Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Evolution of a Wall and a Giveaway

Our dining room
is really more of a nook off of our living room.
The living room has vaulted ceilings. However the dining area's ceiling is the traditional 8 feet
making it seem like a design afterthought.
Years ago in an attempt to give the dining area
a little more character I gave the far wall a
special color and plaster treatment.
I loved that it drew one's eye to the little nook,
even when viewed from outside our home.
I adored the dark green aged wall, but last year I was
ready for a change
.
I began by painting the wall a very dark blackish-green
with the idea that I would put a light gray glaze on top to
give it the look of a well used chalkboard (without the mess of chalk).
It turned out to be not as pretty in real life
as it was in my mind.
I was so disappointed that I didn't even photo it.

Next I found a geometric shape that I liked
so I enlarged, repeated, and painted it on the wall.
Again the design didn't thrill me.
I then asked myself what it was that really bothered me about the previous design attempts. I discovered the problem was that I really was tired of a dark painted wall.
My next step was to paint the wall the same color as the other walls.
This gave the area the fresh, new look I'd been wanting.
But I still wanted the wall to stand out so I considered my options. I thought I would try my hand at the new type of wall stencil. I have stenciled walls before, years and years ago, when stencils were small and tedious to use. But the new stencil designs are so much better! I ordered the Marrakech Trellis Allover Stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils. Let me tell you, this isn't anything like stenciling in the 90's! The stencil is huge and easy to use. Instead of a little stencil brush to paint on the design you use a foam roller. And probably my favorite thing (because I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist) is the little level that you can attach to the stencil to keep it lined up perfectly. If you're a novice at stenciling you can watch the how-to videos on the Cutting Edge site. I reviewed the video just to regain my confidence in stenciling.
With a lot of patience, trial and error,
and the use of the beautiful Marrakech stencil design
our dining wall now has that

"wow factor" I've been searching for.If you're searching for a wow factor for your home
Cutting Edge Stencils is giving away
a choice of stencil (up to a $50 value)
to one very fortunate Joys of Home reader.
Just go to their site, pick your favorite stencil and come back here and leave a comment. For additional entries Like them on Facebook, &/or Pin them on Pinterest, &/or follow them on Twitter---for a total of four entries!

The giveaway will be open until midnight Leap Day, February 29th 2012. Best of Luck to all of you!!!
***GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

79 comments:

rachel blazer said...

i love the freedom wall art stencil! thanks for hosting such a generous giveaway! : )

rachel blazer said...

i'm also following cutting edge stencils on FB!

Kasey said...

Beautiful! I love the Cassablanca Allover stencil.

Kasey

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That looks great, Joy! I have two wall stencils that I have got to do. I've had them sitting here since before Christmas. I want to have a day to do each without interruption {next week my be a good time actually}. I'm like you, I haven't used stencils in years on a wall.

{Since I already have two wall stencils, please don't include me in the giveaway. I hope I don't mess you up here!}.

Jana said...

What a wonderful new look! I liked the METRO ALLOVER STENCIL.

Blessed Serendipity said...

I love the Julia all over stencil. Their stencils are so pretty they look like wallpaper.

Danielle

Petersen's Parade said...

I loved the lily scroll stencil!

Petersen's Parade said...

I'm also following Cutting Edge Stencils on pinterest!

Petersen's Parade said...

I also liked them on facebook!♥

Allyson/HBMomof2 said...

Just one stencil? No can do. I love the one you did, but I really like the iron gate and harlequin trellis too. I love the look of the shiny against the flat that is in some of their photos! Thanks for updating us on stencils.

Cyndi said...

It's a toss up between the Zinnia Grande and the Julia Allover stencils. They are all so nice! Thanks for the giveaway!

Cyndi said...

It's a toss up between the Zinnia Grande and the Julia Allover stencils. They are all so nice! Thanks for the giveaway!

Allyson/HBMomof2 said...

Just followed on twitter too!

angie said...

The Casablanca stencil for me, please! Love your new feature wall-nicely done.

Thompson Tales said...

Your wall looks beautiful!! I love all the stencils, but would choose the hourglass allover!

Bharati said...

My walls would definitely love some stenciling :) Thanks for the give away

Kristen@StayAtHomeLife said...

I like the Casablanca stencil!

Kim Stewart said...

I like the Paisley allover stencil and I want to rip up my carpet and stencil my floors. Your wall looks great!

Lauralee @ The Eclectic Stitcher said...

I love the Lily Scroll Allover stencil....thinking about the master bedroom bed wall.

Lauralee @ The Eclectic Stitcher said...

I pinned the lily scroll stencil on pinterest!

Lauralee @ The Eclectic Stitcher said...

I shared the lily scroll stencil on facebook!

the undomesticated wife said...

This is such a great alternative to wallpaper!

I'm loving the Rabat Allover Stencil. I might like to do something like this in my master bath. hmmm...

the undomesticated wife said...

I liked them on facebook (I also noticed a photo of a stenciled lamp shade on their FB site...very cute!)

the undomesticated wife said...

I pinned my favorite design on Pinterest.

The Karrens said...

Wow! This is exactly what I have been looking for! I have a perfect wall to use a stencil on, but after looking at the sight, I'm not sure I can narrow it down to just one:) I love the marrakech trellis that you used, but I also love the moroccan dream, zagora, and nagoya allover stencils. What a great giveaway!

The Karrens said...

