The frugal wall decor thread

**Sara Noel** · 03-29-2005, 02:17 PM

I thought we could all put our thinking caps on and add our frugal wall decor ideas.

I know we've discussed things like framing handkerchiefs and the plastic gutter book
shelving.

http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jh...id=channel1139

Anymore suggestions?

**Darlene** · 03-29-2005, 02:23 PM

Driftwood, great for nature lovers. Inlaws have a big piece mounted on their frireplace. Each has a shape of it's own.

**forestdale** · 03-29-2005, 03:02 PM

I've seen big canvases done frugally. You can buy a really big art canvas here from the $2 store for about $50, smaller ones are between $3 - $50. A friend of mine used one of the big canvasses - I think it's about 3' square and she did an abstract painting - Rothko style, but in colours to suit her decor. It looks fabulous.
http://www.nga.gov/feature/rothko/classic2.html

**PrairieRose** · 03-29-2005, 03:19 PM

I have an old calendar that has the most beautiful Texas country scenes in it. I've been planning for ages to buy some cheap-ish frames and mats and making wall art out of them. Planning on doing that when I paint my living room before long.

**Sara Noel** · 03-29-2005, 03:22 PM

I've heard some folks using vintage album covers as artwork. I don't plan on hanging any Elvis Christmas albums anytime soon here, but I'm sure there are some really nice childrens covers I could use in the playroom for the kids. I'm sure there are some other beautiful album covers out there that could be utilized too.

Now that I've won my "snug sack" on ebay, I'll start hunting for some vintage children's albums to use.

I love vintage valentine's too. I think those framed would be beautiful.

**Jayne** · 03-29-2005, 03:52 PM

I have some paper dolls that were mine(quite vintage

!!!) that I am planning on framing and hanging in my sewing room....I have also seen empty frames of various shapes and sizes hung on the wall, I thought it looked pretty cool

**QuilterMom** · 03-29-2005, 06:02 PM

A friend of mine collects antique keys. She hangs picture frames minus the glass and then uses nails inside the frame to hang the keys.

**PrairieRose** · 03-29-2005, 06:08 PM

Oooh I love the old key idea. I love antique valentines as well. Wish I could come across a nice stash of them. Sara I have some post cards that look like old ones if you want some.

**QuilterMom** · 03-29-2005, 06:20 PM

Postcard wall quilt - http://familyfun.go.com/decorating-i...unhouses3.html

**AmyMCGS** · 03-29-2005, 08:18 PM

Ever notice the bedroom wall decor on Everybody Loves Raymond? They have framed their young kids' artwork and hung it.

I love it, and plan to do that with some of DD's scribbles.

**Sara Noel** · 03-29-2005, 08:30 PM

I came across this while surfing...

http://www.wallwords.com/

**forestdale** · 03-29-2005, 08:49 PM

I love that idea, sara.

**Englishlady** · 03-30-2005, 12:24 PM

I have framed laminated place mats ( Scenic ones from my travels!) not only do they remind me of my Holiday they can be taken out of the frame and used as place mats if you want a change of decor!

In my VERY small Hallway (Entry way) I have taken a half plant pot ( meant to be used on fences & walls) and painted it, I hung it on the wall with Picture hooks and it now is a recepticle for Mail & keys, it doesn't get in the way and we always KNOW where the keys are!

You could also use the same idea & put in a few fake (or real) flowers.............

I have also used the patchwork postcard on the walls, but it does make a mess if you have paper underneath! (we have lining paper that is painted).

Old advertising post cards/mirrors/metal signs are all good too.

Foreign language Newspapers are quite good too framed in a study ( makes me free more intelluctual LOL

)

One of the most unusual things I have put on my (Kitchen) walls was a collection of Cornflake Packets (the fronts flattented in frames) BUT they were in 6 different languages one or two even had different alphabets, VERY effective and always got people talking!

(I got some from my own travels and some were from friends - I told them to eat the contents and just bring me back the box!)

Oh, I could go on, and on..................... (Decorating is my favourite subject)

Karen

**PrairieRose** · 03-30-2005, 12:49 PM

Oooh I love those too. I've been thinking of doing some in my kitchen on my soffett when I re-do in there. Although, unless I paint the panelling I may just do it on a board. It's VERY frugal though isn't it?

**pkellyc** · 04-07-2005, 11:38 AM

Calendars are so funny, years ago we finished a basement we had. After the expense of finishing there was no money left for pictures. I took an old calendar and framed the pictures in it. When my brother in law commented on how he liked them, I told him I had taken them years before in Cape Cod. He took the bait untill his wife showed up and he was showing them off to her. I just had to burst out laughing, he knew then, he had been had.

I always liked those pictures.