I have lots of walls. Big, blank, empty walls.
For a long time I've been hoarding some posters that are actually pages from a calendar. To go on this particular wall that is in the upstairs back hall.
Yes, I have two halls in my upstairs.
This one is up the back stairs. It has hardly any light, hence the funky pictures and the brightest marigold paint we could find to brighten things up and not clash with the miles of sort of barn red wall-to-wall carpet that we are just living with for a decade or two. You don't replace miles of carpet lightly, let me tell you. I don't hate it and it's in pretty good condition. It keeps us warm in the winter. I work around it.
So the calendar was the property of a friend of Rosie's. He gave the pages to her. She put them on her walls in her room, then gave them to Sukie. She put them on the walls in her apartment in Chicago while studying at U of C, then gave them to me.
They sat in a pile in the linen closet for about a year. Then, in the midst of kitchen flooring (you can tell from the picture that yes, there is no floor), I must have been seized by the desire to get something, anything, under control, because I put them in glass frames.
Oh, I know what it was! I had a coupon for 25% off my whole order at Michael's! So I decided to use it on these frames, which I really like because of their simplicity and ease. You have a poster that isn't the world's greatest art — just put them in one of these already and get on with your life!
One reason for procrastination was that these particular items of course do not fit into any standard frame size.
Is this what's holding you back from framing things you like? Because it holds me back, let me tell you.
But here's what to do. Get a larger size and make a “mat” to go underneath the poster — out of any random paper that goes. In this case, the actual ad for the frame works great and, of course, is the correct size.
There was only one little glitch: the bar code showed through the paper of the poster. But I was in a very hacky mood. I grabbed a marker and — voila!
I had to trim the sides a tiny bit… and with the red paper underneath, it all worked.
A little spray glue and we're in business.
Yesterday the Chief and I did not get a divorce putting these up in a straight line, evenly spaced, on this vast, but by no means the most vast in this house, wall.
Back here, in the very most nether reaches of this hall, the carpet is a little baggy and saggy. But oh well, I'm not dealing with it now! You can't make me!
Instead, I direct your eyes to the cheery orange and the posters that were well worth the wait, since they really make me happy!
Thanks to Ann Kroeker for the link on Make-Do Mondays!
Jules says
Awesome idea! And it is so nice to see other people have carpet like we do.
Sharinskishe says
Well worth the wait! Everything looks grand. And I am so happy to hear that you and the Chief are still together!!I wish I had some endless hallways for my calender artwork I save. But I may have to do some creative hanging in my stairwell.Thanks for your support!! Have a wonderful week.
Cass @ That Old Hous says
I love that marigold color on your hallway walls, and it looks GREAT with the red carpet! Plus the framed posters — you've got a nice little art gallery thing going on there!Cass
Freckled Hen says
I can see why the framed pictures make you happy…they are pretty. It's nice that they have a history with places your daughters have lived, I'll bet they make them happy, too.PS your comment today made me laugh–about the hole in your garage fridge.
Alishia says
I have that exact same calendar and I was just looking at it the other day thinking I need to frame them or give them up. Thanks for the inspiration!
Ann Kroeker says
You have GOT to come hack away at my house. Need me some decorating hack. I've got nothing here inside of me or inside of my home. No natural decorating vision or gumption. You do inspire, though. Sometimes I get a glimmer of something, some niggle, some small itch to try something, anything, to bring a little more beauty to the Kroeker house.Then I ignore it and go back to reading.I always love it when you jump in with Make-Do Mondays!
mamalong says
Love it! So cheerful!
Briana says
Love the posters. I would gladly trade my rose carpet, tile, kitchen counters, and master bath for your red carpet!
Ginger says
Love it, love it, love it! I love the retro ad-type artwork. Hanging that many pictures in a straight line is not an easy task. congrats on staying married through it!
Leila says
Ginger — if you click on the picture of the hall that includes the newel post of the banister, you can see some of the implements we used :)Not including laser level (he had to get it twice from the garage, oops) and drill (he had to go twice — two OTHER times — to get the right bit, double oops).The line kept falling down…the little bubble in the laser level is kinda hard to see when there is hardly any light there…the drywall screws didn't all go in all the way…Oof.He took a nap and then he was much calmer. I, of course, was an angel throughout. 😉
skoots1mom says
those are adorable…good job!
Cheryl (Copper' says
I love that the posters have been used by three folks before you.I love that you figured out a way to get past their odd size and framed them anyway.I love that you can tell a tale with such wonderful wit and wisdom.
Keri says
My Beloved and I did not get a divorce after hanging wallpaper in a small bathroom in August in a house with no A/C. It was close, but we didn't.
Briana says
Leila,You crack me up. I just did a post about my pink house. Are you sure you don't wanna trade? I love the colors you have in the hallway. I'm such a wimp when I choose paint colors.
Margo says
oooh, I love vintage looking travel posters!I think all the colors are beautiful.ha – and I totally understand what you mean about hanging pictures with your husband. I usually eyeball things and my husband is serious with a laser level.
Decadent Housewife says
Great post and I didn't even notice the carpet.
Crafty P says
Oh I love those frames- bought some in 5×7 awhile back super easy to just pop up some photos for an inexpensive way to decorate!great calendar pics!