Now that the holidays are over and all the decorations have been taken down and stored away, you may be looking around your home or office and thinking that you would like to do something to change and freshen it up.
Recently, the Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture expanded their offices and Director Margie Reese asked me to help decorate the new space. We decided to utilize some unusual and unique items and I thought I would share some of these ideas, along with the techniques to execute them.
Giant Wall Clock
Materials needed:
12 pictures or items
12 canvases, frames or picture holders
Appropriate sized clock mechanism (available at your local craft store)
Paint color of your choice (optional)
Adhesive numbers (optional)
Wall clocks are a necessity in a home or office. Some are very utilitarian, some are very decorative, but let’s face it, they are all pretty standard, as far as clocks go. With a few simple steps, you can create your own custom clock, designed to your specifications and personalized for your family or business.
Step 1: This clock was going on the wall opposite a desk. A rectangle, the same size as the desk facing it, was taped off and painted on the wall using two coats of acrylic primer and two coats of white satin interior paint. If you like your wall color or are not allowed to paint, skip this step.
Step 2: For the numbers, I used 12 postcards depicting the Alliance’s “Don’t Fence Me In” community art project. I purchased 12 4x6” canvases and spray painted them all black. Once they were dry, I used spray adhesive and attached my postcards, off center, to the canvases.
Here, you can use just about anything you want. Family photos in frames, vacation photos, Grandmother’s recipe cards, wine bottle labels ... literally anything.
Step 3: Arrange your “numbers” in a circle and hang your clock mechanism in the middle.
I left room around the edges so the Teaching Artists who participated in the project could sign their names to the clock, thereby making it extremely special and personal.
Sculpture Wall
Materials needed:
Multiple pieces of art in the same size
Craft paper
Masking or painter’s tape
Pencil
Hammer
Picture hangers
Art on a wall doesn’t have to be a painting, a photo or a tapestry. Something like metal sculptures in shadowboxes, hung in multiple numbers, is unusual, unexpected and creates a stunning visual. But hanging multiple items uniformly and evenly spaced can be difficult and frustrating. Here is a quick and easy remedy for hanging these items easily and stress free.
Step 1: On the floor, roll out craft paper to the desired width of your finished wall display, taping together pieces to make the height longer, if necessary. Arrange your items on the paper in the configuration you want and using the pencil, mark where the hangers are located.
Step 2: Place the paper template in the desired position on the wall and affix with tape. Align your picture hangers with the marks on the paper and using your hammer, nail through the paper into your wall. When all hangers have been applied, gently tear away the paper and hang your art. Your end result will be a perfectly spaced and evenly hung art display.
Non-Traditional Art
Almost anything can become art on your walls. Driftwood found on a beach, a piece of an old fence or gate or even a beloved children’s game. To that end, a collection of old, electric guitars were hung on two walls at The Alliance’s offices and instantly became a surprising conversation piece. Easy as could be, but so impressive.
I hope that these few ideas have sparked your creativity and encouraged you to think outside the box when considering items to use in your home and/or office décor. Use your imagination and give it a try!
Happy decorating!
Wichitan Chip Kouri — who recently participated as a teaching artist in the Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture that gave us the Don't Fence Me In project, as well as starring in "Sister Act" and "The Wizard of Oz" at The Wichita Theatre — takes us along as he creates some of his home, gardening and entertaining favorites.
