Is wall-stenciling (words) naff?

[LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary]

I am very worried about being naff.

Thanks.

[RaphaellaTheSpanishWaterDog]

I stencilled a Latin quotation "ars est celare artem" (roughly translated as - "true art conceals the means by which it is created") on the wall above an archway through to the back of the house in the hallway at a previous home.

This was in 1999/2000, so I believe it predated the current trend which I can't stand personally, for two reasons really - 1) most of the phrases are too bloody obvious in what they're telling us to do - like we don't know the point of a bath is to "bathe"! and 2) every other person seems to have them, thus showing they have little imagination to do something that bucks the trend

Our decorating/furnishing is very much in sympathy with the Arts & Crafts Movement when these quotations appeared fairly frequently - on furniture etc - so it seemed fairly apt. We have also both been designers so again it was a nod to that. Even so I concede that I was in no way being original in choosing to do this

However, I loved seeing the look on guests' faces when they thought they saw the word "arse" on our wall the minute they came through the door

By the time we moved to our last house the trend for these stencilled/sticker words had taken off big time, so despite really wanting to do something similar in Latin there, I restrained myself for fear of appearing to jump on the proverbial bandwagon.

To the OP, if it's what makes you happy and you're not just doing it because everyone else is/has, I'd say go for it!

[LastTripToTulsa]

Yes it is akin to those keep calm carry on .... Whatever ... Grrr . How about using wire to shape the words and putting it on a shelf or something

[Cherryblossomsinspring]

Very very naff. Along with feature walls. And please god avoid the inspirational quotes. Really really not my cup of tea (but you can have whatever you like in your house:).

[SaulGood]

It's unbearably naff. But you live in your house and you should please yourself. I don't like it when people are trying to sell and they post on here and people say 'remove all of your belongings, paint everything beige and stick the dc in the loft and pretend they don't exist'. Your house is your home, do what makes you happy.

8yo dd has a Les Mis themed bedroom and has a Victor Hugo quote on her wall. It makes her very happy.

[thecatfromjapan]

Damn. Shod take you to a Pinterest page with words/phrases in handwriting style neon on walls.

But ... I am not yet good at phone links.

[thecatfromjapan]

You could try neon;

is boring neon sign image I hope this works

But I really think you should do what you want.

[stardusty5]

OP i share your naffness fear paralysis. I fear i will never decorate my house in case i get it wrong

[StayWithMe]

Lol. I envy your dedication to bikes. I used to be very fit but the last couple of years have been emotional so I've got to the dark stuffing my face side. I will get back on track eventually. I love getting ideas from Pinterest but have never been interested in keeping up with the latest trends. I'm currently trying to make a very unfashionable patchwork quilt with my dear late husband's shirts. This is my home and I want it to be welcoming to people. Though I'm not sure if my sil describing it as homely was a compliment or insult.

[bikeandrun]

My user name probably hints to why my house is full of bikes( to precious to live in the shed) drying kit and a strange mix of hand me down furniture and mid noughties Ikea as purchasing said bikes has left me too skint to do any better. Probably not the best person to comment on an interior design thread but mn moves in mysterious ways!

[StayWithMe]

I'm more sitandcomforteatwhilethinkingofallthethingsineedtodo but that might be a bit of a long name.

[StayWithMe]

bikeandrun I love that. I also feel tired just reading your name.

[bikeandrun]

I think the best way of insuring a fashionable home is to look at what has become naff ie Linda barker 1990s and go for it, this works best if you are quite slow at diy. By the time you have finished you will be achingly hip. My pil 70s g plan furniture is a fine example of this.

[hotCocolepew]

Why do you care if a bunch of internet strangers think its naff or not? If you like it do it.

[StayWithMe]

I've just looked on Pinterest and there's lots of examples on there. Do what makes you happy OP. It's your home. Enjoy.

[LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary]

Thanks Lavender!

[LavenderLeigh]

WIth your cheery disposition, I think you might just carry it off, OP!

Nice to see someone taking "yup, it's naff" on the chin and saying "what the heck, I like it".

[LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary]

Lol, thanks for the advice, guys!
I have no plans to sell or go on come dine with me.
Or invite any guests into my bedroom...
So I might just DO IT!
:-)

[ProcrastinatorGeneral]

Naff as it comes, however when I decorate my middle child's room he's having a minecraft theme and he's asked for 'eat, sleep, mine' to be on his wall to match his hoodie

[Eminybob]

I have the live, love, laugh one in my kitchen. I do sometimes worry it's naff, but hey ho, it's my wall, I like it.

I was actually looking for a piece of artwork for that particular wall, months and months of looking and finding nothing I liked I stumbled across the stickers for £1.50 or something on Amazon. It'll do until I find something better.

[Northernlurker]

Yes it's naff and yes the quote you want is VERY, VERY naff. But it's your room so feel free. Just get the wording on straight!

[NerrSnerr]

If you like it then go for it. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

I prefer 'shag enthusiastically, god's awake'

[ClashCityRocker]

If you like it, go for it. Everything's naff sooner or later.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Yes, very

I'm naff though and love it