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Dot Wall DIY

Today I’m sharing how we made the giant dot mural in our studio. It is a really simple process to make, all we used was acrylic paints and giant sweet potatoes. I based it off of this project I made with potato dots from a few years ago. In our studio upstairs there is a big room with floor to ceiling windows. One wall we needed to leave blank for photoshoots but I wanted some sort of mural on the other wall. We want to have craft nights and classes (announcements coming soon!) and so it needed a little somethin’-somethin’ besides a blank wall. In the future I want it to always be changing and have different artists come paint it but for now we have our giant dot wall and we love it. The details for making your own are below.

Make a Dot Wall with Potatoes! | Oh Happy DayMake a Dot Wall with Potatoes! | Oh Happy DayMake a Dot Wall with Potatoes! | Oh Happy DayMake a Dot Wall with Potatoes! | Oh Happy Day

Materials Needed: Acrylic Paints in every color (extra white paint for mixing), 4 Giant Sweet Potatoes (choose some that are similar in size and have a round shape in the middle), Large Ruler, Pencil, Paint brush, Paper Towels, Tin Foil (we like using this for our palette and to mix paint on.)

Step 1: Prepare the Wall. First measure evenly from the floor to get straight lines and mark them with tape. Our dots were about 3″ wide and we decided we wanted them 2″ apart. Take the ruler and the pencil put a little ‘x’ every 5″ until the whole wall is covered like a grid. (Don’t make giant marks because you can see them through the lighter colored paints.)

Step 2: Plan your Paint. Decide how many colors you want to use. (We used 22 total.) That included lots of colors we mixed by hand. Then count how many dots on the wall you will have (bust out your 3rd grade math skills.) We had 528 dots  so 528/22=24 dots of each color. It helps to know this number as you are painting because you can randomly paint your dots on the marks until you’ve painted the 24 dots. It helps keep the coloring consistent so you don’t paint too many of one color.

Step 3: Paint. Cut the sweet potato in half and make sure it looks round. (You can compensate a little if its a little off-shape as you are painting by twisting.) Take the paint and spread it out onto your palette. Mix in a little bit of water to make it a better consistency. Start stamping! Once you are done with one color move onto the next until you’re finished. After each color stand back and do touch ups with a paintbrush.

Step 4: Dance in front of your awesome polka dot wall.

This project took two people about a day and a half to do this giant wall. So grab a friend to help you! Also PRO TIP: The sweet potatoes get moldy if left overnight so have extras on hand.

How to Make a Dot Wall | Oh Happy Day dot-wall-progression

Photos by Oh Happy Day (Forgive the iphone photos–it’s all I had!)

  1. Erin

    February 18, 2014

    Great idea for a kids play room! Thank for sharing.

  2. Amy

    February 18, 2014

    Hello! I love the dot wall. But I also LOVE the white stacking stools. Can you share the source?
    Thanks, Amy.

  3. 2moiselles

    February 18, 2014

    Lovely inspiration!! It gives good energize to the room

  4. STEL Style

    February 18, 2014

    I really like your studio!! this wall is fantastic, you are so creative

    http://www.stelstyle.com

  5. Raya

    February 18, 2014

    So cute and easy! This would be so awesome for lunch rooms. Great idea, love it 😀 xoxo

  6. Jesse

    February 18, 2014

    being a polka dot fiend, this is right up my alley!

    http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2014/02/nelson-famous-green-beans.html

  7. Devan McCoubrey

    February 18, 2014

    Love this for a play room- adorable!
    http://www.faulknerlife.com

  8. Rebecca

    February 18, 2014

    This is so much fun! I love the colors, it’s so neat to see the progress photos too! Such a great idea to use sweet potatoes!

  9. Mo

    February 18, 2014

    Ok…pretty sure I’m going to have to do this. Great tutorial!

  10. lyndsay // coco cake land

    February 18, 2014

    the coolest!! yay sweet potato stamps!

  11. Traci

    February 18, 2014

    So fun. Colorful paint and polka dots are always welcome.

  12. alison

    February 18, 2014

    I love this! I ALWAYS think you are Rebecca in that picture! hahaha with the eyes closed! twinner BFFS!

  13. this is lemonade

    February 19, 2014

    Wow! What a great, fun idea! It really brightens and cheers up the room no end. Such a happy place to work 🙂

  14. Stephanie

    February 19, 2014

    Wow, this is too cute!

  15. Erin

    February 19, 2014

    this looks great. I don’t know where i would do it….maybe in a child’s room – might be a little stimulating for nursery? Very intrigued.

  16. alice

    February 19, 2014

    this is awesome!

  17. Pretty Philosophie

    February 19, 2014

    This is simply adorable!!!

  18. gris-gris

    February 20, 2014

    What an amazing idea !
    I can’t do this kind of wall in a renting house, but I keep this idea in mind for a next new personal home ! Thanks.

  19. Amber Marlow, theAmberShow

    February 23, 2014

    I’m so glad you put the progression photos on here. They’re awesome.

  20. Uli

    March 3, 2014

    I so want a dot wall!!! Thanks for the great inspiration! x

    http://www.ringforahug.com

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