AN INEXPENSIVE IDEA FOR WALLS: FRAMED POSTCARDS

Do you love a wall full of art but not the price that comes with it? I can relate. I love full walls, but filling those walls can get expensive. 

I can't remember exactly how I came across this set of vintage-looking postcards from Amazon, but when I saw them, I had the thought that several of them framed alike and hung together on a grid would be a great idea somewhere in my house.

Originally, I thought about using them in my bathroom. They made me think about this room from the Southern Living Idea House that I visited in 2016 in Birmingham decorated by Lauren Leiss. 

Ultimately though, I used the cards in my kitchen. It got a partial face lift last summer. I painted it, and decided some of the cards would be perfect over a small table in the room. 

I chose to frame a few of the butterfly cards.

I bought a set of frames from Home Goods, and my go-to framers, The Frame Shack, framed them. They added the mats and finished them off perfectly. Here are the four I decided on. 

And here they are in their new home.

They turned out just the way I was hoping they would. I like them so much, I'm thinking about using some of the left over cards in other places in my house. 

Like this idea? Here are a few other sets of vintage cards for you to check out. 

SET 1     SET 2     SET 3     SET 4     SET 5 

And a few sets of gold frames with good reviews.

SET 1     SET 2     SET 3     SET 4     SET 5

PEEL AND STICK WALL PAPER PROJECT

Every now and then I start a DIY project that makes me wonder what in the world I was thinking. This project most definitely fell into that category. And even though I absolutely adore the outcome, it was rough going there for a while.

I love that I have built-in book shelves in our living room. It's always fun to arrange and rearrange them through the seasons and the years. They give my creative decorating juices a place to flow. But in our home, they are in a room that doesn't get much natural light, and the room often feels dark if the blinds in the adjacent room are not opened. I don't really want to paint the wood--not now anyway--so, after seeing a many people on the Internet using peel and stick wallpaper, I thought it would be a great way to lighten up part of the room.

A few before shots:

A little about the process...

This is the paper I ordered from Amazon. It's a grass cloth look alike. It even has a slight texture.

CHAPTER ONE

This is my emptied shelf, my starting point. That support molding at the top was, let's just say, a pain in the rear! I looked at a lot shelves online during this project, and realized they almost all have something like this. 

I started on the left side of the built ins, at the tip top--over the molding. Remember, I have never done this before and have no idea what I'm doing or what I'm about to get into. (Insert crying smiley face here.) 

This first piece went up fairly easy. It was a bit cumbersome and awkward, and I did have to readjust the paper a couple of times, but I got it up. Miraculously, it was even straight. 

Now, if you are familiar with real grass cloth wall coverings, you know that the seams of the cloth do not match up like wall paper. The seams are obvious like in this beautiful example from Serena and Lily.

However, when I was measuring the paper for the next section, I found a repeat and was able to match up the seams to some degree. I trimmed the edges with a razor blade, and the left side was finished!

CHAPTER TWO

Somewhere in the midst of papering the left side, I realized there was a possibility I was going to need another roll of paper. I went back to Amazon and put a roll in my cart, and then finished up the left side. That one side was so overwhelming that I took a little break before starting the right side. 

After roll #2 was delivered, I didn't immediately start on the right side. Because (obviously) I now knew what I was getting into once I opened the roll. 

After finally deciding there was no time like the present, I went back to work. For some reason, however, I had a horrible time getting started. Nothing was lining up right, it looked crooked, and that darn molding at the top was making me crazy!! Then I got the bright idea to just do the molding by itself first. There wouldn't be an issue of matching it up under the piece; it wouldn't matter with vertical lines. Small victory! 

Now I was onto the first big piece for the shelves on the right. I measured and lined up the paper, found the match, cut the two strips for the right side, and went to work. 

I thought for sure this side would go faster. But, it was worse than the left side. I had trouble lining up the starting point. Then, once I was able to get it started, I could not get it to smooth out correctly. I pulled it up and re-positioned it so many times, that I had to discard the entire piece. Then the tears came as I realized I would now have to order another roll, or I wouldn't have enough paper to match the pattern as I had done meticulously on the other side. Back to the Amazon drawing board. 

CHAPTER 3

Roll three. 

