My Faux Wallpaper Accent Wall Tutorial

I did a post a few days back regarding my love for wallpaper accent walls.  I have a wall in my living room that I though would be perfect but after looking through lots of samples of paper I could not find one that I loved and the rolls were so expensive.  So I decided to DIY my own using a stencil.  I purchased the Simple Rhyme stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils.  This was my first time stenciling and it was a lot of work - mostly because my walls are textured and that made it more difficult.  But I wanted my wallpaper looking accent wall more than paying for the wallpaper! Shame on me - I have actually had this stencil since April but with two kids and work I just got around to getting it done.

After I taped the area I measured and started the stencil in the middle.  If you are just going around the room you can start in a corner but since mine was an accent wall and is not the entire wall I started in the center.  I used painters tape and spray adhesive to keep the stencil in place and then used a small foam roller to roll on the paint.  I used left over white paint from when we installed and painted the wainscoting.  I had a tray that I filled with a little paint.  You just need a little paint on the roller and then roll the excess onto some paper towels.  You want the roller almost dry looking.  If there is too much paint on the roller it causes the paint to seep under the stencil.

I started at the top and then worked my way down one row.  I stopped at bottom and planned to do the bottom row all at the same time later.  Then used the markings on the stencil to place the next row and also check to ensure it is level each time you stencil.  The stencil on my textured wall came out far from perfect and that bothered me so I went back with a small brush and cleaned up the lines.

Once I was finished with the wall I went back and did the top and bottom stencils.  With Cutting Edge stencils they send you a top piece.  I just placed it on top and checked the level and rolled in the top sections.  After I was done I worked on the bottom sections.  I have a ledge on the chair rail I decided to cut the stencil to make it easier to paint them in. 

How does it look?  Are you getting the wall paper feeling?  That is what I was going for.  Now I NEED  YOUR HELP!  I had some ideas for decorating the wall above the sofa but have changed my mind once the stencil was up.  Do you have any suggestions for what I should hang on the wall?

Linking to

House of Hepworths - Hookin Up with HOH

Craftberry Bush - Happy Hour

At the Picket Fence - Inspiration Friday

Liz Marie - Link Up with Me Liz Marie

Whipper Berry - Friday Flair

Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday

Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up

Be Different Act Normal - Show and Tell Saturday

DIY Showoff - Project Parade

C.R.A.F.T. - Making Monday Marvelous