Design For Dummies

Colleen

Have you thought about taking a few of your favorite photos and creating a collagen with various size frames?

Megan

What about a big red poppy print – something by Georgia OKeefe? Michael’s or Hobby Lobby usually have great sales on frames, 50% off!

Rachel

Gold vintage-y looking mismatched frames from Goodwill. If they don’t have any, just get what they have and spray paint them. Then, don’t put them up in any organized fashion….just make sure they are straight!

Sarah

What about some wall decals?

http://www.wallstickershop.com/wallstickers.cfm/decorative-wall-stickers/0/pcid/298/cid/303/

Jessica @ How Sweet

Can you frame some of your pictures that you’ve taken on your own?!

Kelly

A mirror, preferably one with a frame you can paint to match your decor. It’ll make the room look tons bigger, plus it’ll be incredibly versatile in a new place as well! Oh, and it just tends to look classy. There’s that too 🙂

Nora@LiveLifeEatRight

I love the cool metal work pieces of oranges blues charcoal etc. One big piece would be so cool. Or if you buy plain mirrors you can glue tiles around the edges, making it a cheap mosaic thing 🙂

Heather

If you’re into antiques/country charm, visit local yard sales or flea markets to get cute finds like an old-school large bike wheel, a weathered-looking window frame (without the glass), and the like, to hang. QUickly adds affordable, lovely charm. If you’re into something more modern (and live on the dangerous side), what I have done is get a large canvas (from a local art store), a paint brush, one color I like a lot, and then collect from yard sales old mirrors. Break the mirrors into pieces and glue the pieces (carefully) onto the painted canvas in a sort of mosaic, leaving just a bit of space between each piece so you can see the accent color beneath. It is way more interesting than just hanging a mirror above your couch, and utilizes some old and tough-to-recycle mirror junk from tag sales.

Julie

Print off some of the pictures you have taken. Wal-mart does really good, cheap prints in almost any size! You could pick up fancy frames, but if you get simple frams (black, or metal, or white or wood) then you can use them in your new place as well!
Personally, I would consider printing the pictures off in black and white. You have so much colour in your place already that you don’t want to overdo it. Of course, that is just a matter of personal taste.

Megan

We all know your love of IKEA :), so…do you have enough lighting in the apartment? If not, I think IKEA has some pretty cool wall lighting that could be colorful and serve a purpose. I wanted one for my hallway in my old apartment, but there was not a convenient spot for the cord, so think about that too!

Ashleigh

I think you should hang a door on your wall like this: http://www.thenester.com/2008/01/bored.html

I think it would look perfect in there and add lots of character 🙂

Karen @ Not Just Celery

How about a couple of big posters that you frame yourself (get frames from a place like Michaels or Target)? Another idea would be a couple of shelves that you can add books or decorative items (candles?) to…

Good luck!

joy

how about the stick on murals
ala
http://www.dezignwithaz.com/wall-decals-floral-c-44.html

Tasha - the clean eating mama

Wall Decals!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ModernDecals
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PlanetWallArt
http://www.etsy.com/shop/walldecors

LB

I think you should do a huge dramatic black and white image. The muted color would make the other colors in your space pop, and you could pick an image that evokes a certain feeling or memory in you that makes you want to spend time in your living room!

Casey

Enlarge three of your favorite food pics with reds, etc in them and have them printed/stretched onto a canvas! It makes pics look gorgeous and is pretty cheap. Here’s the site I used and mine turned out great:

http://www.canvas4life.com/

Where did you get your red couch?? I am on a couch hunt and haven’t found any I like half as much as that. It’s so pretty and looks really comfy!

Sarah

I think this print would look amazing in your space:
http://www.buy.com/prod/georgia-o-keeffe-poppy-28-x-25-poster-print/q/sellerid/24076936/loc/66357/212764180.html
And it’s only $30.
You could also buy a few of the adorable plates (4 or so) from Anthropologie and do an arrangement. They’d look beautiful.

