2.11.2014

DIY Colorful Raindrop Decals {Nursery Accent Wall}

Several things happen when you sit nursing a baby for any great length of time.

  1. You begin wondering if you’d be able to walk to the kitchen and get the eggless cookie dough out of the fridge without breaking baby’s latch.
  2. You get an overwhelming urge to check and make sure your boob is still intact.
  3. You begin daydreaming about how you could improve the space in which you are nursing.

This, my friends, is how Kenley’s sweet and colorful raindrop accent wall was born. Terrible pun completely intended.

Adorable and easy raindrops accent wall!

Make your own colorful vinyl raindrop accent wall! Adorable, easy, and cheap.

The owner of the room approves and I’ve caught her studying her raindrops on a few occasions. When it was time to take her picture, though, she was more interested in studying the camera.

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One of my favorite parts about this wall is that it is completely reversible: the raindrops are made out of adhesive vinyl. Which means that I could rearrange them every day into random shapes like a pancreas, or a squirrel, or a squirrel’s pancreas, if I was so moved. Luckily for you and the squirrel I’d need to bring to an untimely demise in order to know what a squirrel’s pancreas looks like, I am not so moved.

colorful raindrops wall

I did some much-needed stash-busting and used up all of the white and green vinyl that I had on hand, and then ordered the colored vinyl on eBay. I made the raindrop template on my Cricut and then pushed a button and went and did other things while my Cricut did all of the work for me. Yes, you could probably cut out 200 raindrops shape by hand with little to no whining and drama, but to be honest I’d rather pursue that squirrel and his pancreas.

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When it was time to put them up, I did the white ones first, leaving space randomly between them for the colored ones. I did a fair amount of rearranging to get the colored ones where I wanted them—not too close to another one of the same color, evenly distributed across the wall, avoiding any sort of predictable pattern, etc. Organized chaos is my specialty.

Easy raindrops accent wall--perfect for a nursery!

When there were only a handful of spaces left, I used scraps of vinyl as placeholders so I could figure out how many more raindrops of certain colors I needed to cut out.

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As far as measuring goes, there was a TON. And by a TON I mean a ton of none. (Recall my use of the word chaos.) I just started sticking the raindrops up there and eyeballed the distances between them. It’s imperfect, but no raindrop ever claimed to fall equidistant from its neighbor…possibly because the word equidistant is above a raindrop’s primitive vocabulary. This system worked because I could stick, stand back, and adjust when necessary. I might have had to be a responsible math-favoring adult if I’d been using a stencil and paint.

colorful accent wall in nursery

Overall, the wall makes Kenley’s nursery my hands-down favorite room in the house, and in my opinion its sweetness is exceeded only by the sweetness of the room’s primary occupant.

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Total cost for the project: $12 and change for the colored vinyl. Total time on task: probably three or four hours uninterrupted by that cute little face. This project was definitely more time-consuming than it was difficult.

DIY raindrop decal accent wall

Have you ever made anything with adhesive vinyl? Who wants to hire Kenley to model their projects? Who wants to share my eggless cookie dough? On second thought, I don’t know if I am willing to share my baby or that cookie dough. Offers retracted.

Psst…you can see the rest of Kenley’s nursery here.

 

Linking up to DIY Showoff, Be Bold Challenge, and the Link Party Palooza!

80 comments :

  1. LOVE- so colorful and happy!

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  2. I LOVE THIS! It looks like you actually measured! Haha! But seriously, it looks amazing, and I love the colors!

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  3. Yes! I just put vinyl diamonds on our master bedroom wall a few weeks ago. I absolutely LOVE how this project turned out....the white and color mix is perfect!!! Great job! :)

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  4. i can't believe you didn't measure. if i didn't measure it would be all wonky.

    p.s. I am pinning this to my top secret baby board :)

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    1. Some got wonky....but that's the beauty of being able to move them :)

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  5. I love it! I never would have guessed you didn't measure. It looks so perfect!
    and for the record, I have managed to do #1 successfully on many occasions to get snacks :)

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  6. I adore this! It looks soo good! Just pinned it as a future diy idea. :) Stopping by from the SITS Girls linkup!

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  7. I think our new-mommy minds are subconsciously speaking to each other. I have been drooling over some vinyl polka dots for the boy's room (walls by mur) for months now (make them? what??). I'll probably be doing something similar when we move into the new place. I love the non-commital factor and I want to smooch your baby. Weird? no. :)

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    1. You could totally buy a circle punch at a craft store and make your own polka dots! Doooo it. It makes sense that you want to smooch my baby since you will be her mother-in-law someday. Of course my MIL doesn't smooch me often. But anyway. :P

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    2. You guys crack me up.

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  8. This is amazing! Is the adhesive vinyl repositionable, or is it permanent?

    When I first started reading the post, I was expecting all of the decals to cost a ton. I can't believe you did this for $12. I am going to have to start thinking about how to work this idea into my home.

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    1. Thanks Dianna! Yes, the vinyl is repositionable. I am now trying to think of other places to put it in our house!

