Kitchen Reveal

If you couldn’t tell by my rebrand, I’m all about not taking things I don’t love into the new year. If I’m not completely in love with something, it’s getting left behind. My kitchen design was one of those things I desperately wanted to leave in 2018.

I’ve been in my place for close to 2 years now and it’s still a work in progress. Trust me, if you want to learn patience, start trying to furnish and decorate your home. It seems like the list of things to do never gets any shorter. And if you’re like me, part of the reason for that is because you keep starting over.

Before

When I initially began decorating my kitchen, I had my heart set on wallpapering my “breakfast nook.” But when I couldn’t find paper I liked (and that was removable since I rent), I let my impatience get the best of me and decided to go the stenciling route. The stencil design turned out pretty neat, but I just… didn’t love it. Even after living with it for the better part of a year I still wasn’t quite sold.

“My kitchen design was one of those things I desperately wanted to leave in 2018.”

Head over to my Instagram ‘Decor’ highlights to see the installation process!

After

So, I decided to follow my first mind and go back down the wallpapering route. But this time I wasn’t going to settle. I searched every website, hashtag, and decor aisle on the planet…or so it seemed. I searched for close to 6 months.

I’d find ones I liked and that “would work,” but nothing that felt like “the one.” So I kept searching. (Between dating and decor, this seems to be the current theme of my life. lol) And a few weeks ago, I hit pay dirt when Tempaper released their Genevieve “Intersections” print in a new color way—black on black!

It was perfect! Luxe and masculine with a feminine touch. All the things I look for in home decor.

Applying the wallpaper was so easy I was able to do it myself without any help. Tempaper sent me 3 rolls of paper to cover the area and I—even after accounting for pattern repeat—still have a pretty good amount left over. (About one roll.) But I did have to open and use all 3 rolls.

For example, with the height of my walls, I was able to get 3 full stripes out of each roll. The fourth strip; however, would not cover the full length of the wall. So, instead of creating an unwanted seam in the pattern, I simply opened a new roll and saved that “fourth strip” for the areas above and below the window. (Unfortunately, I can’t give you an accurate estimate for how long it took because I was working on several other projects at the same time. Sorry.)

My order also came with a squeegee, which was really helpful! It made smoothing out the paper and pressing out the air bubbles a breeze. I’ve applied wallpaper several times before, but I’ve always just smoothed by hand. This was a much better approach.

Print also available in bronze or moss

 

I’m still learning the art of styling and my kitchen counters are my newest challenge. It’s all about finding the balance between functional and “fashion.” What do I leave out because I actually use it but that won’t make the counter feel cluttered and an eye sore? And what do I add for pizazz and personality without losing valuable counter space?

I’ll let you guys know once and if I figure that out.

There are still some changes I’ll likely end up making—painting the window trim, adding a runner for warmth, probably replace the chairs, etc.—but for now I’m so much happier with the direction it’s heading. Honestly, every time I look at the wallpaper I giggle a little. It’s just so so good!

Looking to incorporate some wallpaper into your space? You’re in luck! Use my special discount code—BLAKE15—on Tempaper Designs to get 15% off your purchase until 2/28.