A fellow Curbly poster recently raised a question concerning large, vacant walls void of not only art but color. This is such a common complaint, the query seemed to deserve a post all of its own.
Filling vast wall spaces with multiple framed pieces of art can be expensive, and the busy look might not be what you’re going for. So how about one big piece of art? Still too expensive you say? Read on you doubting Thomasinas….
It’s a Frame Up!
For a relatively small investment, pick up some 2″ x 2″ pine at your local home improvement store. Menard’s currently has 8 foot lengths available for $1.59 each. Then, using the wood strips, assemble a “frame” in the size of your choice as illustrated. Drill pilot holes where indicated by the arrows, and then screw or nail the frame together at the pilot holes. Note: if using wood screws, I’d suggest countersinking the holes to prevent the wood from splitting.
Fine Fabric
Next, visit your local fabric store for decorator fabrics that suit your design aesthetic. A geometric print for the modern perspective, or toile de Jouy for the more traditional set, perhaps? Using a staple gun, “upholster” the frame with the fabric of your choosing, stapling on the backside of your frame. Note: you’ll want to stretch the fabric over the frame snugly, but not TOO tightly or you may rack the frame.
Bonus hint: Every homeowner and DIY Maven wannabe needs a good staple gun. I suggest a forward action stapler such as one of Craftsman’s “Easyfire” guns.
Size Doesn’t Matter
Decorator fabrics usually measure 54″ to 60″ in width, so that is the limiting factor in size for this project, but remember, a really huge frame will probably need a stretcher–another piece of wood at the midpoint– to make it stable. To eliminate this worry, you could assemble three frames of equal size and make a triptych with coordinating or matching fabrics.
For those of you a bit more adventurous, tune in tomorrow for a wild ride on the Jackson Pollock side in “Big Art Love, Redux.”
