Black and White Cross Hallway Wall
I’m so excited to share my hallway with you guys today. It’s one of those things that I’m completely smitten with. I’m a sucker for graphic patterns and especially black and white patterns. Always have been, just ask my mom. The black and white cross pattern makes me so happy.
Black and White Cross Hallway Wall
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When I spotted the Pia Wallen Large Cross Blanket, I had a light bulb moment and knew exactly what I wanted to do in my hallway. If you have been following me for a while then you know that I have been itching to change my hallway. I was so tired of the stripes.
Paint colors used:
The white that I used for the wall is from Valspar and it is eggshell Ultra White (7006-24).
The black for the accent wall is also Valspar and is eggshell Dark Kettle Black (4011-2).
All in all this project didn’t cost me anything because:
- I had the black wall vinyl (I have a huge stash of all colors)
- I had a Lowes gift card from Christmas to buy the paint
- I had the star chandelier, which is an old Pier1 candle holder. I had recently rub-n-buffed it gold. All I had to do yet is paint the pendant part gold to match the star and hang it over the light bulb.
It’s a classic work with what you have project for me since I also had the owl already. Do you remember my H&M dishtowel canvas art? That’s what it is and it looks so much better there.
I retired the cardboard deer head for now. I had him for almost 5 years and I felt it was time to stash him away.
And here, just as a reminder to show you what the hallway looked like before:
Some interesting facts and meanings about cross illustrations like this:
- White cross on black background stands for the Cornish Flag aka the flag of St. Piran which represents white tin flowing from the black rock, or good overcoming evil.
- Black cross on white background is the flag of the Duchy of Brittany, Kroaz Du.
- White cross on red background is the flag of Switzerland
- Red Cross on white background is a sign of protection under the Geneva Conventions. It is not a religious symbol.
Who invented the cross?
It is unclear who invented the cross in human history but its beginnings were likely to originate with the Assyrians or Babylonians. The cross was then used systematically by the Persians throughout the 6th century BC.
Alexander the Great brought crucifixion to the eastern Mediterranean countries by the 4th century BC. The Phoenicians introduced it to Rome a century later.
The Romans used crucifixion for more than 500 years and the emperor Constantine prohibited crucifixion in the 4th century AD which was 300 years after the murder of Jesus.
Today, the wooden cross/crucifix is the universal symbol of Christianity (Christian cross).
Instructions:
- paint the walls the base color, in my case white and let it fully dry for a couple of days
- the rest of this project is as simple as measuring the distance of the crosses and then sticking the decals on the wall. So easy!
The floor has also changed since taking these photos and you can read why I chose Karndean vinyl plank flooring instead.
The door you can see above leads into our powder room which is now also in a black and white pattern, a little black squares stencil wall to be exact. For that makeover, I used a stencil that I made and a sharpie to create the pattern. Yup, once again it’s not wallpaper!
And that vanity is the original builder-grade vanity which I painted, replaced the door, and gave the vanity kickplate a makeover to make it look more like a dresser.
I also DIYed a white cross with black background closet. Love the reversed look when you open the door in the hallway.
I’m so happy with my new hallway and Pier1 candle holder chandelier. And I’m currently working on the reversed color combo. So check back next week (UPDATE: HERE to see the closet)!
So very bright and fun! And yes, you should add the crosses to your shop. (maybe in other colors too) Have a great day!
I think I will 😉 thanks!
Julia – that wall is AMAZING!! I am loving the black and white and would never have thought to use crosses…I am a huge owl fan and he looks gorgeous on that black wall! Great job!
Thank you so much Cheryl!
Wow, this is so unique Julia, I love it! Your clever ideas always surprise me. I love the star light too. Where is it from? And yes, you should definitely add these to the shop!
Wow, such a difference, it looks great, so much brighter. And your owl also looks great there.
Vielen vielen Dank Christine 😉
oh my wow. julia, you freaking knocked it out of the park! blown away.
Love this space! One thing that caught my eye after inn admiring this awesome transformation is the cut out in the door for the cats. Do you have a tutorial on your blog on this? I need to do this for our laundry room for the cat’s to have access to their boxes. Thanks!
Oops sorry for the late response Heather. The little door is called the cat hole and you can buy it on Amazon here:
http://www.amazon.com/Cathole-Chwm-Door-Removeable-Brush/dp/B000AU64PK
And I did a wall decal for the hole in our basement:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/163221014/wall-vinyl-cat-toilet-litter-box-sign
Hope that helps.
OBSESSED!!!! You know how I was talking about painting over my stencil. I WANT THE CROSSES!!! 🙂
L.O.V.E this! What a transformation! Maybe, my favorite of yours so far! Do you feel like the Valspar Ultra White comes off like a true bright white in person? I’ve been on the hunt for a great white (after nixing BM Decorator’s White). We have quite a few spaces that are darker with no natural light so I need something great. Anyways, I LOVE your hallway and that owl art is still one of my favorites.
