Decorating
9 Everyday Items You'd Never Think to Frame
Don't spend a fortune on artwork – rummage through your cupboards for other items to frame that hold just as much appeal
Art is suppose to capture a moment, to tell a story, to share an emotion. So why go out and spend thousands of dollars on artwork that means nothing to you? Let your walls tell your own story. Frame items that have sentimental value to you and your loved ones. Our homes should be a showcase of our journey through life, not someone else’s. Our walls should show our guests what we find important and worth sharing. So think outside the box and trawl through your keepsakes to find some of these personal gems to frame in your home.
Maps
What better way to make those treasured travel memories linger for a little longer than with a framed reminder of where you went and what you did? This London Tube map will keep those memories alive, and will add some quirky appeal in the process.
What better way to make those treasured travel memories linger for a little longer than with a framed reminder of where you went and what you did? This London Tube map will keep those memories alive, and will add some quirky appeal in the process.
Dreaming of a jet plane? Keep those dreams grounded in reality by framing a map of a favourite city and placing it somewhere you’ll see it every day. It doesn’t matter whether you frame a well-worn, dog-eared map you used during your travels or a brand new one – just give it a quick iron to get rid of the creases before you put it in a frame.
More: Got Itchy Feet? Embrace the Travel Bug at Home With Maps
More: Got Itchy Feet? Embrace the Travel Bug at Home With Maps
Recipes
Everyone has a favourite family recipe. For me, it’s my mum’s famous potato salad. We often overlook the kitchen when it comes to decorating, but why should we? It’s the place we spend the most time and is the heart of every home. Ask your mum or grandma to handwrite your favourite recipe on a piece of paper, then frame it and hang it on your kitchen wall. Not only will it add a touch of charm and history to your kitchen, it will be really convenient the next time you want to actually make your favourite dish!
Everyone has a favourite family recipe. For me, it’s my mum’s famous potato salad. We often overlook the kitchen when it comes to decorating, but why should we? It’s the place we spend the most time and is the heart of every home. Ask your mum or grandma to handwrite your favourite recipe on a piece of paper, then frame it and hang it on your kitchen wall. Not only will it add a touch of charm and history to your kitchen, it will be really convenient the next time you want to actually make your favourite dish!
Sheet music
Not everyone has sheet music floating around their home, so this might be one you need to seek out. But it is easy to find. All sheet music comes in digital form these days and you can download it online.
How is this for a gift idea? Search online for the sheet music of your loved one’s favourite tune. Perhaps it’s from your wedding day. Download the music, print it off and frame it. It makes for a stunning and unique artwork, and has sentimental value as well.
Masterpieces can be found in the everyday, ordinary things in life. You just need to keep your eyes peeled and you are guaranteed to find unique and interesting pieces to hang in your home.
Not everyone has sheet music floating around their home, so this might be one you need to seek out. But it is easy to find. All sheet music comes in digital form these days and you can download it online.
How is this for a gift idea? Search online for the sheet music of your loved one’s favourite tune. Perhaps it’s from your wedding day. Download the music, print it off and frame it. It makes for a stunning and unique artwork, and has sentimental value as well.
Masterpieces can be found in the everyday, ordinary things in life. You just need to keep your eyes peeled and you are guaranteed to find unique and interesting pieces to hang in your home.
Wrapping paper
I’m one of those strange people that often gets more excited about wrapping paper than the actual present. I’ve even mastered the art of removing sticky-tape without tearing the paper.
There are so many gorgeous giftwraps available today, and it’s a bargain to buy a piece and frame it. A good friend of mine found giftwrap with a vintage sketch of the Eiffel Tower on it. It is now framed and hangs in her living room looking a million bucks.
I’m one of those strange people that often gets more excited about wrapping paper than the actual present. I’ve even mastered the art of removing sticky-tape without tearing the paper.
There are so many gorgeous giftwraps available today, and it’s a bargain to buy a piece and frame it. A good friend of mine found giftwrap with a vintage sketch of the Eiffel Tower on it. It is now framed and hangs in her living room looking a million bucks.
Postcards
Next holiday you take, don’t just buy postcards to send home to friends, buy a couple for yourself. Postcards are mini works of art in themselves, and a cheap and cheerful way to document your travels. They are particularly good as a substitute for travel photos that never quite look as good as the real thing.
