Saturday, June 19, 2010

Houndstooth – Check!

The houndstooth wall is done! Thank god.



Was it the most tedious process ever? Yes. Do I love it and find it totally worth it? Definitely.

When I won a stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils thanks to DIY Showoff’s giveaway, I knew right away houndstooth was the only way for me to go. I was nervous that the stencil would be a single houndstooth, so I was thrilled to discover how large the stencil was when I got it in the mail.


My biggest issue with the stencil was there was no way to keep the middle part flat against the wall. The instructions said to paint with a sponge roller –but not only would that get messy but I would not get the crisp lines I was wanting.

So I decided to use the stencil to trace the pattern onto the wall and then tape everything off. Yep, the project I envisioned to take me a day took me 4 weeks.


Some readers wanted to know how I fly through so many audio books last month – paint a houndstooth wall and you’ll figure it out too. ☺

Honestly though, it wasn’t as bad as it sounds, once I figured out a system. I got the majority of the project done over 3 Sundays, so I don’t feel as though I was slaving away or anything.

Considering the stencil was free, I only spent $18 and that was on painter’s tape. I used leftover paint from my office stripes.

Two things you may be wondering…
1. Yes, I still plan on doing an argyle wall.
2. I went through 2 ¼ things of Frog painter’s tape. (I’m a tape saver, and once each side once).

My painter tape props…
When I saw all the bleed-throughs that were happening with the Scotch painter’s tape, I made a trip to Lowes to try Frog. (Don’t waste your time going to Home Depot or True Value – they do not carry it…at least not in Kansas City). This was my first time using Frog painter’s tape, and I am a huge fan. While I still had to do a couple of touch ups where I used Frog, it was nothing compared to the area I used Scotch. Frog just earned themselves a new customer.

17 comments:

  1. Congrats to a superb job. DIY makes it all worth while. Thanks for sharing your opinion on the painter's tape...I still have to try the frog.

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  2. It really looks great! I definitely want to try frog tape for my next project after hearing a few great reviews.

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  3. FYI: I think I remember seeing Frog at our local Wal Mart. I've heart great things about that brand. Next time I need painter's tape, I'll def. try it.

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  4. Pine Tree – You are so right. I'm getting much more satisfaction looking at my wall than I would have if I used wallpaper.

    E – Definitely try it. I think it's totally worth it.

    Natalie – Good to know. I didn't even think about checking there.

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  5. Did you try the repositional spray stencil adhesive? You spray it on the back of the stencil and it leaves a tacky surface that sticks to the wall but doesn't leave any residue. Once painted, peel the stencil up, move it and paint again. I've had limited experience with it and it worked great.

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  6. Oh, and I forgot to say ... your wall rocks! All that work definitely paid off. It's a showpiece!

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  7. You have much more patience than I ever would! It looks amazing!

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  8. It looks really great! You have TONS of patience to have gotten this done. Amazing job.

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  9. Love the wall - you did a great job!

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  10. A girl after my own heart! I love houndstooth and argyle (and paisley, and harlequin...). It's amazing.

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  11. Love the wall! I'm undertaking something similar in my entryway and it will NEVER END! (The fact that I've taken about a 3 month hiatus from it might have something to do with it.) Great job. :)

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  12. WOW!!! That is STUNNING and worth every second you invested~

    Thanks so much for sharing!!
    Holly

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  13. I just got done with an argyle wall an I love it!!! Now I'm planning houndstooth for my bedroom. Lol

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  14. Wow that is a lot of work but really amazing how it turned out. Lovely and well done!

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  15. Such a great looking wall! Do you mind if I ask what paint colors you used? I'm thinking of attempting a similar look for a family room wall.
    ~Chantelle

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