DIY striped walls transformed this space into a chic and calming breakfast nook – here's how the designer created the look

It can be tricky to feel inspired in January after all the excitement of the holidays but a little home uplift is always a trusty and effective solution to winter blues. There are many ways to revamp your space in line with the new year, but there's nothing that a fresh lick of paint can't fix as an easy DIY project for long winter weekends.

Drew Michael Scott (A.K.A Lone Fox) knows best when it comes to painting. He renovated his entire Spanish-style home with beautiful DIYs and documented the behind-the-scenes process on Instagram. He put his skills to the test and elevated his breakfast nook by covering the room in trendy stripes. He created a bold stripe pattern yet still managed to make the nook feel calming and appropriate for starting your day in.

Amazingly, he accomplished the look with his trusty DIY method that uses only two materials – some paint and a roll of tape. Speaking to H&G, he tells us exactly how he created the look using an easy to replicate technique.

1. Start with your base color

Decorating with stripes is a classic style that can lift a space and provide some variation. They don't need to be loud or bold, in fact, they can be muted in color and feel chic and sophisticated, blending into the backdrop of a room.

Drew's stripes are an example of the latter. He achieved the look by considering his base color first as this is just as important as the shade of the stripe. He says, 'Start with your walls painted in the color you want to have as the base of your stripes. In my case, the base color in my breakfast nook was already painted the desired color – Dimity by Farrow and Ball.'

Remember to think of the base shade and the striped shade as a pair, as they'll be working together to create an overall pattern.

2. Apply your tape

To create a set of uniform stripes, Drew suggests using masking tape that can be stuck onto your walls and peeled once the paint has been applied and has dried.

'To create sharp lines for your stripes, I recommend using Scotch Blue Painters Tape. If you just painted the base color, I would use Scotch Delicate Tape, as it’s perfect for freshly painted walls.'

Accuracy is key when creating your stripes, but don't worry, Drew has a method to ensure neatness. He creates a template using tape and uses smaller pieces in the gaps to ensure each is the same size. 'I used the tape itself as a spacer between lines by using small pieces of tape above each line to ensure the spacing was aligned when adding each additional stripe of tape.'

3. Paint your stripes

Interestingly, Drew says he first intended to 'paint only a stripe or two in this space'. However, once he began the DIY process he realized how much he loved the look and how much easier it was than he first expected, 'so I went for it!' he says. 'I covered the entire wall with diagonal stripes, and I love the way it turned out!'

Drew recommends using a base coat over the first layer of paint to stop any unwanted smudging. Then he says to 'Follow up with a layer (or two, depending on the color) of the color you want the stripes to be. Once it dries, you can peel it off to reveal the look.' Drew uses Oxford Stone by Farrow & Ball for his stripes. Always double-check the texture of your paint as removing the tape too soon could ruin your stripes' uniformity.

Drew's use of muted colors is clever, as the subtle shades evoke peacefulness. Neutral shades make a great base for decorating as you can bring in any type of decor. Matching the style of the rest of his home, Drew decorated his nook with dark wood accents and antique pieces.

Lone Fox's advice for styling a cozy breakfast nook

Drew's a pro at creating spaces that feel homely yet sophisticated. He shared his styling secrets which are so useful for creating a soothing space.

'Creating a cozy nook in your home is all about curating a space that feels warm, inviting, and personal. Choose calming colors like soft neutrals, warm greys, and muted pastels. Earth tones like terracotta, olive green, and deep mustard can also create a grounding effect.'

'Opt for soft, ambient lighting to create a calming effect. Consider a combination of table lamps, pendant lights, or wall sconces. Light, sheer curtains can filter sunlight gently, adding an ethereal and intimate feel to the nook.'

Drew's breakfast nook is the ultimate cozy space that is both calming and courageous in design. It's accomplished yet surprisingly easy to replicate, proving that a bit of home DIY is sometimes the best way to elevate a space.