How to use a table runner as art
November 12, 2009
Share this
How to use a textured table runner as wall art!
Whew. So I needed to go.
I found a few goodies for under $10 -- the other items I'll show you soon.
This one, I just couldn't pass up. It was a table runner, all beady and
natural looking.
I stood there with it in my hands staring at it, but I couldn't figure out
where in the heck I would need such an odd sized table runner. It's only 31
inches long.
And then it hit me -- I knew just where it was going. Over the toilet!
For the longest time, this is what I've had over the toilet in our little
room in the master bath:
Don't ask. I have no clue what I was thinking. I was thinking spa I guess?
It didn't turn out well. And towels over the toilet? Um....that's just not
good. I mean, we didn't use them, but still...
Don't ask. I have no clue what I was thinking. I was thinking spa I guess?
It didn't turn out well. And towels over the toilet? Um....that's just not
good. I mean, we didn't use them, but still...
So I had a vision, and it turned out exactly how I had hoped! First, I
just nailed the runner to the wall using little finishing nails and my
hammer:
Most of them I was able to just push in with my finger.
I used my nail sinker to get them in close enough to the wall so you
couldn't see them:
Most of them I was able to just push in with my finger.
I didn't take pics of the molding process, but I added some thin
molding I had in the garage around the runner to finish it off:
I spray painted the molding before I hung it, but it still wasn't
just the right tone.
I spray painted the molding before I hung it, but it still wasn't
just the right tone.
So I just brushed some of my walnut stain right over the top of the
wood, and now it matches perfectly!
Because I love it so stinking much, I took a ton of pictures, so
bare with me:
I'm not sure what you would call the style of our bathroom,
it's a little traditional, a little fancy, a little
nature-inspired. But this works, no matter what it is. :)
I'm not sure what you would call the style of our bathroom,
it's a little traditional, a little fancy, a little
nature-inspired. But this works, no matter what it is. :)
How gorgeous would this be in a dining room -- in a set of
three on the wall hanging horizontally? FAB!
The before again:
The much lovelier after:
Total cost? Four bucks baby. And it took about 30 minutes
start to finish, to complete. All during nap time, with
time to spare to watch my stories. ;)
Total cost? Four bucks baby. And it took about 30 minutes
start to finish, to complete. All during nap time, with
time to spare to watch my stories. ;)
I will decorate anything if I can do it for
cheap!
I just love this!!! What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI soo need you to help me with my laundry closet! Yes, its a closet with the washer and dryer and shelves above it. It's ugly! So ugly and in our den. I can't even reach the shelves so I don't know what to do with the wasted space!
I REALLY like it! Has so much more "presence" than the old decor! Would be fun to even hang a couple pieces of artwork on it or something too. Great idea to hang three of them in a dining room or something too. Bottom line - love it! :-)
ReplyDeletepk @ Room Remix
I, too, get a lil' jittery when I haven't been to the goodwill in a week. I get anxious thinking of the possibility that something that would be perfect for me house or that I may "need" would show up and I would totally miss it...or worse yet that it would be for 1/2 off. (my mother would say "then it wasn't meant to be" but I'd like to escape from that thought when it pertains to the goodwill)
ReplyDeleteby the way -- gorgeous! Love it now, don't get me wrong, but a sconce in the middle might look cool (ya know if you didn't already have them on the other wall...or for the DR idea)
It's perfect! :)
ReplyDeleteGirl, you need to stop with your bad self! I LOVE it! I never in a million years would have though of hanging that on the wall :)
ReplyDeleteI laughed when you talked about "needing" to go to GW! that is sooo me! Other people just don't get it!! I have loved finding your blog and am so going to do the picture frame molding in my dining room this weekend!! Been wanting to for 2 years and after your tutorial, now I feel like I can actually do it myself and not wait for DH to get to it "someday". Going to go buy a miter box. What do you think abut using liquid nails instead of hammer/nails for this?
ReplyDeleteDani
GAH.... GORGEOUS!! You are such a fabulous re-use girl. Never would I have thought to do this... leave it up to you my dear girl.
ReplyDeleteDI
The Blue Ridge Gal
Very good idea and reuse. Very chic looking.
ReplyDeleteKathy
I gave a similar table runner to my niece last year....whew, glad to know you're not in the same city...thinking maybe she donated it! EgAds.....LOL....looks good, my friend. It came from Target and it looks good there!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
I have been b-stalking you for a while now, and I luurrrrrrve your ideas! Thanks for sharing yet another fab one. You're a rockstar and my thrifty decor 'idol'. Much love sista!
ReplyDeleteMain thing - it makes you happy - cheaper than a steak dinner, or a vacation, or a new outfit. Sometimes decorating is just medicine for the person...we occupants that live in the home see that wall, corner, whatever all the time...so when we change it the pleasure is all ours...if others also like it - just even better.
ReplyDeleteKeep making yourself happy with your decorating adventures.
