample or two of Imperial Trellis for $7 ea. I'd order a dark color on white so it's easier to trace.

While you are waiting for it to be delivered, go to A.C. Moore or the like and get a packet of stencils like these from StencilEase (I got 12x18 and you want at least that size):


Mine are 4 mil but if I hadn't been snowed in, I would've gone to Philly to Utrecht or Blick to get something a little bit thicker because this doesn't clean well without falling apart. If you get anything too much larger, it will likely be difficult to keep it from flopping around once some paint builds up on it and weighs it down.

You'll need an ultrafine permanent marker (Sharpie) to get started. I started by drawing in a 1/4-inch border around the stencil with a 1/2-inch border at the top for taping.

Once you have the wallpaper sample, lay the stencil blank over the wallpaper as shown. Make sure it's straight or your final product will run crooked. If you get a piece of wallpaper that doesn't show the entire pattern, copy it and tape it together to create a pattern based on the first photo in this post.

My blank stencil was larger than the wallpaper sample so I just improvised by aligning what I'd already drawn over the pattern like this:

If you don't want to order a wallpaper sample, you should be able to print out all three of the following patterns in full size and overlap them to create a stencil. You won't really overlap them, you'll overlay the blank stencil onto Pattern No. 1 and trace it with your ultra fine marker. Then you'll overlay the blank (which now contains Pattern No. 1) onto Pattern No. 2 and align the pattern. Repeat with Pattern No. 3. Last, you'll add the little dotted lines which you will cut around (they will help to keep the middle parts from falling right out and stabilize the stencil).

Click on the photos and save them in a folder. Print them out full size in landscape format mirror image.

Pattern No. 1

Pattern No. 2

Pattern No. 3

Now cut out the pattern using an Exacto knife, leaving the lines within the dashes and the negative space like this:

Keep in mind that you will have to hand paint every line that is only there to stabilize the stencil. So if you want to quit, now would be a good time. If not, then:

Spray the back of the stencil with Repositionable Adhesive (available in spray or sponge applicator bottle) per instructions. Use blue painter's tape on sides and/or top as necessary to keep in position.

Place on the wall starting at the upper left corner. Use a level to ensure the sides are level (check your wall first to make sure; if not, adjust accordingly).

Roll evenly with paint using a miniature foam roller and tray. Remove stencil. Now fill in the spaces left behind from the lines holding the stencil together. Dry with a hair dryer to speed up the process. I waited to fill those lines in on my first wall and am still regretting it (and filling them in).

PLEASE NOTE: If you are using pearlescent or iridescent paint, touch-ups may be visible so you'll need to test which method of touchup of works best for you. Also, avoid painting over existing paint; in other words, carefully fill in the blank area only. I used a sable/synthetic Windsor & Newton No. 2 brush.

Keep carefully overlapping the pattern all the way down to the trim or bottom of the wall, checking to ensure the right side is level with each new stencil.

When you are ready to start a new column, overlap stencil over existing paint and paint where there ain't none.

Do this until the end of time.

Eventually, you will begin to make progress.

This will feed the beast. Well, that and lots of Nutella.

And eventually, it will look like this:

I used two base coats of Benjamin Moore Linen White in Matte Regal and for the stencil a ready-made quart of B.Moore Studio Finishes Latex Metallic Glaze in Pearlescent White.

So, if you add up the cost of the paints, supplies and 2 visits to the chiropractor, it still doesn't add up to the cost of one roll of Imperial Trellis. Plus when you tire of it or sell your place, no one has to remove wallpaper. And you cannot put a price on the self-satisfaction of being awesome.

If you do take on this project, please leave a comment and send me a photo of the finished product.

73 comments:

Bree said...

I am in complete awe of your patience, precision and overall gumption. You heard me. Overall gumption. If I ever completed anything of that magnitude, I would spend the rest of my life in celebration of myself. Nice work!

lucitebox said...

The world should bow to your awesomeness and flagellate whoever paints over this if you move. What a project!

Seeing the detailed steps here makes me want to never do it. I can't imagine even cutting out the stencil, much less painting the whole room. You are awesome! I know if I tried this it would look like a hot mess.

Dianne said...

Just beautiful and so very clever!

hello gorgeous said...

Lucitebox: If it makes you feel better, I did the wall behind my bed as an accent wall and I am currently doing the wall behind the sofa/daybed in the sitting area. I thought the entire room would be overkill anyway.

