Remember back in 1982 two years ago when I started the Living Room makeover? No really, it was July of 2011 that I revealed the Before pictures, and then the Plans. And you thought progress was slow in your house!!?? Two of the projects on the list (which I’ll show at the end of this post if you want to catch-up) was to do something to the nook that feeds off the Living Room, and the pitiful little chest that lives there.
It’s one of those odd little spaces builders like to throw in, and always baffles me when trying to decorate. Currently, along with the discarded nightstand, there are some random objects that landed there with no real intention.
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| DIY for the Gold Vases here. |
The nook leads to the Master Bedroom, and also houses the junk storage closet that holds my over-the-top rockstar Gift Wrapping Station. I walk through the little hallway countless times a day, but it never occurred to me to highlight it.
Until three years ago (yes, I said three…baby steps, okay?) when the uber-talented Jill posted about her Chanel-inspired tiny hallway. It was like a light went off in my head (albeit a very dim light), a revelation that my little nook wasn’t just a random space to overlook, but a cute spot to let shine. Just like a small powder room, I could have some fun in that little hall!
I toyed with the idea of bright colored walls, a stencil or even wallpaper. But I never saw anything affordable that I loved. Until Kristin posted her cooler-than-cool laundry closet, using a paper that literally made me gasp out loud. I needed that paper. Had to have that paper. I would pay whatever it took to get that paper!!! My obsession only intensified when Courtney used it in her cabinets, too!
Guess where they got it?! And guess who finally got her hands on a few rolls, too?!?!? And surprise, it’s only wrapping paper!
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| We’re not looking at my manicure, we’re looking at the $3 price tag! |
And lucky for me, it’s a stiff and sturdy paper. I immediately called Kristin, and she encouraged me to go for it, and to use wallpaper paste. I took half her advice, and hung the paper using these little mounting tabs. (You didn’t actually think I’d hang real wallpaper, did you?!)
If you follow me on InstaGram (@cassiesugarplum), then you saw what else I was up to last weekend. I knew I only had the patience paper for one wall, so the other walls would get painted. Instead of dragging that decision out for another three years, I just went with the color Emily Henderson used last…Sherwin-Williams Aloof Gray. (Are you seeing a trend with me following other bloggers?)
Before hanging the paper on the back wall, I painted the corners of the adjacent walls so I wouldn’t have to cut in on them after. On my first attempt, I hung the paper across the top using the ceiling as my level. But apparently my house leans a few degrees because there was a gap on the side, resulting in slightly crooked dragonflies. So this time I followed the wall, and decided to overlook the tiny gap at the top.
You can see the gap here, but my ceilings are so tall no one will notice in real life. And if they do, then we’re no longer friends. I just used a sharp X-acto knife to cut around the doorbell and smoke detector.
Oh, and I simply used a sticky square about every 6-inches along the outer edges, smoothing the paper and placing tabs as I went (don’t apply all the sticky tabs at once), then pressing firmly on the paper at each square.
Oh yeah, you can tell this is going to be good, right?
The next panel was trickier because I had to align the pattern at the seam. Once that side was up, I used a ruler to smooth the paper to the corner, then followed the crease with an X-acto blade to cut away the excess.
This is just rude…why does my family think it’s funny to see me in awkward, unflattering positions? Just keeping it real around here…dirty hair, yoga pants, big butts and all. Looks like Mr. SP’s move has rubbed off on me! And I need to lay off the Halloween candy.
In the end, all the MacGyver moves and swearing was worth it…this little hall is starting to shine!
I painted the rest of the walls too, and have decided it may be the most perfect gray ever. Maybe now I can finally paint over the yellow in the Living Room.
Sure there are a few wrinkles, but if you come over and point them out, then we are no longer friends.
Normally I’d have the area styled and staged for the big ‘After’ photos, but I was just too excited to show you guys the progress. Thanks to Pinterest, we think perfect projects magically happen overnight, but for most of us, it’s a long process. One that we fit in between soccer games, laundry, work, and life. Hopefully life gives me a break soon and I can finish highlighting this fun little space! Do you have small hallways and nooks in your home? Do they shine or blend in? You want to lick my dragonflies, don’t you?
Paint Hall Chest
Paint/Wallpaper Nook Walls
Add Nailhead to Wingchair
Sand & Stain Secretary
Gold Leaf Back of Secretary
Love the graphic punch! You're too funny, posting your butt shot. 🙂
Great idea for a little space. I think they're my favorite to decorate.
And, there's nothing big about your butt.
What a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing your project. 🙂
looks fabulous Cassie!
Such a great idea and now you have me thinking about places to add some paper! I love that it's a low to no commitment type of project too!
-Shelley
Tru dat double tru what Emily said – big butt? NO. Great idea to use the little sticky squares and not attach that completely to the wall.. dang you're clever! And yes, you know I copy other bloggers haha 😉 Can't wait to see what else you do with this little space
No way you found that at Marshalls! That's AWESOME!
