Photo courtesy of Thistle Design
A room with gold wallpaper and white throw pillows
Located in the guest room of a downtown Minneapolis condo, the Undulate pattern ($39.95) evokes a wave-like motion. It is also famously displayed at Glam Doll Donuts.
Even if you’ve never heard the name before, you’ve certainly seen the work of Gypsy Mint. In just a year and a half, the local stencil company’s designs have popped up all over town. The gold foil mural in the 811 Glenwood building, the focal walls in North Loop’s Brunsfield condos, even the black and white tiles that adorn Glam Doll Donuts’ façade—all are the work of the three-woman team that is trying to change the way we decorate our public and private spaces.
“Stencils help you personalize a space,” says Gypsy Mint co-owner Peg Malanaphy. “With wallpaper, you might find a color you like but not the pattern, or vise versa. With stencils, we tell people they’ll get the exact pattern, color, and size they’re looking for.” The idea for a custom stencil company first came up when Alicia Danzig—the owner of Minneapolis-based LULU Painting—and painter and designer Kelly Fee were working on a job site together. While hand-drawing and hand-cutting stencils for hours at a time, they realized there was a market need for patterns that weren’t currently available. Enter: Gypsy Mint Stencil Co.
“When we started the company, Alicia and I wanted a different name, something cutting edge and very clever, of course,” explains Fee. “‘Gypsy’ comes from the fact that Alicia and I are both big travelers. We’re inspired by patterns all around the world. Mint is a color, but it’s also a brand. It’s the mark of the gypsy.”
(from left to right)
1) The Altar stencil pattern ($39.95) was inspired by a Moroccan rug. Here, it’s used in a 1920s galley kitchen rehab project.; 2) A focal wall, like the one shown here, is a fun way to add a bit of creativity to a room. This wall is decked in the Infinity pattern ($39.95), which pulls inspiration from a wrought iron fence.; 3) Named for Minneapolis-based artist Jamee Varda, who goes by the alias IRISandALICE, the Varda pattern ($41.95) spruces up a converted stable entry. Middle photo courtesy of studio Laguna Photography; all others courtesy of Thistle Design
With the help of Malanaphy, who founded Interiors of Stillwater in 2005, the three offer a combined 30-plus years of experience. Working on commercial and residential projects around the globe—they’ve even traveled to Morocco with Project SOAR to paint a tent for young girls in a tiny village—clients can either choose one of nearly 40 pre-made designs ranging from $36 to $196 or work with Gypsy Mint for something that is truly one of a kind.
“I’m not crazy about using patterns that have already been done,” says Fee. “So, take chevron for example. We’re selling chevron, but with a twist on it. We try and make it a little bit different, a little bit more special.”
Once a pattern is picked or created, Malanaphy, Fee, and Danzig can install it on nearly anything—walls, furniture, glass, fabric, floors, ceilings—or the client can paint it themselves, with tips from the Gypsy Mint team on how to execute.
It may sound daunting, but “don’t be afraid to go big,” advises Malanaphy. “It’s just paint. What’s the worst that can happen? You can repaint the wall and start over.” And that’s the beauty of it. gypsymint.com