A Perfect Gray said...

looks fab

Decorina said...

You are amazing.

The room is beautiful and you deserve an award for doing it. And, a thousand thanks for all your work putting this post together. How thoughtful and nice.

Now, go have a cocktail and admire your work!

erin@designcrisis said...

You did such an amazing job -- I cannot fathom how much time this took!

Keri said...

Wow. Wow. Wow. I am looking to do the exact same thing but don't have your patience. Does anyone carry similar pre-made trellis stencils?

bazaarofserendipity said...

thanks soo much for sharing this. ive been waiting :)

Im to totally going to do this!

www.bazaarofserendipity.blogspot.com

La Maison Fou said...

I am keeping this for a small bathroom project. I think it would be so great in chocolate and cream. I will keep you posted.
L.

MFAMB said...

its amazeballsofamazement but still...no fucking way.

well, maybe. i mean, i am not in love with imperial trellis. perhaps if i were then maybe. but unless i can trace nina campbell's peroquet than i doubt rather highly if i will ever. but never say never.

it looks beautiful though. well done.

hello gorgeous said...

Decs: A little early for a cocktail (10 am?) - at least on Monday. :-)

Keri: No. I was thinking about trying to have some made but I'm not sure.

Thanks, Bree, E., and A Perf. Gray.

Bazaar and Leslie: I cannot wait to see.

MFAMB: Amazeballs is my favorite compliment ever. And you happen to be in luck. I just made a stencil of the Nina C. wallpaper. It has 14 layers for all the different colors and will take about 1 1/2 years to do a 3x5 wall.

*moggit girls said...

You are CRAZY INSANE and it looks FAB!

Mary Bo Berry said...

This is the first time I've been to this blog. Amazing work! The wall looks beautiful. I'm one of those people that has the patience to do insane things like that, but once you're halfway in, you're like, "I'm nuts." I'm LMAO at these comments! Amazeballs? I need a translation! :)

Mary

Anonymous said...

It's fabulous. Do you worry at all about Kelly sending a cease and desist?? Ha!

Unknown said...

Awesome Tutorial. Love the step by step instruction and the tone on tone paint selection.

allie said...

how large was the sample you received?? and do you think it could work on fabric? How you've inspired me!

Tricia said...

Absolutely incredible!! It's not likely that I'll be taking on this project~ I'd rather drool over your gorgeous wall and bedroom and continue to ignore my own. :)

Connie @ Sogni e Sorrisi said...

What an amazing job!!

hello gorgeous said...

Alexandra: Just a sample size, approx. 11x17. I had two and sort of put them together vertically-ish.

Yes; I absolutely think it would work on fabric. Already had that idea!! There's an additive you can add to acrylic paint to make it softer (you set it with heat). Or good fabric paint. Let me know if you do it - I'd love to see your project.

hello gorgeous said...

Anon 10:50: It's funny you should say that - it occurred to me, before I thought about how affected her sales would be by the 5 other crazies in the U.S. who would do this project.

Plus, Z Gallery et al can sell "her" pillows and drapes, so...

Dumbwit Tellher said...

You are so kind to share the entire process with us. So appreciate it as the results are absolutely worth the effort. Your bedroom is gorgeous x 1000!!

Sara said...

cue wayne & garth ... "we're not worthy, we're not worthy!" ...

Design Candy said...

Amazing! I am so impressed! Thanks for providing your how-to's...I'd love to attempt to recreate this stencil but...we'll see! You did such a great job. Love the whole look of the room too!

Jill said...

I'm not nearly as patient as you must be. You did a beautiful job!

Pink Wallpaper said...

i am BEYOND impressed. many kudos to you and your amazing wall!!

Unknown said...

you deserve a medal. this turned out beautifully and i can't imagine the patience it took to crank it out. (i think there are plenty of us out there who wouldn't have the patience to put together the awesome tutorial you just gave, let alone actually attempt and subsequently complete the project.) absolutely incredible.

::nora:: said...

Absolutely fabulous!

emily said...

That looks amazing. I am hoping to try it out (on a smaller scale). Thanks for the wonderful inspiration!

Lauren said...

This is amazing! I can't even imagine how tedious that was!

Pigtown*Design said...

Looks like you made good use of the down time during the storms. Well done, you!

Marija said...

