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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Dining Nook Do-Over

| By John Petersik | October 6, 2011 | 136 Comments

Reader Redesign: Dining Nook Do-Over

Coming off of the heels of our own adventures in stencil land, we just had to share this note from Ginny who stenciled her dining nook earlier this year. Methinks she had a clawed hand of her own going on after she finished (just like my lady wife). Here’s what Ginny had to say about her dining area makeover:

Ginny Before

I wanted to create a dining corner in my living room. Well, although I bought my table, finally got the chairs I wanted, and tried to dress it up, it still didn’t feel like a dining room to me. It was just this table in the corner of the room. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was missing COLOR.  I wanted the color to match my living room so I brought in some green to match the carpet.

Ginny Green Wall

Then I saw this post that inspired me. So I went to her website to see what she did in full detail and she actually got the idea from this website. This is why I love bloggers – ideas go from page to page to page! So I cut out the template, traced it on the wall… which took 4.5 hours. Yes, my hands were hurting the next day. But then I also had to paint the lines, which took even longer :(

Ginny Traced Pattern

Now I’m absolutely positively head over heels in love with my dining room! -Ginny

Ginny After

Thanks so much for sharing Ginny! We really love how the bold color and pattern made a statement out of an otherwise ordinary corner. You can read more details about her project here. Anyone else out there inspired to use a similar stencil or color palette in their dining space (or beyond)? And hopefully Ginny’s hand recovered eventually! Sherry’s are finally back to normal. But I’m not about to ask for a back rub just yet. Don’t wanna push my luck…

Got your own awesome before & after project? Send your story, pics, and related links to [email protected] to be considered for a possible Reader Redesign feature. You know we love any and all design eye candy!

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Comments

  1. Avatar for Meghan, UKMeghan, UK says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    Wow, what a fantastic transformation! Well done that woman, and thanks for sharing – it’s great to get introduced to other bloggers (for someone who’s too lazy to search!)

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Jess @ Little House. Big Heart.Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    What a transformation! It’s beautiful!

    I was thinking of wallpapering the back of our bookcase, maybe I’ll just try this!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for KellyKelly says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:14 pm

    That’s really pretty! Bravo, Ginny! :)

    Reply
  4. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:14 pm

    Gorgeous. What color is the paint in the design, exactly? The light hits it a little funny.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 6, 2011 at 2:16 pm

      Here’s hoping Ginny can stop by with that info for ya!

      xo,
      s

  5. Avatar for aliali says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    That’s incredible – so inspiring, and with the willingness to “go full claw hand” (reference to funny, non-pc joke in Tropical Thunder), so doable! Will be looking for options in the house tonight!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for AnnaAnna says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    So beautiful. The walls are perfect.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for VanessaVanessa says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:18 pm

    This looks so great! Love that stencil and love how its shimmery! Thanks for this passing Ginny’s submission along.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Karen FKaren F says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    wow, that looks amazing!

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Whitney DupuisWhitney Dupuis says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    That is beautiful! Way to go, Ginny!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for JosJos says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    hopefully she can stop by and say where she found that cute birdcage type light fixture. such a great room.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 6, 2011 at 2:33 pm

      Isn’t that so cute? Here’s hoping she can drop in soon!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for AmyAmy says

      October 6, 2011 at 2:42 pm

      Click the link to read Ginny’s post, she talks about the birdcage as well as the stenciling!

    • Avatar for kerikeri says

      October 6, 2011 at 3:02 pm

      Jos – I was just reading her blog and she has a whole post on it! http://ginnyart.blogspot.com/2011/04/dining-room-reveal.html – it’s from Michael’s.

    • Avatar for Elisa @ The Self LifeElisa @ The Self Life says

      October 6, 2011 at 3:05 pm

      The link to her blog post is in the post above! She got it from Michaels and transformed it into a light fixture!

  11. Avatar for JenniferJennifer says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    Now that would be something I’d have a hard time actually finishing! Amazing job!!!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for CarrieCarrie says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    Awsome!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for VannaVanna says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    Any ideas for a knock-out wall treatment for super textured walls? I live in a 60 year old house with plaster walls, they fit the Mediterranean architecture so the texture needs to stay but I need some solution besides just paint. I am thinking that stencilling won’t work because I won’t be able to get crisp lines. true? any ideas?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 6, 2011 at 2:39 pm

      Hmm, I think if the texture is too much it might be hard, but I’ve heard of people skim coating their walls to smooth them out (it’s probably something you can find videos or tutorials online for). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for SarahSarah says

      October 6, 2011 at 2:54 pm

      I tried stenciling on lumpy plaster–it wasn’t as crisp as it is on drywall but it’s doable.

