Staring at the walls

[Meryl Schoenbaum]

When it comes to decorating, I'm always looking for interesting things to hang on the walls. It seems too easy -- and uninspired -- to just hang a mass-produced art print, but then it becomes a challenge to decide what to fill the large areas with.

Some of the things I currently have hanging on my walls are a vintage handbag in my bedroom, wheat stalks and a menu chalkboard in my Tuscan-themed dining room, and chintz plates in my living room.

Anyone else have some suggestions on creative ways to dress up the walls? Thanks!

[Breezy]

I've seen several plates in a grouping hung on walls and think it looks really nice esp if its a collection. Or 4 large white squares each with a leaf in the center. Looks very fresh. I do the picture thing but also add sconces & small handpainted pictures of nature. I love nature scenes and since this house is in the Craftsman style they go very well in here.

[RoseMary]

I am working on a wall of old family photos from the late 1800s and early 1900s. It's something that I've been working on for almost a year:o. I've made a tin puch sign that says FAMILY. Hubby will someday (I hope:p)make a frame for it to go in.

I also like to see quilts hung on walls as their color adds so much to a room.

My walls are all pine boards, so it is a challenge to get things to show up on them~paint colors really help bring out the color in prints and plates, whereas plain wood walls do not.

R~Mary

[Breezy]

RoseMary I love the family wall idea - I have family pics in the little hallway between bedrooms but they don't date as far back as yours!

[RoseMary]

I'm having a lot of fun with the pictures. My family, as well as my husbands, has tons of old photos. So really, I'm having to pick and choose just which ones will go on the walls. Right now, their frames are very plain, but I'm hoping to eventually replace them (hubby to do the work again!) with some frames that have a little bit more of a vintage look.

[Lisa S]

You guys have some great idea ~ thanks! I never know what to do with my walls either.

[Meridon]

I like to decorate with maps from trips I've taken. Currently, I have one from Sherwood Forest in Nottingham, England (works especially well in my Tudor cottage), one from Colonial Williamsburg, and one from the subway system in Tokyo. (very colorful!) I've seen some people do the same with menus as well. I'm also a big fan of rotating art seasonally, so what's on the wall now is not the same as in summer, etc.

[Meryl Schoenbaum]

Thank you all for posting those great suggestions!

RoseMary, I like your idea of a wall of vintage family photographs. Are some of the ones you have sepia-toned? Those would look so interesting on the wall. I think having family photos around are like a plate of your favorite comfort foods. :)

And Meridon, you hit the nail on the head (and on the wall!) as far as personalizing my space. I love to travel, so framing maps from places I've been would be an ideal solution for me.

Thanks everyone!

[Breezy]

R~Mary your home sounds so pretty - I love pine walls - so cabin-y - and to me it doesn't get any better than that.

Meridon what a great idea - never thought of using maps to decorate with - would love to see pics!

[rubyslippers]

Excessive mirrors never work well; however, carefully chosen mirrors (the frames become the art) can bounce the light around in small spaces creating an illusion of a larger area. Toy with hanging them in both portrait and landscape styles (even if it means altering the hardware on the back). Then, a couple of small sconces on either side can give you a lovely focal point.

Retro posters in very nice framing and matting can elevate the "store-bought" art feeling. I'm not really talking about dorm room posters here. More like posters echoing interests: fruit crate labels, film noir, book novel covers, etc. The New Yorker even sells its cover art as posters dating back to who knows when. I think that is VERY cool.

Good luck!

[RoseMary]

I love hearing everyone's ideas! The vintage/retro posters and the maps would look great on walls. I'd love to see pictures of the maps, Meridon.

Breezy, I will post some pictures of my wall when I finally get it finished.

Meryl, most of the pictures I'm using are sepia toned. A few that are not, I've printed out in a sepia tone, to keep the colors working together. As I mentioned before, I'm hoping to eventually have vintage type frames to put them in.

