My husband was completely baffled when I told him I was going to stencil our guest room/office closet. "Why?" he asks me. "Because when I walk in there, it will make me smile". That's what it's all about. It's the little things for me. If going into a closet that is nothing more than a glorified catch-all (which it is, since we lack storage in this house) can make me happy, what could be better?!
Ta Da!
Are you smiling yet? Or even better, did it make you gasp?! (I love coming upon something that makes me gasp or say "ooooh"...those are the best kind of blog finds)
I know I gave you a little glimpse of the closet when I finished up the office, but I've been so looking forward to showing the whole thing to you.
This was my first large project with stencils. I used the Casablanca Trellis Moroccan from Royal Designs Studio. I got it when they had a 1/2 price Sunday sale for that specific stencil in March. Since we were in Oklahoma at the time, I had it shipped to my sister in Washington and then we drove it back with us to Alaska (I will do nearly anything to avoid those ridiculous shipping costs...I think they wanted $29 more to get it all the way here).
I didn't get a good before picture, but just imagine builder grade white with wire shelves. I was going to try and just paint the stencil in beige to entirely avoid painting the walls, but once I got going I realized the walls were just too dirty and dingy to get a good outcome. I painted the walls with the beige I had on hand and then used my SW Aria Ivory for the stencil (the office walls are Aria Ivory also, so the closet really compliments the room)
It took about 1 1/2 hours to paint the base coat and then the stencil took another 5 hours to complete.
Overall, this went very smoothly. I had to touch up the corners and the base by hand, but with the design style, it wasn't too hard (it's not perfect, but it's fine, especially for a closet)
In this corner, I didn't finish the whole design because
the way the sides were connecting made it appear too busy. Besides,
once the shelves go in, you don't notice those types of details.
The hardest part of this was rehanging the stupid wire shelves (my husband kindly helped me so I wouldn't freak out, as I'm so prone to do when frustrated).
In the end, it was all worth it.
This closet holds my decorating projects and craft tools as well as my boys' dress clothes since they don't have a closet in their room.
I used the aviary prints that used to be in the kids bathroom. They fit in perfectly here, and elevate the space to feel like a true room.
I keep my photo albums on the floor. These are just
our dating, new marriage and the first 2 years of our oldest sons life...all
the rest of our pictures are sitting on my computer and I desperately
need to print and catalog them.
That will be a huge project, ugh. I wish
I liked scrapbooking.
I've used a folding leaf table to have a landing place for my messes
I'm loving the new tool caddy I snagged from Decor Steals.
Yards of fabric...for those someday sewing projects
My childhood chair sits up in left hand corner. You can see I opted not to stencil the doorway wall. It was just too small and would have added unnecessary stress with little reward.
These beer jugs are destined for something great, I just have to figure out what.
I hope you've enjoyed seeing my closet. It's pretty fun decorating something unexpected.
There is no end the ways you could use stencils. My Master Bedroom closet is next on the stencil project list, so stay tuned :)
Linking to:
Winter Blues Wednesday @ DIY by Design
Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style
Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style
Oh yes - it definitely makes me smile - and drool - would give anything for a closet like that!
ReplyDeleteI have a teensy little Victorian flat closet :(
Beautifully done!
It looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Australia♥
~Pernilla
Fantastic! I so need to do this now!
ReplyDeleteI would have never thought of doing a closet in fact I'm really impressed you took so much time and effort with this but I have to say it looks just stunning. My husband does not like stencils and I have a few of the press on kind from Stampin Up I've never used. I'm not thinking I may get one of those out again and see about using it in the new basement room he couldn't object to that!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I'm about to paint some closets, this gave me ideas!!!
ReplyDeleteBobi
http://westernwarmth.blogspot.com
Looks great!! My husband gets baffled by this kind of thing too :) I'm doing up my toddler's big boy room and he couldn't understand why I started with the closet. Men huh!
ReplyDeleteThis looks really lovely. I'm not sure how you had the patience to stencil so carefully in such a small space. Good for you though!
ReplyDeleteSarah
http://acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.co.uk
What a pretty closet and deep! Nice job!
ReplyDeleteWow! I love it! It looks like a lot of work, but it's such a fun surprise when you open the door!
ReplyDeleteLove the unexpected look of the stencil. I have plans for my closets too.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this idea! It makes me happy too, thanks for the inspiration. To bad the shelves hide the corner, I kind of like how hey look. found you at Treasure Hunt Thursday
ReplyDeleteLove it! Why haven't I thought of that…I love my closet, but wow! Neat idea~I'd love for you to share this at my blog party, Twirl & Take a Bow at www.houseontheway.com. It's every Tuesday through Sunday. This would be a great addition! Hope you can stop by!
