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27 Feb 2013

MODERN ART FOR THE LIVING ROOM - PART 1

This week I have been working on some DIY art for my living room fireplace wall.  Here is a picture I took this past weekend of our living room wall .  Pretty stark and bare!  We have been in this house for almost 2 years and this wall has looked like this pretty much since we moved in (yikes!).  It was high time that some art got up on those walls.  By the way, Little Pilot looks like he's pointing, but he is actually flying an airplane while wearing his parachuter coveralls. :)

I'm going to show you the art in two posts because the other art required painting and it will probably take me a few more nap times to finish.  Today we're addressing the wall to the left of the fireplace.  Here is how it looks now:
Much better, no?  

That is some very high end modern art made from this:
It's leftover Marimekko wrapping paper from Christmas.  I simply cut some and framed it in an Ikea Ribba frame.


My inspiration for this project came from some of the living rooms I have been pinning lately.  I have been drawn to the simple black and white art I see in these rooms like the giant 'C' in this living room:

Little Pilot really liked my thrifted yellow bowl that I got a few weeks back (he said it is "hieno" which is a word like "nice" in Finnish).  He was also my design consultant.  He thought his airplane should go in the bowl.  I was surprised he put in this Air Canada plane since his favourited plane is the Spitfire (Little Pilot calls it the "pit-aavo").

I did take cue from his design brilliance and placed some of his little Muumi books in the bowl.  Muumis are Finnish cartoon characters (you can learn about them here).  Aren't the little books too cute?  I love how including some of the kiddie things in a vignette makes decor a little less serious and a little more personal.

Here's my design star!


I am slowly working on my painting for the other side of the fireplace and will share it with y'all soon!

I am sharing this project at the pinterest challenge (hosted here, here, here and here).

42 comments:

  1. Oooh, I love it! I love the idea of framing wrapping paper but I don't have any as pretty as yours! Can't wait to see the art on the other side :)

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    1. Thanks! I'm hoping my boys take some good naps this week so I can continue working on it. :)

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  2. I love this! So simple, but perfect in your space!

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    1. Thanks! I love the simplicity of it too. :)

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    2. lol--this is, word for word, what I was going to say :). So I'll just say, yes, that!

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  3. Must be that great minds think alike as I got two roll so f black and white Marimekko wrapping paper (different from your Kivet paper) bought solely for the purpose of framing them..... eventually. I still haven't done it. :D HEH! Maybe one day!
    Looking good, Muumi-books and everything. We love Muumi. We = the women folk in this household. We have them in the kitchen in the form of Muumi mugs and bowls, cuttlery, tea towles, chidren's plates, cookie cutters and a tray. Muumis also appera in children's clothing, toys, books and of course TV. :D Finns and Muumis are inseparable! :D

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    1. I saved some of the other Marimekko wrapping paper too from Christmas just in case I wanted to do something else with it. We'll see... We too love Muumi around here!

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  4. This is totally fabulous! I love thinking outside of the box and this wrapping paper as art turned out so well! :)

    I also participated in the challenge and built an herb planter box! :)

    Thanks for sharing!

    Shannon
    Fabulously Vintage

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  5. Genius! I LOVE how that looks & I would NEVER have guessed that it was wrapping paper.
    Sarah

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  6. I LOVE how this project looks so expensive but is made from wrapping paper!! So clever and such a great statement. This is my first time visiting your blog but I'm seeing Finn words so I'm hooked. My Dad's side of the family is Finn, so anything Finnish gets an A+ in my books.

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  7. That is such a great idea to frame wrapping paper...so easy! I might have to borrow this idea.

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  8. Love it, especially the simplicity.

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  9. Hei Anu,
    Where do you buy your marimekko wrapping paper from? This is a great idea! I live in Canada too but haven't come across any. I may have to put in a request to some family in Finland. I love anything and everything marimekko, muumi and iittala :)

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    1. I too love Marimekko and have lots of their fabrics/patterns throughout my house. The wrapping paper was purchased from Crate and Barrel around Christmas time. You may be able to find some at a Finnish import store that carries Marimekko as they sometimes will wrap your purchase in it. I hope that helps. :)

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  10. Love this! I actually just did a post on unconventional art (including framed wrapping paper) last week! That Marimekko is awesome.

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    1. It's so fun to find something different to frame. You can turn pretty much anything into art. Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  11. I love this idea, I'm slightly obsessed with framing wrapping paper as a budget friendly way to get designer art. I also love your little Moomin book - I went to the new shop in Covent Garden last summer, soo cute!

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    1. We're hoping to be able to go to Europe this summer. If we get to go, we'll definitely be looking for some new Muumi treasures. :)

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  12. It looks great! I love the color and pattern!
    Selene @ restorationbeauty.com

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    1. Thanks! I'm happy with how it turned out. "Pienet Kivet" is one of my favourite Marimekko patterns.

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  13. I can't believe how good that looks! Now you've got me hunting for that paper too so that I can do the same thing :O)

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  14. Looks great! It's amazing what a frame will do for things, even wrapping paper :)

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  15. Oh my gosh...your boy is so cuuuuute! And your room looks fabu too!

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    1. Thanks! My family is my favourite part of my home. :)

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  16. Such a genius idea to frame wrapping paper. I definitely need to try that. Love your room and your little design assistant! I'm now following your blog. Have a great day!

    Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

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    1. Thanks so much! Glad to have you here. :)

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  17. I love this! Great idea to frame the wrapping paper. It seriously looks like something you'd pay lots of money for from West Elm or Z Gallerie. This is an awesome project! I hope you will consider linking it up to the Pinworthy Projects Party over at my blog, Just Us Four.

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    1. Thanks for letting me know of your party.

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  18. I do this often! What a great and cheap way to customize wall art!

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  19. Great post! Love the artwork and adore your style inspiration! xoxo Tauni

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    1. Great! Glad to have you here. :)

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  21. very cool and simple! i too love using gift-wrap for all sorts of things in my decorating! :-)

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  22. This is so simple and beautiful - my favorite combination! Thanks for linking it up to Monday Funday! PS: Are you on twitter? I just went to share this gorgeous project and tag you but couldn't find ya!

    Kelly @ View Along the Way

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  23. I just framed this same wrapping paper from C & B! I got mine on sale for $1.98 and framed it in a large gold frame. Such a statement piece-great minds think alike! :)

    www.lifelovelarson.blogspot.com

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  24. Hi Anu! I am loving loving this idea. SO Smart. There are a ton of great wrapping papers out there I love so I can't wait to try this out. Also I'm loving that I found your blog. You have beautiful photography and great ideas!! I featured this idea on my blog this week. Come on by and check it out and grab a button if you like! http://www.missloviecreations.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-favorite-things-thursday-10-home.html Have a fabulous weekend.

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  25. Love this! What a creative idea! Also -- LOVE your little guy sneaking into the photos. Precious!

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  26. Awesome! Congratulations on being featured on Savvy Southern Style tonight!

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  27. What a simple and wonderful idea! so many wrapping papers out there that are just stunning....It makes a difference!
    Great job.
    Nancy
    http://wildoakdesignsblogspot.com

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