*This post is sponsored by State Farm®but all thoughts and views are my own; my social media fee was donated to Habitat for Humanity
Last year I started volunteering with Habitat for Humanity NYC as part of their A Brush with Kindness projects. I found the charity through the State Farm Neighborhood of Good website, which is a portal that helps you find local volunteering opportunities. The site is free and simple to use; it helped me to actually volunteer, as I had for a long time wanted to do so but never got around to signing up to something before last year.
Habitat for Humanity is a charity that works with the local community to self-build houses, as well as manage and carry out other community improvement projects. The charity is made up of multiple local chapters who are autonomous and work in their respective communities. Given my love for design and color, Habitat for Humanity New York City is the perfect organization for me to volunteer with. It’s so fun to get to go out and spend the day adding color and life to community centers in some of New York City’s public housing.
I had a thought of doing something a bit different for my birthday this year. Instead of having a party I decided to volunteer with loved ones and friends. Spending the day giving back to the local community whilst also spending quality time with the people I loved was the perfect way to mark my birthday. This all came about because the first volunteering day I did last year was so much fun! Everyone who volunteered on the day kept saying how nice it was to get out of their office and do something different, something where you can see the difference you’ve made in just one day. Last year, we transformed a kid’s classroom that was tired and old and made it bright, fresh and full of color – it felt so good to do something positive.
One of my favorite things about Habitat for Humanity NYC are their group leaders. They help you during the day but also give you freedom to make creative decisions, which is really nice. For example, in the community room we painted for my birthday volunteering event there was a large wall. The center told us they would like to use a light purple color but then the team leader gave us freedom to choose what we wanted to do. A group of us decided to do a herringbone wall and the group leader worked with three of us to plan out the wall, making suggestions and helping us to achieve the final look.
I thought it would be fun to share how we created the herringbone feature wall (and a big shout out to Zoe and Ashley who did all the hard math for our wall!). First, we gathered all the things we needed which were:
1. 2” inch painters tape
2. Chalk line
3. Measuring tape
4. Mini rollers
5. Paint brushes
6. Two different color paints
7. A pencil
FYI: This method assumes you like the existing color of the wall. If you don’t then make sure to paint whole wall a color of your choice and allow to dry thoroughly before starting.
Step One
Start in the middle of the wall and mark the center line with chalk, then decide how wide and high you want the pattern to be. We decided on our sizing based on the overall wall dimensions; we also had pillars so wanted to make sure you could see the pattern in between the pillars. We designed each of the herringbones to be 30.5 inches wide and 16 inches high.
Step Two
From the center line, measure the other vertical lines out on the wall based on the width of your pattern. For our wall this was 30.5 inches. So, we measured 30.5 inches from the center line in each direction and chalked these vertical lines onto the wall. Then, we repeated this until the wall had a vertical line every 30.5 inches (this would be at whatever width you have decided).
Step Three
On the vertical lines mark out the height of your herringbone, starting at the bottom. For our wall the height was 16 inches, therefore we marked every 16 inches with a pencil on the vertical lines.
Step Four
Start to tape the diagonal lines of the individual herringbones. At the vertical center line place the tape right at the bottom, near the floor, and then pull the tape diagonally across to the adjacent vertical line, and the tape should cross that line at the first point you marked (i.e 16 inches above the floor). Keep repeating this all the way between the two lines, tearing the tape off when you meet the next vertical line.
Step Five
Keep repeating step four so that you create diagonally taped lines between adjacent vertical lines. Remember to switch direction so the diagonal lines go up if they just came down, and vice versa.
Step Six
Now put painters tape on all the vertical lines.
Step Seven
‘Seal’ the painters tape by painting over the edges with white paint.
Step Eight
Now, start to paint inside the chevrons remembering to alternate the paint colors as you do so –
see below. A helpful thing to do is to mark each individual herringbone segment with its respective color before starting to paint. Let the paint to dry and then add a second coat.
Step Nine
Remove the painters tape and see the herringbone pattern revealed before your eyes!
If you have been inspired by this post to get volunteering or even have for your own birthday volunteering event, grab a group of friends and start volunteering! Be sure you head over to the State Farm Neighborhood of Good’s website to find opportunities in your area. All you need to do is put in details such as your location and some of your interests, and then it will give you a list of local volunteering opportunities. I hope you have as much fun volunteering as I do!
