...And It Only Cost Me My Sight & My Sanity

It feels like forever ago that I rambled for an entire post about my lust for patterned walls. Specifically, the one pattern that I loved most but was afraid of committing to because of it's popularity.  Well you'll be happy to know (or probably you don't give a hoot either way), that I faced my fear like the renovating daredevil I aspire to be.

HOW TO RUIN YOUR EYESIGHT AND LOSE YOUR MIND IN 5 EASY STEPS

Step 1: Pick a wall - preferably one in your own home.

Step 2: Print out a template (mine came from here).  Enlarge it to your desired scale, or don't (I didn't.)

Step 3: Trace the shape onto cardboard - anything sturdy enough.  I read a good suggestion somewhere to use the back of a cereal box or, if you happen to have a scary basement full of packing materials and moving boxes, that'll work too.

Step 4: Trace the template in a repeating pattern across the wall with chalk. I would recommend taking your time and being relatively precise with this step.  I wasn't, and have a lot more errant chalk lines to touch up than I would have liked.

Step 5: Paint over the lines with a small craft brush. If, like me, you don't have a steady hand you'll probably realize quickly that this project is going to take you a very long time. I figured it out around this point:

(not a diaper)

...and then keep going.

On the first evening, I did all the outlining, and got this far with the painting:

On day 2, I pushed myself really hard and didn't quit until I spilled paint out of the can all over the floor and my feet - which was probably a sign I should've stopped earlier. I was almost seeing double after a few hours of focusing on the wall at the same distance, which made everything look a little crazy and is probably the reason for this wonky photo.

On day 3, I tried to finish up between work and having company over (you know, to show off...) but failed.

After work on day 4 I just couldn't bring myself to stand on the step-ladder to finish up, so I gave myself the day off.  

Refreshed on day 5, I was done in no time an hour and a half.

I am unbelievably glad that I chose such a small wall.  This project took much longer, and was much more taxing than I thought it would be.  Despite that, I love the way it turned out and can't wait to keep working on the room. I'm also kind of tempted to do another pattern (with straight lines so I can use painters tape - I'm not totally insane) somewhere else in the house.

The next step towards creating a girly crafting haven is, of course, furnishing the room. I've been pinning inspiration for months, and right now my favorite setup is this one:

source

I love the cubbies along the wall, the frosted wall mounted cabinets, and wouldn't a couple of eclectic chairs look cute around such a simple table?

I'll be back with an update when I work some extra shifts to pay for those goodies.  Isn't it a shame that furniture is so expensive!?

Getting Ahead of Myself

There are countless important, necessary, projects still left to do all over the house. Like, maybe, unpacking the rest of those boxes? Doing something about that trim situation? Figuring out why trash cans are so freaking expensive? Really, it's obscene.

But I can't help it, I'm constantly distracted by this awesomeness:

Source: Good Girl Gone Glad

Source: All Things Beautiful

This stencil pattern is all over the web, and I'm so obsessed. I've had a wall earmarked for it since the moment we designated one of the bedrooms as a craft room for me - I realize that this is likely the only time in my life that I'll be able to justify having a craft room, and you better believe I'm doing it. I'm also painting it a really girly color, but that's a story decision for another day...I need this wall in my life.

Unfortunately, I'm a chicken when it comes to trends. It seems like the more popular something becomes, the harder it becomes to take the plunge.  I have no idea what I'm so afraid of - maybe that the copycat police will come to my door as soon as I bring succulents, or anything chevron into the house? It's a shame, because I love chevron.

So, I threw together a few other pattern options in powerpoint (yes, that's my design program of choice - be impressed).

1: I call it "Quilt Rings"...and therefore, immediately ruled it out.

2: This one has potential, but I don't feel especially strongly about it.

3: Too festive? I can't decide if the long straight lines would be a help or a hinderance while painting.

4: This was my favorite at first, but now I'm thinking it might be too intense over a whole wall.

5: This is just the slighter lamer sibling to my original inspiration photo. Sigh.

So, what should it be?  A new unique pattern, or the original pattern that I adore, but that you see everywhere (at least if you consider Pinterest to be an accurate representation of real life...which apparently I do)? 

But wait, there's more!  

Oh yeah, that's an iPhone photo of the paused TV screen during a Home Depot commercial.

  

I love this pattern a lot, and the commercial implied that it was a painter's tape project...but can you imagine cutting all those strips and making sure they're on the wall straight?!?!  The horror. 

Also, while trolling the web for inspiration I came across this gem:

Source: Sawdust and Embryos

She painted her design in the same color as the wall, but in a high gloss finish.  That is an interesting alternative to painting the pattern in white (or any contrasting color).


Decisions, decisions...what's a girl to do?