1.31.2013

DIY Herringbone Metallic Artwork: Easy & Cheap

So I don't know if I've said this before, but my husband and I are currently building a house. Well, we're not building it (I'm not that crafty... hot glue has its limits), some nice young men we pay are building it. We are, however, among other things, funding it.  Let me translate: we're broke for the next year or so. Needless to say, that scenario leaves no budget for current rental-house decor. And I thought that was fine when we first moved into this dirty white box. 7 months later, the walls are now beige (because I couldn't stand the dirty white box) and the great expanses of nothing-ness on the walls are starting to make me antsy. This is how the "Herringbone" Metallic Artwork came about. (I know it's not technically herringbone, but it kind of looks similar).

Supplies:
• Metallic Paint (I used Rust-Oleum spray paint)
• Some other colors of paint (I used whatever I had leftover from other projects)
• Canvas or something to paint on
• ScotchBlue Painter's Tape (Mine is 2" wide)

This is what I started with.
I bought this in a parking lot 8 years ago when we were first decorating our old house.  It's been moved around quite a bit and now I've just outgrown it.  I wrestled a little with painting over a perfectly good painting. But since I no longer find it beautiful, and it does not serve a function, it was either time to make it beautiful or get rid of it.

Step1: Paint some of the canvas with the metallic paint.  I tried to keep all my paint going in an up and down motion.

Step 2: Blob on some color and spread it around again.  Leave unpainted areas. My 3 year old did most of this. I helped him keep it going up and down.

Step 3: Blob on some other colors and keep going.

Step 4: Pick up older child from Pre-K... wait, I mean let it dry once you're happy with the colors.

Step 5: Start taping (and put on some Phineas and Ferb to keep children in trance-like state).
I started with that piece in the corner and just lined up the tape based off of that one.  No real pattern, just tried to keep the spaces even between each piece. I didn't measure anything. This may require 2 episodes of Phineas and Ferb.

Step 6: Paint over the tape with the metallic paint.

Step 7: Peal off the tape (we did not wait for it to dry).
I like that you can actually see him saying "whoaaa!" in this one. They thought it was very cool how the color showed up when you pulled the tape off.

That's it, you're done.  Hang it up!  I put it over my dresser in our bedroom. We now have at least one thing on that giant beige wall for the cost of tape and a can of spray paint. :)

This post was featured as a blogger spotlight over at mommy.com. Mommy.com's goal is to be the #1 online destination for moms everywhere! By covering content in the areas of pregnancy, parenting, fitness, entertainment, style, and food, there is a something for every mom, no matter how old your children are. They also offer exclusive deals to Mommy.com visitors in their Coupons and Deals section. Who doesn't like a bargain? Head on over and show them some love for showing me the love :)

85 comments :

  1. I love this! It turned out awesome!!

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    1. Simply beautiful!!! Thanks for the wonderful idea. I have quite a few paintings that have been around for ages. I thought about garage saleing them...but now changed my mind thanks to you :-)

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    2. Simply beautiful!!! Thanks for the wonderful idea. I have quite a few paintings that have been around for ages. I thought about garage saleing them...but now changed my mind thanks to you :-)

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  2. Omg I love it. I def have to try that. I have been looking for something to put on my Cigar Brown Living room wall and this will be perfect.

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    1. Thanks! It was pretty easy and only took a couple hours.

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  3. This turned out so good! I have a canvas that I painted white yesterday and am now trying to decide what to do to it. This is a definite possibility.

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  4. This is awesome!!! I'll be sharing it on my Facebook Fan Page! :)

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  5. I am thinking about entering in the Creating with the Stars and saw you submission, I. LOVE. IT. Truly you did an amazing job and I am pinning for sure...good luck! Now I will have to check out the rest of your blog!

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    1. Thanks Mindi! There are so many great submissions I don't think I stand a chance but it's still fun to enter! (That $500 HomeGoods gift card calls to me... haha) You should definitely enter!