// Photography by Will Taylor
110 Comments
Such a lovely story. It’s always nice to give something back to your community. I love the design too. This would be great to brighten up a dull courtyard.
@Dale – I agree, so important. And I’m glad you like the design we did. Thank you!
Volunteering is so important, I really respect you for that Will! Also, loving the chevron stripes! They look great!
Have a great Thursday!
Michael
https://www.mileinmyglasses.com
@Michael – Awww thank you, Mr! The least I could do. It was so fun to paint this chevron pattern! Have a wonderful day. 🙂
Need to try this! So original 🙌🏽
looks gorgeous!! @calebmckusick
Been looking for a fun way to spice up my new apartment i just moved into with my love!! Now to get to work! Love it and love your blog!!
IG – @cjciavatta
This looks unreal!! Definitely pinning this post for when I’ve gotta renovatea a space!
I’ve been meaning to do a colour pattern like this on one of the walls of my den for ages! Love this look, Will! 🙂
@itsmattreid
Love this so much! Our walls definitely need some #makeyousmilestyle, maybe we’ll try this! @michreed0703 🙂
Very nice! I will definitely use it.
IG can be such a surface level community, and I’ve always appreciated your commitment to, what I feel at least, is very genuine content. Blending your background with a commitment to philanthropy is really inspiring. Keep it up good sir.
Also as a sidebar, your beach house turned out to be the actual cutest.
IG handle: @m_rysavy
As always you giving back your positive energy in form of volunteering, great doing Will! And the wall looks amazing x
@perykko
This is stunning! Looks like you are in a fairytale! ❤❤
Great organization! 👍 @badwulf88
I really love your work! It has given me inspiration for my next project. Keep up the great work, I’m looking forward to your future post!
Ig- ricardo_ortz
I love your style! The color you bring to every item makes me so happy just by looking at it!! Thank you ❤️ @etiennedou
Love the way you explore colors and patterns. The generosity and optimism of #makeyousmilestyle radiates through your volunteer efforts and everything you do, which is so needed in the world. Keep inspiring!
@johntupy
Okay this is awesome! And even better since you did this to help others. That’s definitely ‘Make You Smile’ style!
IG: instacaam
Ace colour choice! Defo doing this when we buy a place! IG: Noddy_Taylor
Your blog is stunning! We can see your energy through the content and the way you do your post and art. I love the colour palette, make my day here in London bright! :)) @barducco
You inspire me to try this but ill keep a can of white paint handy, in case i F it up 🙂
Love it and those colors are so pretty!
@_greg_watson_
I love it!
IG: austincsewell
Love the color and all the detailed instructions! Would also love that H&M gift card 🙂 insta: @msalyer87
Love your work as always! Positive vibes on this day from chilly Boston. x
@sbeij
So creative! Thanks for the help. Might do this for an accent wall in my living room! @thenicolawl
Thanks for sharing!! @alvinbondsii
Love your design style and use of bright colors. Can’t wait to work this into some of my own spaces!
@kylepbarber
Thanks for sharing this awesome practical project! I love a simple project that makes a great visual impact. I also love what Habitat for Humanity is doing for the world, so this partnership makes me very happy! Insta: @drawdrewdrawing81
Hi Will, wonderfull that you visit Europe.
I love your style. Since losing weight I always buy my clothes at the H&M
@dennies81
I absolutely love this idea of doing something memorable and meaningful on your birthday. And the design is super elegant yet playful I love it ♥️ IG: saadriaz25
This is great! I used to volunteer for Habitat with my dad when I was a kid growing up in Memphis, but nothing we did was ever as vibrant as this—keep it up! @billyandrews
This is actually super cool! I might have to give it a try! @ty_cc
Besides the fact that the wall is so so aesthetically pleasing and soothing to look at, the purpose behind its creation is what really draws my attention! Thank you for volunteering to brighten up our city and making it a teachable moment. Keep doing you 🙏🏼 @seth.nyc
Omg this is amazing, giving back to the community is always awesome (@elisearcy01)
Cute colours! Makes me smile & be positive. 😊☺️😌 @deiimis
Loving the symmetry, greetings from Venezuela! @ramondnc
This is the coolesg idea 💡, I love how you used the base colour of wall to create almost 3D image. IG: sumitmunjall
Hey, this is amazing! I love when people use their skill set for volunteerism, it shows such great passion! That’s why I love following your work so much. You put in so much thought and work into fashion, interior designing and photography. I also really really do love the design! Your work is simply fantastic. xo
@karansaxenableh
This is very inspirational! @mic_nc
Love the idea of a birthday volunteering event and this wall is so cool! Joe and I always talk about the interior design and art we want to do in our place when we move back to SF – this wall is great inspiration! Digging the #MakeYouSmileStyle
Great way to get plugged in and share some light with the world! @anarje
How do you keep your clothes so clean while painting? That’s the real tutorial I need! @alanilagan
Beautiful! @Vartanik for the H&M giveaway. 🤗
I love your style and determination. I’m really proud your action in volunteering, leaves a hope and chance for a greater and more colorful future. I look forward to see what your next job is. @ErickSecaira 🌈🙌🏿
Stunning! I’ve always loved a chevron accent wall but I’ve also been too nervous to implement the design in my own space for fear of it going out of style eventually. Thoughts? @cjonas03
Always wanted to give this a try! Might as well leave this post feeling inspired I won’t mess up my walls haha. Great post as always! @oleandres
You’re such an inspiration! I love everything you post!
