As Easy as 1, 2, 3…an Easy Artwork Project

Do you sometimes look at the items hanging on your walls and think, “I swear this stuff has been up here for years. So long that I don’t even notice it anymore.” I am guilty of this, but usually it’s only months and not years until I feel that “familiarity breeds contempt” feeling.  You know, “I hate you, decorative metal leaf design I used to think was cute! I’m so over you!” Drama much? Why yes, I do, when it comes to passions like home interiors. My disdain for a certain dining room item emerged recently so I took all that negative energy and channeled it into creating a cute, affordable, and easy photo grouping. Read on for the details.

The first step is to locate your subject matter. I chose plants. Succulents to be exact. Our yard is full of them. Probably close to a hundred by now. Why so many? I’ll come clean: I have a black thumb. I can’t grow anything BUT succulents. Ask my family, I’m a serial plant killer! I’ve killed about every plant on this earth, but man can I grow the succulents. You may be thinking, “But it takes zero skill to grow succulents – a monkey could do that.” First, yes. Second, how dare you but I’m in no way offended.

One of the many, many photos I took!

Back to it…once you’ve determined your subject matter, start taking pics. I chose close-ups to achieve a more abstract look. I’m better at photography than gardening, but as we’ve already established that’s not saying much. The beauty of photography is if you have a good camera and you take LOTS of pics, you’re bound to get some good ones. My motto for items photography related: volume matters. I find it fun to snap a lot of photos and enjoy the process of selecting favorites to create just the look you want.

After you identify your faves, decide how many photos to include in your grouping. To help you decide this, figure out how big each finished photo will be based on the size of wall space you intend to fill. I chose five photos matted and framed in 11 x 14 frames.

Using photo editing functionality on my iPhone, I applied interesting color treatments. I chose to lighten my photos so minimal color shows. I didn’t want sepia or black and white but just a hint of color to add interest. After I achieved the right look, I applied that treatment to each photo.

Printed and matted!

Since I wanted each photo to be matted and framed in 11 x 14 frames, I needed to print 8 x 10s. You can get make prints at Walgreen’s or Walmart, etc., and you’ll find many apps with great prices. I used an app that charged $2.54 for each 8 x 10 print plus free 4 x 6s with a nominal shipping fee. Total cost for photos was under $40.

Time to frame it up!

I knew I wanted white frames with white mats. After shopping around, I found the best deal online -- five white frames with five mats for $25. What a great deal!

All done! Five frames with mats for $25! Wow, what a deal!

Photos, mats, frames: check, check, check.  Now for the placement and hanging. I was placing this grouping centered on a fairly big dining room wall and planned for the grouping to be the only item hanging there. Time for experimentation. My long-armed hubby is a big help here, mostly patiently holding up options until the right one reveals itself. It can be helpful to lay out patterns on a table or other clean space to get initial ideas, then shift to the finer placement on the wall itself.

My center was both a photo and a space!

When hanging, it’s generally best to hang your center item first. Use your tape measure or laser here to be precise since all other items will relate to this placement. You can make a photo your center or you might choose to make the space between two photos as your center point. Once the center item(s) are set, proceed with the rest of your grouping. Use your tape measure or laser and make light pencil marks to show you where to hang each pic.

Now I notice my new artwork multiple times a day! Change is good!

The final step is always the best: stand back and admire your new creation! Take photos and share with friends and family. It’s fine to feel a little smug because you’ve just made a beautiful, inexpensive, creative, and personal statement on your wall that you will enjoy for years…or months.

Now, what will you do next to love where you live?

Please feel free to reach out to us at The Redesign Habit and ask questions or simply share a project that you are working on or have completed.

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