diy tanzania wallpaper knock-off...

Before I get to the tutorial, thank you all SO much for your sweet comments on my

  Foyer Reveal last week! If you missed it go here for the pretty pictures! :)

It makes sharing my DIY adventures all the more fun to have you along!

Do you remember the popular BAM or SLAM series? Elizabeth @ The Mustard Ceiling

would pose a design question and everyone would weigh in with their opinion. Imagine my

surprise while researching for this post - I happened to come across my comment in 

October of 2012 on Thibaut's Tanzania wallpaper! 

Pam @ Simple Details says:

October 2, 2012 at 9:38 am

As much as I LOVE it, I’d prefer it in a smaller, less permanent dose…SLAM.

Pam @ Simple Details recently posted..interest for your entry…

And, another coincidence was the post I wrote the day before:

'Interest for your Entry'

It wasn't about the Cheetah Spots Stencil that now gives mine plenty of interest, but

 another one of my favorite things to include in an entry! :) Check it out here. 

Clearly our entry had been haunting me on my mind for some time! 

So, here's the scoop - I used Cheetah Spots Stencil from Royal Design Studios. But, I

gave it a couple slight tweaks to get the look of the fabulous, high-end Tanzania wallpaper.

This is what the original stencil looks like, Kristin from The Hunted Interior  stenciled

 fabric to create spotted drapery panels here. 

Kristin @ The Hunted Interior

This is the original Thibaut Tanzania Wallpaper, the pattern isn't quite as open

and the spots are more irregular shaped.

The first tweak...

Scotch Blue Painter's Tape - torn and randomly placed over some of the rounded edges

 to give them the irregular look. The tape stayed put for my entire stencil job. 

 

I did a sample to illustrate the simple process and differences for you.

I used Royal Design Studios Flat Black Stencil Creme and their Stencil Brush.

                               Tweaked Pattern                                           Original Pattern

Second tweak...

After my entire foyer was stenciled I went back and filled in the open spaces to add more

pattern, being sure to cover the area all the way to the ceiling and into corners. I chose

 random areas and stenciled one spot at a time. Imprecise is perfect, just eye-ball the area

 and choose a pattern from the stencil that fits. That's it! If you end up with a spot you think is 

horribly wrong, don't fret you can paint over it!! It sounds time consuming but actually goes

 quickly. I'm not patient enough to wait for paint to dry, so smudges are inevitable. When

 you're all finished go back with the wall paint and do a quick clean up.

Final Tweaked Pattern                                           Original Pattern

I love the pizazz and look of high-end Tanzania wallpaper it gives my foyer 

at a fraction of the cost!

Royal Design Studios provided the stenciling products for my project,

they were a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend using their company!

Thank you!

foyer reveal...unexpected pizazz

Our little foyer was a booooring first impression, and so overdue for some attention.

It's 4 1/2 feet x 4 1/2 feet, barely big enough to turn around and if that isn't bad

enough it has two doors and two doorways, 1938 charm at its best! Since there wasn't

any possibility for even a teeny piece of furniture or art, I had the small wall area and

 ceiling to make a statement, and decided to be daring. Two knock off diy projects gave me
the look I was going for and a lot of bang for the buck! 

I've always loved Thibaut Tanzania wallpaper, but it's $$ pricey and I'd seen a similar

stencil at Royal Design Studio I thought could work with a little tweak. I'm all about

 getting a high-end look for less and not having to remove wallpaper if I can avoid it!

 Remember this cool project by this crazy talented blogger? 

Cheetah Spots Wall Stencil was perfect for creating the look I hoped!

BEFORE - BOOORING!!

 

  It was ugly! Yes, I let Detail Boy keep his chin-up bar there (he convinced me if it was right

 there he would use it all the time, and he does, so...) then the lovely boob light, and the

 inside of the closet hadn't been painted since I used it to practice sponge painting years ago. 

Moving on...

My love for stripes lives on...in the coat closet, in black, cream and white.

The DIY Sunburst Flush Mount Light is super easy and inexpensive.

(Btw, thanks everyone for all your kind comments!)

I'm hoping people look up! :)

My inspiration was this $700
 Arcadian Home - Global Views Sunburst Gold Modern Flush Mount Ceiling Light

I used Martha Stewart's Sunburst Mirror to create this version!
DIY Sunburst Flush Mount Tutorial

 My favorite part is that our new entry is so unexpected and bit sassy. 

Be sure to check back on Monday, I'll fill you in on the simple way I tweaked

the stencil to give it a more custom look, my stencil trick and paint colors. 

A huge thank you to Royal Design Studios for providing the stencil and supplies,

you couldn't have been more pleasant and helpful! 

I'm playing along with all the creative bloggers at East Coast Creative
Creating with the Stars 2014 - #CWTS 2014
Don't miss out, follow along with the fun and exciting contestants!

Joining Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick for March Before & After
Liz Marie, Jennifer, Tonya & Mandy @ Inspire Me Please Link Party