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Young House Love » Crafting & Art » A Vintage Sign For Wall Art

| By John Petersik | November 8, 2011 | 177 Comments

A Vintage Sign For Wall Art

Remember how we stopped at this place in Maryland on our way to our Labor Day beach weekend?

LaborDay Ole Sale Barn

And remember how we spotted these cool sign letters there that were made even cooler when we learned that they were meant for a Dollar Tree store and were selling for $20 each? I was obsessed with them and almost took home an E, R, or A, just because (sadly there’s no P, J, S, C or B in Dollar Tree).

LaborDay Dollar Tree Lttrs

Well, I finally got me one. Let’s give a lukewarm welcome to letter L.

Number Seven1

Why L? Well… give that L a little 180 degree spin and whaddya get? Our favorite number AND a happy John (our first kiss: 7/7/05, our wedding date: 7/7/07 – even Clara was born on the 14th, which we affectionately call 7+7).

Number Seven2

Maybe it makes me a little too happy, actually. Avert your eyes Sherry.

Number Seven3

What? Nothing weird going on here. Just a man snuggling a giant number 7. It’s completely platonic, I swear.

Number Seven4

So here’s the deal. Since I kept talking about how much I regretted not getting that L, Sherry had been brainstorming a way to surprise me with it (we didn’t realize its 7-like appearance ’til we were back home looking at road trip pictures). Her maniacal planning came to an abrupt conclusion when Lesley read the initial post about it where Sherry mentioned that we regretted not getting one and contacted Sherry to act as a secret courier to help with the surprise. Apparently she lives right near the Ole Sale Barn in Denton, Maryland and her mom lives in Richmond so she frequently makes trips between the two spots. Perfect!

Sherry had planned to surprise me for my birthday next week, but Lesley made a trip earlier than expected so after a quick meet-up-in-a-parking-lot and a cash-for-giant-letter swap, the 7 was mine ours. I was actually really surprised. And more than a little in love (both with the wife for her sweet surprise and with my giant number seven itself). It’s already keeping me us company in the office (still need to figure out what to hang next to it, get a real side table and lamp for that corner, etc).

Seven After Full

We thought about hanging it on the other wall behind the chair but we both decided we liked walking into the room and seeing it “smiling” back at us, face first (instead of seeing the side of it most of the time, which would be the view if it was hung on the other wall behind the chair).

Seven After Close

Oh, if you’re wondering how it’s hung – it was pretty easy. The letter was still wired with lighting, but we’re not planning to get all Novogratz up in here by actually using it as a light (at least not anytime soon due to the cost of wiring the wall). So I carefully disconnected the two giant nubs on the back that would’ve required it sit out from the wall about an inch and stuffed the wires into the 7 for possible future use (we can fish them out with a coat hanger if need be).

Number Seven5

Once those big metal things were removed, I was left with two holes – plus some others at the top – that were perfect for hanging it. I just put a couple of anchors and screws into the wall where I wanted ’em, and hung the 7 in place.

Seven After Corner Only

A big thanks again to Lesley and taking the time to deliver it us (and for temporarily forking over the $25 to pay for it). Yup, the guy raised the price by $5 since Labor Day. Oh well, still totally worth it.

Psst-We’re over on BabyCenter sharing one of the most creative kids’ birthday parties we’ve ever seen. Seriously, it’s so imaginative and fun.

Psssst- We’ll be back with a kitchen update this afternoon. No dust flying yet, but very very soon… 

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Filed Under: Crafting & Art

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Comments

  1. Hilary @ My So-Called Home says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:09 am

    Love the 7! Funny you guys mentioned this today because I just did a little thrifting in Maryland this past weekend. I found a bunch of cute stuff and you can see it here:

    http://www.mysocalledhome.com/2011/11/maryland-thrifting.html

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 11:10 am

      Ooh love the mirror and the chevron bowls/cups. Such fun finds!

      xo,
      s

  2. Lauren says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:09 am

    I think it actually looks more like a ‘7’ than an ‘L’!

    When you first posted about this, I wanted the ‘R’ & the ‘L’ hardcore for my husband’s and my bedroom. I got so obsessed with having our initials over the bed that I finally just framed a bunch of different Ralph Lauren pillow covers that were all embroidered or printed with “RL”

    It’s working for now, but I’m still drooling over your 7/L.

