I’m finally getting around to decorating the girls’ room. It’s not a huge space – about 12×15. Just enough room for two twin beds with a dresser in between. The other side of the room has a big toy box (you can see it peeking out here) and a tall dresser to the right and a closet area, play table and bookshelves to the left.
Obviously there will be new bedding and the rug will probably be moved to our bedroom. I’m also going to reupholster the headboards and add canopies, which will help with the funky wall situation (these old loft walls are quirky and I love them).
But the temporary walls to the right and left of the beds, which we added when we moved in, need something fun. The background needs to stay white so it won’t look too off from the loft walls (which I don’t want to paint at all). I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I wanted something sort of loose and juvenile – almost like the girls did it themselves. I considered doing something like this with sharpies, which I still really like:
I also thought about stenciling a cute bow pattern, but I didn’t get around to any of those projects. Then one day a couple months ago I tweeted about how my girls were sneakily decorating their walls with stickers. (that period is supposed be a comma btw. Fingers were tired from peeling I guess) :)
Okay, now here’s the good part. You will flip out like I did when you put two and two together here. This “wallpaper” is actually made up of hundreds of different stickers!!! What!?
I LOVE this so, so so much. I think it is so cool with it’s traditional design references but also so modern and kitsch. It’s like a giant I Spy book!
I’ve been picking up big lots of stickers on eBay for a couple bucks here and there for the past month or two, but I think I’m ready to get started now. My idea was to wallpaper just the temporary walls with white contact paper maybe? and then do the sticker patterns and then paint a coat of Polycrylic over the top to keep little hands from messing with all my hard work! The contact paper approach should make it easy to remove the pattern when we move.
I can’t wait to share how it goes. Obviously mine will be A LOT more amateur, but I think it will be a fun project. And if after a couple hours it feels like it isn’t going to work, I won’t be out more than a couple bucks.
PS Payton was featured in Elle Decor this month. Page 74! You can get more information about commissioning Payton for custom work and also check out her line of beautiful wallpapers here at Flat Vernacular.
Payton has her own company that also produces other wallpaper! Her patterns are beautiful! Check it out at http://www.flatvernacular.com
The sticker "wallpaper" is amazing. I've never see anything like it!
Wow! At first I wasn't too sure, but when I saw it was made from stickers I was in awe. So cool!! Very unique.
it doesnt get any cooler than this!
this is gorgeous!! i really love this
page
Seriously…this is amazing! Can't wait to see what you do.
I am 22 and pursuing design! The wall paper sticker story was so inspirational for me!!! Thank you <33333
Golden White Décor
Hi Anon –
Thanks for your concern here. I was just talking to a client yesterday about emailing Payton for a consultation for her bedroom. Of course I would never copy Payton's work for a paying client. I don't pretend to have the talent or experience that Payton has here. I think you're missing the point of this post (and of my blog).
The pictures I posted have been used on other sites, so I don't feel bad about using them here. Feel free to email me directly if you'd like to talk more about it. jenny at jennykomenda dot com
Why don't you just purchase wallpaper from the original creator?
It would be a good idea to remember that Ms. Turner's
wallpapers, sticker or screen printed, are copy righted and protected by law. It is one thing to try to replicate it
in one's home. It would be an entirely different matter
should a design firm attempt to offer it as a service —
unless it was purchased through Flat Vernacular. It not only takes "patience" to create the sticker paper. It
takes an artist's eye for design, etc. It is really not a DIY
project. As another post suggested, if people want sticker wallpaper, they should commission the creator,
rather than appropriating her work.
I was shocked to see a large close-up of a framed sticker art piece I commissioned from Ms. Turner for my home, reproduced on your site.The shape, style and choice of stickers were done in consultation with the artist. I purchased an original work of art, as others have, from Payton. It concerns me that it is pictured
on your website, so detailed, as if to imply someone could, or should, copy it. Please remove my art from
your blog. It is the large, white framed sticker piece.
Ms. Turner may feature it, but I would prefer it if you
did not. Thank you.
Hi Anon –
Thanks for your concern here. I was just talking to a client yesterday about emailing Payton for a consultation for her bedroom. Of course I would never copy Payton's work for a paying client. I don't pretend to have the talent or experience that Payton has here. I think you're missing the point of this post (and of my blog).
The pictures I posted have been used on other sites, so I don't feel bad about using them here. Feel free to email me directly if you'd like to talk more about it. jenny at jennykomenda dot com
Genius idea! :)
Holy shiz that's fantastic! Can't wait to see what else that girl can do!
SO cool! And a better alternative to contact paper: Tempaper (http://www.tempaperdesigns.com/) It comes in blank, which you can paint (and/or sticker)! I've used it and love it – just rip in short sections rather than one long strip when it comes time to take it down.
As a lawyer, I would like to say, in response to anonymous, that Jenny found these images in the public domain so they are just that, public, and anyone can look at them. I do not think Jenny was in any way implying that we should copy original works of art. However, we can use them as inspirations for our own designs and to express our own creativity. For my part, I thought this post was very interesting and informative.
Such a great idea! Sort of reminds me of Willy Wonka's wallpaper!
To the anonymous people who have posted that one should not copy art, that is just silly. I have a degree in art and many of my professors suggested when learning different techniques and learning about certain art pieces themselves that we should attempt our own creations in the same style and utilizing the same techniques. As we have all certainly heard, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The original poster was in no way implying that one should use the exact same stickers and put them in the exact same spots to replicate the exact same work. And, if someone did that, who cares? Do you think Rothko got upset if people also painted "red on black" to have in their homes? It's not as if people are doing this in an attempt to sell their work as an original by the artist. Lighten up people and embrace your artistic side by attempting some art yourself. You might just surprise yourself.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful article and I look forward to reading your article blog.
sell your house privately
I love that but man that's a LOT of work. Good luck!
I know you've answered this before but where do you get your rugs? You always have the most gorgeous slightly faded oriental rugs, and I'd love to find some that don't cost more than my mortgage!
Wow, love this idea – it's so original too!!
Wow, I am in awe! So amazing!!
I think this is freaking amazing! I can't wait until you do your walls
Payton is an amazing and accomplished artist at the age of only 25! I saw her sticker wall art a few weeks ago and fell in love. Then I finally opened up my latest Elle Decor and and there's a feature about her, and a day later you're crushing on her too. Can't wait to see what you end up doing in the girls' room!
I love this! I love this so much that I blogged about your blogging about her. Where do these ideas come from?! I wish I had that kind of talent.
Holy moly! I just looked this old post to see if there was any kind of update on your sticker wallpaper project. I had seen Payton's work in Elle Decor as well and was anxiously waiting for someone to try this on their own. I wanted to hear how difficult it was and how people gave up after the first damask pattern was done. No doubt that a very high level of patience, skill and artistry is required. This all, of course, to discourage me from EVER attempting this on my own. I had no idea how miffed so many "anonymous" people had been at your feature. Completely ridiculous in my opinion. I love your blog and appreciate that you try to offer budget conscious options to those of us who cannot afford to "commission" someone to put stickers on our walls. Keep up the good work!