Thanks so so much and yes I adore the white. All my other whites look dirty now and I created a ripple effect 😉
This is crazy, insane good! It came out so fantastic and I’m a huge fan of graphic black and white. Plus, the owl print…love!
Angela @ Number Fifty-Three
This is fantastic Julia! I am in love with that light and the owl!
Simply stunning!! And your photography is gorgeous too!! Sharing on facebook today:):)
xo, amy
Wow, I wish my tiny hallway was half that spectacular. I love every tiny little detail. What caught my eye is the kitty kat door…… you know me, I pay attention to the critter stuff a bit more. I know I have seen the door before but it is special.
Forgot to answer a loud YES to sell them. And I would love to make a light pendant like your gold one…. even if out of cardboard….. wondering if I could make one and attach it to the ceiling in my tiny dining room….. these new light bulbs don’t get so hot as incandescent ones did…. thinking.
Outstanding!! What an impact the contrast makes. I’m new to your blog so wondering about what appears in one photo of the bathroom. Do you have gold circles on the ceiling? Would love to see a picture of that room as I’m wanting to do something with gold dots in either a spare bedroom or spare bathroom.
Hi Andrea and thanks so much!
Here is a link to that room: https://cuckoo4design.com/2013/03/the-powder-room.html
And I just posted on Monday about a customer who shared her nursery photos with me where she used the dots:
https://cuckoo4design.com/2014/01/another-cute-gold-polka-dot-room-project.html
Which are sold in my Etsy shop 😉
Thank you so much!
Perfection.
wow….wow
It’s so refreshing. Great!
What a transformation! Love the colors…great artwork and that ceiling light…awesome!
That is so cool!! What a great idea. Well done, as usual 😉
Thanks so much!
That looks awesome! Everything about it looks amazing. Good job!
Hello Domino or Lonny!!! That’s exactly where this hall belongs! Julia, it’s SO chic and gorgeous! I’m dying to paint everything white stat!
I literally cannot get over how much I absolutely LOVE this space! You nailed it…100%!!!! Great job, Julia!
And YES, add those to your shop!! 🙂
oh, wow—it looks SO GOOD! nice work….and, yes, definitely add the crosses! (I’m pretty sure I’m going to be ordering something from you for my bathroom soon :))
so crazy impressed! I absolutely LOVE how it turned out! I’ve never worked with wall vinyl before, what did you have to do?
I’m so happy with your new hall, too! I love me some B&W!
Oh my gosh Julia, that is one rocking hall way. So good. That owl. So fab for that space. I love that cat-door in your door. So smart. I love everything about this design. That cabinet is beyond awesome!!! Love everything!!
Yesterday after I saw your close-up teaser, I was looking at my entry hall and thinking…. copper crosses on this wall… hmmmmm 🙂
Love love love Julia! You nailed it! I have seen that blanket a couple times on IG. Love the pattern! Translates so well on your hallway. I thought I loved the stripes but of course that was before you blew me away with this! Way better:)
Laura
So awesome Julia! Love it so much that I’m burning the pancakes I’m cooking. Can’t pay attention to anything else ;). Beautiful!
Wow! I never would have thought to do something so bold but it looks really great.
I think my theme for 2014 is go bold LOL. Thanks so much!
It looks great!
It’s fantastic!!! i actually wanted to do our entry way in gold crosses, but haven’t got there yet. I really like that black and gold combo though.
It’s gorgeous! Seriously love it so much. I love the black/white/gold combo!
Simply marvelous! You’re a rock star, Julia! I love the wall. I have seen a similar blanket around and want it even more after seeing your gorgeous hallway.
This looks great! I love the crosses and the light fixture together.
So freakin’ awesome! Especially with that owl art. (I may actually have squealed when I saw it.)
I really liked your stripes because they are a bit different from the rest of the striped hallways out there in blogland…and there are many, but the crosses are SO unique and spectacular! Wow. I was just thinking this morning about paint options other than stripes and chevron, both of which I’m over. This is great.
Thanks so much! I will always love stripes, I have since I was a little girl but I am also glad there are other options out there 😉
Man, that turned out crazy good.
Thanks so so much Nick!
Loooove it Julia. I wouldn’t have had the guts to go this bold. And the light!!! Drooling………………..
THIS IS COMPLETELY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this pattern! It looks SO good! I love how it looks with your light floors. Yay!
Love it Julia!!! It is so bold, modern, and I love all the gold accents!
I was thinking about purchasing your star decals for one wall but not sure how many I would need. Any recommendstions?
Kayla
Julia, this is so super cool. And completely unique – I haven’t seen anything like it. So striking!
I am late, but I have to tell you that I am CRAZY about your hallway makeover! You have the perfect eye for these things – the black crosses mixed with that black accent wall, the owl art, and the gold light fixture are KILLING ME! Seriously, you are so talented! I love it!
this is very cool. like sooooo cool! LOVE IT!
It looks amazing!
Thanks so much 😉
love the contrast!! It’s perfect!