    Reply
  3. Missy in NoVa says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:10 am

    Don’t forget to exercise your rights and vote today, John and Sherry! Polls are open in Virginia until 7pm tonight :)

    ps-love the 7. It’s my favorite number too!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 11:34 am

      We’re all about it!

      xo,
      s

  4. Karen Lee says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:10 am

    Haha! Your Novagratz comment cracked me up this morning.
    You should totally Novagratz it! Eventually!
    It looks awesome.
    Karen lee

    Reply
  5. Valerie says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:15 am

    If I were you, I’d spray paint that sucker hot pink! It’s a nice add to the room, it balances out the smaller pictures on the other wall well.

    Reply
  6. Sarah @ The Strength of Faith says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:22 am

    Did you watch Friends? There was definitely a hysterical episode involving the number 7 once – though it’s probably not appropriate to talk about on your blog.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 11:32 am

      Hahaha – yes. The famous Monica: seven, seven, seven.

      Hilarious.

      xo,
      s

  7. Sara C. says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:25 am

    Love it! “All Novogratz up in here”…. that’s exactly what I thinking. They do so much with the lighted accessories! Looks great how you have it!

    Reply
  8. Jen says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:26 am

    7 is also my favorite number, I was born on 7/7/73. Love all the ways you incorporate that number into your home.

    Reply
  9. Lindsay says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:31 am

    Awww very cute. I like.

    Reply
  10. Elizabeth says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:33 am

    So great! It even matches the bits of yellow in the wall stenciling! Love it! :)

    Reply
  11. Kate Ediger says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:35 am

    So cool of Lesley to help you out!!!

    Reply
  12. Seriously Sassy Mama says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:35 am

    I love the number. Such a great piece for your office.

    Reply
  13. Justin says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:37 am

    There’s not many people who can get away with having an affair with a giant, upside-down letter “L” from a dollar store sign, but you pull it off John. I don’t know how, but you do it.

    Love the sense of humor on this blog. I think it is why I keep coming back!

    By the way, we have a white ceramic pig from the Dollar Tree in our daughters nursery. Jealous?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 11:52 am

      Yes! So completely jealous.

      xo,
      s

    • Justin says

      November 8, 2011 at 11:55 am

      Oh, the pig made it into one of these photos we took of her room…

      http://justinandkatie.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/img_2970.jpg

    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 11:56 am

      So cute! And I love the name Carly.

      xo,
      s

    • Justin says

      November 8, 2011 at 12:02 pm

      Haha thanks! I picked it:)

  14. GreenInOC says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:39 am

    Looks fantastic!!

    I recently purchased a letter to hang on my wall and I’m a little more in love with it than should be legal!!!

    I didn’t get mine from this Etsy shop (the one I bought from went out of business) but I corresponded with this shop and their pricing is way better than what I paid and she’s super nice!:

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/fredandlulu?section_id=10077007

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 11:53 am

      So cool! Thanks for sharing.

      xo,
      s

  15. Ashley says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:40 am

    Very cool! We don’t have a favourite number between the two of us over here. Or a common letter either, because we live in sin. Boo hiss. ;)

    Reply
  16. Kerstin says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:41 am

    So happy for you, that you finally got the L/7! It looks great on the stenciled wall and I really like the contrast of the “romantic” stencil and the clear lines of the letter. Maybe you could install a small light in it, nothing neon-industrial, just something cosy for the wintertime. Forgive me, it is already totally dark outside here (Germany 5.30 PM)

    By the way, have you linked to the wrong “initial post”? It directs to the wedding trip to North Carolina and not to the Labor day post.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 11:54 am

      Thanks for the wrong-link tip! Off to fix that!

      xo,
      s

  17. Lisa P. says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:42 am

    Oh snap! I love this!

    Reply
  18. Amy D. says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:44 am

    Love it! I called the Ole Sale Barn to see if they still had the letter that I was looking for and begged them to ship it for me (even offering double) to no avail. :( If your friend would be interested in making some extra money to pick it up and ship it to me in Charlotte, NC..let me know!

    It would make the best Christmas gift for my boyfriend.

    Reply
  19. Jadie says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:48 am

    Love your creativity! Such a good idea. Wish somehow a R from “Dollar Tree” could turn into a really cool 4, our special number :) Can’t wait to see the kitchen update this afternoon!

