Here, from our house tours, are a few inspiring examples of maps as decor.
TOP ROW:
1. Deborah sliced a world map into three panels and mounted it on boards to display in her son Dragon's Lovely Lair. This is a great way to get a large paper map to lay flat, elevating it from a poster to artwork, with just a few simple steps.
2. Leah gives us a simple tutorial on how to make a globe pendant light. It's easy, inexpensive and the end result is so elegant. Check out Leah & Rich's Evolving Patina House Tour for more of their amazing style.
3. Beth's Charming Downsize incorporates a lovely framed collage in the living room. I've always thought that a handful of artistic maps would make a great art collection.
4. In Michael's Masculine & Modern Open Space, typical wall decor turns to the ceiling. Here world traveler Michael highlights his angled ceilings with a meaningful collection of maps.
5. The vintage roll-down map in Clytie & Claudia's Storied Pieces House Tour ties together their colorful dining room. For more vintage inspiration check out this roundup of vintage wall maps.
BOTTOM ROW:
6. In Michael's Laid Back Cottage function and beauty are combined in his awesome diy map board. Check out the full tutorial on how to make a magnetic map board.
7. Collin's Fresh White Room displays a map from IKEA that acts like wallpaper, making a big statement in his serene space.
8. Scott's map collage of Paris really pops against his red wall. This is also a great example of how the framing technique plays a big part in the overall look of a piece.
(Images: as credited above.)
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I shared this before, but it is my favourite project! I used walking maps from my travels as wall art. it is personal and a great conversation piece (trying to guess the city)
http://wafflingdesign.blogspot.ca/2012/04/travelling-to-hallway.html
I also have a lark Toronto graphic showing all the neighbourhoods that I love
http://wafflingdesign.blogspot.ca/2012/03/living-room-continued_27.html
Love the idea (and the geography lesson/s) but lack the wall space. (Unless I offload my original art somewhere.)
It's a dilemma!
Where are those black and white curtains from??? :)
Sherrybinh - maybe you could post a map on the ceiling? I saw a really cute study - red décor, old fashioned furniture - and on the ceiling, around the ceiling fan, was a full world map. Sort of neat looking.
a baby's room without color and contrast is like putting ear plugs in their ears to block out sound. children need saturated color and high contrast for brain growth. (The curtains are an A+ for an infant, but the rest of the room provides nothing for an infant's brain development.) That room is not appropriate for an infant. But I digress.... :D
My dad is a land surveyor, so I grew up around maps - plat maps & topo maps, and every kind of map. They hung all over his office, where I loved the old drafting tables & tools.
Surveying has changed in my lifetime, they no-longer use drafting tables, but computer programs & satelite equipment. Anyhow - my love for maps hasn't changes, except that it's grown, bringing more nostalgia. Plus I love travel & road trips.
I'm always trying to come up with ways to use or display those more disposable maps from road trips, that are less wall-worthy.
Here's one idea I came up with - http://ourfunwithfive.blogspot.com/2012/06/stuff-i-make-upcycled-magazine-files.html
rainywoods, I agree with you on color in a baby's nursery to a degree. But in this mom's defense, it may be that the child is rarely even in his room unless he's sleeping. A lot of babies aren't happy to be alone staring at the walls or a mobile. Plus, I think this room has a nice amount of color--it's not all white or grey the way some on AT are.
I love the way she divided the map into 3 parts. Looks great!
Babies can't differentiate pastels, greys, whites. Even if a baby is being changed on the dressing table or being lifted to be removed from the room, they need color. chances are, the babies room is a reflection of the rest of the house. Decorate a room for a baby. Not an adult. That's all I'm saying. :D
When I was in college, I tacked up a National Geographic world map on the wall near the phone. Tethered to that landline phone, I had the map in front of me for hours and hours, and absorbed a lot of learning while listening to my mom yak. A laminated map would be a great solution if you are unlucky enough to have a wall over your kitchen sink instead of a window.
Check out this awesome (almost) floor-to-ceiling adhesive map I used in this kids' room I recently did. I want one for myself!
http://behance.vo.llnwd.net/profiles2/210092/projects/1327013/090dfc7c991f1c2d57ae9615cf287fbc.JPG
http://behance.vo.llnwd.net/profiles2/210092/projects/1327013/7445c05fea76097f24219188a1dda9bf.JPG
Project photos: http://ilonabirnberg.com/4078/44220/portfolio/brooklyn-residence
I purchased a brand-new-in-the-box double pull down map of the US and World from the 1960's last month from eBay for $30. I was thinking about using it as a window shade in my office because its about 6 feet wide, but after finding out that my window is too narrow I'm thinking of hanging it in my living room over my bar!
The three part map is awesome - it looks pretty detailed and is the perfect size. Any ideas on what map she used? I'm looking to do something similar.
Oops never mind, I answered my own question. I didn't see the link to her original post.
WILDYSIMPLE - My partner is a land surveyor and my life is also filled with maps. The profession has definitely evolved over time, but maps still fascinate me. The first thing I thought of when I saw this post, was of the original hand drafted plat of Grosse Pointe Michigan that we have hanging in our bedroom. Maps are especially great for decor when they are personal and meaningful - and best of all - OLD!
Any advice about using old maps as wallpaper? Would this work?
Great ideas, thanks! I may have to "borrow" Scott's map collage idea for my own red living room wall. I used to be a city planner and I LOVE maps.
Regarding color in kids' rooms: yes, color and contrast is good for infants' brain development. But infant sleep books I've read talk about having a soothing, not stimulating, environment for sleep. It's easy to bring out tons of colorful, stimulating toys and books when they're awake. I really don't think it's a big deal either way, unless your kid never has anything bright to look at or play with.
Does anyone know if an adhesive wall map would destroy finished wood? I would love to cut one to fit the bifold doors on my son's closet. It's dark stained wood with a glossy (though not pretty!) finish. But I'd rather not refinish the doors when we move.