I found this big white IKEA frame while thrifting the other day. I just can’t decide what to frame.
I could do something like the framed fabric.
This burlap and monogram is great inspiration via Jones Design.
Or something deminsional like these butterflies from Sixty-Fifth Avenue {only birds? or something less girly}
Take something small and have it blown up super big? Blueprint via Little Green Notebook.
I’ve even seen some neat botanical posters {*gasp*}
Hmm… So many wonderful options. I am loving that framed fabric. Excited to see what you decide.
I think the blown up letter would look great in your space! – in addition to what you’ve already got – I love the butterflys or birds for you, too, but you’ve got the bird element in your living room already, right? The monograms with burlap are cool but might be too small for the frame and the space. ? Yep, the blown up object gets my vote!
As if. As if I should be telling you what I think!
My vote is for the butterflies turned birds, first choice, and the giant envelope, second choice. Those two are the least predictable to me. I’m sure it will be beautimous, as always, no matter which you choose.
A black and white family photo is always special.
It even looks pretty empty. :)
I like the monogram with burlap. I think that would be fitting in your home. The butterfly one is maybe too colorful for you right now? You seem to be heading towards a simple monochromatic theme (with just a couple of coloros). But then hey, what do I know? LOL
you know – i have been waiting to find just the right frame to do the burlap monogram from jones design co (i think i am going to use a fave scrapbook paper instead of burlap for mine) and i think that frame you have there is like wayyy perfect for that!
All of the ideas are neat but I am partial to the butterflies. Love it!
I love blowing stuff up!!!!! My last post was blowing up a picture of the boys HUGE for their bathroom. Used WallHogs…..have you heard of them? My post is here: http://themagicbrushinc.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-is-wallhog-and-why-is-it-in-my.html
I have a couple big frames that I got for cheap too and I’m not sure what to put in them. I love the idea of taking something small and blowing it up big! It’s so unexpected and looks really cool!
My sister-in-law had a botanical calendar and the pages without the actual calendar on them were BEAUTIFUL. I took it and cut out my favorite botanicals, bought CHEAP frames with mats and framed them. I LOVE THEM and get compliments all the time. The colors are so rich and you would never guess that they were a part of a calendar.
I love the monogram!! Can you print a pretty font in HUGE letters on your computer? CHEAP!!!
What a fun delimma! :)
I’ve been thinking on this, Nester! I am by no means a qualified decorator. At all. But you know that.
Do you still have that yellow and white striped vase on the white side table on the other side of the couch? I’d love to see a pop of yellow over here, too. I loved Layla’s idea of a map. You’d definitely get that pop out of that.
Regardless, you’ve got the modern lamps and the classic lines of the dresser, so I’m leaning towards something whimsical. Which makes me sort of think no on the monogram. What if you took a cue from your ragamuffin bag with bright scraps of fabric sort of shingled in rows? You could pull in the aquas, greens, whites and yellow. Are you getting the picture? Because it’s totally clear in MY head. Which isn’t saying much, I guess. I could always deliver the vision in person! :-) The map, again, would be whimsical. And I loved that story on the small things made big. You know you can find old postcards at thrift and antique stores for next to nothing.
Well, look at that. I totally took over your den. Oops.
Great frame. I love the idea of the botanicals. That would be sensational. Hugs, Marty
Love the envelope. I’m sure whatever you do will be fabulous.
I like the butterfly look – I was in Michael’s today & Martha Stewart Crafts has some BEAUTIFUL flowers 3D stickers that would look amazing.
Cut down a piece of wood (Home Depot) to fit, paint it with chalkboard paint and hang it over your lightswitch. :) That’s what I’m going to do, only in my case I’m covering the breaker box. I know, lovely.
Maybe the fabric…or the burlap and monogram!
I can’t believe you found that Ikea frame at a thrift store! You’re so lucky! I’m partial to photography myself, so I’d probably fill it with a large, sepia toned family photo.
I like the monogram or a fab scarf would look great in the frame.
Something along the likes of botanicalwould do.
Melinda
I think something colorful like the butterflies or fabric/paper would look great. What a nice size frame!
black and white of your children!!! It would pop so great off the white.
I love family photos! My favorite type of decorating!
Love the burlap and monogram idea. Brittany at the Painted Cottage did a frame with burlap insert, it had a “Chateau Fogleman” design…very neat!
I have a big frame and I rotate different “posters” in it…..one for Christmas, one for winter, fall, spring, summer, one for Easter. Most of them are from Hobby Lobby or Walmart. It has a red mat in it and always goes with the room :)
I’m liking the burlap and monogram. feeling something crisp and clean. what about a large piece of really pretty decorative paper with a raised letter on top? Saw some of those letters at Hobby Lobby the other day. Maybe some pretty paper that has handwriting all over it….i’ve seen it before, but just can’t describe it well.
I love the bird idea or I would take a section of a letter that your hubby wrote you and blow it up and frame that
I love the idea of framing fabric and haven’t done that yet so that is probably what I would do.
