It took one full week and about a thousand trips up and down the ladder and now the conversion of my entry hallway is finally complete. Armed with paints and a stencil, I transformed this little hallway from a crafty pink to a bold, sophisticated black and white.
I posted about beginning this project last week and then I posted again about painting the table. And now here I am with one last post about the transformation of my entry hallway. Do you think maybe I'm a little excited about this project? Um, yeah!
I had originally considered wallpapering our entry hallway but I was stopped by the fact that I don't want something as permanent as wallpaper. I have a short attention span and I thrive on change so the practical side of me knew that wallpaper would not be the best choice. So I'm actually quite pleased to see that this allover stencil gives the same effect as wallpaper but when I'm tired of it in a fear years I'll be able to paint right over it again.
The stenciling was a lot of work – my arm is still throbbing from all that stippling action – but I definitely think it was worth all the effort. The stencil was pretty large (approximately 24" x 24") and that made short work of painting all of the large spaces on the walls. However, to get into the crevices around doorways and the by the buzzer, I knew I'd have to cut the stencil down. I waited until after I had stenciled all of the larger areas and then cut the stencil in half right down the middle. Then I cut one of the halves in half again. This smaller stencil made it much easier to smoosh into the tight areas.
I wanted to reuse all of the accessories in the hallway, which is why I chose to spray paint the table and coat hook. The other piece I wanted to reuse was the fabric wall hanging that covers the breaker box. I originally picked up two yards of shiny silver fabric that I thought would give the illusion of a mirror – and it did to an extent. However, the fabric was also a considerable distraction from the new pattern on the wall. And after all that work on stenciling the walls, I want the pattern to be the center of attention! That was when I came up with the idea of covering the stretcher bars with canvas and using the stencil to paint the same pattern but in negative color format. So while the walls are painted with a black background under a white pattern, the new canvas is white background with black pattern. I'm quite pleased with the outcome of that project. The ugly breaker box is still covered with by the large canvas but it doesn't detract from the pattern.
All told, this project cost less than $100 but if you ask me the end product looks more like a million bucks!
• Before & After: Pretty in Pink to Bold Black & White
• Before & After: My Dramatic Table Overhaul
Images: Jason Loper
100 DIY Ideas for the 3-Day Weekend
Danielle's Charming, Classic Walk-Up
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
White Enamel Flatwa...
How To Cook Fluffy, Tasty Quinoa
Perfect Summer Cocktail Recipe: Honey Bourbon Lemonade
I really love this transformation. It gives the small area such depth, making it look larger.
I was curious if you found that it was difficult to get a decent cover with the white paint over black? I've found that with stenciling, the colours are sometimes a bit transparent and so have been known to go over particular areas twice (yes! Hard work, and your arm gets super tired!) to get an opaque appearance.
It is a marvelous transformation. What a lot of work! What a great result. Stunning!
Wow! When I thought this was wallpaper I thought you were a sane person with a gorgeous foyer. Now I think you are a crazy person with a gorgeous foyer. How did you have the patience?
Beautiful job. And the red table is very charming with the print.
I'm not a big fan of wallpaper, but this pattern would work for me -- and yes, I did understand that this is stenciled, but as was mentioned, the effect is pretty much that of wallpaper. Nice selection, nice color choices. I'd want to stand in the space to see if maybe it feels a bit overwhelming on ALL the walls, but basically really super! The red is the perfect foil, too. Not sure about the canvas though. I think I'd like it better if you had either wall art with a lot of red and black -- Franz Kline or something very organic and contemporary with big swooshes of color, maybe. Or else a tall vase on the table with something tall in it in red or white. (Although, as I think of it, it would be hard to have enough size in something in a vase to stand up to the pattern.)
You have just cause to be excited, though -- hope your arm recovers quickly!
Your front door is beautiful. Where did you get it?
Oh yeah, I also love the wreath.
Holy cow this is amazing. You definitely have more patience than I do to tackle this project. Looks fantastic!
Ack! It does look like a million bucks. Such a nice change from the rental-looking blahs before.
Wow, fantastic job.
Although, personally, I think I would have liked the mirror effect over the breaker box--to give the eye a bit more rest. But I don't blame you a bit for wanting to show off as much of the stenciling as possible--it's fabulous. And the glossy red pops are perfection.
Lovely. I am not crazy about the canvas though...I would have liked a pop of color in there. Maybe using the same pattern with different colors or in red...But great work!
I really like your new entryway! Personally, I think it looks even better than the old decor.
Absolutely beautiful. It inspires me to do something with my tired foyer.
EXCELLENT! I am feeling the '70s with this in such a great way. My ex once painted the hallway of our old apartment in gold and silver chevron stripes in a way that also resembled vintage wallpaper. That took skill and vision.
You did a fantastic job. Kudos!
Congratulations, it looks wonderful! I think I would have used a roller stenciling technique to apply the paint, rather than stippling, as it would be a little easier on the arm. I hope you at least had a big stippling brush?
Jason, I love it! That could pass for wallpaper any day! What a first impression to give your visitors.
Great job and as a decorative painter, I am thrilled to see you opted for a stencil vs. wallpaper! Royal Design stencils are beautifully designed and easy to execute. As you point out, it is a much quicker/easier task to paint over this vs. having to remove wallpaper, when you are ready for a change. Plus, you were able to custom choose your colors and not be limited to what color combos wallpaper companies select.
such a statement as you walk in. i really like it. i was afraid it would be too busy when you started... but it looks fab
Looks great! Bold and a creative solution :)
i really like this transformation!
i think it might be even more graphically interesting to hang a bright red frame on the canvas area (from wires at the ceiling?) to bring a pop of color to break up the pattern. i feel just a little dizzy looking at it.
Are you frickin serious - This is from a stencil???
Please tell us where you found it - I would love to use this in my entryway too!
I knew I recognized that wall print when I saw the cute little refurbished red table on a recent "before and after" post!
Overall, looks waaaay better than previously. Big job well done.
Your poor arm!!! I cannot fathom how this is simpler than wallpaper, but I am a DIY cretin and cannot fathom anyone doing anything by hand. Much respect for all the work, what a bold look!
Love it. Inspiring. Reminds me that the first thing people see when they walk in our door is a stairway leading downstairs to an ugly empty wall. Hm..
Ok seriously, I just have to commend you for actually FINISHING the project. When it comes to tedious work I lose my patience and have to put things on hold. Great job, it looks good!
Amazing, I love it!
That dizzy-ing effect some noted can be minimized by painting the door trim and mouldings back to the old color (tan or neutral)--a break from the black and white. This would take it to another level.