The "after" ... read on for an explanation!
When we did our house addition last year, we took advantage of having things ripped apart and we replaced our fireplace insert, had travertine tile installed around the fireplace, and a bigger mantel built. We really love our new fireplace, but I've struggled with how to decorate the wall space above it. I had a big Pottery Barn circular candleholder over our old fireplace but, after 5 1/2 years, I was tired of it!
We lived with the blank wall for about six months. Then, shortly before Christmas, I was fed up with the blank space, and put up an old (kind of lopsided) twig wreath that I had out in the garage. That lasted about two months before I just couldn't take it any more. It was bad! We went back to a naked wall for six weeks and then I finally remembered an inexpensive wall treatment I first saw on Nesting Place almost two years ago. Scrapbook paper to the rescue!
My husband cut some MDF (leftover from our Pottery Barn knockoff bookcase project!) to 12x12 for me. Then I painted the edges with brown craft paint and let them dry.
Like my fancy drying rack? Ha ha! My next step was to use spray adhesive and attach scrapbook paper to the fronts of the squares. Then I nailed sawtooth hangers on the back of each square (bought those at Target although they're also sold at hardware stores) and had my husband hang them on the wall. (Yes, I'm capable of hanging things on the wall, but he's an engineer and I like to put his multiple college degrees to work for me.)
Ooooh!
Ahhh!
Sooooo much better! Why on earth did it take me so long to remember that idea?! I love how this looks and I like knowing I didn't spend a fortune on it, so I won't feel guilty if I want to change it out in the future.By the way, stay tuned for my 200th post giveaway!
15 comments:
Holy cow! That turned out FABULOUS! I love it! I have framed some scrapbook paper in our house and I love it. It's easy to switch out for holidays too!
I love how that looks...I thought they were metal accent pieces until I read more:-) It looks awesome!!!
Really nice job! What a great idea! Looks like you spent a ton of money, yet you didn't. I love it!
It looks great! LOVE it!
And um, that's so funny. Because I am doing the same thing (but for the dining room) lol. Only I saw it at http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/05/using-ballard-designs-as-inspiration.html
I like this idea! Got me thinking it would also look great with black and white photos!
Very cute. You did an awesome job. They look so good with your fireplace!
XOOX
Jen
This looks fabulous. Great job with getting the paper to blend right in with the paint. It looks very professional. Don't you love it even more knowing how much you didn't spend?!
I love it! So simple and chic! What scrapbook paper did you use? It's fabulous!
I love love LOVE this, and Kane's Mom has a great idea about b&w photos - you could print some out and make them look like they were all fancy and canvas-mounted. I wonder how that would come out! (Hint, hint crafty girl...)
Looks so good! Love it.
Love the artwork and how it fills up the space!
Love your "new" beadboard kitchen too. You guys did a fabulous job with it and I bet your are loving every minute in it!
Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog! Yours is so cute, I love the idea of this wall decor, and your kitchen redo is perfect! You have a good eye!
Great job! There are so many wonderful scrapbook papers out there and yours look terrific.
Those look absolutely amazing! I have been wanting to do this project myself, but haven't wanted to spend the money on canvas'. Great idea to use the MDF.
I LOVE how those look - you did an amazing job!!! Where did you get your paper?
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