Skip The Stencils: Add A Beautiful Floral Design To Your Walls With This Impressive DIY

Choosing colors and patterns that you love is a key part of any interior design project. In addition to eyeing the official paint colors of 2026, you may be wondering how to add a bit of creative flair to your walls. Stencils are one option, but what if you just can't find the exact design you want? Well, an artist who goes by Taelyn k Crosby on TikTok has come up with an impressive DIY alternative. In a video, Crosby transforms her boring kitchen wall using an item from her grocery haul. With a run-of-the-mill russet potato, Crosby creates a makeshift canvas for her own floral stamp design, infusing her kitchen with cottage core caché.

In the video, the TikToker carves a charming tulip stamp into two halves of a washed and dried potato. The potato is cut lengthwise, painted, and stamped across the wall's expanse. If you're ready to give this DIY a try, it's important to lean into some tips for adding stencil art to your walls. For one, be sure to start with a clean, smooth, dry, and dust-free wall. As for the potato carving, use a small paring knife, X-Acto precision knife, or a set of linocut tools. If you have a cookie cutter that you like, that's also a very simple option. Sketch some possible designs onto a piece of scratch paper before applying it to your spud. Once you've got your design, carve the shape about ¼-inch deep, taking care to avoid overly thin sections, which can break during stamping. If you mess up, no sweat. It's just a potato, after all — grab another and try again.

When you're ready to start stamping, thoroughly dry the surface of your potato with a paper towel, and add a thin coat of acrylic paint in your chosen colors with a stiff paint brush or sponge. Test out your stamp on a piece of cardboard first to practice pressing straight down and lifting straight up for the crispest results. As you stamp the wall, keep reapplying the paint in those thin, even layers so each stamp has consistent color saturation. Since potatoes are perishable and degrade over time, plan to get the job in one day because your stencil likely won't maintain its structural integrity overnight.

This technique, which is right on trend with the cozy and charming modern cottage design look, works nicely in kitchens, bathrooms, playrooms, and kids' bedrooms. The same block-printing process can also be done on a much smaller scale. Experiment using fabric paint on placemats, napkins, dish towels, curtains, or tote bags. For custom stationery to use yourself or give as a thoughtful, handmade gift, apply the stamp on sturdy cardstock and make notecards, gift tags, wrapping paper, or even custom framed art. The possibilities are endless, and it all started with a humble spud.