It looks AMAZING! How creative of you to think of using it as wall art - and the moulding just finishes it off perfectly. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with your treasure! I just so happen to have a hospice thrift store near by and can not go to that town without stopping. I found a few treasures today myself. It makes me happy to find new uses for things. AND saving money on fabulous finds....all the better!
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeletereally like the 3 in a row in a dining room idea!!
Have a great afternoon!!
What the heck!!?? That is wonderful! I am absolutely in love with it. And YOU, my dear, are absolute genius. I am not even kidding.
ReplyDelete{Ps--You need to upgrade your Photobucket to pro!! Check out your blog}
I like the way your (creative) mind works! Janell
ReplyDeleteThat. Looks. Great! I love it! Leave it to you to work molding into this too. : )
ReplyDeletePunch. Nail punch.
ReplyDeleteLove the mini runner with all it's scrumptious texture loveliness. The one at Target winks at me everytime I pass by. So far I've held out, but now...
I think this would make a great "matte" for 3 black and white framed photos in a vertical line down the middle. You know. Just sayin'.
Oh girl, only you could see this in the Goodwill and know it would be perfect above your toilet!! I am in awe of your brain~I love it!
ReplyDeleteI am neeeeeeding a trip to GW myself. I love the table runner thing! It is so pretty on the wall like that. And the molding around it is the PERFECT PERFECT touch! What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Absolutely WOW!
ReplyDeleteI believe that little tool is called a counter sink. I like the wall hanging but it would also make an awesome rug for stepping out of the shower (with a little tray under neath for catching the water, like the mats made out of stone I've seen hanging around the internet)
ReplyDeleteWOW! This is so pretty and unexpected :)
ReplyDeleteYou are incredible. I am so glad I found your blog, you have opened up a new world for me! I used to think decorating my house was too pricey, so I have hardly anything on my walls. Now I know about spray paint and my local thrift store (better than our goodwill). It has been a JOY to be able to come up with ideas for our home. I was able to find brand new with tags wall decor from joanns- 3 pieces- for $10. That would have cost me $100 at joanns!! I am in LOVE with your table runner wall art!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it! I think it looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteGENIUS!! This is definitely what this wall needed! GRRREAT job!!
ReplyDeleteOK WEIRD... I JUST Made the exact same thing with my odd shaped table runner. Well not the exact but VERY similar. Weird how there is an abundance of these odd shaped table runners at the thrift stores. I am posting mine tonight
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! I need to go to a "good" Goodwill. The one here never has anything. :)
ReplyDeleteWowza! Love it!
ReplyDeleteLOVE it!
ReplyDeleteLOVE it! Such a clever idea!
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely one of the most creative people I "know"...I would have never thought of that, but it looks like it was meant to me...& much more than the $4 price tag! Thanks for the continued inspiration...
ReplyDeletetotally love it! i think we have the same bathroom, i swear. will have to send you some of my pics, it even looks like the same color! love it. i have been trying to spruce up mine too. used peir 1 place mats for a similare effect@!!!
ReplyDeleteAgree with Annabelle, I have gotta find myself a good goodwill! All of you have been blogging, wow I found this at goodwill, thrift, etc and I'm like, how?? All I see in these stores are crap.. but I haven't seen all the thrift shops in my city, so..
ReplyDeleteI like your new toilet art much better than the old thing you had before - you could add your candle scones on your other wall and put them on each side of your new art and it would be COOL!
Oooooh, very zen. I'm all relaxed just looking at it. Such mod art ! Have you seen the river rocks shower mats ? Oh my goodness, I want one for my feeties !
ReplyDeletexoxo
Kate
"counter sink"...not sure what the actual tool is called, but you are counter sinking the nail....
ReplyDeleteCool idea....I'm on it!
Awesome look! Also, you are my new hero. I have an awkward section in my front hall where the air intake is right in the way of the chair rail...and NOW I know how to fix it! I'm going to us the picture frame molding and incorporate some molding around that intake. I won't be able to get to it until after the holidays but I confess I did some measuring yesterday...... :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteLove it! The tool I believe is called a "nail punch"? I too think sconces would look good on either side, but you already have them on the other wall. Our closet GW has NOTHING...I am jealous!!
ReplyDeleteHow very cool! Love it :)
ReplyDeleteYour blog is my favorite go to for decorating! I absolutely love what you did with the runner! I love how you think outside the box. How you are frugal!
ReplyDeleteI love all your tips! You are awesome girl! Thanks so much for all you share!
Great find and amazing texture. Much better toitie art :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I love the texture it adds!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! Great idea. :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Who would've thought?
ReplyDeleteDanielle
This is why I love your blog - it seems like sometimes you're reading my mind (I thought about making one of our runners wall art). You rock! Now it's confirmed and I need to try it! ox
ReplyDeleteThat is way cool! I never would've thought to do that. Aren't you clever?!
ReplyDeleteLOVE it!