Great space! Saw your post on insta about aloof gray. Came close to painting my living that color a year ago and still haven't done it. But I just might!
OMG, I totally died over that paper too after seeing it on The Hunted Interior. Too funny! Found it at TJ Maxx and almost peed my pants! Going to wallpaper my laundry closet with it (I know, I'm copying…let's call it inspired!), but haven't taken the plunge. Have to get through all the laundry first!
You have no right to talk about big butts girl! HA! Love the wrapping paper turned wallpaper. A brilliant idea! It really does make that little hallway nook shine! Fab my friend!
It looks great! Can't wait to see the totally styled space — but it looks great the way it is! 🙂
Love those dragonflies. In fact I may have to use them elsewhere as no one sees them in the laundry room! Excited to see this nook. And totally agree that aloof gray is a darn good color.
I'm totally going to pin that pic of you 😉 Love that paper!
We used Aloof Gray when we had our garage painted last year! http://www.twoohtwoseven.com/2012/06/finished-garage-equals-happy-wife.html
I agree, it's lovely, but I think I prefer Benjamin Moore's Sterling, which is what we painted our great room!
http://www.twoohtwoseven.com/2013/04/a-sterling-great-room.html
So many grays, so few rooms… 🙂
I love the idea of wrapping paper on the wall – such a cheap and easy upgrade!
I do. I want to lick the dragonflies. I really REALLY Do.
It looks AWESOME. Can't wait to see it all styled up!
Uau ,can´t wait to see that nook finished 😉
Love the wall paper
xoxo
Lulu
That looks so cool! I love Aloof Gray, too. Still trying to find the "perfect" gray. And your yoga pose picture is awesome.
i just stood up, walked to my little nooky hallway (off the family room, between the powder room and master bedroom) and eyed that little space. guess what's getting dressed up soon?!
Love the real-time, love the dragonflies, and LOVE your Mr. SP pose. Cirque de Sugarplum!
Oh yay I'm so glad you posted this today! I've been trying to remember where Courtney got that wrapping paper and I haven't had time to go back and look at her laundry room post! I love those dragonflies! Excited to see the final reveal!
I love that you are taking advantage of the cozy nook!! The dragonflies are so fun. Can't wait to see how you style that space. You are so funy too!! I needed a good laugh today.
love that small space is her turn to shine! ♥ i can see why you can actually use that wrapping paper as your wallpaper because i purchase my wrapping papers from marshalls too because it's thicker, stiffer & sturdier than any other wrapping papers around – i used it a lot, like my kitchen cabinets backwall
you're too funny to actually post that awkward picture cassie! lol!
huggies♥
rea
i love this! you make me laugh and i love your style!
Ah the dragonfly paper! I love that paper! It looks great in that space and yes, it is a fun space to highlight, I would have never thought to do this. Hilarious booty shot and knee half up the wall. That's real life right there, multitasking at its finest!!:)
Laura
House Envy
Oh-my-greatness I love this! And I would totally lick it… wait, did I just type that out loud? 😉
I can't wait to see more! Hope your life slows down for all of us impatient bloggy stalkers! Oh! And great action shot! It would be so fun to do a compilation post of bloggers in action. It seems as though we often find ourselves in the strangest positions to get a project done or get the perfect photo! So funny!
xo!
You are too funny and agile besides? Do you take yoga? 🙂 And yes you have inspired me. We have an entry that I hate!! That is the first thing you see when you walk into our house. It is getting a makeover. I don't think I'll let to warm up my poor joints before tackling this project, our walls are not that high. marisa
Looks fantastic! And that pose you were in totally counts as yoga. So,
you got your workout in as well 😉
Looks fantastic! And that pose you were in totally counts as yoga. So,
you got your workout in as well 😉
Looks fantastic! And that pose you were in totally counts as yoga. So,
you got your workout in as well 😉
Wow, that's a lot of bang for just a couple of bucks. Great job! And here's a heads up for when you go to paint your yellow walls: be prepared to use A LOT of paint. It took us 4 coats using a Benjamin Moore Regal paint in white to cover our yellowish/beige walls. The guy at the paint store (during our third run for yet more paint) told us that yellow is one of the toughest colors to cover. Although now that it's done it was totally worth it.
Who'd of thunk to put wrapping paper on a wall (way too kewl!). I love what you did. Any great project has a little cursing (at least mine do anyway); and… I would kill to have a butt your size (I'd actually kill to have a butt!). When I'm at my goal weight, I have no bootie at all (it all shifted to the stomach!). Thanks for sharing your project. I just love it. Kim (in Round Rock).
What fabulous paper! I can see why you're in love with it! Your little nook is going to be gorgeous! Can't wait to see the big reveal!
~Abby =)
That looks really cool! I love the dragonflies!
You have officially passed your obsession with this dragon fly gift wrap/wall paper on to me! I absolutely LOVE the look of your newly made-over wall! It looks amazing! You are so funny – love reading your blog!