Art Prints from West Elm

If your walls don't don artwork by friends or from fine art collections, and you just aren't sure what to hang, one option lives in a furnishings store. We would advise that this choice always be coupled with non-mass market images, photos, or graphics (hello, Etsy!). But, we were surprised and delighted by what we found in West Elm's print insert collection. Details and some favorites below:

Above: Tools art inserts (set of 3, $19)

Crown art insert ($19)

Kenya insert ($19)

Telephone art insert ($19)

Comments (8)

Why would anyone want a picture of a hammer or a telephone on their wall?

posted by bepsf on September 17th 2008 at 7:20am
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They're cute, but for the money I'd rather buy something from an artist on Etsy.

posted by Monica on September 17th 2008 at 7:48am
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I kind of like the hammer.

posted by hessilou on September 17th 2008 at 7:48am
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I'd recommend looking at these sources for affordable, beautiful, handmade prints and paintings: Etsy, (www.etsy.com), Supermarket (www.supermarkethq.com/), and Elum Designs. Elum has some really nice letterpress images; I own the one named "snakeskin." (www.elumdesigns.com/shop/letterpress-limited-edition-prints/)

There are so many lovely images out there just a few clicks away...

In fact, here are some of the images I have been coveting for sale at Supermarket:
Graphic koi fish: www.supermarkethq.com/product/taishou-romance-koi-pond-print-on-paper
Mid-century-modern-esque bike in a field at night: www.supermarkethq.com/product/bike-print-starry-skies-series
simple bold fish lure prints: www.supermarkethq.com/designer/293/collection/236
Ice-blue leaves tumbling with a pop of red: www.supermarkethq.com/product/indian-summer-two-print-limited-edition-100
70's-ish linocut print: www.supermarkethq.com/product/good-morning-print-lino-cut
Love the humor and clean design of this anthropomorphic deer-girl: www.supermarkethq.com/product/the-deer-on-moni

Anyone else have favorite online sources for imagery?

posted by Nesser on September 17th 2008 at 7:52am
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I was at an acquaintance's home awhile back, and she had her father's actual hammer framed and hung. It looked awesome, and so sentimental. When my mother passed away, I didn't want her flatware, but for some reason I asked for one place setting of it. I recently framed it in a shadow box, and have it hanging in my dining room. It is so cool looking and very special.

posted by kath001 on September 17th 2008 at 8:17am
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I think the telephone is adorable and not a bad price either, but I just can't buy artwork from a mass-market retailer. I can't tell you how many apartments I've been in that have that same Audrey Hepburn print from IKEA. I'm with everyone else who said go to etsy for cute stuff that's less likely to be on everyone's walls.

posted by ridge_van_winkle on September 17th 2008 at 8:55am
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And Kath, that's beautiful.

posted by ridge_van_winkle on September 17th 2008 at 8:57am
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Kath--

Very cool - Would love to see a pic of your Mom's framed flatware.

posted by bepsf on September 17th 2008 at 9:20am
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