Meme Hill Studio: Is that really paint? Recreating the look of wallpaper.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Is that really paint? Recreating the look of wallpaper.

A step by step look at the process....

Have you ever found the perfect wallpaper and later found out that it was discontinued? Settled on the perfect pattern but the color is not quite right? Like a certain part of a wall covering but want to alter the design or just plain can’t afford it? Well, there is a solution. It may not be the quickest method but you can achieve a one of a kind look that your guests will be double taking to make sure its not wallpaper. Here is a step by step method to help create the look of custom wallpaper.

This is the wallpaper that I will be recreating only without the two exterior pinstripes.

Measure out and paint stripes and beige pinstripe. These were done by hand per request of the homeowner for a more painterly look.

With an acetate plain stencil sheet that I purchased for Michael's craft store I traced the leaf motif with an extra fine tipped permanent marker. I then carefully cut each shape out with an Exacto blade. Often, when a stencil is used several times the small pieces either break or detach. I made two sets of stencils since I'd be painting over 800 leaves!!

I then centered the stencil on the stripe and used a soft cream colored paint.

I repeated stenciling all the stripes leaving the ones where the stencil came close to the wall, doorway or vanity. I painted those last when I cut the stencil on left side so that it would lay flat on the wall near the corner.

Some of the details in the leaf were lost during the stencil process so I go over and hand brush in with the green stripe color to add back the leaf's definition.

Prior to hand painting the center stripe I measured out the center and drew a line with a white colored pencil. The center line was also used as a guide so that my leaves stayed center all the way down the stripe.