Elisa

Uh, oh bad link. Here it is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindsaystephenson/4629730496/

Debbie

I love this challenge. I think you should gather branches/sticks from nature on one of your hikes and use a hot glue gun to put them in a random pattern together. So they look similar to this picture:

http://interiorneeds.chainreactionweb.com/Global_Views-Wall_Decor/c14_36/p13514/Branch_Wall_Panel/product_info.html

You could also use some jute or other ribbon to tie some of the branches together if you want more texture/color. If you want to add more color you could even spray paint the branches a nice orange or yellow. But with the bright red couch I feel like it needs more natural texture to balance it out.

Can’t wait to see what inspires you and the final product!

Sarah

I’m also a fan of wall decals from etsy – I think that any of the ones that look like branches with birds on them look artsy/natural and you can choose any color you want to match your vintage-y style

Kara

I have four different ideas:

1. Empty, painted frames. You can usually find cool vintage-y frames at thrift stores and flea markets. You can spray paint them different shades of buttery yellows and marigolds (or whatever colors you choose) and hang them on the wall.

2. Framed copies of recipes you love and pictures out of old cookbooks. You can scan the images and recipes from your favorite cookbooks or just rip a page out. Arrange them in a set inexpensive frames like these: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/183-7852318-0343002?asin=B00007IP5R&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=%7CB00007IP5R&CPNG=home%20decor&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B00007IP5R&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

3. Stretched pieces of fabric on frames. You can buy cute pieces of fabric from Ikea, Crate and Barrel, or a craft store and stretch them over square or rectangular frames.

4. Old maps of Florida, South Carolina, France, and other places you’ve lived. When I went to college in Massachusetts, I missed home unimaginably. So I printed off maps of Texas and hung them all over my walls. It looked pretty cool and made me remember home, too.

Good luck decorating! I hope I win your delicious cookies!

RhodeyGirl

That also might be pricey though.

For another idea, just visit Home Goods and see what cheap prints or mirrors they have. If you’ll only be there until March you might not want to spend money framing and printing things.

Mary @ Running Wifle

A series of shelves with vintage items on them- I’m thinking vases, picture frames, candles, rocks, etc. that you could pick up at a thrift store. The best part about that would be you could change with the seasons and holidays for a more festive feel!

I have shelf sets like these from Target and I love them! http://tiny.cc/757fx

An alternate idea would be to use mirrors, either one large one or a bunch of little ones.

Courtney

I was at a friend’s house for a baby shower a few weeks ago, and she had this great “piece,” shall we call it, on her wall. Basically all she did was go to the craft store and bought a bunch of different size canvases, spray-painted them different colors, overlapped them, and nailed them together in an eclectic design. It’s kind of hard to describe, but it was really cool and would let you be creative with colors and sizes of the canvases. I can try to explain it better if you are interested in giving it a go! Good luck, I am sure you’ll think of something great!

Carrie

When I had this dilemma, I bought three rectangular shaped canvases and wrapped them in coordinating fabrics (In my case, the fabrics were remnants of pillows made for the sofa below.) I got the idea from an issue in Southern Living and always get so many complements. Very low cost (and minimal time) investment and when you move you can reuse the canvasses. Here are their directions: http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/decorating/fabric-as-art-00400000006315/

Kristen

Floating shelves with retro styled things of your choice would look great! I love having the shelves because they are easy to place and you can always take them with you!

jess

ok- i’m planning on decorating MY wall with this idea, but i like you so i don’t mind sharing…

grab some ole plywood from home depot, some paint, and some stencils. i love those quote boards, but haven’t found a quote that resonates enough just yet. soo what i’m going to do is paint the board a darker color (for you- it’d be one of the colors already in use) then use the stencils to document one of my favorite recipes. i have a decent amount of time on my hands, so i’ll be doing seasonal recipes…

my fall board will have words like “butter flour cranberry chocolate pumpkin” etc. when im tired of it, no big deal— just flip it over and make a new one.

