fter creating 108 colorful images with the use of beautiful magazine pages, tempera paints, and oil pastels it was time to start “quilting” them together on our bedroom wall to make wallpaper. My needle and thread was washi tape.
As a reminder, this is what the wall looked like before it got the facelift.
One by one, I started taping up the pages. I didn’t focus too much on order, though I did try to switch up colors and patterns to some extent – for example, if I had a piece with polka dots then I might put an image with lines or squares next to it instead of more circles. You know, genius-level decisions.
I got so in the zone with putting up this wallpaper that I didn’t even stop to take any pictures along the way. So let’s just go from zero to sixty…here’s the finished product!
Once again, I shushed the perfectionist within me and didn’t get too worried about the right end of the wall. The pages were from various catalogs, some of which varied in width; as such, each row didn’t match up evenly when I got to the end. There was also a light switch to contend with, so there is a bare patch of wall surrounding it. There is also some space at the bottom of the wall that is not covered in images because I would have had to chop them down in order to fit correctly. I decided I was A-OK with these little imperfections.
I LOVE how this turned out. It’s bold and quirky and matches the overall aesthetic of the room.
Graham loved it too and insisted on taking some glamour shots next to it.
It’s been fun to lie in bed, look at each individual image, pick out favorites, and then let my eyes zoom out and take in the whole thing.
I think this could be SUCH a fun project to do with kids for a child’s bedroom or play room. They could easily participate in the painting and pastel process and would probably take so much pride in their unique wall – plus, it can easily be taken down when tastes change.
Between the clothespin instillation and this homemade wallpaper, I’m declaring our bedroom FINISHED and a giant success! What about you? Have you experimented with wallpaper? I want to hear about it!
Very vibrant! Yeah, what a great idea to do with kids!
This is a different route, but I saw recently that you can print your own wallpaper through spoonflower! Pretty cool! I might have to do some for the tiny house…
Ooo that would be amazing to have your own print made into legit wallpaper – once we’re in a more permanent home, I’ll have to look into that. You should totally get some done for the tiny house – I want to see pictures! (obviously) :)
Ok, grace, you have now entered the Gini/Adrienne meta-zone of extra-terrestrial compulsive madness. Take a deep cleansing breath, Bobby. Everything is going to be ok.
Haha, Adrienne, when this first went up, I was like, “Hmmm, I wonder what Bobby will think…” But he was SUCH a good sport and said he loved it! I lucked out with him. :)
Woo hoo! Grace, this is so cool! It turned out great and what a wonderful idea to do this project with kids. Thanks for being bold and creative and sharing your stuff with us. You’re the best! x0x0
Yeah, I think William could really get into a project like this…it was so satisfying to work on each image – instant gratification in a way. Thanks for the enthusiasm, it makes sharing so much more fun! xoxo
Wow! The wall looks fabulous, Grace. I loved reading in your previous entry about the process. It must have been so much fun to see images that struck you and create with and from them!! Gini
Thanks so much, Gini! It was more vibrant than I expected at first but now I’ve really fallen in love with it. :) Love you! xoxo
Seeing it on your blog was much better! It is really pretty fantastic. Just like you!