In Search Of The Perfect Stencil (or Other Wall Treatment)

I’ve searched…and searched…and searched for a stencil for my utility closet, and I simply cannot find one that just knocks my socks off.

There are plenty that I really like.  For example, this Nagoya allover small scale design from Cutting Edge Stencils is one of my favorites:

And of course I love this Rabat allover small scale stencil, but I think the problem with this one is that it looks like a hundred other stencils I’ve seen used lately all over the blogosphere:

I have absolutely loved this stencil from Royal Design Studio ever since I saw it used at Peacock Pavilions.  This pattern is called Skylar’s Lace.  But I’m afraid it’s too busy for such a small space like the one I have.

Of course, these aren’t the only ones I’ve considered.  I’ve looked again and again at these two websites, in addition to a couple of others, for the perfect stencil.

I think there are two things holding me back.  First, stencils seem to be everywhere right now.  I think I want something different.  Second, I have such a tiny space to make a big visual impact.  I’m just afraid that these stencils—even the “small scale” stencils—will be too big to make any kind of design statement in my utility closet.

Then I remembered a room that I pinned on Pinterest recently with a wall treatment that I absolutely LOVE.  And since it doesn’t require a stencil, I could scale it to whatever size I need for my closet.  It’s timeless.  It’s classic.  It’s…

ARGYLE!

I love this!  I also like that I don’t have to purchase a stencil (which may or may not end up working for my tiny space), and that all I need is painters tape (which I already have plenty of), and that I could use any combination of colors.

Every time I thought I found a stencil that I really liked, I would come back to this picture, and I liked it so much more.  So I think I’m gonna go for it!

Do you like argyle as much as I do?  Or does it remind you of a sweater (or pair of socks) you owned in the 80s?

Edit:  I just realized that my blog design even indicated how much I love argyle!  My blog banner has an argyle background.  The separator between posts is a strip of argyle.  Yep, it’s meant to be.