Kelly

Maybe three orange, yellow and red colored photos that you’ve taken blown up in some nice black frames? That’s what I would do 🙂

Melinda

Wall Stickers! A large one of a really cool looking tree or a chandelier. The 3D ones that pop out such as flowers or birds in a cool pattern would be awesome too! That way you can just peel it off when you move. Easy and chic!

Amber K

I love going to a flea market or Goodwill-type place and look through the art. You can usually find something that will look great on the wall and isn’t a ton of money!

amanda

You take the most beautiful photos – so I think you should print and frame your photos in different sizes. Maybe you could order some prints in black and white or even sepia tone. And then prop up the framed photographs on a picture ledge like this:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30152596
I just adore picture ledges! To add some variety you could also frame some of your favorite postcards, travel memorabilia, or cards, or prop up a pretty plate, small vase, or tray.

Reeves Thompson

You can frame fabric pieces-frame in cheap black frames! Or…staple fun fabric to an art canvas…both look great…and it is fun looking and buying fabrics…you don’t need much-so it is pretty cheap!

Heather

i’m thinking you can find really awesome old signs at habitat for humanity stores or thrift store…vintage would be really cool! OR you could take some of the photos you’ve done of your favorite places, frame them, and make a collage? i’m not super creative, but that’s something i’ve always wanted to do!

JessicaE

I have two ideas:

I think it would be exquisite to take some pictures of the beautiful food you cook, frame them, and hang them there; either separately or a photo collage type thing.

Wendy

I think a photo gallery wall would look great!, especially using black and white photos with the same color of frames.
Something like these maybe? http://brabournefarm.blogspot.com/2010/08/photo-finish.html

You could also put the photos on a couple wall shelves.

Another idea is a subway style print – using the cities you love, or have been to. Have you seen those? Something like this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/43039899/toronto-subway-print

Emily

Wall decals! There are amazing ones on etsy!

Cherry blossom: http://www.etsy.com/listing/55393341/vinyl-wall-art-decals-pink-cherry

Trees: http://www.etsy.com/listing/56286867/vinyl-wall-art-decals-4-set-of-winter

World Map: http://www.etsy.com/listing/56109260/dot-matrix-world-map-large-vinyl-wall

Perfect if you’re not going to live there forever since they peel right off without messing with the paint.

Donnie

Some beautiful wine posters, framed or not, would look nice. You can find the wall hangers that don’t leave holes since you’ll be leaving in March. They could also become great keepsakes.

lainie

Hang a large, vintage-looking mirror behind your couch; it will look awesome AND make your room look bigger!

Jade

Find three colorful, but different, leaves. Place one behind each black frame (between the two glass panels) and hang them on the wall. Perfect for easing into the fall spirit!

MMiller

Use wineboxes (the wooden ones you can take from Sams & Costco) although you may be able to get them elsewhere! You can make some shelving units from them!

Erin

frame bright, vintage looking fabrics in antiquey/ornate/fancy picture frames

Amber

You should check out Kath’s blog post from a day or so ago… and get the vintage style local farming posters and put them up. The colors would be perfect and they are just up your ally as far as local foods are concerned!
They’re super cute!
http://promo.shopopensky.com/victorygarden/

Ellen

My roommate and I went to goodwill and found old frames, different sizes and looks. We painted them all a pretty purple, and then found different fabric that we liked. Then we simply put the fabric in the frames and hung them on the wall, so cute and simple! I wish I had a picture to show you, I’ll work on that! 🙂

m.e.

go to a thrift shop and buy various mirrors (different shapes and sizes) and have them in a scattered arrangement. So whimsical!

Melissa

I think vinyl stickers would look great in your place! They are very inexpensive and can be removed easily. You could choose from a number of different designs such as the Eiffel tower, chandelier or your initials. I think the Eiffel tower would look so cute in your place!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50741541/new-design-small-eiffel-tower-swirly

ARPL

This may sound weird, but I have a pal who hangs groupings of empty photo frames on her walls. She buys ugly art oil paintings for $1 at the secondhand store and takes the painting out, leaving the ornate-looking frame. Sometimes spray paint is required too.

