:scratchcalling all creative pple: Help me decorate my bare walls

[Solose]

I am hoping some creative people here can help me out with ideas. I have a few paintings and knicknacks(sp?) on my walls but mostly they are just bare. My biggest problem is the wall in my living room above the couch. For some reason, i hate the look of a bunch of little stuff hanging above the couch, esp. since we have a very small living room. I feel like i need one big piece to hang there to bring the whole room together. But I just don't know what to put up there!

Big paintings, tapestries, posters, etc. are expensive and we really don't have extra money to be spending on decor right now. The only thing I can think of to hang up there would be a big map but that was what we always had in my family's living room growing up and I am rather sick of that, I would like something different. Any ideas? My criteria are that it needs to be something relatively cheap but big and dramatic. I am open to crafting something together and I have a dh who is reasonably "artsy" and would be willing to help me. nothing too complicated though bc I've got a 4 month old to take care of. My style is pretty eclectic, I like World Market (if anyone is familiar with that store) folksy, international type of decorations and I like nature decorations and recycled art but I am open to other types of decor. The only style I don't like is american country. Please post some ideas because I am drawing a blank.

[Aithne]

I don't know how well this would work for you, but you can get a large fishing net fairly cheaply and some clothes pins. Then go for a few nature walks and pick up small bits on your walk to hang on the net.

The net's good for just about any type of collage, so you can do pretty much anything with it once it's up. And anything you can't just fix to the net on it's own you can use the clothes pins for.

[rere]

I've suggested this before but I think it's a good idea so.....

You could buy fabric and stretch it on a canvas stretcher or a large frame.You might be able to find a frame at the thrift store(Ikea also has large inexpensive frames).It's also worth it to look at the thrift store sheets to use as the fabric.Here's a little "how to".

Batik fabrics might be something you'd like.

Quilts can be another large option.You could look for quilt tops on ebay.It's an unfinished quilt but since you're going to hang it you don't need it to be finished and it would be less expensive.

[willowbean]

I second the idea of stretching canvas or fabric, but you can do it way cheaper if you don't use 'art' supplies to do it.
I made a 3ft by 6ft painting with muslin from the fabric store stretched over lumber from the hardware store (attatch with a staple gun), and some house paint. Huge, easy and very cheap.

You could also prime some mulsin by painting it with white (non-latex) house paint. Once it's dry you can do all sorts of fun things with it.
If you're into collage that's an option, or you could have a few of your favorite pictures blown up and then collage/paint around them.
You could divide it in sections and have each family member paint something (limit the colors so it all goes together).

[Roxy2007]

ditto stretching fabric, batik is a good start. a cheaper option is to buy fabric from IKEA, they hv some good stuff and its cheap.

check out craftzine, recently there were 2 - 3 posts on their blog about felt art for walls which looks time consuming but super nice and also a wall mural from vinyl which looks ultra cool.

[Millie Ivy]

Suhweet! SO glad I stumbled upon this thread! I could have written the OP, except I think I ap pickier with style. Ideally I love a blend of "Natural Home" and "Dwell" magazines.

Thanks!

[g&a]

Get a big canvas and paint!
Here is a painting that a friend of mine and her son did. I think it's fantastic.

g.

[danieliausmama]

I love that painting. My son loved painting with acrylics too - you can see it here http://www.flickr.com/photos/felting...7603895142213/
It did cost us a sweater, but it was too small anyway.

I would rather hang something fabricky, because streched painting can hurt someone who nocks it down(usually kids, while standing on the couch).

[xixstar]

just saw this idea today, might be a neat idea to consider as well:

http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2...xperiment.html

it describes using starched fabric for wall decorations, might be neat if you have a fabric you like and want to make some neat shapes.

[Katie Bugs Mama]

Originally Posted by xixstar

just saw this idea today, might be a neat idea to consider as well:

http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2...xperiment.html

it describes using starched fabric for wall decorations, might be neat if you have a fabric you like and want to make some neat shapes.

I was just going to suggest that! I think that it is sooooo cool.