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  9. Wow you really put a lot of effort into that wall and it looks stunning.

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  10. This is so cool, I love it! I wish I was more crafty, but this doesn't look too difficult to pull off, haha. Time to start thinking about where I can utilize this in my own home!

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  11. This is adorable! I love all of the colors + paisley curtains! So perfect! Stopping by from the SITS Girls Comment Love--have a great week!

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  12. I LOVE THAT SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The colors are FANTASTIC. Seriously obsessed.

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  13. $12! That's an amazing effect for $12. It's really pretty and unusual. Stopping by from SITS Girls

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  14. So pretty - love the colors and I bet baby does too!

    #SITSblogging

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  15. Kristin2/12/2014

    So adorable! Perfect frosting for her already adorable room. Speaking of sweets, how about sharing the recipe for your eggless cookie dough? :o)

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    1. I will have to get my husband on that--he made it for me :)

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  16. Agreed, it is a super cute project. I have made several vinyl projects. Here is a link to one that I did at church for the wall outside the youth room. http://craftycatspot.blogspot.com/2013/06/be-different.html
    I was thinking of putting some kind of boarder up around our Sunday School class room. It is 3 and 4th graders. I don't want it to be girly because I want it to apply for the guys too. I don't think rain drops are the shape to use either. If you have a suggestion on a fun gender non specific shape, I would love to hear it.

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    1. Hmmm there are lots of interesting shapes out there; maybe start by perusing Etsy (there are shops that sell decals like the ones I made) and see what inspires you!

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    2. Oh and that wall you made is SO cool! All of the arrows really look great! And it's a good message, too, especially for teenagers. :)

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  17. OK -- the pic of Baby Girl dressed in turquoise-figured outfit, in front of darling turquoise-beaded chandy, NOT looking at the turquoise raindrop beside her has got to be the most darling ever!
    I love Miss K's wall & entire nursery ~ you do such good work at creating & birthing things! ;)

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    1. aww Melody you are so sweet! And there's a slight chance I put Miss K in that turquoise outfit on purpose. ;)

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  18. I really enjoy the simplicity of this. It's colorful and attractive to the eye without being overbearing. Great job!

    Coming from the Comment Love Tribe
    -Elle

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  19. I love this wall!! I don't do vinyl work but I sure want to now! I have a friend who has all of the supplies I need, since she owns a store, so I should so something for my daughters room. It looks fantastic! And your daughter...OMG is so beautiful!!! That face!! Love! I don't know if I could share her either... or the cookie dough. ;) #SITSblogging

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  20. This is GORGEOUS, Erin! I'm so glad you commented on my blog so I could follow you here! The room is beautiful and your cute daughter is even more so. Happily following along!

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  21. It turned out lovely! And back when I was nursing, I totally could have walked to the kitchen without breaking the baby's latch. In fact, I could do laundry while nursing LOL. Hmm, eggless cookie dough - I could get behind that.

    Stopping by from SITS!

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  22. I love this for my own room! So lovely and colorful! Your daughter is a cutie, by the way! :)

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  23. I love this! This wall is my favorite thing today! I've wanted an accent wall but I'm afraid of doing a bad job. This looks completely do able.

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  24. Such a cute nursery, and what a fun idea! I love the pops of color that it brings to her wall. My daughter had polka dots on her wall that she loved as well. Stopping by from the SITS challenge!

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  25. I love this and I love love that it's DIY. Now I just have to get a Cricut!!

    Stopping by with comment love from the SITS girls and am now a new follower!

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  26. Gorgeous! I love the wall. It's super creative and so pretty. My favorite part, though, was the adorable picture of your baby, looking at the camera. Too sweet!!!

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  27. Wonderful ! I love this project, it's so simple yet so beautiful. The pic of your daughter checking out the water drops is lovely.
    Stopping by from SITS Girls

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  28. Love that wall! We saw a beautiful piece of artwork that was multicolored rain drops hanging from a papier mache cloud. The rain drops were various materials and I wanted to purchase it so badly, but knew I could make one. Which I haven't done yet, but this wall reminds me of it and now I really want to tackle that project again!

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  29. I love everything about this..the raindrops, the chandelier, the eggless cookie dough and...most especially...your adorable baby!

    Thank you
    best,
    diane
    napa farmhouse 1885

    Dropping by from SITS girls today.
    #SITSBlogging

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  30. That is a beautiful nursery. I love the raindrops. And your photos of Kenley are beautiful.
    #SITSBlogging

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  31. This is so beautiful! It's amazing how creative your thoughts can be when nursing. Mine are usually based around how often I can get up to grab something with Jj still latched on lol. I'm definitely pinning this for future reference.

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  32. The raindrops look great! And, I love, love, love the fabric on the window! What a fun room to be in!

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  33. Okay this is brilliant!!! I love the fact that you put this in your daughter's nursery.. super cute but also modern and not baby-ish at all! #SITSBlogging

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  34. Oh my gosh this is so so cute! I am totally pinning this for the future! #SITSBlogging

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  35. Such gorgeous pictures! Love the decor. Will have to keep this in mind for the distant future ;)

    #SITSBlogging :)

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  36. Such a beautiful room! Stopping by from the SITS list...Blessings to you!

