Friday, May 15, 2009

Wallpaper art.

I know! Finally, a post that's NOT about the kitchen island! Many of you have commented on my "art" above our master bedroom fireplace:
I wanted large art, but didn't want to spend a lot of money for a huge piece. This was a VERY easy and cheap project. I didn't take pictures back when I did it, but it's so easy I can show you after the fact:
You'll need canvases in whatever size you want. Then, a staple gun, paint and a metallic glaze if you like the look of it. And of course, wallpaper: This project would take half the time if you just used regular wall paper you love, but I wanted something with texture and I already had it. :) Can't beat that folks. I got my textured, paintable wallpaper at Lowe's for around $12.

You'll want to follow the directions for getting the wallpaper prepped. I was afraid of doing this but it was SOOO easy. I rolled up the paper and soaked in the bathtub for a few minutes. Then I folded it like they told me to...cause I do what I'm told. (Lying.)

I just laid the paper on a towel, face down. Put the canvas on it, and stapled the wallpaper around it like I was upholstering a seat or wrapping a gift:
I did this while it was wet, and made sure I pulled it very tight. When I was done, I trimmed it all down, then flipped it over and smoothed out any air bubbles.
You'll want to let it completely dry before painting it. Also, I kept an eye on them and smoothed out an air bubbles that came up. (There weren't many, I'm just a freak about it.) Then, when they were all dry, I painted them all out with black paint using a sponge roller. I did three coats I believe.

Now the fun part -- this takes longer than the rest of it and take some major patience. But it made these, in my opinion. I took a small paint brush and used my metallic glaze to highlight the raised, textured parts of the wallpaper:

Then I added a kitty to the top:
Why must they lay on everything? Sweet patoot.
That's it! I added some wire to hang them:
Without dry time, this took a couple hours, total.
They turned out exactly how I wanted! And with a coupon, I think I got the canvases for around $20 total.

You could also use fabric, wrapping paper, anything! Have a fantastic weekend!

75 thrifties said (comment here):

Ashley said...

Awesome project!

Tales from the Crib said...

I've tried this with fabric and loved the look. I'm excited to try it out with wallpaper at some point too, because I love the texture it has! You are so amazingly talented!

Angelina said...

I love the way it turned out. I've done this with fabric too, but the textured wall paper is an even better idea....esp. the metallic glaze highlighting the details! Great job!

Xazmin said...

They look beautiful!

MiMi said...

I might have to do that with this toile wrapping paper I'm addicted to right now! :)

Vanilla Lavender said...

It turned out great!! Love it!

Vivienne said...

That is fabulous! Love it.

BTW - I heard that if you put a single square of toilet paper on a football field, a cat would find it and lay down on it....

Denise @ A Room With A View said...

That is really genius. I love that!! And will try it for sure. Added to my long list! Thanks for sharing.

Brenbren said...

LOVE IT! I will defiantly be trying that!

Debbie said...

I LOVE the kitty part, it SO makes the whole project. He kinda matches too.
Looks very easy to do. My son is looking to buy his first place and I need cheap ideas to help him decorate.

marty39 said...

Wow, they look fabulous and really do have a wonderful texture. I just love them. Very clever and so easy to do. I also want to thank you for the gracious comments you always leave on my posts, I so appreciate them. I just did an inspirational post that I hope you will take the time to read. Such a blessing to our family. Thanks, Hugs Marty

Cindy Ann said...

That is remarkable! Gorgeous.

WashedByTheWater said...

AMAZING!! I love it!!!

Princess of Everything (and then some) said...

LOVE IT! And I think that the kitty just totally added to it.

Victoria@WhimsybyVictoria said...

I love to wall paper everything! O.K. maybe not "everything", but I have used this same kind of textured wallpaper (bought at Lowes~I even get an extra 10% for being military) and I have never used it as "wall paper"! I have used it to cover books in my living room, a redo on a piece in my bathroom, gift wrap paper (so pretty!) and now getting ready to use it as a back behind a shelf I built for the wall.All of these projects from one roll...and I still have more! :) Thanks for sharing your wall art~it is beautiful!! Oh, I love the cat as well...and I agree...why do they always have to come lay on whatever your working on? lol

Hugs to you,
~Victoria~

~Carole said...

Great, great, great idea! It looks wonderful. I'll have to try this one myself with leftover wallpaper I have hanging out in my basement.

Kristina P. said...

What an amazing, creative project!

susan said...

This is such a great idea! I hope you don't mind but I'm going to post a link to your blog on mine - I just love this idea, I want to remember it & share it!

I want to head to Home Depot (we don't have Lowes) tonight!!

Stephanie Click said...

I love those!!!!! I'm so freakin' inspired :)

Kara said...

I can't believe you painted all those metallic details in only a couple of hours. You so totally rock!

Dawn@Embracing the Ordinary Life said...

It's people like you that make me glad I have the internet...now if only I would get off my butt and do this...

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I love this - you're so lucky to have a great master bedroom!

Themis0307 said...

Thank you! That's exactly the type of thing I was looking for to add art in my bedroom without the expense. I knew I wasn't crazy! It can be done!

Amy said...

Just wondering where you found the canvas for cheap?
Thanks!

Farmgirl Paints said...

Looks great. You are just a plethera of wonderful ideas. Have a great weekend.

Holly said...

I really like the canvas/wallpaper art. Very nice!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

The kitty really makes the project, don't you think? ;) Sooooo cool!

mrosev14 said...

Rock on, that's on my decor list...I love the web, I love crafty people like you that inspire non crafty people like me. :) Thank you.

bj said...

this is absolutely FANTASTIC...just beautiful..

arkie said...