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 6, 2011 at 3:06 pm

      Thanks for the info Sarah!

      xo,
      s

  14. Avatar for CathyCathy says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    Pardon my language, but this exact thought went through my head when I saw the reveal, “Holy sh!t! That’s amazing!!” I love it!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Julia @ Chris loves JuliaJulia @ Chris loves Julia says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    This is so sweet! A fellow YHLer commented on my post today and told me to send it over to you guys. It’s not a room re-do but it is quite the transformation.

    http://chrislovesjulia.blogspot.com/2011/10/oh-my-lampa.html

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 6, 2011 at 2:41 pm

      Wow- those look amazing!!! I love how you figured out how to redo the shades. So smart!

      xo,
      s

  16. Avatar for Carley @ On One HandCarley @ On One Hand says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    I think I saw that pattern online somewhere too and thought about stenciling my bathroom. Alas, we’re still renting and a clawed hand just wouldn’t be worth it to only look at it for a little while. Someday! Glad to see it on another wall though, I love what she did with it…and I LOVE the green!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for StephanieStephanie says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:42 pm

    WOW! Amazing! We need paint colors, Ginny!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Megan @ Are We Wed YetMegan @ Are We Wed Yet says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    LOVING THIS! We painted our “bar wall” (the look through wall from the kitchen to the living room) in our apartment black a few months ago, and it looks great but it needs a little something extra. This would be perfect! Can’t wait! Thanks for sharing!! <3

    Reply
  19. Avatar for CarlaCarla says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    I’m such a perfectionist that I would find it very difficult and frustrating painting all of those lines. Do you have any tips you can share on how you did that (assuming you’re reading the comments)? You made a stencil, but did you paint with a dabbing technique like Sherry did, or paint everything by hand? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Ginny ArtGinny Art says

      October 6, 2011 at 3:58 pm

      Hi Carla,

      There are no shortcuts to this process. It was all done with a steady (but sore) hand. Although it did take forever, I kept telling myself it would be worth it at the end.

  20. Avatar for ChristinChristin says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    Beautiful!!!!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for Tanya @ Lovely GreensTanya @ Lovely Greens says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Now on to re-decorating those doors! ;)

    Reply
  22. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Hahaha I love that the giant Jiminy Cricket wasn’t removed for the “before” photo. He definitely adds to the space.

    Reply
  23. Avatar for KristenKristen says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:50 pm

    Wow! She did a fabulous job! What a gorgeous space!

    Reply
  24. Avatar for TanyaTanya says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    Everything looks fab! Hmmm. now you all have me thinking about stenciling a wall in my half bath. What’s the word on a small space? Large scale stencil or small? I worry that a small might make it look too busy?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 6, 2011 at 3:08 pm

      I’ve seen both in a small powder room and they looked awesome- so I don’t think you can really go wrong! I’d just choose your favorite stencil and go for it!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for TanyaTanya says

      October 6, 2011 at 3:21 pm

      Thank you! It will likely be a winter project, I’ll send a pic if it turns out OK. Of course, this is after i “fun up” my linen closets with new paint and fancy shelf paper from chicshelfpaper.com Thanks for the link to them, they have AWESOME products.

  25. Avatar for Jenn LJenn L says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    awww yay! the green reminds me of my blog! I’m pretty obsessed with that color and the stencil that goes with it! That is seriously the perfect place for something bold too. Corners were made for WOW factors!

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas and Crayons

    Reply
  26. Avatar for Kristen @ Popcorn on the StoveKristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    That’s the same tutorial I used for the stencil wall at our old apartment! I filled in the lines instead of having two (oops) but I do love how it turned out! It’s so fun seeing what others do with the same inspiration!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 6, 2011 at 3:07 pm

      So gorgeous! Totally looks like wallpaper!

      xo,
      s

  27. Avatar for banclothingbanclothing says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    This must have been SOOOO much work!!!! I love the after and it is totally worth the time. Did you use a metallic paint? I love the shine!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for SusieSusie says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:00 pm

    It looks wonderful! I used the same tutorial and put this stencil on one side of our stairway to add more interest, and one of my favorite things is that everyone has their own take on the colors and pattern. It’s time consuming but turns out so great.
    http://agirlandfourguys.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/finished-yet/

    It was fun to see this reader’s nook re-done!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 6, 2011 at 3:05 pm

      So pretty!

      xo,
      s

  29. Avatar for Amanda - aka SherryAmanda - aka Sherry's dream bff says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    Woo to the hoo for the return of Reader Redesigns! I know you’ve been talking about that for a few weeks now, but I never got the chance to voice my own elation about it. So there it is. Ha. Thanks J & $herdog! :)

    Now…I’m crazy about that stencil!
    I can’t wait until the renting-an-apartment phase of my life is over so that I can actually attempt half of the things I see here and on Pinterest haha

    Reply
  30. Avatar for Ginny ArtGinny Art says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    OH MY FREAKING GOD! I love you guys and want to thank you both for featuring my dining room!!! I literally screamed and called my mom to tell her (she LOVES Burger!)

