I Can’t Believe a Cheap Tool Created Gorgeous Wall Art in This Kitchen
I’ve seen hundreds of kitchens, and I understand the power of paint — especially when it’s a rental home. Rooms have gone from bland to breathtaking with a few brush swishes. But what about a stencil? After seeing the transformation in Abby Starobin’s (@symphonylanedesign) New York City rental’s kitchen, a new level of possibility was unlocked for me — and I haven’t been able to shake the inspiration since (nor do I want to!).
When I wrote about the kitchen transformation, which was previously published on Apartment Therapy, I didn’t pay nearly enough attention to the fact that Abby used an Etsy stencil and some paint (Backdrop’s Rose Quartz and Clare’s Pink Sky) to create what looks like a designer wallpaper print.
How a Wall Stencil Created a Gorgeous Pattern in This Kitchen
I remember looking through the initial images and thinking to myself, “What a gorgeous wallpaper.” Lo and behold, Abby actually used a stencil to paint the pattern and then distressed it afterward. The combination of pinks against the green peel-and-stick tiles and black-and-white checkered floors is the definition of an accent wall. She painted the wall so thoroughly that she even covered an electrical box near the floor.
However, even though the stencil created such a chic pattern, it wasn’t necessarily the easiest DIY project. “Foolishly thought this would be easier than wallpaper. Boy was I wrong,” Abby said in an Instagram caption. But if you want to kick your painting game up a notch, I think this project is definitely worth the effort. Another bonus? If and when Abby decides to leave, she can easily cover it with a few coats of white paint.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find an exact match of Abby’s stencil, but I found some gorgeous options on Amazon. If you’re interested, these inexpensive tools create dramatic works of art on your walls. Plus, they come in different sizes to get exactly the look you’re aiming for.
Nilah Tile Stencil
Amazon
$4.99
Turkish Poppy Wall Stencil
Amazon
$16.95
“I wanted my little eat-in kitchen to feel warm, cottage-y, and eclectic, and I think I achieved that,” Abby said at the time of the tour. “I really made this room function for me. I love that 90% of the decor is pieces I already owned, found, or made. The mix of items helps achieve the quirkiness I wanted. I love gliding around and cooking in my kitchen.”
If you want to see more of Abby’s wonderful apartment, visit the full House Tour.
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