Umm yeah…Seriously with this hallway, though!! GAH! Its so freakin good Julia. There’s really not much more to say than that!
OBSESSED with the star light fixture! Where did you find it?!
THANKS! It’s an old Pier1 candle light holder that I converted to a light fixture 😉
Ok, now I need to know if you did a tutorial on converting it to a light fixture somewhere? I have TWO of those from my days working at Pier 1 and I cant tell you how many times I’ve almost put them in a yard sale because they’re just like weapons( deadly sharp metal points). Help a girl out please…
Ive even got gold spray paint on hand. Just need the overall idea for how you converted it.
Ok I’m officially obsessed with this! So freakin’ good!!! Gold black and white, are there any better colors than that!! Love!
I’m in love! Like head over heels, out of my mind love with this hall! I asked Nick the other day if I could just do this instead of wallpaper in the living room. He said no. I’m going to show him how incredible this looks!
Wow I am so in love, this is definitely the best I’ve ever seen. It’s beautiful creative and unique. I’d do anything to have this in my home.
Thanks so so much! It’s so easy to do too! You could totally do it in your home 😉
This looks great! Such a unique wall treatment and looks amazing.
Wow! Amazing stencil work! Looks killer!
Wow! You’ve done an AMAZING job, Julia! I love how your hallway looks, especially that owl! If you add those vinyl crosses to your shop, I’ll buy a set (or two…or three)! 🙂
WOW!! It is STUNNING. I could stare and stare at that hallway all day.. The light was such a perfect touch too!
I love this pattern on a wall! I actually just made some curtains with the same pattern using white IKEA curtains and a potato stamp. They are my favorite thing in my house!
http://tashiadoyle.wordpress.com/2013/09/18/ten-projects-project-1/
Im dying over this. Not only because I love the black and white, but because I used to manage Pier 1 stores and I have TWO of those same star candle holders!!!!!!!! Those babies are like weapons, are they not?! 🙂 Ive held onto them for over 10 years knowing, just knowing that some day Id see a different way to use them. I officially love you now:)
Love the update! Looks fabulous. Black and white is so classic!
Looks awesome! I featured you on my Weekend DIY
http://craftsmitherz.blogspot.de/2014/01/weekend-diy-statement-wall.html
Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely beautiful! I may just have to adapt this idea for my own room… Hmm… 😀
Thanks Kae! Good luck with the project!
Very, very cool. I love the black and white crosses! Very chic!
I saw your link on the Vintage Revivals Rock What Ya Got party and had to pop over because last week I just posted about a DIY project inspired by the same Pia Wallen cross blanket!!!
http://www.lifeinprojects.com/2014/01/pia-wallen-cross-blanket-inspired.html
Your hallway walls look incredible!
-Liz @life in projects
Love this project!!! Where did you get the owl picture?
I am so crushing on your hallway. Seriously, this just got me inspired to make over my own boring beige hallway!
Thanks so much Tyler. I’m glad you like it and good luck with your hallway transformation.
Cute site but what i’m not seeing is any help to your loyal viewers, or perhaps I am missing the point? It’s a blog where you show off your cute d.i.y’s but you’re not actually linking to any help pages or listing directions? I’m not understanding the point of this blog except for you to show off and sell your Etsy items. #lame
Hi Clara, I’m sorry you feel this way. I’d be happy to help you if you need help or directions. This is the first time I have received this complaint. I have lots of actual tutorials though that do not include a highlight of my Etsy shop items. I only have 4 items in my Etsy shop.
Hope you have a great evening.
Hi there Julia! Beautiful space. I came across this post from a link off Pinterest which brought me to your blog and then I just started perusing around on it.
I am OBSESSED with that owl print, and have been looking for one. I swear I’ve seen this one before but cannot remember where. I tried looking in the previous comments to see if you posted where you got it, but did not see that anywhere. Can you share where you got it from?
Thank you! Definitely will be reading more of your blog 🙂
Hi Rebecca, thanks so much! I actually made the owl print myself from a dishtowel. You can read more about it here: https://cuckoo4design.com/2013/10/dishtowel-canvas-art.html but I don’t think they sell that dishtowel anymore at H&M. Maybe you can find a similar one at a different store. Good luck, Julia
Hi Julia! Thanks for the reply! I KNEW that was where I’d seen it. After I commented, I remembered I’d seen it on a pillow that H&M sold, but when I looked it was gone…their stuff sells quick. But thank you so much for taking the time to respond, I do appreciate it.
Love your house, you’ve done some great things with it. You have a good eye for style 🙂
Thank you so so much for the sweet words. I was just thinking and they have some owl dishtowels at West Elm I think. Not the same as this one but nice too. Have a great weekend.
That light is amazing!! So beautiful! 🙂
Thanks so much Jane
You’re welcome! You have wonderful taste! 🙂
Such great makeover! Loving the black and white spaces right now and yours is truly amazing! xox
Thanks so much! I love black and white too.
What an incredible makeover! Currently loving the use of black and white spaces, and yours is truly stunning! xox