DIY: Abstract Painted Walls


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Remember when I was contemplating some fun wall treatments for our powder bath? I thought about wallpapering, doing a faux bois or hand-blocking a pattern, but I wasn't super excited about any of those...



I've always loved Kelly Wearstler's staircase with it's hand-painted pattern, but I was worried something  this loose would be weird in such a small bathroom. 



When I saw this image, I really liked the idea of using oval or circular shapes.



Then I was looking at Domesticate's Spoonflower offerings, and this fabric pattern jumped out at me. 


I got excited because I knew I could get this pattern up in only a couple hours, so right away I pulled out my mint paint and a 1" square tipped artists brush, took down the art I had hung before, and was ready to go. 





The basic idea is super easy. In general, I did one large shape for every small or medium sized shape. There's no right or wrong way to do it - really it's just like doodling on the wall. It took about two or three hours to cover all the walls and the ceiling.



The mint paint I had was gloss, which I think looks really pretty against the satin walls. Gives a little dimension.

One important trick is the dip your brush only every three shapes or so, so there is some variation in the color opacity. This way it looks a little more like water color.



Since the ceiling of the bathroom is dropped and slanted, I went ahead and painted everything.

     

Once the paint had dried, I hung a bunch of vintage landscapes on the wall. I like how the super traditional paintings look on the funky walls.



Most of these paintings were ones I picked up at flea markets when we lived in Brussels for two or three Euros each. They aren't masterpieces, but I love them.



I need to take a photo during the day, but I'm so happy with the way the powder bath looks from the hallway with the door open. It really looks like wallpaper.



I know - it's kind of intense, but I'm loving it! Plus, it would be super easy to paint out or change if I get sick of the look.



Can't beat a project that makes a big statement, costs nothing and only takes a couple hours!

39 comments:

  1. This looks awesome! It's a pretty brave thing to do but you pulled it off! I love the colour you chose as well. Now my mind is boggling with all the abstract painting that could be done on walls... I don't know why it's not done more! x

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  2. love to see a clear decanter filled with minty mouthwash in there....love that fresh color and yes to abstracts with old world art.
    fun fresh and minty mod!
    pve

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  3. I love your courage and once again it turned out wonderfully! Cheers!

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  4. I thought it was wallpaper when I saw it on Instragram! Looks brilliant paired with the paintings.

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  5. What a lovely way to fix up a rather boring wall!
    One question; Where did you get your soap(/lotion?) dispenser? I have been looking for something similar for A.G.E.S! Thanks for the best blog ever!
    /Sandra

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  6. This is so unique! I love it, and it really works in a small space. It doesn't become too overpowering as it might in a larger room.

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  7. Genius Jenny. It just completely transformed that little space. I recently went with stripes in our own bath and yes, in just a couple of hours, I had a space that looks like it had been papered for only a few dollars. Just love the pattern you chose!

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  8. I love how fearless you are! So inspiring!
    I would have scared pant less to try this but it looks so good.
    I guess that is what separates to good from the amazing....fearlessness.

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  9. I follow you on IG. When I first saw your walls I thought they were wallpapered or maybe stenciled. Great job!

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  10. Well, color me excited! I'm thrilled to see that you took inspiration from my design!
    It looks almost exactly like mine - well done! - and so unexpected on the walls. (and could be great in other colors - gray, pink, navy?) Love.

    Thanks, Jenny!

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  11. So fun and different! I think the very traditional art makes it work so well!

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  12. You are such a risk taker- this looks fabulous!! So original- and like you said- it was FREE and would be super easy to change when you get tired or re-inspired:) PERFECT PROJECT

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  13. You forgot about the bachelor pad I did!

    Hand painted walls to the MAX!!!!

    http://sketch42blog.com/2012/03/the-bachelor-pad-reveal/

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  14. Omg amazing! You are so, so brave, but with the number of sucesses you've had in the past, I'm sure it comes naturally! Love love love it.

    Champagne Lifestyle on a Beer Budget

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  15. What a great idea! It looks fresh and pretty.

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  16. It looks awesome! Great job! How long did it take? Very brave and worth it all!
    xx
    hooper patterson
    www.birdsofafeatherdesign.com

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  17. I love the paint! Especially with the art. A super furry rug would look fab on the floor ;)

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  18. The contrast with the art makes it work for me. Very creative!
    k

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  19. This powder room is so cute! I love the watercolored look. I wonder if you could enhance that by mixing two similar shades of paint slightly so you get more variation in the color?

    @Sandra Gregersen I am pretty sure that soap dispenser is from Target, believe it or not!

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  20. Wow this looks great, you have done a fantastic job. This is a really inspiring post and the mint colour was a good choice!

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  21. I was looking forward to seeing what this was when I saw the instagram peek. I really love this. Great for people like me that have textured walls and can't afford wallpaper :) Great job!

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  22. Love the risk-taking! And it paid off beautifully!

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  23. Love the risk-taking! And it paid off beautifully!

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  24. It looks amazing! Kudos to you - I am way, way too obsessed with perfection to pull off something so beautifully free

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  25. Love contrast of art & wall treatment...btw, we had same sink and after replacing, read that some had lead leach from faucet.

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  26. You are so clever! It looks fantastic. And I love your vintage landscape paintings.

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  27. I love these designs... Nice touch

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  28. LOVE the idea and the art on your walls! While mint is not my personal favorite color (and my daughter continues to think I am insane not to love it) I can see why so many others do love it! The idea would of course be fabulous with any color one chooses. :)

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  29. Love love love it! You are so brave. I need to know: how do you get your husband on board? Can you write something about gender balance in decorating? I am about to move into my boyfriends, and worried there is no way to harmonize our styles.

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  30. I mean, really...how do you do it?! Top yourself each and every time!!?? I love this! And love the mint green!

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  31. I love the color used in abstract painting . These all are different and it good to see the creativity in the Abstract paintings

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)