I thought this was amazing when I saw the work in progress but the end product? BEYOND amazing. Reading the step by step was too much for me - I can't even imagine undertaking something like this! Don't ever remove the wall decs - you do NOT want to have to touch up...

Beautiful room. You should get some sort of an award from somewhere or someone...

Marija

Jessica Claire said...

i'm in awe of you

looks amazing

wish I could be that patient!

amy is the party said...

Beautiful! Do you mind if I ask where you got your deer head? It's almost as lovely as the wall ;)

Pam Kersting said...

WoW!! That is really beautiful. I am more impressed with you than ever! What patience and skill you have. End result is really nice!

Anonymous said...

holy crap. freaking awesome. Bree's comment was hysterical, my sentiments exactly. Now go celebrate! :)

Eleni said...

This is such a nice job. I am concidering of doing something similar to my house too!

hello gorgeous said...

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. I'll show them to my husband so he can see that all that sleeping in the guest room was worth it!

Peptogirl: It was from a shop at the beach (Rehoboth) called Bella Luna. But I found it here on The Well Dressed Home (I think it's the same one): http://www.welldressedhome.com/lgdeerhead.html

Ms. Bright said...

Hot damn, that's alot of work! AMAZING. I am so tempted, but terrified of effing it up! Bravo, seriously!!

hello gorgeous said...

Peptogirl: There's one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/AMAZING-WALL-DECOR-ALABASTER-STAG-DEER-HEAD-STATUE_W0QQitemZ150416961533QQcmdZViewItemQQptZArt_Sculpture?hash=item23058caffd

Liz Doré said...

fantastic idea!! So glad Erin linked this :) wonderful blog.

Lovely Little Nest said...

This project is seriously incredible!! You did a FANTASTIC job! :)

Andrika King said...

Ok I'm inspired! New project!

KSK said...

You did an amazing job on this project! Love the color/finish you picked...so smart. You should take some of that money you saved by not buying the KWID Imperial Trellis paper and go get yourself a massage!

Meghan said...

this is stunning. thank you so much for posting such great instructions. i wrote about your project on my blog, www.meghanmarymorrow.blogspot.com. Thanks for the inspiration!

Lynn said...

Just curious... what does DIYOY stand for?

Btw, I just ordered the wallpaper samples and am currently in a delusional state that I'm gonna try to copy you. Check back with me in a year to see if I've even traced the pattern yet :)

Candy said...

This is unbelievably gorgeous and oh so glamorous!! Im not sure how this is humanly possible but u did it!

Anonymous said...

Hello Gorgeous!! I just received the two stencils and ordered them from the same place you mentioned.

I've had trouble finding blank stencil that will hold up and then I saw this post! Thank you for sharing your "How To"!!! I think I'm gonna just order some thicker mil stencil from Stencil Ease.

Just FYI - I did try and have this stencil custom made months ago and the cost would have been outrageous! Hundreds of dollars, just for a stencil, is not in my budget. After seeing your post with your suggestions, I'm feeling a bit more confident that I can do this now.

Question - How often did you clean off the paint from the stencil? Did you have to reapply the adhesive very often?

autumn said...

ok. this is friggin' awesome.
i HAD to repost. just had to.
hope that's ok!
you did a great job and it totally looks fantastic.
:)

hello gorgeous said...

Tiffanddink: I cleaned the stencil a couple of times but it was such a pain that I just made new stencils. I used about 5 for two walls.

I used the adhesive you dab on because the spray adhesive made my fingers numb! You will know when you need to add more. I just taped it up most of the time.

Frugal Home Designs said...

Amazing!

Dallas Decorum said...

Your either crazy or a saint to have that much patience. Kudos to whichever ;)

Tammy@InStitches said...

I can't believe you did this ! But I'm so glad you did, it looks gorgeous !

Unknown said...

wow! this looks amazing!

how did you paint around the window???

Kristin said...

So amazing! Just one question -- it looks like in the picture that you're overlapping the stencil over the part you just painted? Did you blow dry it first? How does that work? Thanks!

Anonymous said...

This has been a very inspiring post. I ran across it today as I was exploring new blogs. Amazing how creativity and patience can pay off! I am a new fan of your site!

Tiina said...

oh wow.. it's just so divine! I'm so impressed by the results, and just started dreaming how i could use my holiday weeks this summer to do the same.. tahnk you for the inpiration!

have a lovely weekend!
tiina
http://elcestockholm.blogspot.com

Designer5 said...