At this point I was more determined than ever to finish this project. I took a deep breath and got to work! I watched a few tutorials to see why I was having so much trouble, changed a few things I was doing, and got it done!

It has made a huge difference in the room. It feels so much lighter! 

I began this project during the stay at home order and didn't really start writing the post until August of 2020. It has gotten longer and longer. Ha! If you are still reading, bless you for sticking it out (no pun intended).

I guess the moral of this story would be, 1) "Don't let the term 'peel and stick' fool you. It's not quite as easy as it sounds." And, 2) "Just do it. You'll love it!!" :-)

Feeling brave yourself? Here is the paper I used. I truly was pleased with the look and the quality of the wallpaper. It comes in four pretty colors from Amazon. 

cream  //  navy (steel blue)  //  wheat  //  ivory

(affiliate links)

What a difference! 

Have you used peel and stick paper anywhere in your home? Comment below and tell us about it. 

HOMEMADE ABSTRACT ART

Abstract art is a current trend in home decor. I've decided I'm here for it--in small doses. It's definitely different, bold and funky, and everywhere. It's a interesting way to show off your playful side.

This picture is the work of Kayce Hughes.

This example of the art is from the Instagram account of Angela Fahl Interiors. I've just recently started following her. She has a pretty feed if you're looking for new inspiration. I'd never be brave enough for a black room, but I do like hers.

So, with those two examples in mind, I'll show you how you can add an original abstract to your décor for next to nothing.

I found this old framed print at the antique mall for $7. The frame was in great condition, and the mat is a light grayish blue, which works great in my living room.

First, I took everything apart.

My plan was to just flip the picture over and paint on the back of it. But the tape stuck to it in the dismantling process, so I had to move on to plan B.

We had two of these sketch pads that Santa brought one year, so I used a page from this and cut it to the size I needed. Card stock would have worked better. This didn't flatten out perfectly against the glass when I put it all back together. Luckily, you can't really tell.

I ordered this set of paint brushes, this bottle of paint, and this set of watercolors, and then went to work making swirlies, which spell check has just let me know is not a word. But you know what I mean.

I probably should have only used one color (like the examples), but I used two. Then, for some reason, I gave it a dash of black too. I only used a tiny amount of the black, so it really turned out more like a gray. I felt pretty good about my color combination.

For now it's leaning on a chest that once belonged to my parents, in a corner of the living room. One day I hope for it to be part of a gallery wall that I'm working on for over our couch.

I've done one other abstract project. It was for my dining room. If you missed that post, catch up on it here. What are your thoughts on the abstract trend? Leave a comment!

Kathryn

PUZZLE TABLE TURNED HOME OFFICE

At the beginning of December last year, I won four of the prettiest chairs from AtHome Furnishings in Homewood, Alabama. I had no idea what I would do with them at the time, but then it came to me...

For Christmas last year I gave my husband a Star Wars puzzle. I thought it would be an enjoyable activity for us since our house had sadly become kid-free. :( The dilema was where to put the puzzle together. I really didn't want to use the dining room table because as you know, I often set the table with or without company coming. I guess we could have used the breakfast table. But again, I didn't really want it be out of commission either.

Then it came to me: What about a small table in the back corner of the living room? I already had the perfect chairs, and not only would it be a great spot for puzzles, but it could also be used for extra seating when we have family over. Problem solved.

I eventually found this drop leaf table on Facebook for $20. I sanded only the top to get the shine off, and painted it with some leftover paint I had from another project. I used a paint brush on the legs and roller on the top. I still need to seal it, and I plan to get around to that soon.

And then... we all went home.

I can't tell you how many times I've been thankful for this little spot in our house. I've been able to work on what I needed to for my students and for the blog. This table has yet to see a single piece of that Star Wars puzzle, but I've been working right here for weeks. My husband is doing his work in a bedroom, so we don't have to worry about interfering with each other during work hours.

I like to call it a small "stroke of genius" on my part. The corner still needs a light, and I'm on the lookout for a rug. I'm also getting my thoughts together about that empty wall--a little at a time, right?

Ideas from this post

Star Wars Puzzle  //  Star Wars Puzzle  //  Hand Sander  //  Orchid  // Blue and White Bowl

Blue and White Bowl  //  Decorative Lemons  // White Table  //  White Table

Hope you're having a good week! Thanks for stopping by.

Kathryn

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