    I’ll have to come back and post the paint color, but the birdcage is from Michael’s Crafts.

    :D

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 6, 2011 at 3:04 pm

      Thanks for the info Ginny!

      xo,
      s

  31. Avatar for ReenieReenie says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    WOW….Ginny (and all the other bloggers that were shown)….that’s a lot of patience…time and beer!!! HA!

    They all look great.

    Reply
  32. Avatar for Elisa @ The Self LifeElisa @ The Self Life says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    That is delicious! Love the colors she chose.

    Reply
  33. Avatar for ReenieReenie says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    Pssst….. check out Kristen’s blog….she does hand painting and stenciling ~ makes her own stencils. She does beautiful work. =)

    http://kfddesigns.blogspot.com/

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 6, 2011 at 3:10 pm

      We love Kristen! She’s such a genius!

      xo,
      s

  34. Avatar for ConnieConnie says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:08 pm

    WoW! Claw hand indeed! This is amazing.

    Reply
  35. Avatar for Melanie @ Mailbox JourneyMelanie @ Mailbox Journey says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    That’s amazing!
    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  36. Avatar for laurenlauren says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:11 pm

    it looks like it would be theraputic to do all that…either that or send you to therapy!!

    amazing transformation

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 6, 2011 at 3:12 pm

      Haha- hilarious! And probably true.

      xo,
      s

  37. Avatar for emilyemily says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    WOW. I am poor as a church mouse, but I’d spring from some wall covering at that point. Hats off to the dedication, it looks GREAT!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for seriouslysassymamaseriouslysassymama says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    I love that stencil. I printed it out from a blog and hope to use it in my entryway!

    Reply
  39. Avatar for OMG Ponies!OMG Ponies! says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing the link to the Better After blog. I’m newish to blog following and the one you link to is full of so many amazing completed projects which link back to other great design blogs.

    :)

    Reply
  40. Avatar for Brianne FranklinBrianne Franklin says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    YES YES YES! LOVE the reader design posts! Most welcome addition!

    Reply
  41. Avatar for KeriKeri says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Very nice! Thanks for sharing your re-do, Ginny!

    Reply
  42. Avatar for GreenInOCGreenInOC says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Wow, that’s beautiful!

    The closest “I’ve” come to something like that is I have tone on tone harlequins on two of my walls – one on the super high stairway and the other on the wall my headboard is against in my bedroom – but alas, “I” didn’t technically do it, I paid someone else to!

    Reply
    • Avatar for GreenInOCGreenInOC says

      October 6, 2011 at 3:40 pm

      Here’s an older picture of the wall going up the stairs:

      http://thefosterpaws.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/photo.jpg

  43. Avatar for jessjess says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    Love it!

    Reply
  44. Avatar for KristinKristin says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    Wow, that looks amazing — I love the bold color!

    I found the same idea from Jones Design Company and loved it but knew I would not have the patience to do an entire wall, so I tried it out on a much smaller scale (just 2 large canvases):

    http://kiki-mysewcalledlife.blogspot.com/p/home-sweet-home.html

    It’s been great because I get the same pattern without full on claw hands and since I’m in an apartment, I won’t have to paint over all my hard work :)

    Kudos to anyone who can stencil an entire wall or room!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 6, 2011 at 3:26 pm

      THAT LOOKS GORGEOUS! Such a great idea for someone who rents or has textured walls or is just short on time!

      xoxo,
      s

  45. Avatar for NancyNancy says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    That looks fabulous! I used a similar stencil design that I got from Royal Designs on my bathroom ceiling earlier this year. In fact, the colors are very similar to your office. The bathroom walls are gray and I repainted the white ceiling “grellow”, as you call it. Then I stenciled over the grellow ceiling with white. I love it. It’s like always having a sunny sky overhead.

    Reply
  46. Avatar for SuzySuzy says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    Genius – I am so adding this to my endless list of decor to do’s!!!

    Reply
  47. Avatar for KarenaKarena says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    I love this. Absolutely stunning.

    Might have to steal the idea for our bedroom nook. Well, first we need to knock out the existing, barely-a-closet closet to create the nook. We’re taking an adjoining mini-room and splitting it in half. One half will open to our master and create a new walk-in closet that is more suited to my needs. The other half will open to a hallway as a dual purpose office and linen closet/storage.

    Anyways, this is just the pop that the nook will need without overpowering the whole room.

    Reply
  48. Avatar for AliAli says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:40 pm

    It looks fantastic!!

    Reply
  49. Avatar for Meg A.Meg A. says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:42 pm

    Green & gold… bling bling! I would never have the patience for that. Way to go, Ginny!

    Reply
  50. Avatar for KathyKathy says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    love it! I want to do that in our hallway but I think I will just buy a stencil like John & Sherry – I couldn’t handle claw hands haha it would never be complete!

    Reply
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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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