September is here and I (Claire) am still trying to grasp the fact that the summer has passed me by. I am however ready for the change (namely the cooler weather!) that fall will bring. What better way to welcome the new season than with a fun, personal, and inexpensive project to brighten up any dull bedroom wall? If you remember, two weeks ago I collected a few inspiring images that got my creative juices flowing, in hopes of creating something delightful to display over my roommate, Chanel’s, bed. Together we decided to make what is not only a completely customizable DIY but is also one of the least expensive large pieces of art I’ve ever seen (totaling just under $30!). Its soft palette, unique texture, and personalized graphic made Chanel’s new room complete! Want to make your own? We’ve got the easy instructions just after the jump.
- 4′ x 2′ x 5.0mm hardwood panel
- Escutcheon Pins (I used #18 x 3/4″ brass ones)
- 6 Wire Brad Nails (#15 x 1-1/2″ brass if you can find, if not get zinc)
- Crochet Thread (Aunt Lydia’s is a good brand)
- gold spray paint
- glossy white paint (I used Rustoleum Ultra Cover Latex Paint)
- paint brush
- pencil
- ruler
- hammer
- stencil (or printed out letter in your choice of font)
- level
- Paint the board with the glossy white paint.
- Once dry, use a ruler and pencil to measure and mark a border around the board, 1″ in from edge of panel and 1″ spacing between nails.
- Find the center of the panel and place the stencil of your choice there. (We used a “C” because it’s Chanel’s initial, and SUCH a fabulous letter)
- Trace the letter lightly with a pencil.
- Eyeball (or measure if you have the patience!) Dots along the traced line about 1/2″ apart.
- Spray paint the 6 Wire Brad Nails gold to match the small brass pins.
- Use these 6 nails and hammer into each corner dot on the panel as well as the center top and center bottom pencil mark. These will be used to mount your art once completed.
- Hammer small brass nails into each dot you have marked, making sure the nails are in securely but not hammered all the way into the panel. Once complete you now have your foundation for the string.
- Knot your first thread in an upper corner of the nailed border and begin to randomly string from nail to nail, creating a sort of cobweb.
- Note, if you want the soft ombre look of Chanel’s choose 2 or 3 threads in the same color family and thread each in a section, over-lapping colors for the soft transition from color to color.
- Make sure there are no large holes in the web, laying the string to an even thickness.
- Knot to finish each color and hang with the 6 Brad Nails into the wall. Voila! Your own unique (and beautiful!) bedroom art.