This is the closest to it I could find online as an example.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/revolutionarygirl/2518237977/

I had to comment as your cookies always look so good.

Lauren at KeepItSweet

have you tried IKEA? they actually have some really interesting “artwork” that doesn’t look like you bought it there and isn’t too expensive

Tracey

First off, I love your couch!

My sister has a huge wall in the place she just moved. She is having me take a picture of where we grew up (farm) and a picture of where she is now (city). Shes going to blow-up, mount and frame them to put on her wall. It’s cheap and will remind her of where she is from and how far she has come since then. I loved the idea as soon as she told me about it! I love art that actually means something to the person who owns it:)

Added bonus: if you ever get sick of the pictures you can switch them out in the future!

postcollegecook

Do you have a stash of postcards you’ve collected from your travels? You could put them up in a clean pattern with an inch between each.

Or you could get 8×10 prints of 3 of your favorite photos and frame them. Simple and a fun conversational piece!

I’m loving all these ideas!

odelsa

I love Amanda’s Idea of framing your photographs!
This also would be fantastic!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/singlestonestudios

laura

nothingbutbonfires.com/2010/08/how-make-large-graphic-sign !!!

Or, if you want to put up a series of prints – check around for leftover 2010 calendars (or even 2011 ones, but they’ll be full price) and tear out 3 or 4 of the pages. I think one with those vintage wine ads; they’d look lovely in a group, because they’re usually warm colors and pretty designs and they’ll go together without being identical. Just pick up some cheap ikea frames and no one will ever know they’re calendar pages!

Mallory

I followed instructions from Design*Sponge to make wall art out of toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls…all for free! It actually looks really cool and I get compliments on it all the time: http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/11/diy-project-toilet-paper-roll-wall-art.html

Angela @ A Healthy Fit

I love the idea of wall decals. I think this one would be great in your place. It matches your couch and that other picture you have that you have been coloring in. http://www.etsy.com/listing/53990567/fancy-birdcages-grouping-vinyl-wall-art?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_query=wall+vinyl+decals+art-&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title

Laurie @ Cookies n' Cardio

Ugh… I hear ya. I have an awkward blank wall in my bedroom! And I don’t know what to do with it!!

Steph

Hang up a couple simple shelves and decorate with some awesome books and trinkets!

Jenn

What happened to your pretty “single red” bird pictures? You have so many gorgeous pics from your travels. You could have one blown up or do a grouping of 4-6 individual ones each in a frame. I love the one where you and Almanzo are standing at the edge of that cliff! Your scenery pics are GREAT! And, I know you have some with reds and oranges with backgrounds being food signs, flowers, veggies/farmers’ markets.
There’s my 2 cents!
Jennifer

Casey

Go to Etsy.com, which is so much better then buying something generic from Ikea. It’s all original, as you know- I think I’ve seen you mention purchasing a camera bag from someone on Etsy

Sana

Hang up some of your fav pics that you have taken 🙂 And you can change it up so u won’t get bored!

Holly S.

Yep, I’m with everyone else on wall decals. I founds some cool ones at Target – for abot $15 each. This one is kinda neat, but they have all different ones. http://www.target.com/Chandelier-Nouveau-Wall-Decal-Black/dp/B003BO0UVG/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid5&keywords=wall%20decals&fromGsearch=true&sr=1-7&qid=1284578348&rh=&searchRank=target104545&id=Chandelier%20Nouveau%20Wall%20Decal%20Black&node=1038576|1287991011&searchSize=30&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0

Holly S.

Or you could just make another red bird picture like your other one….

Jessica @ The Process of Healing

I would say a giant mirror! It’ll open up the tiny space and make it seem larger than it really is!

Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman

I’d buy a nice big frame that will run the length of the couch. Then buy either a roll of funky wrapping paper or a large piece of fabric in a cool print. Frame the fabric/wrapping paper and–tada–super cheap art.

Lesley

This is what I did, and it is the easiest idea ever. Steps:

1) Pick out 3-5 of photos that you have taken that you love.
2) Go to Michaels and buy 5 matching (or not) frames that match the colors in your living room (or buy white ones and paint). Don’t forget a coupon!
3. Get photos blow-up to size of frame. I used 18×20.
4. Assemble photos in frame and hang on wall.

I love this because it is super easy (took one day), looks fun AND sophisticated, and constantly reminds me of some of my best travel memories!

SMW

Im not sure if someone has already posted this but wall stincils are an awesome and cheap way to liven up a wall. This website has a ton to choose from…..
http://sunnyspaint.com/stencils.html

Jess

I just had to do that. I bought some funky wall paper and put them on 2 large plain canvases and then hung them on the wall. very pretty with minimal time and money spent!

Alyse

A giant mirror?

Gennin

A great affordable way that makes big impact is to find some cheap old picture frames in various sizes try to find complementary colors or wood tones (think clearance, thrift stores, garbage picking…hey! one man’s trash is another’s treasure you know 🙂 You could always paint the frames too… Get some cardboard/poster board or something sturdy. You can even use old boxes. Cut them so they fit inside the frame. Then the fun part: go to the fabric store and find some fun fabrics that appeal to you. All different kinds if you want…go crazy. Cover the boards with the fabrics using spray adhesive then stick them in the frames. Arrange the frames any way you choose. Voila! A masterpiece!!!

carla

Ikea has these fabulous large prints of diff cities (ny, paris, amsterdam etc) they are all black and white except one thing…the amsterdam just has one red vintage nike…so cool and would be perfect with your couch!

Julia

I can picture a series of 2-4 prints of a flowery toile pattern or a flower pattern (they have some examples in google images) in some antique white or black frames, you could do one in each of the red, yellow, and orangey colors that you already have going on (you could use fabric or print the images out in the right size at a copy place). You could use any pattern really. I think that would give it sort of a modern but vintagey feel to tie all your decor together. I also think a quilt would be super cute over the back of your couch – one that is a little worn and has lots of colors in it – funny I actually have one that my great-grandma made that would look perfect on (in my opinion).
Hope you find a fabulous solution for the wall!

Cyndi

To balance out the red couch and black table, I would introduce some organic, textured pieces. Create balance without clutter and nonsense.

A rough, woven oversized tray or basket on the black table … an oversized plant behind the couch … an inexpensive textured area rug for under the black table … a vintage side table with a plant and tall, narrow table lamp … maps and photos are a nice idea, but I wouldn’t make them the main focal point behind the couch – too obvious. Drape a vintage fabric or an interesting, textured blanket or scarf across the back wall on a curtain rod that is mounted to the wall. With the rod in place, you could change the fabric seasonally.

Good luck – you have a lot of great suggestions so far!

Claire

I don’t know if there are any left, but you could find an old (i.e., 2010) calendar that is those vintage paintings with the same colors you’re using and use poster frames to put them on the wall.

Kristin

I recently had the same problem – a big, empty wall just begging to be filled! I found a handful of vintage mirrors at antique shops/flea markets in different sizes/finishes and hung them on the wall in sort of a mirror-collage. It looks great and makes the room look larger!

bobbi

Have you seen our wall? We got these cheap picture frames and shelves from ikea tha I adore here is a link http://www.bobbimccormick.com/?p=8967

heidi

I know this has been mentioned already- but I agree with the embroidery hoop/fabric collage idea!

Here are some links to etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/56255960/upcycled-embroidery-hoop-wall-art-red?ref=sr_gallery_21&ga_search_query=fabric+on+hoop&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55923254/trio-of-wall-art-fabric-hoops-vintage?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_search_query=fabric+on+hoop&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title

OK Chick

Sorry, I don’t have any ideas for you, but I do love the couch.

