skip to main content

Stamping designs on walls

13 years ago

My first gardenweb post ever! We're redoing a small bathroom and I want to have a pattern on the wall but don't want to have to hang wall paper. I saw a piece in This Old House, Oct 2010, I think, where they used rubber stamps to stamp a pattern on the wall. That sounds neat! Has anybody done this and where can one buy large enough stamps in the US? The piece only listed a UK source. Thanks a ton!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

graywings123
13 years ago
I've seen this done on decorating shows using hand carved or cut stamps. A stencil would be an alternative.

How large a stamp are you looking for?
dilettante_gw
13 years ago
Stamping or stenciling would be a great alternative to wallpaper -- cheaper, easier, and no peeling!

I've been thinking about doing some stenciling in my house (when I get some other projects done). I hadn't really considered using stamps, although now that I think about it, my mother used stamps in a bathroom in a summer cottage we had when I was a kid. I think she made her own stamps, but I'm not sure out of what. It came out well, though, and gave it just the right rustic/primitive/cottage-y look.

One advantage of stencils over stamps would be that you could do multi-colored designs. Also, I think there's a greater variety of ready-made stencils available, including some historical designs (colonial, Arts & Crafts, Shaker, etc.). Try looking on eBay for stamps and stencils. Just be sure that the scale of the design is right - it can be hard to tell from photos.

Is this the article on wall stamping that you mentioned?

Here is a link that might be useful: This Old House Wall Stamping Article
Related Discussions
What color and design stamped concrete?
Q
Comments (8)
The photos don't provide a great grasp of your yard as they are taken from too close a vantage point and don't link well to each other. The off-the-shelf patio design, for which you provide a link, has some readily identifiable weaknesses (looping footprint, dining set placement directly in the main traffic path & grill space that looks tacked on) that you should eliminate if you adapt it for your use. I would not give too much weight to the paint color you have currently. It's possible that in a future paint job, it may be changed. For the most part, patio color choices -- colors or brick or stone -- will be compatible with any number of paint colors. I'd look for contrast instead of close matching. (Too much close matching can make it look like a government designed project.) You also might look for a color that is on the darker side. Sometimes, light colors can be blinding.
...See More
Stamped concrete bath wall tile dilema
Q
Comments (1)
I like the abrasive blasting idea. I'd waterproof it and install tile. Or better yet, wire brush it and install solid surface.
...See More
Found stamped plaster behind shower wall
Q
Comments (4)
I believe that the wallpaper is late 80's to early 90's I had that same type pattern put in our Master bathroom, during a new house built in 93. The colors were darker...in reds, greens and blues. LOL Had matching bedspread, too! Lol I believe it may have been Waverley.
...See More
Does anyone know what this is? Stamped plaster? Wall tile?
Q
Comments (10)
When there are four leaves I think it’s called a shamrock. Honestly, I thought it was four hearts. With the repeated pattern and marked irregularities in installation, it does resemble tile a bit. Actually it looks like a decorative garden tile that has been painted. Painting over grout makes the grout disappear, but any of those depressions could have carried grout. While it could be a stamped tin tile, they rarely come with such a deep relief. It doesn’t matter what the material is, it matters whether you like it and want to keep it, or would like to remove it. Should you choose to remove it your mystery will be solved.
...See More
izzie
13 years ago
What a neat idea. I hate wallpaper but the stamping looks like a good idea. I found a site that sells some good options. The one from the previous post stamps are from England.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hot potatoe stamps
prabha100
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Izzie for the link to Hot Potatoes. Their stamps look smaller than what I'm looking for, but I'll poke around their site. I'd like stamps that are at least 4 inches across. I'd probably go for circular ones.
Stenciling is a great idea too. And it might be easier to find large enough stencils.

Prabha
bigdoglover
13 years ago
WOWIE! Dilettante, I love those English stamps -- especially the Classic and the Christmas ones. To me, well worth the extra postage to get them.

Prabha, looking at a couple of the English stamps I liked, I noticed you can get them in three sizes, the largest is 4 inches, so maybe that would work for you after all. They are gorgeous. Here's the actual site

Here is a link that might be useful: English stamps
prabha100
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Dog Lover. (I love dogs too!) English Stamps does have the best looking stamps around. I was hoping to avoid paying more for postage, but if I can't find US source stamps that are as good looking, I'd spring for the postage.
acornsales
13 years ago
stamping is actually good idea ..... try acornsales.com for designer and art rubber stamps, for sure you will find the large size rubber stamp , stilll you can order the size you want , they have niche in manufacturing custom made rubber stamp.

Here is a link that might be useful: Art Rubber Stamps

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Stamp, Stencil, Paste: Try a New Pattern on a Wall

By Laura Gaskill

Here are 10 ways to create a feature wall with classic and contemporary designs

HOUZZ TV Houzz TV: Create Your Own Mural Wall With Easy DIY Stencils and Stamps

By Mitchell Parker

Artist Kristin Nicholas shows us how she makes her one-of-a-kind art walls. Watch the 3-minute video

ECLECTIC HOMES My Houzz: Austin Couple Put Their Stamp on a Bright New Home

By Heather Banks

They personalize their modern architect-designed spec house with warm midcentury furnishings, custom details and creative DIY touches

BEDROOMS Bedrooms With a Personal Stamp of Style

By Love Your Room LLC

Connect With Your Space With Color, Collections and Accessories With a Story

COLORFUL HOMES My Houzz: A 1904 Georgian Colonial Gets a Personal Stamp

By Hoi Ning Wong

Art with a sense of humor rubs elbows with 17th-century features in a 7-bedroom home in a tony Silicon Valley neighborhood

MORE ROOMS Living Rooms With a Personal Stamp Of Style

By Love Your Room LLC

Get Inspired to GIve Your Main Hangout Space a Look That's Yours Alone

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Houzz Tour: Milan Architect Puts Her Stamp on Her Space

By Giulia Zappa

A 19th-century balcony apartment in the city’s lively Navgli neighborhood gets freshened up

MORE ROOMS Dining Rooms With a Personal Stamp of Style

By Love Your Room LLC

Let Loose With Favorite Colors and Finds On and Around the Table

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Postage Stamp Garden Delivers in Boston

By Annie Thornton

A designer conquers an urban challenge with a private, green, modern space that honors New England tradition

DECORATING GUIDES Stroke of DIY Design Genius: 14 Crazy Cool Hand-Painted Walls

See how these homeowners used paintbrushes and permanent markers to create custom wallpaper

Sponsored

J.S. Brown & Co.

77 Reviews

Columbus Leading Full Service Design Build Firm

More Discussions

Help with choosing exterior colors for blonde brick

11

Shingles color for my Tudor!

8

Desperate Exterior Paint delimma

2

Trim Paint - help!

4

White Dove Alternatives?

0