My foyer is in desperate need of a makeover. The walls really need some pizzazz. Our stair banister “fell” off the wall a few months ago as my 17 year old son was walking down the stairs. Funny how that happened. Anyway, we need to put it back up but I keep stalling. I want to either paint or paper the walls first. The banister is waiting in the garage and in the meantime, we are just walking carefully down the stairs!
I purchased the stencil above from AC Moore and it was under $20. I am thinking of stenciling the pattern in gray on all of the walls except the wall leading up the stairwell. That would be a massive job as it is very tall. I will paint that wall in gray (the gray that the stencil will be and the same gray that is in my living room). It’s also in the hallway adjoining the foyer, so it should all flow. The paint color is Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore.
Or, I can go with purchasing wallpaper and adhering it to the foyer walls. If I take this option, I will need to paper up the stairwell wall or it will look strange. It also is a huge expense – a whole lot more than $20 and paint! But I do love the look. Here are few pics from my new Pinterest board “Wallpaper” for you to see what I mean.
Image via Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/source/georgicapond.com.au/
Image via Pinterest/ Farrow and Ball
And here is my desperate foyer! Oh, what a difference!
I may give the stencil a go today to see how it looks 🙂 I’ll keep you posted!
Since I’m off work today, I have a bit more time to chime in with my vote so I definitely vote for using stencils. The primary wall color in my house is Revere Pewter (which I absolutely love) and I too am contemplating what to do with an entryway wall. I have most definitely decided on using a stencil but since everything else in my house is very muted and tone on tone, I want the entryway to have just a tad more “punch” and by that I don’t mean bold but somehow incorporate a soft bolder color that complements the revere pewter. There are several looks I’m considering but I’m still in the research phase.
All that said….I vote for stencil.
Sorry for the additional post but I also meant to add that you can stencil the exact look of the wallpaper that is shown in the picture you posted of the stairway by using a damask stencil in a cream white against your revere pewter…it would look great!!
I say stencil, mainly because when you get tired of the wallpaper and want a change it is usually horrendous to remove. With the stencil you paint over it with no problem.
I vote for paper….I have wall paper in several rooms…if I do say so myself, it if beautiful. I would not have the patience to stencil a wall, and it it was not perfect it would drive me crazy. I removed paper from my kitchen last weekend, while it did take time, it was not difficult.
I like the stencil also.
Hi Suzanne – I vote for the stencil – a lot easier to change when you need/want to and to have to put wallpaper on your stairwell will also be a lot harder and love the stencil you have purchased 🙂
I say stencil too… You can even make your own so it is unique to your style and combine different ones If you like.
Stencil first, wall paper over it if you don’t like the outcome.
I say stencil! You could lightly distress it to give it some added character. But, whatever you do, it will be beautiful!
I vote for stencil as well, a lot easier to change it up later when the mood strikes
Stencil definitely. Wallpaper is so much more permanent and as a blogger my guess is you’ll be wanting to change it again sometime soon down the road. Plus, with paint you’ll be able to choose the perfect color.
I will never wallpaper again – it is an absolutely miserable and time consuming job to remove. Stencil! Love your idea!
Have a look at The Painted House website you can see decoratbive paint rollers being used.
Stencil… yes there is some pretty paper out there you will regret it down the road.
Finally getting around to catching up on emails. My two cents is Stencil all the way!
I vote stencil … but mostly because I really want to see/read how you do it 😉 … no, seriously … wallpaper is expensive and such a commitment. Paint is the way to go.