A few years ago, we visited a couple that had a very small living room with a very tall ceiling. She had had a special wood frame made for a very finely made off-white crochet tablecloth that her grandmother had made. It was on a blue background and looked beautiful on the ultra tall wall. It was perfect for the room.

[Breezy]

R~Mary - the crochet tablecloth against the blue background sounds gorgeous
My middle daughter took doilies her grandmother made and had them mounted and framed under glass (very large frame) and it was so pretty.

[memmey]

I put some old old plates on the wall in my bedroom. I am kinda wanting to change them BUT it took forever to do the math to get them symetrical and level etc. I had a huge brain drain after I finnished...LOL

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o243/memmey/home023.jpg

[Lisa S]

Very, very pretty!

[Breezy]

Love the bedrm Memmy - the bed is fantastic!

[RoseMary]

Is that the bed you were going to paint, Memmey? I love the plates on the wall.

Breezy, your daughter had a great idea to preserve her grandmother's handwork. I love to see lace, crochet and small quilts in frames.

[memmey]

Yep that is it. At my Poppa there are two anti bellum lamps that I can have. The only thing is that they have golds and browns on them. I don't like gold and brown. BUT if I can add them to the room and leave the bed with out painting it maybe I could use them. I thought of a tiny paint brush to add some color to the glass shades. You know highlight the roses on them. I'll get a picture next time I go there.
I'm so lazy Rosemary...I've waited till it is too cold to paint now...LOL may be it is better I leave the furniture alone...LOL:rolleyes:

[Zuzu's Garden]

I love this thread!

About 8 years ago, I was out shopping and saw a large botanical picture from across the room. When I walked up to it, the price tag was $180.00 - but it was a print. A print. I thought that's a lot for a print and I asked myself what can I put on the walls that is original and fun?

Some Traditional Ideas:
1) Wall clocks - art in motion! And I love the comforting sound.
2) Baskets - functional and pretty.
3) Dried flowers - I've dried hydrangea and lavender and hung them with hand-dyed silk ribbons. Very pretty!
4) Wall mounted planters. I have an iron planter that is gorgeous with ivy hanging down.
5) Framed pressed flowers and leaves in vintage frames (I'll never tire making these). :D
6) Plates. I have a couple of those plates that look like large leaves.
7) Shelves - a place to showcase favorite things.
8) Photographs - I have three of my daughter's black&white photos she took when we went to London together, framed in white museum frames. Beautiful to look at, and they also remind me of our wonderful trip together.
9) Art! The real thing. I still have the Easter bunnies my kids made when they were small. It wouldn't be Easter without putting these on the wall. I also look forward to drawing & painting more after the house is finished.

Less Traditional Ideas:
1) An antique printer's drawer filled w/ photos and small mementos - I had one of these and in a DUH! moment, I sold it. :(
2) Architectural salvage - old windows w/ wavy glass, garden gates, gingerbread w/ peeling paint.
3) Collage - Anna Corba's work is inspirational! (http://annacorbastudio.com/works/abundance.html)
4) Delicate wire catch-alls with vintage photos and cards.
5) Jelly jars hung with wire and filled with fresh flowers or candles.
6) Necklaces hung from hooks - why hide them away in a jewelry box?
8) Antique garden tools hung from string.
9) Vintage birdhouses.

That's all I can think of for now. Please keep the ideas coming!
:)
Zu

[Lisa S]

Those are inspired ideas. I'll have to try some of them. What do you plan to do in your new house?

[Lynzee]

I love these ideas, Zu! I have a lot of empty walls in my house right now and there are several here I would love to try!

[ThriftShopRomantic]

How about vintage jell-o molds in various shapes...

Iron trivets...

Unique dishes like deviled egg plates...

Or large cookie cutters by theme?

[chyna]

I'm not even sure why I bother painting the walls of my house since I cover them with stuff!