ReplyDeleteLeslie
Oh wow! I love your closet! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Time Travel. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-11.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
ReplyDeleteThat is my motto too :)
ReplyDeleteLove your closet!
Your closet looks fantastic--very inspiring!
ReplyDeleteoh i love your closet!! that's a lot of hardwork and it sure paid off =) if i had a closet like yours, i would probably remove the doors so people can see how awesome my closet is!! lol!!
ReplyDeletevisiting from flaunt it fridays..
huggies***
smartmomma
Hi Miranda! Just stopping by from Freckled Laundry Textile Party to see your amazing closet stencil project. I've wanted to stencil or even free-hand a design in my closet for the longest time. Thank you for the inspiration! When you have a moment, please stop by and say hello!
ReplyDeleteThis is the most beautiful closet I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteEvery woman's closet should feel like a retreat, and yours is stunning. I love that you took the time to make a small corner in your home your own little slice of Alaskan paradise. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE your closet too! Makes me smile! You did a great job on the stencilling and love the bird prints :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!
Wow! I never would have thought of the idea of painting or stenciling a closet... but, wow! It definitely made me smile :) It's cheery, and you almost don't want to hide it with a closet door!
ReplyDeleteFound you at I Gotta Create!
Christine
threegentlemenandalady.blogspot.com
Wow!! So beautiful! You use the closet all the time so why not have it make you smile?!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create! <3 Christina
Love it! I plan to stencil the closet in my master bedroom, as well - but I'm dreading emptying it first!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Feature Friday Free-For-All. :)
Miranda- THis takes a closet to a whole nother level! First I need to build me a functional closet in my 110 year old house and then I can do this!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and for the sweet words you left. I love your blog title BTW, So appropriate.
Kim@reposhture
Love it! Might think of doing this with my vintage built in closet.....
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to treat the closet like a small room!! No wonder you smile when you see it! -Marci
ReplyDeleteLooks GREAT! I love how you added the bird art. It really makes it feel special.
ReplyDeleteSarah
Wow! What a difference a little paint and stencil can make!! Where did you get your stencil....maybe I missed that part :) It looks very lovely!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Brooke @ Design Stash
I never thought about painting a closet, but I love this! Thanks for linking up to our Pretty Things party. Hope to see you back next week!
ReplyDeleteThis does make me smile. I think it looks great!!
ReplyDeleteGirl, I've been waiting with baited breath on this post. It looks AWESOME. I've featured you on today's Tuesday Ten: http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/08/new-tuesday-ten.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up yesterday!
{HUGS},
kristi
totally agree - it made me smile too! I used a similar pattern wall paper in my powder room, check it out if you time/ Great job :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2012/06/powder-room-before-and-after.html
I am smiling, you closet room is so pretty. Love the stencil and the wall color. I just finished stenciling a stairway wall and boy was that a lot of work because of all the angles. Love the aviary birds on the wall, does help to make it look like a room. Very pretty! Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success! PS - following you on Linky!
ReplyDeletethis looks so good! one day i will stencil something!
ReplyDeleteHi Miranda, I'm so glad that I'm following you! I have been scared to death to try stenciling but yours looks so good! I'm inspired:) Thanks for posting on Adventures of a DIY Mom link party!
ReplyDeleteKatie
www.funhomethings.com
Love this so much I'm featuring it tomorrow! :)
ReplyDeleteJen
I absolutely LOVE your stenciled closet! And I'm totally jealous, I wish my closets looked that good :) I'm featuring you at this week's party! I hope you'll stop by again and grab your feature button if you want it :) http://www.hubbymademe.com/throwback-thursday-no-8/
ReplyDeleteYup, that would totally make me smile too! Thank you for sharing at our
ReplyDeletePinteresting Party!
Your closet makes me smile too. It's like the happy surprise you get when you open a drawer that's been painted or papered! This inspires me to make my closets cute & stylish. Featuring this tonight! Thanks for sharing with air your laundry friday! xo Jami
ReplyDeleteYour closet makes me smile too. It's like the happy surprise you get when you open a drawer that's been painted or papered! This inspires me to make my closets cute & stylish. Featuring this tonight! Thanks for sharing with air your laundry friday! xo Jami
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness I love your closet! You did great! I'm featuring you on Saturday at It's Overflowing!
ReplyDeleteXO, Aimee
Lovely closet! I love your color choice too.
ReplyDeletePS: Thanks for linking upto Show Me What You Got Tuesday's at ODH.
Mrs. Delightful
www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for linking up to last week’s Martha Mondays! I do hope you’ll drop by again this week and share another post : )
ReplyDeletehttp://www.watchoutmartha.net/2012/09/martha-mondays-link-up-party-features-93.html
~Amanda
www.watchoutmartha.net