by annamariahorner
Sometimes it’s easy to feel that as a stay-at-home mom, I’m doing a lot and yet feeling like I don’t do very much. Getting away on this 3 week house-sitting trip has helped me see, though, what true “down-time” means (although it still involves chasing a toddler around! :)). I’ve really enjoyed the sunny weather here, the proximity to nature, the uncrowded stores, and the removal from normal “to-do’s” like menu planning, shopping, etc. I still have to do a little bit of these (we have to eat), but not as much as I normally do.
One of the things I’ve been realizing lately is that environment truly does impact our mood. Being closer to the outdoors and further removed from urban noise and congestion has helped me to realize this, in conjunction with reading this great book House Thinking, by Winifred Gallagher.
As we’ve attempted to scrimp and save to build our emergency fund, I’ve done my best to make our home a happy and restful place without spending too much money. Much of this has involved just trying to keep things clean, uncluttered, and logical in terms of room arrangements. But one area that has gone sorely neglected is our walls. Why is it that wall art often seems so expensive?
We are fortunate to have a decent-sized apartment, and given that a) I’m in major nesting mode as I enter my 3rd trimester, b) My husband has the summer off as a teacher and can consequently help out more with our son, I’ve drawn up a few things I’d like to do to spruce up the place – in particular, the walls – before the Little Tornado hits this September. I found a few great and inexpensive ideas from both the Internet as well as magazines, and thought you might enjoy them too:
Frame fabric
Two of the projects I’m hoping to do involve taking fabric pieces that inspire me and framing them over square or circular wooden frames. For the squares, I plan on getting a couple of Tyglosa frames from IKEA at $5 each, while the circles will be made from inexpensive embroidery hoops like these .
Make your own wall-decals
I’ve still got to test this one out, but according to this great instructional video here, you can use contact paper to design your removable wall decals. Coupled with some hand-drawn designs or stencils, I’m hoping to add some fun to my boys’ room.
Paint a collection of mismatched frames the same color
In our bedroom, we have a lot of blue, white, and tan, but I’d like to punch it up a little with some fresh green, so I’m hand-painting some frames I’ve had sitting around for awhile, inserting black-and-white photos, and putting them over our bed, which doesn’t have a headboard but sorely needs some sort of focal point.
Once we’re back in the Bay Area, I’ll be sure to post the progress and results of these ideas!
What about you? Do you have any great ideas that you’ve used to inexpensively and yet stylishly decorate your walls?