Above my shabby dresser I have what was either a dirt sifter or maybe a replacement screen window. In any case I liked it and took it with me from the rental, added a shelf to the bottom (with scroll work supports), painted it all a distressed white and backed it with a piece of chintz. However I'm going to replace the fabric with something else (it didn't work out like I'd hoped), nailed in some copper nails along the sides and top, added picture wire and now I display my drop earrings and some of my necklaces. I'm with Zuzu, why hide something so pretty in a drawer?! I also hung a tiny mirror w/picture frame on a satin ribbon towards the middle so if I should feel like it I can put my earrings on in a mirror.

I also have a very high wall in my bedroom and on the one I have the mirror frame from a bureau hung like a picture frame with this adorable print of a young girl (with frame) in the middle which makes sort of a double frame. Can't take credit for the idea though, saw it in a magazine or something. :o

[RoseMary]

I love your ideas, Zu! My grandpa bought and repaired old clocks to sell~but he kept most of them because he loved them so much. There was a wall in their dining room that had clocks hung down to a child's eye level. I used to go in there and just sit and watch them.

[memmey]

I wish I had a wall of paint by the number flower pictures.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Lisa - I'm not sure what will go up on the walls of the Tiny House yet. I think after the furniture is in, I'll be able to see areas that need a little lift. I know there will be room for the clock and photographs my daughter gave me, baskets, two cement rabbits, the leaf plates, pressed botanicals, and my two wire shelves. I have a large, ornate mirror that may not fit, but if it doesn't, I may take it apart and reuse the pieces a la Chyna's idea. Of all the things I own, the box I packed and marked "Small Pictures" is my favorite. Can't wait to see it all come together. :)

What a sweet memory, RoseMary. My Great-Grandmother had about six clocks in her home. She set them so that they'd chime a few minutes apart, and we'd run through the house to visit each clock as it chimed.

Mem - I understand the paint-by-number pictures are collector items now. Are they hard to find?

Zu

[chyna]

I believe I read somewhere that those paint by numbers are highly collectible now or at least the vintage ones are. So if you find one grab it! There was one left at the rental we lived in before buying our house and I took it with me when we left. I know the types of people she rents to and could see it dumped in a dumpster.

I've been keeping an eye out for the flower or lady paint by numbers also those silhouette pics. I do set myself up for disappointment. :o

[Meryl Schoenbaum]

Wow, thanks everyone for continuing to inspire me with all your wonderful wall ideas! :)

Special thanks to Memmey for posting a photo of the romantic floral plates in her bedroom -- they look beautiful over the headboard! -- and to Zuzu for the great list of decorating options she provided.

Thank you all for sharing your creativity!

Meryl

[ThriftShopRomantic]

Zu- I've seen quite a few paint by numbers at antique malls these days-- and they're really not coming into the thrift stores much. I think this started about two or three years ago. Funny how trends are.

I can imagine the wall Memmey describes would be really fun.

[memmey]

Jenn I wonder what is the going price for them? There was a magaize( I can't remember which one *L*) and the owner collected paint by the number lanscapes. It was so great. She had them behind her bed.
I wish I had just a few for my bathroom.
I have 2 chalkware ballerinas in the bathroom but Wow are they getting high in price.

[Breezy]

I love your ideas, Zu! My grandpa bought and repaired old clocks to sell~but he kept most of them because he loved them so much. There was a wall in their dining room that had clocks hung down to a child's eye level. I used to go in there and just sit and watch them.

RoseMary ~ what a sweet story about your grandpa and his clocks:)

[annielinz]

I love plates on the walls. In my hallway I have some old black and white family photos. For the holidays I put up an empty frame over the mantle and put a wreath in the middle for interest.

[Lisa S]

How pretty! Did you make the wreath too?

[annielinz]

Thank you Lisa. No I basically bought the wreath but ended up adding to it the red berries, more greenery and additional pinecones.

[Breezy]

Annie ~ how beautiful! What a great idea using the wreath & frame. Well done!:)

[RoseMary]

That's beautiful, Annie~I love it.