I "liked" them on facebook!

Rebecca R. said...

Casablanca is the stencil I have been looking everywhere for. Thanks for the giveaway~

Rebecca R. said...

I "pinned it"

Rebecca R. said...

I liked 'em on Facebook too.

R @ Rebecca's Roundup said...

I enjoy hearing the little stories abt your home. I like the "anna damask stencil." Thanks for sharing!

Kalee said...

Nagoya Allover Stencil

Emily said...

Ooooo I love the Anna Damask Stencil! I never knew anything like this existed. I too have a dining room wall begging for some attention. Yours turned out beautiful!

lora said...

love....
Nagoya Allover Stencil

Kallee Anne said...

The allover Cassablanca stencil is my all time favorite!

Kallee Anne said...

I follow them on twitter

Kallee Anne said...

I liked them on Pinterest.Hope I win!

Lora said...

I love the Spring Songbirds Wall Stencil. Thank you for the giveaway.

Jessica said...

I love the houndstooth stencil the best!

jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I Like them on Facebook

jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I follow them on pinterest


jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I follow them on twitter too

jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I love the Verde Damask wall stencil. It would be perfect in my bedroom. Thanks for the great giveaway!
heatherspooner1981 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I liked Cutting Edge Stencils on Facebook. Thanks!
heatherspooner1981 at gmail dot com

mom2lgb said...

I am following cutting edge on FB

mom2lgb said...

I love the Cassablanca allover stencil. fingers crossed :)

mom2lgb said...

I pinned cutting edge :)

meli said...

I love the hourglass allover stencil!

Auva said...

love the Paisley allover from Cutting Edge!! Awesome ideas are bubbling in my head! thanks for the chance to win!

Unknown said...

I'd love the Scallop Allover Stencil; we're repainting our bathroom and while I'd love wallpaper, it's just not practical in a bathroom without moisture ventilation. This would be perfect to add so my walls aren't so plain and boring.

shel704 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

I like Cutting Edge Stencils on Facebook: Michelle Hudak
shel704 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

I'm following Cutting Edge on Pinterest: Michelle Hudak
shel704 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

I'm following Cutting Edge on Twitter @auntiethesis
shel704 at aol dot com

Christina Marie said...

Casablanca allover stencil!!!! I have been drooling over that for ages now... I want to redo my master bedroom with that one! :o)

cinnamonandsugar(at)hotmail(dot)ca

Christina Marie said...

I like cutting edge stencils on FB

cinnamonandsugar(at)hotmail(dot)ca

Destiny said...

My favorite is the one you used: Marrakech Trellis Allover Stencil. I've been eyeing it forever. As soon as I'm ready to paint my bedroom I'll be pulling the trigger & buying it!

Destiny said...

I like Cutting Edge on Facebook.

Destiny said...

I'm following Cutting Edge on Pinterest.

Maiddy said...

Love the Casablanca all over stencil

Maiddy said...

I like them on FB!

alan751 said...

I love the marrakech Trellis allover stencil. This will be for my daughter bedroom,which is in a desperate need of a do-over.

bailey said...

I've been wanting to get the Moroccan stencil! Love it.

bailey said...

I like Cutting Edge on Facebook as well!

Unknown said...

I follow cutting edge on facebook and was just browsing the site this morning! I love so many but entwine is my present favorite. Just wanted you to know, I stopped by to check out your wall but will leave as a new friend. Following you now!
Kim
tiarasandbowties.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

The stencil election at cutting edge is so outstanding, it was hard to narrow it down. Tonite I'm leaning towards the sycamore weeping branches. I already liked Cutting Edge Stencils on FB :)

Unknown said...

I really love the Funky Wheel Wall stencil!

Arlene said...

I love the classical stencils, all of them.

Lin home said...

I am sweet on Katie's Damask stencil pattern - love, love the artichoke design - looks fresh and hip!

Meredith said...

Oh, I am pretty sure my daughter would love hourglass all over on her wall!! FB Liked and Pinned as well!! Thx!

Lynda said...

As I have said before, I love everything that you do! Thanks for sharing with us. There sure are a lot of beautiful wall stencils on Cutting Edge. I would like to pick the "Anna Damask" stencil for a wall in our new home and a dresser front that I would love to do. Thanks!

Lynda said...

Hi again,
I also liked "Cutting Edge" on FB.
Thank you so much!

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Wow, Joy, wow is right! The stenciled wall is amazing!
CAS

blogginbaby said...

Hi, I really like the Hourglass Allover/Geometric stencil.
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
I find your blog inspiring.

Sharon
slw_kerr@yahoo.com

blogginbaby said...

Hi,
I liked Cutting Edge Stencils on FB.
Thanks,
Sharon
slw_kerr@yahoo.com

andrea said...

Oooh, difficult to pick a favorite. Either Marakech Trellis or the Casablanca Allover.

Sarah said...

I would love the Nagoya all over stencil...for a pair of curtains!! I've been scouring blogs to learn more about stenciling curtains :)

Sarah said...

I am following them on twitter..sarahv_mpls :)

Sarah said...

I've also pinned a black and white focus wall on Pinterest... :)

The Single Nester said...

Zinnia Grands 3 piece stencil is lovely. You did a great job.

Susan @ Oh My! Creative said...

Yes, what WOW factor. It turned out just beautiful! I have a large empty wall in my guest room...I think this would be a perfect solution! Thanks for sharing!

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