Remember that grid of eight Ribba frames above our sectional (that we got right the second time around)?
Well, we figured out some in-the-meantime “art” for them (so we don’t have to stare at those brown squares every night). You know, until we come up with something better. And it only cost us five bucks. Okay, $5.17 if you’re being picky. So worth it.
We’re still not 100% sure what we want there in the long run, but we’re leaning towards something graphic and colorful. And since the brown frame back is the opposite of that, we wanted to at least put something in there temporarily that wouldn’t cost much or take any time to toss together. Enter one of our favorite solutions: 12 x 12″ craft paper from Michael’s.
We picked out eight sheets that complement Sue (aka: our inspiration napkin). They were the perfect size to slip in our 12 x 12 Ribba frames and at about 60 cents a pop it was kind of a no-brainer.
We tried a few different arrangements on the floor before putting anything in frames. Since we had picked a couple of duplicate colors, we wanted to keep them far enough away from one another, so we ended up with this grouping:
The frames definitely helped them feel less like sixty-cent craft paper and more like something worthy of being displayed behind glass (seriously, what can’t you slap in a frame for a more polished look?). It definitely added that temporary injection of color we were looking for, and it was kind of reminiscent of the cool art that we saw – and loved – in this House Crashing adventure from back in the day (aka: a month ago).
It’s kind of like a simplified version of Sue the napkin now lives on our walls, eh?
We’ve been living with them for the last 24 hours and might be in danger of falling in love with them as a not-so-temporary solution. Uh oh.
They just look so much nicer than the brown frame backs they covered. Actually, what we’re thinking that we might do is try to build on the concept somehow, like adding some modern white doilies, stencils, or layering some other pattern in front of them so we still can enjoy the color scheme that “shows through” while creating something a little more graphic. Almost like a custom version of those Classical Symmetry prints from Crate & Barrel (this set of six retails for $369, btw).
Or we might still consider doing the personal photo thing by using the colorful paper as large mats around small square black & white pictures. Sherry even mentioned sticking tiny fortune cookie fortunes in the center of each colored sheet of paper. So you have to get really close to read them. ‘Til we decide on anything, we’re kinda loving the cost-of-a-Subway-footlong solution for these eight frames. And of course we’ll keep you posted when we finally get around to updating them for the long haul.
Do you guys have any colorful art that you’re loving? Or affordable sets of images that you’ve spotted? Oh and how cool is this solution to empty Ribba frames that Krissy posted on our Facebook page? As Sherry says (way too much) “um yeah, love it.”
Psst- We announced the winner of this week’s giveaway. Click here to see if it’s you.
emily mancini says
Looks great! Another reader mentioned using a clear varnish on the glass by using a geometric stencil. I may combine your color blocks with the varnish stencil idea!
Beth says
Love you guys and your blog….it makes my day (I especially like when you post twice b/c then my day is made…TWICE!) :)
Have you thought about framing bold-colored, patterned fabric to get the desired patterns? Just an idea.
On a related note…Sherry, can you sew? I’ve never seen you mention anything about sewing or seen a sewing machine in your pics. Just curious. I attribute most of my fun, cheap DIY projects to my trusty Singer!
YoungHouseLove says
I’m a terrible sewer (seamstress?). As a child I used to borrow mom’s sewing machine and break it all the time. It scarred me I think. But I’m dying to get “back on the horse” so to speak. I even asked a certain special man in my life for a sewing machine for my birthday on the 19th…
xo,
s
Meghan, UK says
*ahem*
Is John any good with the ol’ needle and thread?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, sadly he’s not. He’s not really into detail work (he rolls, I cut in) but I’m definitely going to try to get him on board when I start my sewing adventure! Who knows how that’ll go!
xo,
s
Melissa @ HOUSEography says
I vote for a funky stamp pattern in each one. If you screw up, who cares – 60 cents!!! Nice and was so glad to see Sue back in the picture :)
Shelley J says
wow, I love it!!!! I love the frames in general and plan to do it in my house!
Joi says
So simple yet so striking! I love tho see jewel tones right now. LOVE!
Kristen says
I really like the way the paper turned out. So amazing what a simple piece of paper can do!
AMG says
So in love with this idea. I might be trying this in a few months when I move!
r8chel says
I like it! And I would leave it like that for the long haul.
Jessica Lynette says
Mpix offers 8×8 images and I print pictures of the family and choose the {free) white boarder around the prints. I continually switch out which prints I hang by the front door, but the white boarder, in a black frame, gives it a unified look.
