LeCultivateur I had so many questions about my backsplash last week, so I thought I would share all the details with y’all.
You know those projects that you really want to get to, but in order to get to them, you have so many other projects to completely first? That’s how I was feeling about the backsplash in my kitchen. I really want to put up a beautiful backsplash, but that can’t happen until I get new countertops, which can’t happen until I redo my island. All of these things, counter tops, backsplash, redoing my island, are all things that are on the “wait” list. While I’m waiting to do all of these things, why not add a little visual interest to brighten up my kitchen? This stenciled backsplash was the perfect solution!
I started by painting all of the walls in my kitchen, including the backsplash area. For the paint, I used a discontinued Martha Stewart color called “cumulus cloud”, in satin sheen. This is my all time favorite wall color. It’s the perfect mix of warm gray, with just the slightest touch of blue. 
You cannot get this color mixed at Home Depot anymore, but if you go to Lowe’s and ask them to look up a discontinued Martha Stewart color, they totally will.
After my entire kitchen was painted, it was time to stencil!
The stencil that I used is no longer available, but here are some other great options. All of which would be perfect for a backsplash. 
. SOURCE
. SOURCE
. SOURCE
Using spray adhesive, I sprayed the back of the stencil, and then firmly pressed the stencil on the wall. Using a level, make sure your stencil is placed on the wall straight, and level. The spray adhesive helps keep the stencil in place while you are stenciling. Using spray adhesive was so incredibly helpful! The adhesive that I used, wasn’t insanely strong, yet it did the job well. If you get a spray adhesive that is really strong, it could potentially take the paint off of your wall, when you’re peeling the stencil off. This is what I used…
Also, you will need a stencil brush such as this one.
. SOURCE
You could get a more expensive brush, but this one worked perfectly for me. I never seem to remember to wash my brushes out, I end up throwing them away most of the time, so I hate to invest too much into a good brush.
Once the stencil was in place on the wall (I started in a corner), I applied a thin coat of my darker paint color. It is important that you don’t use too much paint on the stencil, or it will seep under the stencil and create a big mess. I blotted my paint brush on a paper towel each time before I painted on the stencil. For my top color, I used another discontinued Martha Stewart color called “schoolhouse slate”, also in satin sheen. It’s such a beautiful, rich color!
After I finished the first little section, I didn’t love it. It wasn’t turning out how I had envisioned. 
Sometimes when I’m getting frustrated with a project, and I’m not loving how it’s looking, it helps to leave it for a couple hours before finishing it up. I kept looking at it, and wondering how I was going to change it a bit to fit my style a little better. I knew that I would like it better if it had an aged, worn look. I grabbed a Mr. Clean eraser, got it slightly wet, and started to scrub. The paint had been drying for two hours, which was key. If the paint wasn’t dry, the paint would have wiped off completely with the Mr. Clean eraser. I was able to create a look that I love, simply by distressing it slightly with a wet Mr. Clean eraser! 
After you finish the entire backsplash, you could add a top coat to help protect the paint. I did not add a top coat, and haven’t had any problems with it. I can easily wipe any messes off of the backsplash, without damaging the painted design.
Simple as that, you’ve got yourself an easy, inexpensive, beautiful backsplash!
And, if you love these curtain as much as I do, you can purchase them HERE.
Thank you so much for visiting LeCultivateur!!! I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read my blog, and for leaving me such sweet comments! Y’all are the best!!!
~Emily
Check out where I have linked this project…. Blog link list
My curtains are due today….I am so sxcited! I like the backsplash stencil and the way you “aged” it too.
Yay! I hope you love the curtains! Let me know what you think of them💗
Ok, so I see your curtains on your blog, 20 minutes later, I have ordered them from Target. I get them a couple of days ago. I have spent hours trying to figure out how to get these hung up. I know I am not stupid but these are giving me a hard time of it! I finally figured out the long piece hanging on the back comes up aound the very top of the curtain rod is, right? I keep looking at your picture. Did you lay them out flat on a bed or at the window? Any help is appreciated! Once I get these up I will try to add a picture or two.
Steph
I hung them up in the window, untied. Once they were hung, I took the two ties, the front and the back, and then tied them up. I made the loops on my bows really big, this helps the ends of the ties not to be hang too low. After both side were tied up, I just fluffed the fabric to make them hang how I wanted them too. Hope this helps…if not, I can totally post on my IG stories of how I tied them.😊
Emily, it took my 40 year old son ( 6’4″ police officer nicest guy) to figure out I had them upside down! Anyway, I will take pics of them when they are both up and it is not dark. They are cute!
Steph
I’m so glad that you got them figured out! I can’t wait to see them!!💗
Well, I think these curtains are going back. They look super cute on your window but not so much on mine….sigh…I will live with them today but I think they are gpong back. Keep up the good work on your blog, I just love it!
Steph
I’m so sorry! Wish they would have worked for you too!🙁.
Thank you so much for the sweet words and encouragement!!💗
Emily what a super idea! I would of never thought about aging it with a Mr. Clean sponge. Thank you for sharing this great DIY project.
You’re so sweet! Thank you, friend!!!💗
Just looking at it I would have never known it was a stencil! It looks amazing and the Mr.clean eraser was a genius idea.
You’re so sweet! Thank you!!💗
It looks so good. I know you have a list of projects you want to do and, like me, because YOU aren’t happy with it, you don’t want to show how it is now. However I really think you should show your kitchen more often. It’s honestly really cute.
Now let’s talk about those curtains, shall we? You post pics of them and make me fall for them and every time I go to try and order them they are out of stock. Now they aren’t even available anymore. Sigh…..so not fair! I guess I will have to make some.
You’re the sweetest!! Thank you for always leaving me such encouraging comments!!! You’re the best!
This stenciled backsplash turned out so good! I might have to try this technique out! We are having our kitchen cabinets refinished next week so maybe once that is done! Thanks so much for sharing!
This stenciled backsplash turned out so good! I might have to try this technique out! We are having our kitchen cabinets refinished next week so maybe once that is done! Thanks so much for sharing!