Love the project and the coordinating kitty!

Carmen said...

I love these! I also love your fireplace in your master bedroom, how pretty! I have also seen this done with scrapbook paper and mod podge. :) I am definitely thinking of trying this in my dining room.

ALVN of WhisperWood Cottage and Junkologie said...

An award for you on my blog!

Amy

Kristin said...

It looks awesome! What a creative idea!

Jenny said...

That is awesome and I love how the kitty matches!

Jenny said...

"BTW - I heard that if you put a single square of toilet paper on a football field, a cat would find it and lay down on it...."

That comment is cracking me up! It's so true!

Melissa Miller said...

They are so cool!

The way you painted them with the metallic accents they appear to be made of metal.

~Gorgeous result! :)

Melissa Miller said...

Chestnut lays on "everything" too.

I mean anything I happen to be doing that I don't want him laying on.

It's like they know....:)

Girly Stuff said...

That is great! I will have to think on this one!

Shannon said...

Ugh! You're a damn genious! Genious, I tell you!

Carolyn said...

I just jumped over from Rue's Blog. I just wanted to say Hi and nice blog!

Carolyn

the pleasures of homemaking said...

Love the way they turned out! This is a really good idea for art and I see canvases at the thrift store all the time (they usually have awful painting on them but who cares when you can cover them up).
They look great!

Manuela

Jennifer Richins said...

What a great and simple way to make art. Love it.

Nicole ~ said...

LOVE IT!!!!! I have seen that wallpaper at Lowe’s, and it comes in several different patterns. This was an amazing, inexpensive project, and it looks great!!
I just love your ideas!!! Nicole

Nicole ~ said...

I almost forgot, my two cats do the very same thing!!!

Penz said...

I want to do something like that for a headboard. just as easy too i think. beauiful, cheap, and easy....:)

janet said...

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS IDEA FOR CANVASES, I HOPE YOU DONT MIND THAT I MENTIONED YOU ON MY BLOG UNDER MY MASS PRODUCED ART POST. IM HOPING ONE DAY TO MAKE THIS KIND OF ART.
HUGS
JANET

Sara said...

LOVE THIS!!! I've done it with fabric, but never thought about the textured wallpaper. Brilliant, as always!

Jill said...

Freaking fantastic as always! You got my brain all working like crazy right now!

Tins and Treasures said...

These did turn out so cool...
Oh...and our cat would do the same thing, I'm sure!! Have a great weekend. Take care ~Natalie

Risa said...

That's a way cute idea :-)

Trippleaaa said...

Another cute, cheap idea is to buy some of those faux tin ceiling tiles and paint them the same way!

Evy said...

The idea is great! I'll definitely have to try it.

Jen r. said...

I love those! They look great! Jen

Dana and Daisy said...

you got me with the kitty. I thought, what is that? some new kind of varnish or something?

Ha ha, I should know, I have one of those kitties too!

Down Comforter said...

Great project! I did the same thing using fabric - very easy.

Jill -Forever and Ever House said...

This is a good idea. Me likey. :O)

Clean and Classic Interiors said...

So cool! I don't know why I'm so afraid of wallpaper! That is such a thrifty project you thrifty decor chick you!

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Sarah, These speak to me. I love them. I am going to try making these. Thanks for sharing!

delightfuldwelling said...

That is a really neat idea, I never thought of using wallpaper like that. I love your fireplace, it is so pretty.

SoBella Creations said...

Wow! Your art looks fantastic!

titus2woman said...

I love this, and I love your blog! I will certainly be back for more ideas~I NEED THEM! (((((HUGS))))) sandi

The Blue Ridge Gal said...

These would have cost a fortune if you had bought them all pre-made in a furniture or decor store... Great idea!

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

MissKarenAshley said...

Amazing...looks just wonderful

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Oh that is WAY cool, I love it! I'll be linking.

Halo Hill said...

What an AWESOME project! You rock!

Sheila

CandiceM said...

Wow! what a great idea!! I will have to try this when we move to a larger house with larger walls :)

Just found your blog and so far am loving it!!

Michelle Bebe said...

this is such a fab idea. i love it with the texture, it makes me think it would cover up the air bubbles too!

Amanda said...

Way too cool! I love it! Thank you so much for showing us that. I have lots of wall space and something like that would be the most cost effective way of filling it.

Ann Martin said...

What a stylish use of wallpaper! I remember Nate Berkus saying how untrendy wallpaper is at the mo... but I bet he would approve of your idea!

jenniferconnerson said...

I love your wall art. I've just redecorated my home and bought wall art items from Ballard Designs. They also look perfect just like these.

Sharlotte said...

I love this! It looks great and seems easy ~ I especially love that! Thanks for giving a tutorial ~ this is something that I will absolutely try!

Lady Katherine said...

Wow, they are so beautiful! Great idea!

{The Classy Woman} said...

Awesome idea! I've been wanting to hang some canvasses covered with fabric in our guest bedroom/my office. I just haven't found the perfect fabric yet on sale.

Thanks for sharing, I had never even though of doing that with wallpaper. My goodness, your cat is too precious! Pics like that make me miss having a cat!

Pat said...

Hi Sarah, I love your blog! You are so creative. Thank you for sharing your talent. I've been contemplating on making your wallpaper art and just curious what size canvas did you use? Thank you so much.

~ Tami said...

I featured this today on my blog Scribbles and Swirls. Please take a look and would love for you to follow me as well :)
http://tamiscribblesandswirls.blogspot.com/2011/11/joy-on-wallpaper-art.html
Thanks for the inspiration!
~Tami