New Home Decor Project

I'm so excited about this project! I didn't think I'd get to work on it for a while since it's just hard to find time to do big projects like this. But Cooper has pink-eye, so he's home from school and I'm home from work because of it. So I was able to go pick up my decals after his Dr. appt. and actually put UP my project today while he was/is taking a nap!

I got the inspiration for this from many things over the course of the past few months. I saw wallpaper with handdrawn-looking picture frames on it in an old issue of Blueprint (I think old) at the doctor's office (of all places) and was like, "THAT is cool. I want to do this in Campbell's room, but hand draw the picture frames myself directly onto the wall." I was also feeling inspired by the latest issue of Blueprint (and last i think!) of their clipart they enlarged and used on home decor pieces. I spent alot of time searching for vector art (that is easy to enlarge big!), especially in the Dover collections, but couldn't really find what I wanted.

Then I somehow got to thinking about vinyl wall decals, wondering if maybe I could find photo-realistic picture frame decals somewhere. I think I had seen something like that at Urban Outfitters at one time, and sure enough, they had, but weren't carrying them any longer. POO.

So then I started doing some hardcore internet searching and still couldn't find anything. The only thing similar that I could find was this picture frame tape (which is a really cool idea by the way). But THEN I was reading one of the many design blogs I read and they were talking about the trend of using vinyl wall decals and how everyone is on the bandwagon creating them and selling them, and how some are really cute, and some.. not so much. And that really, you can create your OWN for much less money and that it's easy!

So I was like, "YES! i can do this MYSELF!" LOL. So I started searching stock photography sites a few weeks ago, found what I wanted, found a local sign shop, emailed my files to them, and picked up the finished product today. And put them up in less than an hour. HIZZAH!!! (can you tell i'm a wee tad excited?) And I'm just so stoked about the outcome. And I'm not actually done, but I wanted to go ahead and take some pics of it in-progress.

I am going to buy bulldog clips (not sure if i'll get colored ones, or just the plain metal... probably plain) and nail them to the wall where 5 picture frames are, and hang an art print from each clip. I've already purchased this, the boy print of this, and this. I also purchased this book in which I'll scan in 2 more images, print them and hang them. I'll leave the remaining smaller picture frames empty b/c i like the look. I liked the idea of having all headshots/portraits for the prints. I might even have a "headshot" of Cam in there. ;-)

I'm so happy about revamping Cam's room slightly to give it some new life. It literally has stayed the same room (Coop's old nursury) since we found out we were having a boy and still even has "COOPER" in big wooden letters hanging up. SO SO SO SAD. BAD BAD MOMMY. But at least Cam doesn't seem to mind. ;-) So this lights a fire under my butt to put up Campbell's letters and tidy up the room.. maybe decluttering it a bit. The "retro cowboy" theme will still stay, here and there, but luckily it's not a very "themey" looking room that hits you over the head with an idea. So the new wall decals fit in nicely.

So i'll take some more photos when everything is done! And thanks for all of the sweet comments on the Valentine's day treats! they were so much fun to do, but i have to admit that I'm glad last week is over. What a busy week!

Here are the pics! There's some glare from the overhead light shining on the walls.. and the room is very small so i could only move back so much to take a pic. ;-) Need that super wide angle lens i've been wanting!.... And if you're wondering, this WAS an inexpensive project when you think about how much $$$ you'd spend on buying decals from someone else. To print them was a little under $100. Then you add what you spend on the stock photography, which I can't remember, but you can find royalty-free images for fairly cheap on some sites. Then the cost of art prints which is very reasonable at places like Etsy.com. :) I actually changed the color on the red one and blue ones.. they were originally a garrish yellow and pink or something... lol! Gotta love Photoshop! The "Happy Trails to You...." I handpainted on there around the entire room, before Cooper was born.

***edited to add: Let me clarify that these are *vinyl wall decals* printed at a vinyl sign shop. They weren't printed on normal paper. They were sticky back and go up just like any vinyl wall graphics.***

Danielle

Comments

[laurie of liquid paper]

that looks awesome -- really great job!

[Jillian Guimont Paddack]

Wow!!! This is completely awesome! You are so incredibly creative, I love your inspiration :)

[kerry lynn]

amazing!!

[Laura Craigie]

Uhm........ OH MY GOSH! L O V E it!!!!!!!!! One question, did you hand cut out the print details, or are they laser cut? Did you just Modgepodge them to the wall? I'm a tad confused on that part.. lol

[jodi pfunder]

when are you coming to do my home?

[Ashley Wren]

you are golden.
love me some danielle.

aw

[Nicole]

That is THE coolest thing ever! I never would have thought to have my own made...awesome.

[Jamie]

O.M.G.

You totally and completely rock my world! I love this. I love a do-it-yourself-er! Rock on mama!

[Lori Buford]

sooooooooooooooo cute! more specific directions on how to make your own wall decals, pleeeeease!!!!

[Paola Norman]

Wow! You blow me away!! magnificent!..way to go Danielle..

Paola

[Lanne]

If you printed them at a local print store on just normal paper you may find a pro photography lab is cheaper.. or a sign writers if they are on something sticky baked.

