Frames for an interesting wall

BLOG: By Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel, features editor

I’ve been living with an empty wall in my living room for so long that I’ve stopped realising how uninteresting it really was. Maybe I haven’t done anything because I’m wasn’t sure exactly what to do. The wall is quite large with a huge 2,2m brown leather sofa. One big painting wasn’t the answer – I doubt I have the budget for it and also, I don’t want to live with a single painting forever. A variety of art works and frames sounded much more interesting because you could put different items together and you could also change it every so often. First, I looked on Pinterest for some inspiration:

I like this wall because of the different elements grouped together – from plates, words and frames to items such as a sea star (source: on photo).

Wow, this one from www.nirvanacph.com is truly inspirational although I’m not quite as brave and won’t go that big (by the way, how awesome are those books in the fireplace for summer!)

Although only frames are featured here (source: southernpiphi.tumblr.com) I like the spacing between the different frames.

This one also shows that you can put together anything really (source: mila-loveology.blogspot.com.au)

BEFORE – my wall

Yes, can you believe this is how I’ve been living for a good couple of years – I’m so embarrassed!

AFTER

The big brown leather couch is now just one of many elements! It took quite a bit of patience to collect the pieces over time. Roughly, the theme was birds, sea and black and white. But what did it cost me?

COSTS

3x Fornasetti prints on vinyl
- R99 each at Gifts at 33 Oxford, Durbanville

4x small bird paintings on canvas
- R450 at Decorex from Nadine Jacobs

Aged frame with lighthouse print
- R750 from Wetherlys

Black frame with words
- R199 on sale from @home

West Coast home painting
- R350 from Shamwari Crafts in the Fountains Mall, Jeffreys Bay

Fabric covered letters L-A-G
- R120 from the CY Market in Durbanville in 2010

Silver plate
- found it in my cupboard, can’t even remember who gave it to me (apologies to that person!)

Boxed frame with map print butterfly
- R79 on sale from @home

Birds in wire bust frame
- R250 on sale from @home

Birds in globe frame
- R310 on sale from @home

Wooden boxes with birds
- R140 at Decorex from tamarillo designs

TOTAL: R 2 945

It sounds like quite a bit, but I’ve collected it over two months and usually paid between R100 and R200 at a time, with the exception of a few larger pieces. I think it worked out much cheaper than one large painting would have and is also more interesting.

Visit my “Frames on walls” board on Pinterest for 30 more ideas.