Because February is a DIY month here on AT, we have been looking on the internet for some inspiration. Decoupage on the concrete ceiling in our home wouldn't really work, but it could be a fun project for a smaller wall. More photos and step by step instructions after the jump.
We found this DIY project on Mr. Peacock's blog and we thought it was a great idea. It was done using black and white xerox copies of birds, beetles, and flowers. Also this is a perfect DIY project for renters, since decoupage is pretty easy to remove.
Here is a shortened version of the instructions. For more details follow this link.
1. Pick your pattern
You want to find images that have strong silhouettes. They will work much better when you are ready to cut them out. A great resource for these are Dover books.
2. Find the images you want and bookmark the pages
3. Xerox
Depending on the scale of images that you are working with, you could enlarge them for a dramatic effect. Adjust the contrast, if needed, to get even tonality. As Mr. Peacock pointed out — don't worry if your copies look too gray or the dot pattern is too noticeable.
4. Cut out your images
You will need a pair of scissors and an exacto knife. Smaller scissors will come in handy as well.
5. Clean your surface
Clean your ceiling or wall with a mixture of hot water and TSP and let it dry. This is very important as your images won't adhere to the ceiling if the surface isn't completely dry.
6. Glue
Your are ready to start gluing. You might want to take a step back and look at the overall pattern that you are creating. Cover most of the back surface of the image and then rub it smooth when pressed to the surface. Don't rub too hard, as the images could easily tear.
7. Decoupage
Mr. Peacock used more of a "light wash" for his decoupage. He thinned some Elmer's glue to a watery, but still sticky consistency. When you are ready brush and lightly coat the surface and around the edges of each image. Your decoupage will dry quickly.
8. You are done!
Mr. Peacock's ceiling looks great, but don't limit yourself to just ceilings or walls. This could be easily done on furniture as well. Check out Abby's post for more ideas.
Photos: Mr. Peacock Blog
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
i had almost forgotten about decoupage. i love the ceiliing idea as well as furniture......
view icedesign's profile
Birds again? S-I-G-H.
view chicity1126's profile
Kind of interesting, although my first thought how tedious this would get and probably I wouldn't finish, arms tired, neck tired. Also, chicity1126 - you don't have to use birds in your decoupage, but I think it's appropriate for an example done by someone named Mr. Peacock. There is a time to be sick of birds, I don't think this is one of them. I would probably be uncomfortable in a room with a ceiling done up in all those birds, in fact, but I enjoyed the instructions.
view K T G's profile
Too bad I have ugly popcorn ceilings. :(
view suzy8track's profile
If only I didn't rent...this treatment in a powder bath would be fabulous. Or something interesting over a bathtub...
I agree with K T G about the birds - as an example they're good for their relative innocuity. The possiblities for what you actually glue to your ceiling (or furniture) are endless.
http://embritadesign.blogspot.com
view EmmieB's profile
Oh! I LOVE this!
I have to try to think of what I actually want to put up there, now.
I've seen a vintage tattoo-fabric panel being used for door covering. Maybe something like that.
view StacyLC212's profile
I did a similar decoupage project recently, and was dismayed that the xeroxed images tend to smear when the glue wash meets the image surface.
Argh... hours of meticulous cutting... kaput.
What's the trick?
view shirley-temple-of-doom's profile
shirley... I would imagine that you would have the best luck with images that did not contain a lot of dark areas/shadows that would be toner-intensive. Maybe the copier should be set at a lighter/grayer setting.
My initial reaction was: Fornasetti. I think it would be really cool (and a little creepy) to see all those faces up there on the ceiling.
view hejiranyc's profile
No thanks.
view silversurfer's profile
I decoupaged a wall in my house and I made sure to put up strippable wallpaper first so that I can take it down easily when i want a change.
view natallica's profile
I actually used wallpaper liner as per the instructions on this site: http://www.diyideas.com/quickprojects/WallsFloors/dictionarypagewalls_1.html
view natallica's profile
what does tsp stand for?
view mandacav's profile
these are more of a kids/removable version of that concept... spring confetti decals with butterflies and flowers
view jeffreymaggie's profile
mandacav - Tri-sodium phosphate.
I wouldn't do this project, personally -- the scattering all over the ceiling just looks messy to me. Fewer elements, with more care taken in placement, would be better. The way it is now might not look so bad on an accent wall, but I think it would be distractingly busy on a ceiling.
view Miranda's profile
Trisodium phosphate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisodium_phosphate
view Hollie's profile
Funny, I thought Xeroxing out of books was illegal. You know, copyright infringement and all.
Looks pretty, though, despite the stealing.
view punkybrewster's profile
I LOVE this idea. This is such a beautiful use of decoupage. If only I was a homeowner and not a renter — no ceiling would be safe!
But I have some comments for the commenters:
chicity1126: Bird imagery is classic in the world of art and design. They're BIRDS for Christ's sake. It's ridiculous how cool people think it is to be "over" something. What's next? Are flowers stupid now? What about portraits - are those out of style too? You know, I heard colors and patterns were on the way out as well. Come on, now.
Also, if you can't read this decoupage tutorial and realize that you can apply it with some imagery that actually appeals to you, then well...S-I-G-H.
punkybrewster: FYI, the Dover books, which the author suggested as an image source, are clip-art books full of facsimiles of original artworks that are specifically made for projects just like this one. I believe much of the artwork in the Dover books is public domain to begin with. So instead of fixating on your copyright hang-up, get yourself some Dover books and craft away, girl.
view cobradeathmatch's profile
will they be easy to get off? i live in a rental.
view pok's profile
I second Pok's question. Loving this idea, and the birds, but would they have to be sanded off? A quick Google search only lead to sanding tips for removal.
Stacy, some clasic tattoos copied in color would look really cool.
view DirtyShirt's profile