Meredith @ An Epic Change

You know those French message boards with the ribbons criss-crossing and you tuck important notes, pictures, etc. in the ribbons?

Well my aunt and uncle live on a big historic farm and were trying to spruce the decor up but keep an “old” feel to it, so they found amazing vintage fabric pretty cheap on some old furniture at a flea market and they made their own large French message board (cheap sheet of plywood, cotton batting from the craft store, staples, ribbon, buttons). You can pick out the fabric and ribbons to complement whatever decor you have and find funky buttons to place where the ribbon criss-crosses and you staple it down (glue the buttons, I guess?) Then you can tuck in your favorite photos, letters, and little trinkets!

Charise

I like big mismatched frame collages – you could do a worn white (sanded so the wood shows through in spots) for a rustic/vintage look or antique gold or silver. With such a large space, you could definitely do some bigger frames, too, or I like to do one biiiiiig frame as a “frame” for all the frames inside.

And then fill some with your own pictures that pull in some of your accent colors, and some with things like patterns of scrapbook paper or wrapping paper. I love using my own artwork to make it personal and cheap!

britt

Hey Lady!
i JUST MOVED AND LITERALLY HAD NOTHING! WORKING AND BEING A FOODIE ALONG WITH A LIMITED TO NO BUDGET MADE MY ARTISTIC PERSONA COME ALIVE. GO TO THE THRIFT STORE OR SOMEWHERE YOU CAN GET CHEAP AS DIRT FRAMES, SAND THEM OR PAINT THEM AND TAKE YOUR CAMERA TO WALGREEN PHOTO SHO AND PRINT OFF YOUR AMAZING PHOTOS AND FRAME THEM. TA DA ART AND GREAT COVERSATIONS STARTERS AS THE PICS HAVE STORIES BEHIND THEM, MUCH LOVE B

Kim@BudgetOrganicLiving

I have a few suggestions for you.

1, Print out and hand some of your favorite food photos.

2,Go to the Farmer’s Market and photograph your favorite fruits or veggies. Print them out and hang them.

3, Find a large map of the USA or the world and hang. Personalize it with decorative thumbtacks. Use one color or style for the places you have visited and another color or style for the places you would like to visit.

4, Hang a piece of fabric. New or Vintage. You can finish the edge with some double sided tape or fusible binding.

5, Hang a vintage or new Kimono

6, Hang a quilt. If you do not have space to hang it after you move then you can use it as a blanket.

7, Buy a large inexpensive canvas from a craft or art supply store and a few tubes of acrylic craft paint and paint a picture or get two or four equal sized canvases and paint each one a different color and hang them next to each other.

8, Make an Inspiration Board about food, travel or anything else you are passionate about.
Two samples

Tracy Feith
http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f60/tracy-feith-target-75142.html

Workspace Wednesday from the Paper n Stitch Blog
http://papernstitchblog.com/2009/10/page/2/

Have fun!

Molly b

Wall decals are awesome. Here’s a couple ideas:
http://dalidecals.com/Swirling-Poppies-Set-wall-decals.html
http://dalidecals.com/Five-Birds-Sitting-in-a-Cherry-Blossom-Tree-Wall-Graphics-Decals.html

Angela

My mom sells custom wall lettering. You can design any words, sayings or quotes in any size, font and color. I have it in a few different places around my house and I think it’s the perfect addition to any wall space that you just aren’t sure what to do with. I have a Julia Child quote in my kitchen to strike culinary inspiration and a Chilean greeting by my front door that serves as a daily reminder of my amazing South American travels. You should check out her website! http://offthewalllettering.com/Welcome%21.html

April

I think you should make a painting. Just buy a plan old canvas and paint. If you just paint in lines and let the colors blend together you will get something beautiful and artistic. It make look like a horizon with the “right” color selection or something more dynamic!!!