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  37. So sweet!! And yes, I know exactly what you mean re: nursing!! I've got a newborn and things like that run through my mind all day/night long! Beautiful nursery decor - what a way to brighten up the space. #sitsblogging

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  38. I am pinning this like crazy. LOVE LOVE LOVE this. And it makes me want to make something for the wall right now.

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  39. LOVE! That is the most adorable nursery wall I've seen! I love how you used a lot of white with sporadic pops of color!

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  40. Super cute! I love how it turned out and how it picks up the colors in the curtains!

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  41. That is so beyond adorable!! Seriously love it! Great job and wow that must have take a while

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  42. This is beautiful! You did an amazing job!

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  43. Anonymous2/15/2014

    goodness! beautiful! Where is your PIN button!?!?!?!

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    1. Oh dear...I don't know? Must get on that. Sorry!!

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  44. This is the cutest room EVER! And, your pictures capturing your beautiful baby is precious!

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  45. Anna @authenticparenting2/15/2014

    Can I ask where idd you get that chandelier? Did you make it? My daughter is obsessed with chandeliers.

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    1. Hi Anna! I did not make it--I purchased it at Urban Outfitters several years ago. I removed one of the tiers so it wasn't as long. The link to the same chandy is here, but they no longer sell the aqua color:

      http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=27864560&parentid=A_FURN_LIGHTING

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    2. Anna @authenticparenting2/17/2014

      Thank you so much for answering! You are the best! :)

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  46. LOVE IT. And love that baby. This is so simple, but interesting, but still somehow soothing... ? I don't know how you did that all in one project. But the post is bringing back some memories of long hours spent nursing! Hope it's all going smoothly and boobs are still intact... as much as possible. ;)

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  47. This is SO awesome!! Love it! Thank you for sharing the how to!

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  48. fun...and refreshing! can I ask what paint color & sheen are on the wall?

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    1. Thanks! The paint color is Benjamin Moore Gray owl mixed 50% lighter, in eggshell.

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  49. Oh my gosh this is just too cute! I absolutely love it. :)

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  50. I love the raindrops! Such a happy wall.

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  51. Your nursery is so pretty. Very soft but modern. I love the raindrop wall!

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  52. Erin! I have seen this wall a few times through various blogs this week, and have absolutely drooled over it every time! I love the colors you chose, and the raindrops are such a different and cool idea for a nursery! Love, love, love it! Thanks for linking up to the Be Bold Challenge! :) Have I mentioned that I love this wall?

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  53. Gorgeous! Nurseries are just the best and I love how you managed to make your both soothing and fun at the same time.

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  54. Love the raindrops! What a fun way to make that wall into something so pretty and special for your adorable little girl!

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  55. What a sweet room and I love the variation in colors you used! I don't know what a squirrel's pancreas looks like either, haha, but I do know that the raindrops look perfect! I'd love it if you shared this at The Makers link party going on at my blog right now, http://upcycledtreasures.com. Hope to see you there!

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  56. Ooh la la... I love it... but you do have a typo, your design is not irreversible... it is temporary or easily reversible :)

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    1. haha wow...if you're the first one to notice, you're the first to say anything! You win the prize. :) That does change the meaning a bit, huh. :P All fixed. (Bad English teacher...)

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  57. Very, very cute! I absolutely love it! The colors are perfect!

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  58. You are the bomb dot com....and I never use that ridiculous phrase...so feel honored. ;) Seriously, Erin, love, Love, LOVE this. No wonder you got that email from BH&G!

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  59. Your wall decal just simple, i like this style very much, a kind of fresh and clear.

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  60. Wow, that's quite awesome!! Thanks for sharing this brilliant idea for home decoration!!

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  61. Anonymous6/19/2014

    I found your nursery picture on pinterst before it was featured in better homes and gardens. I followed the link and it took me to a store on ebay that sells vinyl wallpaper. Just thought you might want to know. Makes me question the legitamicy of the etsy company.

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    1. Thank you, I am aware of this and have contacted etsy. This was a while ago and they have yet to do anything about it.

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  62. Love the raindrops! Can I ask if you use a specific type or brand of vinyl? We haven't always had the greatest luck with our vinyl projects and you made it sound so easy.

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    1. Hi Tristin; I used Oracal adhesive vinyl--it's pretty much the standard kind you can buy in sheets. It really was easy! Good luck!

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  63. Hi, I just came across your page, OMG! I love this rain drop wall decals, You did a great job mama.
    Now, I am currently redecorating my boy's play room and going to do claud and raindrop, my question is how did you do the template for the raindrop?

    Thank you! xx

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    1. Hi Erwina; I'm not 100% sure what you mean by template but I used my Cricut and a program called Sure Cuts a Lot to make the raindrops. However, SCAL is no longer made for Cricut. Hope that helps!

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