Getting my stencil on.

Sitting room resolved! After confirming that the "piano" I thought I saw was actually a desk with one of those white wire shelves on top (pictured here - soooo embarrassing), we opted for a floorplan that created a sitting area great for making small talk or reading a good book. The chaise was a little bigger than I originally had the plans but I think the two bookcases will help soften the edges that don't exactly fit within the bay window.

NOTE: The bare wall in the bottom righthand corner will be used to display floating shelves, kid's artwork and some additional accessories currently TBD.

Now for the fun stuff! Since majority of the walls are either comprised of large floor-to-ceiling windows, bookshelves or a floating shelf and picture arrangement, it's not too huge of a risk to incorporate pattern on not one, not two, but all four of the walls. I know awesome, right?

To do this, I'm choosing to use an all-over wall stencil (also seen here in Jen's house) because I  1) can't stand the seams you get with wallpaper, 2) feel like I have more control over color choices and 3) like stenciling WAY more than wallpapering.

The pattern will need to be a lighter monochromatic in palette, larger in size and well defined to:

• prevent the smaller space from seeming too closed in
• play off the symmetry that's now been added to the space
• avoid looking too busy and overly decorated

I have all the colors narrowed down to Simply White (Benjamin Moore) and a soon-to-be-determined khaki color also in one of the pillows chosen for the space (great job, Chris!).

That leaves the stencil pattern still TBD. Now, I've "narrowed" it down with an etsy search to 9 different choices but am having trouble condensing any further before talking things through with the homeowners. Here's where I'm at, in no particular order:

option 1: taller pattern adding height, more open pattern,

blances boxiness of the chairs and bookshelves

(@ royal design studios)

option 2: very geometric, smaller pattern,

a little more neutral in terms of shape

(@ royal design studios)

option 3: very regal looking, a little more formal

(@ cutting edge stencils)

option 4: adding new shape to the room

(@ royal design studios)

option 5: compliments chair form,

curved edges play to chaise headrest, more open pattern

(@ royal design studio)

option 6: complimentary pattern to all furniture styles, a little more floral

(@ royal design studios)

option 7: more depth to pattern, same complimentary shape

(@ cutting edge stencils)

option 8: adds tons of texture, gives balance between two wall colors,

(@ royal design studios)

option 9: much larger design, larger gap in pattern, mimics dots on pillows

(@ cutting edge stencils)

I can honestly say I have no idea which one to recommend. Turns out, with the room balanced in terms of layout and shape, there isn't necessarily a need for one type of pattern over the other. I think the final decision will come down to comfort level, actual contrast in paint color and what the homeowners consider most relaxing or calming. Stay tuned!