@jnzryan
Can you paint my next house? haha
@fesgon
I have done mountain silhouettes on my wall before but never a cool geometric pattern such as this! Great idea chap! (@dandydustin on IG) 😉
How did I o my just learn that you have a blog?!? Goodness I’ve been following your Instagram account for a while. Must have been right under my nose and I missed it. That’s so awesome! I love volunteering. When my school went to Ecuador two years ago we helped paint a school and that was so wonderful! This year I’m working on my birthday so I can’t volunteer but I will be helping people!! My Instagram handle is tamaraellan
It’s great you volunteered your time to quite literally brighten up someone’s day/space! Keep up the colorful work! 🙂 – @migb22
Will this is amazing, I saw a brief clip of this too on one of your other social media outlets. It’s great your giving back to the community. It’s such a great inspiration, not to mention the wall paint idea looks fantastic! Also an inspiration for my home decor. Thanks for all the great things you do.
Best,
@yairbm
Looks awesome and very creative!! @_bernie1
I tried this one time! Did not turn out as great as yours but still enjoyed the process. Thank you for all your inspiration, I really do look forward to it everyday @joalmerren
Nice touch to an otherwise plain wall! Going to add this idea to my list of living room reno ideas 🙂
IG: @flurmazing
I LOVE this. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate your birthday and donate your time to a great cause at the same time. 😊 I really like that you can still see the original texture of the wall. Well done! @misterkevinmarshall
Love the colours mate! Do they have any organisations like this in the UK? @kimbletron
Love the design of the wall! And love that it’s meaningful. Also where did you get that sweater?? IG – @rush_hourrr
I am a fan of you since six months ago I started following you on Instagram. I love the way you win people to your way of thinking. This indeed meaningful and fascinating idea. Love your work and I am always excited too see your next work and movement. Greetings from Indonesia. @awirmuhtar
Incredible design .. I been dreaming with a wall like this one at home but I was unsure about how to do it. Now I have this blog which a great tool to go ahead and try it at home..
Thank for always being so helpful !!
@felipeemonroy
You have an awesome blog and page on IG! Such an inspiration and are #goals. Continue doing what you’re doing!
I love this spin on the traditional chevron pattern! And I love that you gave back on your birthday! Your content always inspires me. Keep up the good work!
IG: @jorhor
Great organization to volunteer for- way to go! I love the slider before and after feature you included. Great tutorial, keep up the great work! @liakosphoto
Looks amazing! @drjmac24
For painters tape is there a specific brand you recommend? I’ve used it before and the paint always seems to leak through that I’ve ending up going through the lengthy time of painting each corner very carefully with a smaller brush instead 😵.
As always though your work inspires me 🙌🏻 – @thepizzaiggy
@Crystal – Thank you! We use either 3M painters tape or Frog Tape (it’s green!) and I also dampen it before I paint to activate the glue more so it stops the seepage!
This looks amazing Will! Gotta love a colorful and cheerful feature wall with a cool and classic pattern. Keep up the fresh and lively design that characterizes you. Disfruta Barcelona!
@diegovarasc
Not sure what is more cool. That you volunteeredfor your bday and donated your proceeds from the post or that awesome design that all the kids get to enjoy now. Currently deciding if I’d be able to pull off painting that in my aptartment 🤔
IG: @padoran
What an awesome way to spend your bday! IG: @Katie_Kolberg
Great work and great organization!
