Look! Maps as Wallpaper

I'm itching to get away on vacation somewhere. Maybe that's why I love this idea of wallpapering an office or even a walk-in closet with a huge world map, as Flickr user Karen did for her son's bedroom in their 1928 Dutch colonial. Karen points out that world maps of this size can be ordered from Environmenmental Graphics or EG World Wall Murals. And what's notable is how Karen matched colours from the map so she could continue the map's colour throughout the room beyond the map's borders, with matching chair and desk. What a worldly design idea.

Comments (10)

*delurks*
I love maps. I am so doing this someday.

posted by randomname on August 6th 2007 at 12:46pm
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really fabulous, Great way to do a kid's room or any other really.

posted by msbeachwood on August 6th 2007 at 1:19pm
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What a great look. I've been thinking of doing something like this in my bathroom, but since I can't puzzle out a dampness friendly way, I'm leaning towards lots of framed maps. If anyone has any other ideas, I'd love to hear them.

posted by tamar on August 6th 2007 at 1:22pm
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i had the same bathroom idea. Since i live in portland, and water plays such a key role in the way pdx is navigated, i want to wallpaper in maps of oregon waterways, lakes, and rivers.

i was planning to place them and then shellac/polyurethane them on - kind of like decoupage? wouldn't that keep the water from affecting them?

i got all my maps from a friend's cartographer dad. do you think i should cut off all the white edge and just have the image? or keep the border?

excited to see other people inspired by maps as wallpaper. cuts out needing to take a magazine to the bathroom!

posted by glh on August 6th 2007 at 2:04pm
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i love this look. i'm glad to have a resource!

posted by beachbungalow8 on August 6th 2007 at 2:56pm
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I 'decoupaged' a table top with maps, then clear polyurethane.

posted by hrhprincessfiona on August 7th 2007 at 12:10am
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hrhprincessfiona: Send us a photo of that table! We've love to check out the results.

posted by gregory on August 7th 2007 at 8:21am
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I collect maps and am always looking for ways to display them because I think they are beatiful and chock full of information!
This room is an inspiration.

posted by mmmmJ on August 7th 2007 at 8:24am
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My mother (or a designer in Portland) did something like this in 1968----only instead of National Geographic blow-ups, she used dozens of maps. Absolutely wonderful, gave me a deeper appreciation for travel and the world, and indoctrinated me early in the colors that still fill my home. By the way, THIS looks much more cohesive, much more engaging and easy on the child's eye.

posted by krister on August 7th 2007 at 9:06am
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This looks like a Wes Anderson movie set to me.

posted by alisong on August 7th 2007 at 10:29am
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