Soooo hard to see – but the second picture here, http://www.jessicalynette.com/home/projects/, is what I am talking about. And totally ignore how crooked they are. I even measured *blush*
Oh – and I get the prints done in metallic. They look fabulous in that finish!
YoungHouseLove says
Love the tip about metallic prints!
xo,
s
Maria says
I think you need to frame Sue somewhere in your home. :)
YoungHouseLove says
We were thinking she might make some awesome pillows…
xo,
s
Corrie says
Great temporary fix! I know a lot of people have mentioned using scrapbook paper, but I’ve come across a lot of fabrics in my recent googling that look strikingly like the C&B prints. (like this blog’s site http://cicadadaydream.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-items-in-shop-mod-quad-collection.html )
Or perhaps you could use some of the Clara fabrics, but I’m sure you guys already thought of that because you think of everything :o)
YoungHouseLove says
LOVE THOSE FABRICS! Thanks for sharing the link!
xo,
s
Robyn says
I think your temporary solution looks great. The colours really “pop” out!
JenWoodhouse.com says
what about using the patterned scrapbook paper from Michaels? or all that fabric you bought for Clara’s weekly pics?
YoungHouseLove says
Those are two definite possibilities! We want to use her fabric to make a quilt and a birthday banner, but if we have any leftovers we’ll definitely think about how we can work them in somewhere (from framing them to making pillows, roman shades, etc.
xo,
s
Corrie says
P.S. i forgot to mention that I came across this adorable fabric named…Clara!
https://modgreenpod.com/item/7/
…not as cute as your Clara, but close. It’s also made with U.S. grown organic cotton = bonus. I know you are trying to stray from too much ‘neutral’ but couldn’t help but share. :o)
YoungHouseLove says
So cute! Love it!
xo,
s
Stacy says
This looks so fantastic! Hmmm, maybe I will have to duplicate this on one of the walls in my house!
Meredith Toraason says
LOve LOVE LOVE!!! You are an inspiration! The colorful paper looks AMAZING! WHy is SUe so cool!? so, Today I decided to go to the crate and barrel outlet, where I live in Carlsbad, CA. and guess who I ran into? SUe,’s entire FAMILY!! place-mats and napkins galore:) Yes, I had to get them and thought of you! It is truly amazing how all the colors enhance everything in my house too!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s amazing! Enjoy your Sue!
xo,
s
Janna says
Wow! Only you guys could make framing plain scrapbook paper look good! I love it!
Katie says
Gosh, this is why I love this blog. I would never, in a million years, have thought of that. Or, if I had, I would’ve blown it off as a stupid idea. But it looks GREAT! When I start posting pictures of my new apartment, and they look exactly like your house… be flattered :-)
Robin says
I can’t get over how great this looks. I’m kinda obsessed. I think I’ve looked at this post at least 5 times today. :)
I may have to “borrow” this idea.
Love your site!!
cara says
I’m sure someone has already suggested this to you, but it would be *fabulous* to spray paint some kind of stencil pattern on there! Or, if you have friends with a Cricut or other scrapbook-printer/laser-cutter deal, ask them to cut out some patterns for ya on white paper :)!
JenWoodhouse.com says
Cara,
Your suggestion reminded me of this project: http://tinyurl.com/5uvopaf
So many creative options, and only 8 frames… le sigh…
Michelle says
I love the colors! Especially since the rug is already patterned, but I know you are wanting a new rug for that room. Are you thinking a pattern or solid? That could definitely influence the art, or vice versa I’m sure.
YoungHouseLove says
We’re open to solid, patterned, or even just super textured and plush. Should be interesting to see where we end up. All we know is that we want to keep color in the rug since the sofa and the beams are gray.
xo,
s
Mary says
I’m planning to use an arrangement of frames with fabric in them over our bed!
Since you posted those classical symmetry prints from Crate and Barrel, I wondered if you’ve seen these wall decal ones from Target http://www.target.com/dp/B003BO4P8U – maybe you could put them in the frames. They are only $34.99!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh we’ve never seen those- but they definitely look inspired by the C&B art. Too funny!
xo,
s
Jenn says
at first i chuckled when i read the process of the art work. i have some of that exact paper and had never considered it to have any other uses, other than as intended.
but lo and behold, i think it looks fabulous!!
i’m so happy you guys are out of the box thinkers. amazing.
Patty says
Brilliant! Though, really. How do you come up with this? Rather, how do I NOT come up with this. I’m just glad someone did because it is so genius. I especially love the colors you chose.
Design Love says
Love this, wow!!!
Cindy
Jessie says
Wow, what a difference a simple piece of paper makes. It looks incredible. I think I’d be leaning toward keeping it permanent!