TIP: Since postcards are small, ensure you frame them with a decent-sized mat board. Your mat should be at least 5cm wide on each side, so the postcard doesn’t get lost on the wall.
Next holiday you take, don’t just buy postcards to send home to friends, buy a couple for yourself. Postcards are mini works of art in themselves, and a cheap and cheerful way to document your travels. They are particularly good as a substitute for travel photos that never quite look as good as the real thing.
TIP: Since postcards are small, ensure you frame them with a decent-sized mat board. Your mat should be at least 5cm wide on each side, so the postcard doesn’t get lost on the wall.
Love letters
No matter how many lovely text messages or emails your lover sends you, a handwritten letter is still the most romantic gesture of all.
Preserve that special letter, and frame it for your wall. Typically, a letter is rather colourless, so consider framing it with a brightly coloured mat to tie in with the colours of the room. Those words of love will fill your room with warmth, rather than being tucked away at the bottom of a drawer.
No matter how many lovely text messages or emails your lover sends you, a handwritten letter is still the most romantic gesture of all.
Preserve that special letter, and frame it for your wall. Typically, a letter is rather colourless, so consider framing it with a brightly coloured mat to tie in with the colours of the room. Those words of love will fill your room with warmth, rather than being tucked away at the bottom of a drawer.
Flowers
Flowers are one of nature’s greatest beauties. They light up a room when resting in a vase, but sadly do not last very long. Well, why not savour their beauty by framing them?
Framing flowers is very simple. Firstly, ensure they are dry and remove any of the bulky bits (like thorns, or even the centre of the flower if need be). Lay them between several layers of paper-towel, and press them down with your fingers. Place the entire flower-paper-towel-sandwich inside a magazine and lay it on a dry, flat surface. Next, place bricks or other heavy items on top and leave them a week or two. Voila! You will have yourself some beautiful, dried flowers all ready to frame.
More: Give Yourself a Lift With a Little Floral Whimsy
Flowers are one of nature’s greatest beauties. They light up a room when resting in a vase, but sadly do not last very long. Well, why not savour their beauty by framing them?
Framing flowers is very simple. Firstly, ensure they are dry and remove any of the bulky bits (like thorns, or even the centre of the flower if need be). Lay them between several layers of paper-towel, and press them down with your fingers. Place the entire flower-paper-towel-sandwich inside a magazine and lay it on a dry, flat surface. Next, place bricks or other heavy items on top and leave them a week or two. Voila! You will have yourself some beautiful, dried flowers all ready to frame.
More: Give Yourself a Lift With a Little Floral Whimsy
Kids’ artwork
The bright colours and bold shapes that children create can be beautiful and they are certainly unique. I can’t think of a better artwork to adorn a child’s bedroom than those they have created themselves.
TIP: If you want to stick to a certain colour scheme, commission an artwork from your child. Give them the colours you would like them to use and the paper size you are wanting to frame, then let their creativity run wild.
TELL US
What kind of everyday items have you framed? Share your pictures and ideas in the Comments.
MORE
Work of Art: How to Rustle Up a Masterpiece
8 Clip-It-Clever Ways to Display Your Children’s Art
What We Can Learn From Art Collectors
The bright colours and bold shapes that children create can be beautiful and they are certainly unique. I can’t think of a better artwork to adorn a child’s bedroom than those they have created themselves.
TIP: If you want to stick to a certain colour scheme, commission an artwork from your child. Give them the colours you would like them to use and the paper size you are wanting to frame, then let their creativity run wild.
TELL US
What kind of everyday items have you framed? Share your pictures and ideas in the Comments.
MORE
Work of Art: How to Rustle Up a Masterpiece
8 Clip-It-Clever Ways to Display Your Children’s Art
What We Can Learn From Art Collectors
Now, look, I’m not suggesting you go and frame the latest cover of New Idea – no one needs to see Kim Kardashian’s face on their wall. But I am suggesting you keep an eye out for interesting images on the front of mags like The New Yorker or Australia’s own Frankie magazine. Next time you are in the newsagent, browse the magazine rack and see if any covers jump out at you. They are often filled with bold colours and fonts and are the perfect size for framing.
If you are lucky enough to stumble upon some vintage magazines, snap them right up and flick through them for vintage advertisements. There are often wonderful pieces of art in there.
TIP: eBay can often be a great spot to find vintage magazines. LIFE Magazine is one of the best ones to find vintage adverts.