ReplyDeleteFAB!
ReplyDeleteHello??? That is sooooo clever!!!!
ReplyDeleteOk Sarah, all I can say is W.O.W.
ReplyDeleteBarb
Well done! well done!
ReplyDeleteThat is really terrific! What a great find, and then to put it above the commode as art is very creative. You have inspired me!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea and the dimension feel of it. Go you! ;)
ReplyDeleteI love a pretty throne! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the texture!
ReplyDeleteOMG, only you would hang a table runner on your wall and make it look sooooo fabulous! Love the moulding around the edge. Ingeneous and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. The texture looks really great. And it's nice to decorate places that are just for you and your family. You're somebody, too, right? :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this! What a wonderful idea! And now my head is just spinning, because I finally GET the fact that, with molding, you can create your own frame. Any size. Anywhere. Oh, the possibilities.
ReplyDeleteYou are so very, very much fun.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this idea. Much better than fake dusty plants or towels that can fall in the potty. We may be moving in the next couple of months and this gives me some great ideas where I will have to redecorate walls (that I have family pictures on now that will have to come down).
ReplyDeleteAlways, great blog!!!!
I think it looks BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat was definitely thinking outside the box! I do not think that I would ever have come up with that idea. I love it! I would sure love to let you loose in my house for a week!! Now I will be on the lookout for a runner like that or something similar because I have thought of something I would like to do with it in my house! So very glad I found your blog! You have really been an inspiration to me.
ReplyDelete~ Tracy
Totally awsome im for sure gonna do something like this in my kitchen or dining room. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteSM
I love this idea! I have just found your blog and I am enjoying every moment of it (I'm going through the archives). OMG I just love this idea!!!
ReplyDeleteSoooo much better. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure it's called a nail punch but your name for it is oh so much better :)
ReplyDeleteMakes your "water closet" (sounds more fancy than toilet area :P)oh so much prettier.
Thanks for all the wonderful ideas you give us!
I think it looks great but I think it would look even better with the candle thing hanging on the side wall mounted to the top of your runner. Maybe a couple of candle sconces in a row on it would look neat.
ReplyDeletewow! thats awesome- now if only you could make it into a waterfall! how amazing would that be! LOL! I love it!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Great! I hate the word toilet too. At least you didn't say tor-lit, or toe-lit. My gramma calls it the COMMODE. Drives me NUTS!
ReplyDeleteA.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
ReplyDeleteI love it! And...duuuh, who doesn't decorate the space above the potty???
~Amanda
Actually, This will make you smile...I found the exact same table runner at Target today, and it was $29.99 and there were placemats to match. You really did get a deal, girly!!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! It looks great. I totally understand about something YOU see everyday. It just drives you crazy til you get it right, doesn't it? ;)
ReplyDeleteThat is an awesome idea! It looks AMAZING!!
ReplyDeleteLove it, made the room pop. Great job and a very good deal. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSandy
Very cool idea...never would have thought of it, now I'll be looking for one!
ReplyDeleteSue
I love love love it!
ReplyDeletenuf said
Oh! I love that! You are so clever!!
ReplyDeletelol!! I loved what you did with that finding and the molding!.. and yes the loo looks kinda hip now :) Kind of like Moroccan style.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I found your blog only a few days ago when you were talking (and videoing) about the molding... I see you like molding :)
Elizabeth.
My sister introduced me to your site a few weeks back and I LOVE IT! I love that your teach us how to do everthing! You are incredibly creative and this wall hanging is simply brilliant! It's so eclectic, modern, and tactile. You know everyone who enters that bathroom will be rubbing their hands all over it!
ReplyDeleteHow do you make EVERYTHING so beautiful? :) Seriously. It is amazing.
ReplyDeletewas in target today, and saw this table runner...with matching placemats! started to laugh...as I remembered that it had just gone on your bathroom wall...! How funny...if only they knew. ( and why would someone have already sent this to goodwill...?)
ReplyDeleteI love to change, mix, and re-do. Looks like you do as well. I liked the before and I liked the after. What if you put the two together? I mean put the towel holder over the wall art some how?
ReplyDeleteVery, very sophisticated...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and what a unique idea!
ReplyDeleteOK you are brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI wish our goodwill was like yours. Ours never has good things in it...
ReplyDeleteWow - that project is amazing! You are so clever. Great job Sarah!!!
ReplyDeleteXOOX
Jen
I saw this table runner at Target. $25 bucks! So you got it for a steal! They have place mats to match.
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT--I think it would be neat to fins some unique piece and hang it on it.
ReplyDeleteGreat job--I have a party every week- Its So Very Creative (mondays--but goes up on Sun night)--would love to have you be an inspiration to other gals.
Cheri
How can I hang a table runner on my wall? I've seen really nice decorative hangers in the past, but not lately. Any idea who sells them?
ReplyDeletelove it! im in envy your skills!
ReplyDelete