Something similar to the wall paper you described is available at http://www.grahambrown.com/us/store/viewProduct.do?id=6.. and a company called blik do wall decals. http://www.whatisblik.com

These are awesome..They look great! IKEA has a real frame (in australia at least) which would sit nicely amoungst these too.. it comes in black. and looks similar to the blue and red one.

[Lanne]

oh it is in the states... http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00091967
ung drill. :)

[D@nielle]

it looks fabulous !

[CarrieJ]

Have I ever told you how much I appreciate you etsy shopping for me? I love love love the links you post here! The prints you picked are so darn adorable! The room is going to turn out great, and I have faith that you will get Coop's name down soon ;)

[danielle]

Lanne, these are vinyl decals so they do stick on the wall. :-) They were printed at a vinyl sign shop. I've used Blik before on some decals for Cooper's room. And i also have that IKEA frame... lol! bought it a few weeks ago. :-)

[Lyndsay Neumann]

I'm in love with this. Beautiful!

{newbie to your blog}

[Emily]

Wow! This is so awesome. And you handpainted the phrases around the room? I had enough trouble aligning wall decals myself . . . I am so impressed!

[Melanie aka ScrapMel]

I love how you put down your thought process here - I love having an inside view of a creative mind! Super wonderful design idea by the way - I also like how you will be able to change out prints as you want to - just wonderful!

[tracy]

Fabulous!

So sad no more Blueprints. ;o( It was the perfect magazine.

[melissa deakin]

you are amazing!
this is incredible.
what a fantastic idea.
his room looks fantastic!

[ylva]

so very pretty! while reading i pictured them all in black, but colours are always fun :)! am i being too snoopy if i say i'd like to see more of the room? it just looks so cute and i'm curious.

[Heidi Sonboul]

okay I have to say ... that you are so AMAZING!!!! JUST AMARING!

[Zee]

Wow, this is really cool!!! I have an account with Istockphoto, where I know they have tons of these frames, I have one on my blog! Ha! You are creative!!! Brilliant idea. I like it a lot!!!
Blueprint...I subscribed that mag, I got only 2 mags and now I am receiving Cookie, that I did not like at all..................sooo, I don't know..I liked Blueprint, I even got the font letters for my blog!!!

[Sarah]

That is INSANELY CUTE! I love it. What a neat idea and so creative. WOW.

[tania]

you.
are.
brilliant.

i love all the inspiration you share here danielle.

[kelly]

:) so talented... I love love love this! :)
-kelly

[suetreiber]

what a flippin' cool idea! I'd like to say i would have thought if it but I never would have.

[jen downer]

rad. love it.

[April]

Danielle, this is really cool! I am impressed!!!

[Amy Burnett]

Hi! I have e-mailed what I think is you a couple of times about the vinyl wall decor. I did find a print shop that can do this also. I was just curious if you would mind sending me the files that you used. Just for a clearer image for them to use. Thank you again. AMY

[melanie]

these look ultra-fabulous - what an awesome idea!

[Lisa]

this is the best idea ever!! Love it.

[tia]

danielle you inspire the pants off of me!
:D
i am trying to do something similar in my laundry room
(heavy emphasis on the word trying!) but of course have
made it so difficult on myself by hand-drawing and painting
the frame image...then i see your amazing ingenuity and
say "AHA! that danielle is the Queen of Macgyver, she is!"
:D
xoxo
t

[maggie]

Oh, so cool!! Which stock photo site did you find that blue frame on?? I love it!

[Meli]

This is fabulous.
By far the most amazing nursery ever.

[Janet]

This is a wonderful idea. You have done all the design legwork, have you considered selling these wall clings on etsy? Lots of people would be happy to purchase what you have developed, they don't have the time or desire to design their own.

[trudettte]

I love them , what a great idea !

[Sarahs Fab Day]

I also posted your frames, they are so cute I just love them. If you are ever interested in making more (sorry I'm a lazy one) please let me know I would love to buy some. I mean literally these are my new obsession.

[ModHomeEcTeacher]

This is one of most clever ideas I have seen. I spent a weekend trying to figure out how I could go about this same task, but gave up in favor of a fabric project. You are one talented girl!!

[Alejandra]

This seems like one of the nicest things I've seen in a while! They look amazing!

[Kate]

There's a bunch of frame (and other) decals for sale on etsy.

This is extremely inspiring. I get so frustrated, being a renter, and not being able to put anything nice on the walls.

[Jayne bone]

LOVE it, Im going to give it a bash myself,,,,,the possibilities are ENDLESS!!!!! My house will become vinyl wall decal MAD!!!!! How much did it APPROX cost???

[Laura Stewart]

I am SOOOOO in love with this project!!!! Where can I find the digital frames like this to take to the printer? These are so fantastic. Thanks!!!

[Liz]

this is such a great idea!
what websites did you get your frames from?

[Amber]

this is such a unique way to decorate a babies room... and i love it way to much! its great!

[Alex Hill]

I have to say - these comments are really, really positive and you deserve every one of them!!!!!

And they are right. There is a need here. I think you could have a business if you wanted one.

I checked out the picture-frame tape - I was surprised it wasn't more universally available!

Your frames totally rock.

[Nancy]

I was wondering where you got your stock photography? I love the blue frame you have but can't seem to find anything like that so if you could tell me where that would be great.