Channeling Matisse: DIY Wall Decals

Matisse at the MoMa

Photo Credit: Matisse Exhibit at the MoMa

Matisse and I go way back. As a young girl, I felt his art was approachable, lively and colorful. Fast forward to my small-space design life, and I continue to channel Matisse in everything from  wall coverings to DIY-printed curtains. 

Matisse Inspired Wall Decals

The taupe walls in my compact master bedroom needed an upgrade, so I decided to make removable wall decals inspired by Matisse’s paper cut-out collages.

Matisse Inspired Wall Decals for Small Bedroom

White and taupe are one of my favorite color pairings so the cutouts are made from white-adhesive decal vinyl. The vinyl comes in a matte and a glossy finish. For this project, I chose a matte finish to feign the look of painted shapes on the wall.

White Vinyl Decal Paper

Silhouette Adhesive Vinyl

How To:

I drew six different shapes measuring about 7-1/2 inches tall and 6 inches wide. Print and cut each shape from card stock.  Place onto the white vinyl sheet and use a pencil to trace around each stencil-template. The adhesive vinyl was a little pricey so keep your pattern layout pretty tight to maximize every inch.

Matisse Cut-Out Template

Here are some Matisse-inspired stencils you can print:

Matisse-Inspired Stencil

 

Matisse-Inspired Wall Stencil

 

DIY Matisse Cut-Out Wall Stencil

Nutshell Tip: If a small corner of your decal peels away from the wall, use a dab of double-stick tape underneath the vinyl for extra support (the roller kind works great).