Thanks for the inspiration and tools needed to stencil this design. I decided to create panels for my dining room using your stencils. It's much easier to do than an entire wall, plus, I can take them with me if I move! I'm not done yet, but here's a sneak peek. . .

http://i37.tinypic.com/2r6llqs.jpg

Lauren said...

Question. I am going to try this on my wall. I spoke with the paint people and he asked if I wanted it to be a solid metallic look (which is what most people want) I had no idea...Did yo just put one coat of metallic glaze on? Also how much paint did you use. 1 quart is 29.99.......

Christine said...

First off... amazing work! You should be so proud of your beautiful room! You have inspired me to give this a try in our family room and I was hoping you could help with a question... my wall has two windows and a fireplace, do you have any recommendations as to how to work around these?

loolah said...

It looks bloody wonderful!

And I'm going to do it. I think I qualify as one of the five crazies in the world who will, having already done a chinoiserie wall in the bedroom and lilies falling from the ceiling onto your head in one of the lavs. So I already know the many eternities it takes to complete these feats of madness.

Not sure yet whether the Imperial Trellis will go on curtains or a hall wall, but either way, I'll definitely send you photos (but don't hold your breath).

And...THANKYOU!

Renee said...

Count me in the group of crazies as well. I'm hoping for something similar to this in my little half bath http://www.houzz.com/photos/50941/Modern-bathrooms-contemporary-bathroom-san-francisco

Thanks for loading the Imperial Trellis, you saved us quite a bit of time. Now I just need to tear out that old tile... sigh

Yana said...

YOU! I found you again!
hooray! I stumbled upon this glorious DIY post {through La Lampshade} sometime ago, and forgot to save it. Had a baby. FORGOT EVERYTHING.

And was scouring my brain and the intranet for this post.....and somehow the yellow brick road found me back to you.
Hello Gorgeous.

Ok, I am just SO IN LOVE with this. Must talk my husband into doing it with me.

I'm gonna go follow you now. cheers!

Anonymous said...

Get a full size used xray from dr. or chiropractor and it makes a great stencil (and a large one).

Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm an idiot who tried to do this very thing with a piece of corrugated cardboard. I know, shut up. So thanks for showing me the error of my ways - I will try again! You da bomb.

Merrily Down the Stream said...

You are crazy Girl! It's fabulous. Am seriously considering doing it. A neighbor of mine dropped by when I was skim casting plaster walls in my house. He told me I could make a lot of money doing that in my neighborhood. I guffawed. I do NOT do this stuff cause I like to do it - I do it to transform my house - I don't want to transform the neighbors houses. (well not with plaster anyway) and I have never met a rich plasterer...

Rina said...

Hi,

Do you know if there is a place to buy a ready-made stencil like this? Or do you make them to sell? I want to do this on my wall!

Annegirl said...

Amazing! Great guide, thanks for posting it!

I was so inspired by your work I decided to tackle it on my own. I'm about halfway through the accent wall in my kitchen...it is incredibly difficult though since the paint bleeds every time (perhaps I'm using the wrong paint?) and the touching-up is so time consuming.

I hope when it is done it looks even half as good as yours!

Annegirl said...

All done (thanks to your how-to)!! You can see the pictures here.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2171623863049.114674.1620350978&l=8650b41461&type=1

(And yes, I realize I am totally late getting on the IT bandwagon.)

Anonymous said...

OMG Stencils on Etsy also have a design that looks identical to Imperial Trellis - just ordered one ($33). I'm crazy enough to undertake this project but too lazy to make the stencil... go figure

The stencil is a mirror image of HG's handmade one. You paint the background not the trellis design. Seem to avoid having to paint in the lines...?

Cocalores said...

This is just great! I also made my very own first stencil last weekend and I love the end result so much. I was going to post about it next week. Unlike you, I used a normal transparency that I had lying around - and of course, it didn't clean easily. Love the room you created!

Anja @ cocalores.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Wow! That's a lot of comments!! Well, your patience and precision deserves it all! Found this on Pinterest! We have just built a new home and I definitely want to do this to my bedroom!! :)

RADHouseDesign said...

Thank you for the inspiration! I tackled this project in my own home after reading your post, and I'm so in love with how it turned out! I posted all about it on my site: RADHouseDesign.com

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