In the world of home decor, there’s something truly magical about a statement wall. It has the power to completely transform a space, infusing it with personality and charm. And today, I’m thrilled to share an exciting and easy way to create the look of wallpaper using nothing but paint. It was a perfect opportunity to team up with Home Depot and embrace their empowering motto: “Let’s Do This.”
My kitchen, with its mostly neutral palette accented by pops of mint and turquoise, was crying out for a statement wall. Little did I know just how much of a difference it would make. Stepping into the kitchen now, it’s like entering a whole new space, one that’s brimming with warmth and character.
What’s even better is that this amazing transformation didn’t require a huge investment of time or effort. A single, pleasant trip to Home Depot, followed by two afternoons of on-and-off painting (with plenty of drying time in between), and our kitchen was on its way to becoming a showstopper.
This project was a departure from our usual approach. We embraced imperfection, using stamping to create a more effortless and organic design. Each stamped clementine was made with just one impression. There was no need for filling in or cleaning up the edges. It was as simple as stamp and move on, giving the wall a unique, handcrafted feel.
I drew inspiration from the works of artist Jorey Hurley and Anek. The way the colors overlapped in their prints, especially in Anek’s plum print, was truly captivating. I wanted to capture that same sense of depth and vibrancy in our kitchen wall.
When it came to choosing the paint colors, we went for a palette that would bring the clementines to life. Behr Ultra Interior paint in Orange Grove, Indian Paint Brush, Pumpkin Patch, Tart Apple, and Herbal Tea were our choices. The three shades of orange would create the clementines, while the two shades of green would form the leaves.
To get started, we needed to make our foam stamps. We cut out imperfect 2-inch circles for the clementines and leaf shapes from craft foam, one for each color. Then, we glued these foam pieces onto cardboard squares to create our stamping tools.
The process of creating the wallpaper-like look was straightforward. We began with the lightest orange shade. Using a small 1-inch Wooster Pro paintbrush, we applied a thin layer of paint to the stamp. Then, we pressed the stamp firmly onto the wall, using our fingers to press down around the edges for a good impression. We continued stamping with this lightest shade, covering about a third of the total area for the clementines, creating a pattern that was sporadic yet visually balanced.
Once the first layer was done, we moved on to the next shade of orange, repeating the process. We mixed things up, creating overlapping clementines, small clusters, and some that stood alone. After that, we stamped the darkest orange color and then added the green leaves, one color at a time and allowing each to dry completely before moving on to the next.
When stamping a large statement wall like this, there are a few tips to keep in mind. It’s crucial to step back from the wall between each color application to check the balance of the shades. If you’re unsure about how many stamps to make, it’s better to start with fewer and add more later if needed. And if you make a mistake, don’t worry! A wet paper towel can easily wipe it away, and our “Let Do This.” bucket served as a handy makeshift trashcan for any little mishaps.
One important thing to remember is that this project doesn’t reveal its true beauty until the final stages. At first, it might seem like you’re creating something more reminiscent of an 80s sponge art project, but as the layers of color build up, the magic happens. To give the wall a more wallpaper-like finish, we made half-circle stamps for the edges, adding that extra touch of authenticity.
Looking at the finished wall, I couldn’t be happier. From a distance, it looks just like wallpaper, and up close, it has the charm of a unique painting you might find on Etsy. I never thought I’d add so much color and pattern to my kitchen, but I’m so glad I took the plunge. It has made our kitchen feel a hundred times cozier and more inviting.
So, what do you think? Is there a wall in your home that could benefit from this kind of transformation? And if you were to try it, what shapes would you choose? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and see how you put your own spin on this fun and creative project.
