NAME: Tim
LOCATION: Turks & Caicos Islands
PAINT USED: Benjamin Moore | Margarita (2026-20) & Winter Solstice (1605)
After painting the bookshelf "Caribbean Blue Water" (2055-30) and the rest of the walls in my loft "Winter Solstice" (1605), I moved on to my next feature wall. I knew from the day I moved in that I wanted to do something fun and funky on the large wall with the stairs, but I wasn’t sure exactly what. I only knew there was going to be a clock and I wanted to use a green color.
With my clock components from Klockit.com and house numbers from Chiasso in hand, I knew the size of the clock. But, I wanted to do something more than just a clock on a wall. A suggestion from a graphic designer friend of mine reminded me of a post I saw on Apartment Therapy with a repeating blue on blue pattern which I loved. I used that inspiration to come up with the pattern on the wall and drew it up in AutoCAD.
The main challenges for this project were how to get the pattern from AutoCAD onto the wall and how to access the wall itself. After considering acetate stencils, vinyl decals, a projector and many other options, I decided on a pretty simple method: I basically drafted the pattern on the wall with twine and a mechanical pencil, and then taped it off with ¾" and 3" painters tape. The ¾" tape made the curves brilliantly and the 3" tape prevented me from painting outside the lines.
I completed all the areas I could reach first to see if my method was going to work — and it did. Then, after erecting scaffolding with the help of some friends, I painted the rest of the wall. For someone who isn't a fan of heights, this was quite the experience! But, after about four weekend's worth of work, the wall is complete. I know it's bold, but it fits my personality and adds a bit of whimsy to the space.
Thanks again Tim!
TIM'S PAINTING PROJECTS:
• Tim's Weekend Painting Project: Blue Bookcase & TV Wall
Do you have a painting project you'd like to share with Apartment Therapy? Send us your Before & After photos and a brief description with our Painting Project Submission Form.
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Very nice. I like it! :)
It looks really great because its so large. Great job!
coming from some one who paints large patterns on the wall and always coming up with a make shift way of doing it...very impressive.
It's lovely! I love the green in contrast to the blue which you put up earlier. It gives a lift and movement to your very crisp background.
My only concern is the height of the new clock. Will you need to borrow/rent the scaffolding again when it needs new batteries? We have one of these clocks on a similarly-sized wall but chose to install it at a lower elevation for that very reason. It's lovely in your location! Congratulations on a great re-do!
I appreciate all the work that went into that project and it is quite impressive but that yellow/green reminds me of highlighter pen and makes me feel like I should be studying for an exam.
Absolutely knocked my socks off! Thanks for sharing.
Rad. The pattern brings to mind notNeurtral.
*notNeutral (brainfart)
Hey Tim, I was one of those who liked the before on the blue bookcase project. But I have to say, I really like this.
I think it's fun and I really love that you are choosing to be so bold with the color and scale of your painting projects.
I really like the way it's carried over underneath the stairs, too. There's something about that pattern that just works for me. Very cool.
@Whichbrew - The clock mechanism is atomic, so it won't need changing. It will just need batteries changed every once in a while. However, I positioned it over the flat piece of the floor so the landlord's ladder will reach it. No scaffolding necessary.
Exceptional! A
The color combination is great without disrupting the existing furniture in the house. Love it. :)
Small recommendation: The numbers make the clock look a little gaudy. It would look more modern without, imho.
THIS IS AMAZING! I would have picked a more subtle color, but props to you for being so bold.
Great job, Tim! Love the use of color, design and function. A once boring wall, now is a wonderful focal point!
Really well executed, but I have to hate on that color, especially on a white-ish background. Maybe it looks better in person?
great job!
* i hate how people rag about colors and such. he did this in HIS house. it's for him and his tastes, not yours. who cares how he'll change his batteries,it's his to worry about. take the inspiration and put YOUR own spin on it. that's the idea of this site...inspiration NOT ripping on people's work.
awesome job ! kudos !
the straight lines of the stair look great against the curviness of the wall's pattern :D
May I deviate and ask about your ceiling fan, what brand is it?
Tim, is clock' dial mechanism recessed into the wall?
I give you a golf clap for having the cajones to pull off that color!
@veslabeachgirl - The ceiling fan is by Modern Fan Company - their "ball" fan. It's my favorite fan and I use it a lot!
@Tatyana - The clock mechanism is simply screwed to the surface of the wall. It's a masonry wall, so recessing it would have been difficult. The mechanism fits in a 3-1/2" diameter "mounting cup" which is the round part you see. The back of the cup screws to the wall. The front (which the mechanism attaches to) snaps to the plate screwed to the wall. So, it's very simple to get to if need be - no tools required.
Great project. Love the look of it. The color is great and you really did a great job on the pattern. I wouldn't have been able to pull off the curvy lines. I don't have the patience.
As an aside, and as a Texan, I have to say I would NEVER drink a margarita that color. That's how you can tell it's made of "fake stuff." Tee hee!
Awesome project! I admire your diligence, would not have had the patience to do all that taping myself, that's for sure. Oh and I agree with the previous commenter about removing the numbers on the clock.
Love it! I love your blue shelves, and I love the green pattern on the wall. And I think you're very brave for not only doing such a big, bright pattern in the first place, but for painting it with homemade scaffolding.
The pattern looks fab! I wasn't sure about the color at first, but when I finally saw the finished product, I have to say I was impressed!
@AmandainAustin: I was thinking the same thing, margarita-wise :D
Just like the book shelf that was painted blue, I like the "before" better.
reclaimedspaces: You're right! It *is* Tim's house and he has decorated it to *his* heart's content. That doesn't mean that people can't comment on how they would change it for *their* own contentment.
As for the question regarding the battery, mine was a question about a practical matter. As it is, I learned about a product that would have allowed me to install my own clock at a higher elevation.
But thanks for your outrage. Rip away. Nice job on your part.
the place just looks 1000000x time better with the new paint.
great work
Love love love!!!!
The color isn't me at all, but I *love* the large-scale pattern and your willingness to just go for it.
I agree it would be cooler if you took the numbers off the clock.
The color was a bold choice, and you executed it amazingly! I love the clock on the wall, very creative.
it definitely compliments with the white staircase and the space. Nice work!
This is beautiful, its also very interesting to look into light therapy and the effects it can have both on your home and yourself. http://www.africanmangoextract.net/african-mango-extract-does-the-supplement-work/