Ashley says
oh.my.wow! Totally amazing!! My husband and I just bought our first house and my inner architect is totally geeking out. We’re fixing it up in the next few weeks before we move in. We actually ordered the Karlstad, but a smaller version and finallllly completed a full kitchen order through IKEA. Now we await the delivery of 50 million boxes. haha
Rachel says
I’m really loving your living room these days… i adore those six prints from crate & barrel. I saw them in the store and would love to see how you would put those together in your own DIY! Also, is there a reason the lamp is kinda chillin in the hallway? I’m pretty sure I would get clobbered every time i walked into the room with that sucker there….
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, he’s just there for now (for reading). We’re planning to build a big console table to run along the back of Karl so that will be a place for two table lamps. Then we’ll move that odd floor lamp!
xo,
s
GreenInOC says
Absolutely nothing to do with your brilliant art but I just heard this and immediately thought of you two and how much you would appreciate this story!
http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_031011_full_show.mp3
YoungHouseLove says
LOVE IT SO MUCH! Thanks for sharing.
xo,
s
Rachel says
omgosh! i read your post this morning and all day I was envisioning how i could do this over my own couches.love love love it!
SBE79 says
Reminds me of this:
http://www.thepursuitofstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/dsc_0525.jpg
Brittainy Bell says
I found these fabulous decorative wrapping papers at Papyrus – they are 4.95 a piece. Espensive wrapping paper? Yes, but a very inexpensive piece of art! I used a New York themed one in our bathroom.
Tamara Styles says
I amjust telling you guys ahead of time that I WILL BE DOING THAT. Going to Ikea this weekend (its so far and finally we have a game in that area)and I am picking up all kinds of love.
Melanie says
It doesn’t seem inspired by the crate and barrel version to me at all… I think colorful printed paper would have looked a lot nicer and less cheap. But you guys are the ones who have to live with it.
Meghan, UK says
Oh, wow! This is a completely stunning solution that is making me run back to IKEA (we are fortunate enough to be within a 5 minute drive of our local store) to do the same in our front room. LOVE it. We’re putting our house on the market soon and were stuck as to a quick wall art solution, so THANK YOU for the inspiration!!
Cristina says
What a nice color combination! :-)
Mercedes says
I may have to borrow this idea for my house. The gray walls don’t have any color on them yet and I’ve been trying to find art to compliment my color scheme… May as well just make something!
Jacey says
Totally keep the colours. They look awesome!!!
Amy says
I was skeptical but it looks AMAZING…I want to recreate it in my own apt asap!!!
leah loo says
I really like the impact of the pure, saturated color, punctuated by the white frames on your gray walls. It is so modern and fresh (and Ribba frames never looked so good)! I say leave the pattern for the pillows and the rug, and let the simplicity of the fantastic color sing! Sometimes the first idea is the best idea…
Lori says
Okay, so when I first started reading this post, I have to say that I was little concerned about this project. Why do I doubt you?? It turned out so great! There have been so many great comments and good ideas, but right now I love it just the way it is!
sydney krueger says
Love this idea. Just saw something similar at Hotel de Nord Paris. It was 16 small frames like this with the progression of a drawing. I want to do this!!! Thanks for the tips and ideas!!
http://shhhparis.blogspot.com/
http://thetastysidetolife.blogspot.com/2011/02/champagne-tasting-trip-chateau-viewing.html
Maria says
Such a clever idea! I’m totally stealing this for my twin girls room. Plus – I am so using the 50% off coupon at Michaels!
I’m really enjoying your blog. Keep up the good work!
Micha says
Sun Art! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_printing
Kevin says
Heads of State are great. check these prints out. http://store.theheadsofstate.com/products/seasonal-faces
Hayley says
Amazing! I would never think to do that, but it is so effective. You come up with great ideas.
Kelly says
Did this with scrap book paper a couple weeks ago- its such a great inexpensive update to wall art. Love it!
http://www.simplykellyblog.com
Kara says
Shut the flipping front door, I LOVE this!!! Have to be honest here, folks- I was a little perplexed about the lamp choice in the master bedroom but you have totally put yourselves back in rock star status to me with this one. :)
Have y’all ever thought of answering others’ design questions in a blog post (or two, or five thousand)? I have so many things I’d love some advice on…
Take care and have a great weekend, stodgy people!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, we hope to have a nice stodgy weekend. As for design questions, we love when readers post those (with pics) over on our Facebook page, that way everyone can chime in with ideas. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
vonda says
LOVE IT!!