Office Stencil Reveal: Tone-on-Tone Texture Above the Chair Rail

My small stenciling project above the chair rail in the office is finally finished. It took three sessions of about 4.5 hours each spread across four days so my hands could recover between sessions, but the end result was absolutely worth it. If you want a full walkthrough of the process I used, see my original stencil post for step-by-step tips and a video demonstration. In short: patience, careful taping, and the right tools paid off.

The effect is subtle and tone-on-tone: up close you see delicate, feathery texture, while from the doorway the pattern reads almost like wallpaper. Photos don’t capture the nuance as well as being there in person — the light and depth are easier to appreciate with your own eyes. Below are some shots from different angles and lighting so you can get the idea.

Here’s the same view at night. The stencil is much subtler in photographs but in real life it adds a quiet, sophisticated layer of interest to the room. We’re really happy with how it complements the bold teal built-ins and the colorful textiles in the dining room beyond.

From the dining room the stencil reads like a soft wallpaper—just enough personality without competing with the built-ins. We expect the balance to improve further once we hang artwork and add window treatments in the office.

Closer shots show the detail and texture much better. The subtle contrast gives depth without being loud.

Ignore the temporary elements in these shots — the too-dark chairs, lamps we’ll replace, leaning frames, an oversized ottoman borrowed from the living room, and a rug that’s not quite right. The finished pieces will come over time; the stencil was the main focal point we wanted to complete first.

The writing on the mirrors is our quirky to-do list system, and the pup you see is Burger, our five-year-old chihuahua, who is always my favorite accessory (tied with the bean, of course).

Paint Colors, Time and Budget

Here are the paint details I used for the stencil and a quick rundown of the time and cost. If you’re planning a similar project, know that stenciling takes longer than a simple paint job, but compared to wallpapering the whole area it’s far more economical and gives a custom look.

• Gray stencil paint: half tint of Moonshine (Benjamin Moore) color-matched to Olympic no-VOC paint, satin finish
• Grellow stencil paint: Sesame (Benjamin Moore) color-matched to Olympic no-VOC paint, semi-gloss finish

Time: 13.5 hours total across three evening sessions. It’s not a quick weekend paint job but it’s manageable and extremely satisfying when finished.

• Stencil: $54
• Martha Stewart stencil adhesive (from Michaels): $2.99 (with coupon)
• Foam brushes (from Michaels): $2.50 (with coupon)
• Quart of gray paint for stencil: $11
• Grellow paint for stencil: $0 (leftover; a test pot would be approximately $3)
• Total: $70.49

It isn’t the cheapest project, but compared to wallpapering this area it was a bargain and gives the same depth and custom feel. I’d happily pay more for this effect, but under $100 felt right for the scale of the work.

What’s Next

We still have plenty on our office to-do list, and we’ll tackle one project at a time to stay sane. Upcoming updates include:

• Adding window treatments
• Painting and reupholstering the desk chairs
• Hanging permanent art (those small leaning frames are temporary)
• Finding a more permanent armchair, ottoman, and a properly sized rug
• Replacing or refreshing lamp shades

If you’ve tried stenciling recently or updated a home office, I’d love to hear what worked for you. Stenciling is a great way to add texture and personality without committing to wallpaper, and when executed carefully it transforms a space into something layered and interesting.

Note: For a complete guide to my stencil application technique and more paint color photos, see the original stencil post that includes an application video and detailed tips.