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Welcome to Maya!
Greetings from Cincinnati! We live in a swank, huge loft in Over-the-Rhine, but our bedroom is a small, awkward space with a fairly high ceiling. We struggled with the space above the bed: we wanted something large on the wall that would brighten up the room and make good use of the ceiling height...
I'd like to share with you and your readers our quick and simple decorating solution, using colored drawing paper and double-stick tape. It's sort of an hommage to Gee's Bend; we call it paper quilting [like paper architecture]. We don't know how well it will hold up over time, but we're really happy after spending $12 and putting in a few hours of work.
Take care,
Maya
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Beautiful cat!
such a cool idea. i'd love to know the kind of paper they used, it's hard to tell form these pics--i imagine some kinds hold up better than others.
thanks for sharing.
I love it. It looks great.
What a simple yet effective way of decorating a space!! I love it!! having moved to a new home with lots more room, I also now have lots of wall space. Because I am renting, I am resistant to drilling more holes for hooks unless absolutely necessary. I am now toying with the idea of Blinks decals and Maya has just provided another great idea, thanks!
I looked into decals and, when I realized how much a few sets would cost, it just didn't make sense. I'd rather spend that money on art that will move when we do. So, I started brain-storming alternatives. Meanwhile, I'd been geeking out on Gee's Bend quilts [if you haven't checked them out, you really should]. It all came together when I saw a display of colored Murano drawing paper.
The paper I used is light but not flimsy. I'm not sure I used the best materials. A different paper might last better over time, or a repositionable spray adhesive. The trick, I guess, is to only do this in a low-traffic area. I'll be happy if this lasts long enough for us to come up with another cool low-cost solution!
By the way, we recently moved into our place and are still figuring out the new place. Click on my name to see bits and pieces.
great art but what kinda cat is that its divine!
It's so nice to see an entry from Cincinnati! I love the paper quilt.
I'm originally from Cincinnati and your pictures (especially the view from your living room) made me miss home so much.
Visual Lungual, Wow! what a wonderful idea, and a great color sense.
ValerieNYC, As for the question about what product to use: think about something along the lines of using a canson mi-tientes paper. http://www.canson-us.com/ArtistPapersSpecialty.aspIt's It's Ph balanced, shouldn't fade and the colors are really clear. Avoid anything like construction paper. That will fade very quickly and also does not rip as cleanly. If Canson is too expensive or large, then a good scrap booking paper would work. Sheets are usually smaller.
Folks at the local paper shop can steer you in the right direction.
Also, if you spray glue it down to a large piece of white paper, than you can move it with you. I have used a large quilt as a headboard for many years, although now it's in my hallway. A paper version is a great idea.
AbbeyK
www.AbbeyK.com
www.OnInteriorDesign.Com
visual, what kind of adhesive did you use? it's great, btw.
I used double-stick tape and Murano drawing paper. Our cat is a high-maintenance, girly-girl snowshoe Siamese. She rocks!
this is awesome! i'd like to do something similar, kind of like diy-wall decals using stencils and paper.
does anyone know whether, if i use a repositionable adhesive spray, will that ruin the paint if i want to move the paper? i have benjamin moore paint... i don't remember the exact name, but it's washable.
Hi Maya
Where did you get the great lampshades from?
The lampshades are from Restoration Hardware. I'm not a big fan of their stuff in general, but their drum shades are fab!