My small stenciling project above the chair rail in the office is finally finished. It took three sessions of about 4.5 hours each spread over four days, so my hands had time to recover between rounds. It was a labor-intensive process, but the subtle, tone-on-tone texture it created makes it worth the effort.
The stencil reads much softer in person than in photos. From the doorway you can see a feathery, textured surface that almost looks like wallpaper, but my camera had a hard time capturing that nuance. During the day the effect is delicate and refined; at night it still adds depth, even if photos don’t fully convey it. It’s one of those finishes that rewards an in-person visit.
From the dining room the stenciled area provides a gentle layer of visual interest. It pairs nicely with the bold teal built-ins and colorful textiles across the way without competing with them. Once we hang art and add window treatments in the office, the transition between the two rooms should feel both intentional and balanced.
Up close the stencil reveals its detail and handcrafted quality. The small variances and feathered edges are part of the charm, giving the wall subtle movement and texture without overwhelming the room. The effect reads as sophisticated and calm rather than busy.
The writing on the mirrors? That’s just our quirky to-do list shorthand, and the room still contains several temporary pieces: a just-for-now chair, an oversized ottoman borrowed from the living room, and a rug that’s slightly too small. Those placeholders make it easier to stage and evaluate the stencil from multiple angles while we decide on permanent furnishings.
Our dog Burger, who recently turned five, made a few appearances during the project. He’s always a favorite accessory when we photograph the house. While many elements are still on the to-do list, the light fixture, the desk, and the stencil are the main completed features here so far.
Paint details: the base wall color below the chair rail is Moonshine by Benjamin Moore, color-matched to Olympic no-VOC paint in a satin finish. For the stencil itself, we used a half tint of Moonshine in a satin finish for a soft gray tone and a grellow (Sesame by Benjamin Moore, color-matched to Olympic no-VOC paint) in a semi-gloss finish for subtle highlights. The combination keeps the stenciling understated while adding dimension that reads differently depending on light and vantage point.
Time and cost breakdown: the whole stencil project took about 13.5 hours across three evening sessions. It’s not a quick weekend job, but the result is a big payoff for the time invested. The material costs were moderate compared to wallpapering the same area: the stencil itself was around $54, stencil adhesive and foam brushes were purchased with coupons, and a quart of the gray tint was inexpensive. Leftover paint supplied the grellow accent. Total out-of-pocket cost was roughly seventy dollars, a fraction of the cost and hassle that full wallpaper installation would have required.
We’re still planning several updates in the room over time, including:
- adding window treatments
- painting and reupholstering the desk chairs
- hanging finished art on the walls
- finding a permanent armchair, ottoman, and appropriately sized rug
- replacing or updating the lamps and shades
Stenciling is a rewarding project if you enjoy hands-on work and subtle design details. It takes patience and careful application, but once finished it elevates the whole room. If you’re considering a similar treatment, be prepared for some time investment, test small areas first, and embrace the imperfect, tactile finish that hand-applied stenciling provides.
If you want the full step-by-step process and an application video, look for my detailed stenciling post and resources under “my stenciling process.”