    Reply
  20. Mackenzie says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:49 am

    I too am a typography nut (being a writer and all)! And I’ve been dying to hang some cool sign letters in my new apartment. I’ve seen letters of all sizes but not all shapes — no M’s or any other letters that have any association with or meaning to me or my guy. Super bummer.

    Now I’m thinking, maybe your spin idea could work for me! I bet there’s a W out there that looks like an M when turned on its head! Thanks, Petersiks :)

    Reply
    • GreenInOC says

      November 8, 2011 at 11:58 am

      @Mackenzie – here’s an “M”:

      http://www.etsy.com/listing/68954448/vintage-metal-letter-m-with-reflectors

      It’s not nearly as big as John’s is (okay, that doesn’t sound right!!), but it’s cool!

  21. Casey says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:51 am

    Have you figured out what kind of window treatment you’re doing for that window? Since the window above the desk will get darker once you enclose the garage that front facing window will provide the only light. Are you going to do a roman shade? Blinds? Would billowy curtains butt up against the placement of the 7 (since you like to hang the curtains extra wide to allow for more natural light)? I’m far too invested in the personal decisions your family makes regarding your gorgeous home, haha!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 11:56 am

      We’re definitely in the roman-shades camp just so we can have the same treatment on the window over the desk for balance (and curtains + desk = crazy).

      xo,
      s

  22. Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says

    November 8, 2011 at 11:54 am

    That’s such a sweet gift/surprise! And yay for Lesley for lending a helping hand :)

    Reply
  23. Melissa S. says

    November 8, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    No lie, a couple days ago I was driving by a Dollar Tree and was struck with sympathy for poor Jon, remembering how he missed his “7”. Happy you two were reunited. It looks great in the office!

    Reply
  24. tina says

    November 8, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    I love old letters also :)

    Reply
  25. Barbara says

    November 8, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    I think I saw this on HGTV once but frustratingly enough, can’t remember the show: They installed wall scones without wiring the wall up. They used some sort of copper electrical tape that the sconce was attached to, ran it down the wall and along the baseboard, and to the plug. Then they painted over the tape to hide it entirely. They were also trying to save on costs by doing this.

    I’m sorry that’s so vague but maybe its enough to jog someone else’s memory of the show?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 1:02 pm

      Thanks so much for the tip! It sounds like we might be able to add a string of plug-in christmas lights and then just hide the cord by using one of those metal cord coverings and painting it!

      xo,
      s

  26. Jessica @ Quirky Bookworm says

    November 8, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    I see someone else beat me to “This post was brought to you by the number 7”! Mothers of Sesame Street lovers think alike?

    Glad to hear that the relationship with the 7 is purely platonic! :)

    Reply
  27. Miranda @boucksy says

    November 8, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    It looks so much better as a ‘7’ than an ‘L’ ever could!! Way to go, Sherry for a fabulous surprise!

    Reply
  28. mp says

    November 8, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    Y’all obviously know that seven is a powerful number! Always my favorite, although I don’t have any in family birthdays or anniversaries. I love that big old seven on the wall.

    Reply
  29. Sara says

    November 8, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    I like it how the white front and the golden(?) sides matches up with the white and yellow on the stenciled walls! Lovely!

    Reply
  30. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says

    November 8, 2011 at 12:34 pm

    So cool. Now I am scouring for number 8 :) Tough, but I won’t give up. Else, printer and a frame to the rescue!

    Reply
  31. Donna says

    November 8, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    This is super sweet, but I think I speak for a bunch of us when I say I cannot wait for some more kitchen posts! I am so excited to see it all come together, which is kind of weird. I love your choices, it is going to look amazing!

    Reply
  32. Melissa says

    November 8, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    Super Cool.

    Reply
  33. Alex says

    November 8, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    How perfect is it that the sides of the 7 are yellow? Meant to be! Way to go sneaky Sherry!!

    Reply
  34. Nicole says

    November 8, 2011 at 1:01 pm

    LOVIN the seven!! You find the neatest things. Also, I believe before you said you would give invites for Pinterest….well…Im looking for one:) Not sure how exactly it works but Im checking it out often enough, I figure I should try it out! Any help, directions, whatever would be great!! Thank you!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 1:02 pm

      Ooh, just head over to our Facebook page and request an invite (people trade them back and forth pretty quickly over there). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  35. Cristina says

    November 8, 2011 at 1:05 pm

    Does it have a light inside? it would be cool..

