DIY Inexpensive Wallpaper Art with Canvases
May 15, 2009
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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,
paintable 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.
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.
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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:
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:
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.
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!
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Awesome project!
ReplyDeleteI'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!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteThey look beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI might have to do that with this toile wrapping paper I'm addicted to right now! :)
ReplyDeleteIt turned out great!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThat is fabulous! Love it.
ReplyDeleteBTW - 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 is really genius. I love that!! And will try it for sure. Added to my long list! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! I will defiantly be trying that!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the kitty part, it SO makes the whole project. He kinda matches too.
ReplyDeleteLooks very easy to do. My son is looking to buy his first place and I need cheap ideas to help him decorate.
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
ReplyDeleteThat is remarkable! Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAMAZING!! I love it!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! And I think that the kitty just totally added to it.
ReplyDeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteHugs to you,
~Victoria~
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.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing, creative project!
ReplyDeleteThis 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!
ReplyDeleteI want to head to Home Depot (we don't have Lowes) tonight!!
I love those!!!!! I'm so freakin' inspired :)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you painted all those metallic details in only a couple of hours. You so totally rock!
ReplyDeleteIt's people like you that make me glad I have the internet...now if only I would get off my butt and do this...
ReplyDeleteI love this - you're so lucky to have a great master bedroom!
ReplyDeleteThank 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!
ReplyDeleteJust wondering where you found the canvas for cheap?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Looks great. You are just a plethera of wonderful ideas. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI really like the canvas/wallpaper art. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteThe kitty really makes the project, don't you think? ;) Sooooo cool!
ReplyDeleteRock 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.
ReplyDeletethis is absolutely FANTASTIC...just beautiful..
ReplyDeleteLove the project and the coordinating kitty!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteAn award for you on my blog!
ReplyDeleteAmy
It looks awesome! What a creative idea!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome and I love how the kitty matches!
ReplyDelete"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...."
ReplyDeleteThat comment is cracking me up! It's so true!
They are so cool!
ReplyDeleteThe way you painted them with the metallic accents they appear to be made of metal.
~Gorgeous result! :)
Chestnut lays on "everything" too.
ReplyDeleteI mean anything I happen to be doing that I don't want him laying on.
It's like they know....:)
That is great! I will have to think on this one!
ReplyDeleteUgh! You're a damn genious! Genious, I tell you!
ReplyDeleteI just jumped over from Rue's Blog. I just wanted to say Hi and nice blog!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
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).
ReplyDeleteThey look great!
Manuela
What a great and simple way to make art. Love it.
ReplyDeleteLOVE 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!!
ReplyDeleteI just love your ideas!!! Nicole
I almost forgot, my two cats do the very same thing!!!
ReplyDeleteI want to do something like that for a headboard. just as easy too i think. beauiful, cheap, and easy....:)
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteHUGS
JANET
LOVE THIS!!! I've done it with fabric, but never thought about the textured wallpaper. Brilliant, as always!
ReplyDeleteFreaking fantastic as always! You got my brain all working like crazy right now!
ReplyDeleteThese did turn out so cool...
ReplyDeleteOh...and our cat would do the same thing, I'm sure!! Have a great weekend. Take care ~Natalie
That's a way cute idea :-)
ReplyDeleteAnother cute, cheap idea is to buy some of those faux tin ceiling tiles and paint them the same way!
ReplyDeleteThe idea is great! I'll definitely have to try it.
ReplyDeleteI love those! They look great! Jen
ReplyDeleteyou got me with the kitty. I thought, what is that? some new kind of varnish or something?
ReplyDeleteHa ha, I should know, I have one of those kitties too!
This is a good idea. Me likey. :O)
ReplyDeleteSo cool! I don't know why I'm so afraid of wallpaper! That is such a thrifty project you thrifty decor chick you!
ReplyDeleteSarah, These speak to me. I love them. I am going to try making these. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat is a really neat idea, I never thought of using wallpaper like that. I love your fireplace, it is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI love this, and I love your blog! I will certainly be back for more ideas~I NEED THEM! (((((HUGS))))) sandi
ReplyDeleteThese would have cost a fortune if you had bought them all pre-made in a furniture or decor store... Great idea!
ReplyDeleteDi
The Blue Ridge Gal
Amazing...looks just wonderful
ReplyDeleteOh that is WAY cool, I love it! I'll be linking.
ReplyDeleteWhat an AWESOME project! You rock!
ReplyDeleteSheila
Wow! what a great idea!! I will have to try this when we move to a larger house with larger walls :)
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog and so far am loving it!!
this is such a fab idea. i love it with the texture, it makes me think it would cover up the air bubbles too!
ReplyDeleteWay 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.
ReplyDeleteWhat 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!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteWow, they are so beautiful! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteAwesome 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.
ReplyDeleteThanks 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!
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.
ReplyDeleteI featured this today on my blog Scribbles and Swirls. Please take a look and would love for you to follow me as well :)
ReplyDeletehttp://tamiscribblesandswirls.blogspot.com/2011/11/joy-on-wallpaper-art.html
Thanks for the inspiration!
~Tami
Just found your blog today! This project is TO DIE FOR!!!! We are getting a new house this summer and I definitely want to do this for the dining room wall! Thanks for sharing! Stop by my blog and visit! www.heritagehomemaker.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI shared this on my facebook page, I think it's such a cool idea! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSee it here:http://www.facebook.com/WallMuralFairy/posts/426301007421240
I am so doing this! So pretty, Do you think you could use a bigger canvas and match up the wallpaper? My wall paper is 20 inches, but I need bigger panels. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYep I'm sure you could!
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