I had an empty frame that I painted and filled with 3D butterflies for my daughters’ room. I wrote about it & a few other wall art projects here – http://nsdesperatehousewife.blogspot.com/2010/06/scrap-stuff.html
personally, I like the monograms or the fabric. Or maybe you could combine the 2….oh the possibilities! ;)
I love the fabric idea. You could also do rows of seashells. Just hot glue the suckers on there. I just did it in my bathroom. I put down a rectangle of burlap and then hot glued the shells to it. Whatever you decide, it’ll look fab. : )
Hmmmm…my favorite of the ideas you posted above is the botanical poster. I also like the burlap monograms and the blown up envelope. But if it was my frame, I’d probably make a calligraphy for it. WARNING! Shameless self-promotion coming up! Here is the link to my Etsy shop where I have a couple of calligraphies posted: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ladylyn?ga_search_query=ladylyn&ga_search_type=seller_usernames Keep in mind that I’m very happy to do custom work, so if you like my stuff but don’t like the specific texts or sizes, message me, and I’ll be happy to work with you!
I may have to borrow the post card idea. Can’t wait to see what you decide. Hugs, Sherry
Definitely something small, blown up big. I gasped when I read LGN’s post with that, and again on this one. It’s such a creative, quirky idea. I want to do it somewhere in my home :)
In the July 2010 Better Homes & Gardens (pg 54), the designer blew-up a 5×7 closeup of a peony and off-centered it in the upper third of a poster frame. Something similar? You need a pop of color there.
all good ideas, but once i saw the postcard, that one was the winner for me!
love the last one, the letter…yep that is the one I would go with! Will you paint the frame or leave it white? So many decisions!
I like the idea of blowing up something bigger! I love linens though…what about some old hankies…or I have some crocheted doyles my grandmother made…something that is meaningful to you…maybe have the hankies or doyles in the background with a letter or envelope sent by them years earlier on top…did you ever save that special birthday card someone sent?…just a thought.
I vote for the fabric idea!! you could even do monogramed fabric!! I cant wait to see what you end up doing!!
Something Like this excpet with fabric instead of paper :)
http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2010/07/faux-wood-letter-tutorial-using.html
Definitely loving the fabric look!
create your own painted canvas!
Try one of the inspirational messages from Annechovie…simple and graphic.
I love the fabric but that letter is so unique. Do you have an old love letter from your Hubby. That would be sweet.
Hi Nester!!
I love reading your blog. I would go with the burlap and monograms–love, love, love that!! I am currently trying to sell my home to move an hour north of my current town so my children have a good high school to attend. My daughter and I are extremely antsy to move so we can get decorating!!! She is 9, by the way.
My question to you is this: where can I find interior decorating/design tools for her? She is obsessed with decorating her new room and she likes to ask me what room she can design for me and then begins sketching on whatever she has handy. I am seeing a real passion for this in her and would like to foster it. She really wants a “swatch book” thingy of paint colors and I thought a room planning “kit” would be a good idea too. I’ve googled and I am seeing mostly software. I want her to use her hands and creative mind to begin with! Any ideas where I can find such things without spending an arm and a leg?
Thanks so much. Your blog brings me such joy–can’t wait to use (steal!) your ideas in my new home!!
Monica :0)
Monica, graph paper, magazine subscriptions, a paint deck {order one at your local paint store} and http://www.conlins.com/RoomPlanner.aspx print out some scaled furniture silhouettes are fun too.
you are such a great mom!
Thank you so much!! We both squealed with delight to see you answered us! She’s been asking me to check everyday! Great tips–love the room planner site. It’s just what I was looking for! I follow you on twitter too–I’m soooo not a stalker! :0)
She says to tell you “thank you” too!!! Happy girl!!
I love the envelope. I found that a few days ago and just love it – especially if it’s something extra special to you.
How fun to see my butterfly art as one of your choices! If you do make the birds someday, I would love to see how it turns out. I’m sure you will find something that is just right.
Thanks Nester,
Londen
I really like the burlap with the monogram, but you could also use burlap and make a mat inside the frame. Then frame some dried flowers or wheat, sticks and leaves, etc to give it an earthy, organic feel which I think would be great approaching fall… : )
the envelope is super cool! and DIFFERENT~ i like the idea of making a collage of letters.. either old love letters from your husband or things your kids have written/ created through the years.
I’m loving the 3D idea and the collage. Maybe a mixture of both would be nice.
Wow – those are all such great ideas! I think framing some really pretty fabric would be nice. And then you could take the fabric out and switch it for different colors and prints whenever you want or depending on the season or holiday!
XOXO
Jen
That is a great big frame, nice find! With such a big area to work with, wouldn’t a framed picture of everyone’s (Mom, Dad, Kiddo’s, pets) footprints be graphic and fun?
Great options! I like commenter Cindy Broaddus’ idea…
hmmmm.
I have a fantastic shawl that was hand embroidered by my great grandma. I have always wanted to hang it in a glassed frame. someday….
Do you have a fabric heirloom that you could honor here??
I love the patterned fabric…so classy! The vintage envelope is fabulous too…either one of those get my VOTE! :) Show me/us what you decide on…can’t wait. Great ideas.