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 1:26 pm

      Yup, it’s made to light up if we hardwire the wall to plug it in. Since we don’t have the budget for that now, we might do that down the road (or use christmas lights inside of it that plug in).

      xo,
      s

  36. Sarah says

    November 8, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    Looks great! I have an unrelated question…what kind of photo editing program do you own? I’m on the quest of purchasing Photoshop, but I don’t want to spend a whole lot. Thank you!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 1:25 pm

      We have Adobe Creative Suite but it was spendy (we needed it because we were still in advertising at the time we bought it). I bet you could get anything you need done with just a basic version of Photoshop to save some money.

      xo,
      s

  37. Jessica says

    November 8, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    I love the 7! I can’t help but wonder though – I see a greek letter poking out of John’s shirt. Is he a fraternity guy? :)

    From a fellow greek,
    :)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 1:25 pm

      He was in an honor fraternity called Phi Sigma Pi. My favorite thing is his “talk nerdy to me” t-shirt from his frat days.

      xo,
      s

  38. Katie@Paisley Print Shoes says

    November 8, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    Seriously seriously love that!!!!

    Reply
  39. Marianna says

    November 8, 2011 at 1:22 pm

    I randomly clicked your BabyCenter post (I have no baby) and read it and got to the end and realized I KNOW those people! Used to work with them both. Small world :)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 1:24 pm

      No way!! That’s awesome. They’re so sweetly sentimental and creative!

      xo,
      s

  40. Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says

    November 8, 2011 at 1:23 pm

    That’s so great that you were able to get that “L”, and even better that it’s a perfect 7 when upside down. It looks great on the wall!

    Reply
  41. Teresa says

    November 8, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    I hadn’t really ever thought of using letters like that in the house… just goes to show you nothing is off limits with home decor, eh?

    Reply
  42. Deb Ramsthaler says

    November 8, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    So surprised that you didn’t give the gold tone the ORB treatment. Honestly Sherdog, what were you thinking? :D

    Reply
  43. Mary says

    November 8, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    Love the “7”. Have you thought of making it a light box, sort of Novogratz style? Just a suggestion, but it is cute either way :)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 1:51 pm

      Haha- it’s actually already wired to be a light (hence our little Novogratz mention) so it might someday get lit up if we have the budget to hardwire it onto the wall (or we might try christmas lights that plug in).

      xo,
      s

  44. Tirsa says

    November 8, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    That is such a sweet gift. (and a sweet and thoughtful messenger) The seven looks like it always belonged there! Enjoy!

    Reply
  45. Annapolitan says

    November 8, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    I think you need a regular feature of John mugging for the camera.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 2:02 pm

      Haha. I agree. Nothin’ I like more. Well it might be tied with C & B getting their mug on too.

      xo,
      s

  46. Lesley says

    November 8, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    You’re very welcome! Aaaaaaand once we got back to NoVA from our Rehoboth vacation the hubs wondered why I didn’t get the other L for our house. Grrrrrrr. Glad to see it in such a great place! xoxo

    Reply
  47. Kelly @ Corner of Main says

    November 8, 2011 at 2:15 pm

    Good idea on making it a 7! Someone near me was selling an ‘R’ on Craigslist for $35. Since our last name started with an R I really wanted to get it, and I regret not doing so. Sooo Jealous that you and your 7 were reunited! Maybe there is hope for me, lol ;)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 2:23 pm

      Yes, there’s hope!

      xo,
      s

  48. Leigh says

    November 8, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    What a sweet girl that helped you get that 7. I would probably use it as an L since my name beings with one. I love that you guys have a number and you display it in your home. Our number is 6 but we don’t celebrate it like we should. I say let’s embrace our number! Thanks $herdog!

    Reply
  49. Lisa Washington says

    November 8, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    LOL Why do I envision John on Sesame Street introducing the number of the day with his affection towards the number 7?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 2:30 pm

      Haha, I think he might legitimately enjoy that gig. He would do well by it.

      xo,
      s

  50. Mollie says

    November 8, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    that would also look super snazzy on your painted brick in the living room or sunroom!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2011 at 5:40 pm

      That’s so funny because that was the other place we debated hanging it, but we liked how the goldy-yellow color on the side tied into the stencil (in the living room it sort of looked clashy with the oil-rubbed bronze curtain rods and the silver lamps on the console).

      xo,
      s

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