[SusiesQs]

I enjoy antiques so I have some hanging on my walls. I like how they look and they make for interesting conversation. I found an old 2 person saw in an antique shop that I liked. I bought it not really knowing where I would put it. We have high cathedral ceilings, so I figured I use it to take up some space. My dad gave me some old hand saws with carved wooden handles that I'm going to hang below the saw. I just need to finish oiling the handles and clean them up a bit. I've also got some antique Bourne and Denby stoneware ink jars that I have on shelves in the living room and an old lantern hanging on the wall by the pie safe. My husband got me a tobacco basket reproduction and I really like it. We hung it over the mantle.

[RoseMary]

Very nice, SusieQ. Wow, your husband did a great job on the basket~what else has he made for you?

[SusiesQs]

lol - Rosemary, he didn't make the tobacco basket, he bought it for me :) But he and his dad did put in our fireplace and added a sunroom to our house! He's very handy ;)

[RoseMary]

Oops, guess I was reading too fast:p. I really love the pictures from your house!

[annielinz]

Susie, I love the tobacco basket over the mantle! It's simple, yet makes a statement and looks great.

[Lisa S]

Susie,

You have a great eye for display!

[SusiesQs]

Annie, Rosemary and Lisa-

Thanks for the comments :) My husband got me the basket for my birthday last year. I wanted to hang it over the bed but he thought it would look better over the fireplace. I have to agree he was right... dangit! I'm still not 100% sure what I'm going to do with all of the old hand saws my dad gave me. I want to hang them under the big saw but I also don't want my house to look like a junk yard! :eek: We'll mess around with it and see what works.

[memmey]

Uh Huh you have the " eye" . Your home is gorgeous. And it surely doesn't look like a junk yard!
Suz, that saw down here is called a " passe-partout " sounds like pas pa two. It means cross cut saw. What a treasure.
I love the color of your walls. What color is that?::)

[Breezy]

Susie ~ love the pics of your house ~ very cozy looking which I love.

Since you liked the LIW pics I though you might be interested to know Laura & her hubby Almanzo used a crosscut saw to cut down many of the trees on their property when they were building up the farm ~ tiny Laura (4'11") on the end of a big saw!

[Lynzee]

Your home is lovely, Susie! I love the tobacco basket.

[SusiesQs]

Memmey-

You know I was wondering what color we had as well the other day. I have the paint can here but we had it mixed at the store and the name of the color isn't on the can. It does have the mix ratio though so that is the best that I can do for ya :o

We used Behr paint from Home Depot and they mixed the paint. This is what is on the label:

Colorant OZ 48 96
--------------------------------------
B Lamp Black 0 11 0
C Yellow Oxide 1 23 1
I Brown Oxide 0 8 0


I hope that helps! Oh and thanks for telling me what the name of the saw is-- I had no idea!

Linn~ was Laura really that tiny? You'd never tell by looking at her pictures ;)

Lynzee~ thanks-- it's a work in progress... we're going to paint the bedroom next weekend hopefully and also put in windows. That's right, we have no windows in our bedroom so it's always dark... We do have French doors in our bedroom that open up in to the sunroom so that helps allot.

[Breezy]

Susie ~ I read that Almanzo built the kitchen counters to accommodate Laura's short stature ~ I also read that Almanzo was 5'4"

[RoseMary]

Yes, I think that he must have done that, Lynn. I know the counters at Rocky Ridge seemed lower than usual to me and I'm 5'3". Does Laura mention that in Little House in the Ozarks?

[Breezy]

Yes, I think that he must have done that, Lynn. I know the counters at Rocky Ridge seemed lower than usual to me and I'm 5'3". Does Laura mention that in Little House in the Ozarks?

RoseMary ~ I read that in one of the books I have about the Wilders. I've been on the tour of Rocky Ridge and I believe the tour guide mentioned it also. They must have made a cute couple:)