@mattsatha
As always, love love love the work you do! I work for a nonprofit and plan these types of events, myself, and it’s no easy feat. We certainly couldn’t do it without amazing volunteers like yourself. 👍🏻 @morganok
I just wanted to say that I recently discovered your Instagram and am in love with everything about it. All of the bright color really brightens my day every time I see a one of your posts. Keep doing you!
IG: @villaloboslvc
I love statement walls like this! It was also subtle in a way and I love how it elevated the space! IG: @jonahpritchett
this is super cuteee! @rayhwut
The best way to learn is when you are helping. you are very special.
Will, as usual, love your content. Big time fan here since two years ago and your daily posts are something I look forward every time I open instagram. Love the way you balance you feed with home improvement and fashion sense. I have copied some of your outfits and I can say that it makes me look more stylish. Makes me want to do side by side comparisons between your shots and mine. And you also do volunteer work? You’re simply amazing. I would definitely like to meet you one day.
Would also like to get feedback from you, stop by my page and let me know what you think. @rookieten Thanks!
What a beautiful gesture for the community. Love it! @siddici
I would love to try this in my new apartment! Will try to attempt this and ahow you the results! IG: PeterJessyy
Cool in so many ways – happy belated birthday x
I wanna do that for my bday as well! @eduaardogz
Love it daddy!!
@cramos22
you are so creative and I love that it was not only life-giving to yourself but also for the youth. I love the colors you chose for the wall and how do you look so effortlessly stylish even while painting?! IG handle: @jandalovesjesus
I love that you spent your birthday doing volunteer work! I think I wanna do the same next year on my birthday! And on top of that the work you did turned out so perfectly!!
Can’t wait to see what more you come up with in the future!
IG: Andrewnolan92
2 things- first, I love a nice chevron accent wall, and the colors you picked are awesome! Second, you’re a brave soul for painting in such nice clothes!! I’m usually in ripped shorts and a ratty tee 🙂 @fish_tail96
This is awesome, I have lived your style since long ago.
IG: emmanueltapiag.
OMG!! This is really amazing! Such a great job!
@alissonpena
Can I get a wall patterned in Will Taylor??
@mhbeck
Love the design! @ssajkich
Thank you for highlighting the importance of giving back to your community! Your stunning final product shows that not only can giving back be rewarding, it can also be fun!
IG- @jcav_
Really neat article. Also love the aesthetic for your blog website! @theurbanwatch
That was so selfless of you to do and on your birthday to boot!! The chevron wall looks incredible!! 😍😍 @gospelofpatrick
Love it!!! Now come and paint a wall in my place 😂🤣
@dah85
Love that you make your birthday about helping others. Good karma definitely coming your way!!
IG – @shanewaddell
Love this chevron wall tip. 😉 You are a inspiration!
Kerry @colourspeak_kerry_
Best way to celebrate your birthday.. I did similar thing for mine as well.. And it was by far my best birthday ever..
IG: @limbecile_heureux
Totally love the idea of a group volunteering day for a birthday or something! Also definitely bookmarking this for the future ✌
-@trefor.f
What a great way to spend your birthday by volunteering! I love what you did with the wall! I’ve been thinking of attempting to do a chevron pattern in my home office, but I’ve been too intimidated to attempt it. With your clear instructions, I feel like I could be successful now!
ig: @dakotajthomas
You’re all heart. And the wall came out gorgeous. 💜 @madlybs 💚
So creative Xx love your work. @dominicjb
What a great way to give back on your bday. @crossfitemt
Wow.. You brings beauty to a wack looking wall…
Your painting skills is so good , and thanks for sharing with us the tricks to give happiness to ourselves and others.
I. G: Tao_vk
Such a cute idea! Love the colors. @jluis_m
So amazing, Will! Always love your work.
x
@lightboy_
Great pattern and color combo!
IG @rsantos24_7
It is one of the DIY things that one can easily follow to turn a boring wall into fun and chic. A person good with measurements can easily follow the steps to make the walls classy and elegant. Amazingly done. Love it. @sh0aibm0hd
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Perfeito as dicas nos ajudou muito em um projeto de pintura residencial, fera o trabalho que você realizou ficou um sucesso parabéns um grande profissional..
You are SO talented and SO creative! This is so beautiful, I absolutely love the colours and the pattern.
xx
Sabrina
http://mymiaou.com