The Half-Assed Decorator: Fabric Remnant Wall Hanging in Eight Minutes or Less

Monday, January 30, 2012

Fabric Remnant Wall Hanging in Eight Minutes or Less

This project came about in my old house. I had bought fabric for my mom to make valances (actually, it wasn't technically fabric, it was several shower curtains bought at the Marshall's outlet--I couldn't find fabric with a pattern I liked at the time) and there was some left over. I had one of those two story living rooms with big, blank walls on the second story. You can't hang artwork that high, and I hated the blank space, so I took a piece of the remaining fabric and stapled it to canvas stretchers I'd bought at Michael's. To be honest, I can't say whether this was my own, original idea. I'd like to think it was, because I can't remember who I stole it from, but given my track record, it probably wasn't. Here's the result:

Since then, I've picked up fabric remnants with patterns I like for later use. I say remnants, because I'm too Half Assed to wait for a clerk to cut fabric from a bolt for me, because remnants are usually dirt cheap, and because I'm easily overwhelmed by the choices available in bolt form. I got these two from Ikea's remnant bin. The first one I used to cover barstools and make throw pillow covers, and the second I haven't found a use for yet.

As you can see, I've used them here as makeshift window coverings, but that's another post. Suffice it to say the Half Assed Decorator hates curtains. These could be made easily more elegant by adding a frame (an open one, like for a canvas painting). Look for frames at garage sales and on clearance, spray paint them if you need to. I didn't frame these because I haven't yet found one that works with the decor. I've made these to match bedding in a guest room with too many empty walls. When looking for the bedding, I found duvet covers on clearance at Target for under $10. I bought one for the bed, and cut the other one to make a wall hanging. (The wall hanging was actually necessary to cover up a spot on the wall where we had removed something bolted to the wall and had been to Half Assed to paint under it.) These things are handy space fillers and dirt cheap!

Recently (and for the purpose of making this video, I might add), I did one for my partner's daughter's room. As I mention in the video, we decided since the pattern was small, we'd add something to it. Be forewarned: The Half Assed Decorator has man hands and a grating voice!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqTEQqm9_wI&feature=youtu.be

COST:
Fabric Remnant       $8-10
Canvas Stretchers    $6-8
Decorative Letter     $3.50

$17.50-21.50

1 comment:

Tha Half Assed DecoratorFebruary 5, 2012 at 9:39 AM
I was asked last night about how to put the frame together. We actually had to edit that part of the video out because we ran into a problem. Normally, the edges of the stretched pieces are slotted, and they just fit together nicely. You could then secure them with a screw, but it's really not necessary, because the fabric you're stapling to it will hold it in place.

When I went to fit the pieces together for the video, there was a loose piece of wood wedged in the slot of one of them, and I ended up using my favorite tool, a butter knife, to pry it out. I didn't film that part because I was afraid I might break the stretcher in the process and scare you all off of this project.
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What's This About?

I am a professional decorator. Really. A suburban, low-budget one with no formal training, but nonetheless, people do pay me for my work. Some of it can be seen here: http://www.newperspectiveinteriors.net/. When doing a job for a paying client, I try my best not to be Half Assed. After
all, they could be Half Assed themselves for free. But I am always cheap, and can help people over the hurdle of “I just don’t know what to do!” by showing them the big picture. So why would I share my ideas and tricks of the trade with you for free? Well, because I am Half Assed, I don’t do a wonderful job of marketing our business, so we don’t get a ton of work. And
because I like to share. Sharing’s my favorite.

If you hate decorating, this is not the blog for you. If you’re the kind of person who wants fine, quality items, lovingly chosen with care by someone with impeccable taste, and you want a timeless style that will last until you have grandchildren, there probably won’t be much for you here. If you’re a perfectionist, you will be utterly horrified. And if you’re in the market for expensive, rare fabrics and $10,000 window treatments, you may even find my projects awful. But if you love to change things around, mix up your style every few years, try new things constantly, I can help you. If you have almost no decorating budget, I can help you. If you think you have no
creativity or style, you’re not crafty or handy, and you’re sick to death of white walls and overhead lighting, I can help you. These are the tricks I’ve learned by trial and error over the
years, decorating and redecorating my own house, the houses of friends and clients, and office spaces.

I can’t promise to blog with any predictability, but I can promise that if you check in from time to time, you’ll find pictures, projects, ideas and guidance.

I’m not a photographer, and I’m far too Half-Assed to hire one for this blog. So the photos come from my $100 digital camera and may be grainy and poorly lit. My videos will be the same, and also filled with me stumbling over my words, while the phone rings or the dog barks in the background. Sometimes I will be too Half-Assed to get out of my PJs or put on lipstick to film them. But that’s what Half-Assed is all about…doing just that bare minimum to get the job done.