How To // Lemon Print "Wallpaper"

One of the nicest things about living where I do is that I have control over the walls and can paint whenever, whatever.  My first project when I moved in was to redo the kitchen.  Previously, it had very dark wood cabinets and a burnt orange wall color.  Way too gloomy for such a small space.  After painting the cabinets grey (Behr Dolphin Fin), I wanted to add in some yellow (gray and yellow are my favorite colors), but didn't want a full on yellow wall.  Enter this tutorial. Here's how I made it my own!

What you need

• Sponges (regular dish ones are fine)
• 3 different yellow tone paints
• 1 green paint
• Paint brush
• Scissors
• Drop cloth

How long it will take // 1 hour for about 5 square feet of wall - it's quick once you get it down

Steps //

1. Cut out the general shape of a lemon from the sponges - I found it easiest to trace it first. One for each shade of yellow you have
2. Cut out two thin ovals for the leaves
3. Starting with the lightest shade, use the paintbrush to coat the front of the sponge - you don't want the sponge to be dripping or over-saturated
4. Carefully stamp, starting at one of the corners of the wall.  I found that I could get a couple of stamps out of each paint dip.
5. I was pretty sparing with my stamps the first round, just to be careful, and ended up going in with a few more once the whole wall was done
6. Once I had finished the walls, I cut the sponge in half on an angle and used it to place a few lemons on the edges of walls and under cabinets.
7. After letting the first color dry a bit, repeat with the two darker colors.  I overlapped some, left others on their own - it's up to you
8. Once the yellow is fully dry, repeat the process with the leaves