Entryway Mini-Reno

Recently I got a bug up my sleeve to update our entryway... and when I get a bug up my sleeve, that means the project is in the near future! I originally wanted to do wallpaper on an accent wall, but the cost of all the prints I liked almost made me go into cardiac arrest... even for a small wall. {I ALWAYS fall for the spendy ones}. BUT I am far too cheap to spend big $$$ on a tiny entryway so I got my budget thinking cap on. I came across cutting edge stencils and instantly I was sold!

I had never stenciled before, but how hard can it be right?! It was pretty simple for the most part, but there are some tips you should know before conquering this task!  It surprisingly didn't take me as long as I thought, approximately 2 days while working 3 jobs between breaks.

I fell in love with the imperial trellis design... and $39 beats $300 wallpaper any day! {and a bonus this stencil can & will be used on MANY further projects to come AND it will be much easier to change in the future than wallpaper!}.

I decided on the PERFECT gray color: Functional Gray by Sherwin Williams, and wanted the trellis to be an antique white. I started off by painting the accent wall the antique white, and all the other walls gray. Then once the paint was dry, I began the stencil. This is where I learned my first tip... The color of your foundation of the stencil wall should be in a flat paint, this way the paint from the stencil will dry faster, and diminish your chances of bleeding paint. I knew this going into the project, but I HATE flat paint and my OCD did not want two different finishes since my gray was in satin. SO, I broke the rules and did satin for both colors.

I started off in the corner against a level wall, so I knew I would have a straight line to work off of. The stencil does not reach all the way to the borders of the wall, so at the end you have to pencil in and hand-paint some spots {most time consuming part of the project}. So pick a level area to start, tape it on, and get started!

First Row!

It is best to use a dense foam roller, and once you roll it in paint, roll out excess paint on a paper towel. The roller should be almost dry, and although it is more time consuming if you want to decrease chances of bleeding, take your time and do multiple light coats. I didn't mind a little bit of bleeding because I think it makes it look more lived in, and I was going for a rustic type look anyways.

$4 Foam Roller from Lowes

When I started I waited for the paint to dry fully in fears of making it bleed, but this actually was WORSE because when it dried it created small ridges {I later sanded down}. It is best to remove the stencil when it is almost dry!

Up Close

Once you move the stencil, make sure the spot you're taping to next is dry! Re-level to ensure your line is still straight, and repeat {over and over and over}.

Don't forget to level!

Almost Done!

I started to get cocky and think that this was easy.. So I decided to do a little accent wrap-around wall... that was a   m i s t a k e, as happy as I am with the outcome, it was pretty difficult to get the wrap around to match up perfectly, and also the space was so narrow I didn't have much room to tape, so I did a lot of bleeding touch up's after! BUT I am happy I did it, because now you get a little glimpse when you're sitting in the living room. 

Wrap Around Wall

Overall I'm BEYOND thrilled with the final results! It was TOTALLY worth it! There are some imperfections, but I'm sure I'm the only one that can notice, unless you stare long enough.

The shoe rack is from Ikea, and can be found here. It is a perfect solution to messy shoes in the entry, and is thin enough to fit in any space! The mirror was a $4 thrift store treasure made over with a coat of Annie Sloan chalk paint and some distressing! 

The other areas of the entry were finished with a combination of finds from TJ Maxx {the coat hooks}, thrift stores, as well as things I made {the white shelf and little bench}. I like an eclectic blend of old and new. Don't mind the empty frames... I'm waiting until we have children someday because I can't stand that many pictures of us, and if I put my cats in all the frames people would start to wonder. 

I made the chalk sign below, and I change it with every season. 

Now... once I get my dream front door and install my hurricane lantern lights the entry will be complete! Still can't stand the honey oak, but I'm learning to live with it and be thankful for everything I have, rather than what I wish to have. 

Don't be afraid to try a new project, and make your house a home!

-Sarah Gaub