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  6. How wonderful that you got the kids involved! The final product is outta this world awesome. Excellent work!

    Warmly,
    Lauren
    The Thinking Closet

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    1. Thanks Lauren. They always love to help. Sometimes the projects aren't too kid friendly and I have to make up ways for them to "help" but this one was perfect. Besides the tape, I think they did all of it. :)

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  7. Wow! I love this. I saw the thumbnail on creating with the stars and had to pop over to check it out. It's awesome.

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    1. Thanks Helen. I love going through everyone's entries on Creating with the Stars. People are so creative! :)

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  8. Oh my word, I love this...So much so that I just might try it!

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  9. Gorgeous! I love how you let just a teeny bit of the original artwork to shine through. I've been on the lookout at thrift stores for a similar sized painting that I can do this to since I saw this a few days ago (and yes, I'm here for a second...or third look).

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    1. Thanks! Did you notice how I didn't paint over that lady in the lower left corner? haha I liked her and I think it's cool that you can still see her. :) Let me know how it goes if you try it! I'd like to see some awful 80's painting turned into something cool!

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  10. This is so awesome and I love that you got your kids involved! Great job momma! I am excited to follow your blog and see what you come up with next.

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    1. They love to "help" all the time. Sometimes it's not so helpful "help" and sometimes they really do help! This is a good one for kids. :) Thanks!

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  11. This is a great project! I can't wait to make my own!

    Stopping by from Creating with the Stars (#310)

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  12. Love the colors in this piece. It looks so expensive.

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  13. oh wow, this is amazing!!! very clever, congrats on the contest. I did it a few years ago: fun but a lotta work!

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    1. Thanks! It sure is! I haven't been this crazy busy in a long time. :) Ahhh! I'm going to need a vacation after these few weeks.

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  14. I saw this over at East Coast Creative where they were announcing the finalists for their challenge. WooHoo! Congrats to you! This is a stunning piece of art and I'm tempted to copy you. Thanks for the inspiration. Happy to be following you ;) Good luck in the competition. Looking forward to seeing everyone's projects!

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    1. Thanks! Copy me! It's a cool way to save an old painting. I'm working hard on the first challenge but I know everyone else is too! They are so dang creative. :)

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  15. Congratulations! This is fabulous and Im inspired to try it!

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  16. LOVE this! good luck in the competition!

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  17. So fun! I love how you involved your kids. I'd love to try this with a world map as the base.

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  18. Loved it so much, I had a couple of unfinished canvases and just finished one using your technique, wish I could send you a pictureof the finished product!

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  19. Loved it so much, I had a couple of unfinished canvases and just finished one using your technique, wish I could send you a pictureof the finished product!

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  20. Hopping over from Thrifty Decor Chick. Wow! I am impressed! This is beautiful. I work full time and have two kids also...i have no energy. How do you do it?? :)

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  21. Came from TDC!
    1. Love this artwork
    2. Love how you let your kids paint it
    3. Love that it was cheap (and big!)
    4. I can't believe you didn't measure anything! Looking at it gives me the jitters bc it looks like it'd be meticulous!
    Pinned!

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  22. I saw this featured on facebook and I had to stop by for the tutorial. I have pinned it. I am definitely going to try something like this for our newly renovated basement. I have been looking for some cool artwork and this is cooler than anything I have come across and definitely a better price point. I am your latest follower. I host a link party each Tuesday night. Hope to have you join in sometime. http://diybydesign.blogspot.com

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  23. I tried to make my own version of this because I LOVE IT.... and it was a total fail haha. (If you are curious: http://asmithofalltrades.com/2013/04/04/knockoff-diy-herringbone-art/) Oh well! I might have to try it again because I love yours a ton. I used silver instead of gold, which was sort of boring. And I think my background was too pastel-y.

    Anyway... this is amazing and I loved all your stuff in Creating with the Stars :)

    Jess

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  24. you are awesome :)

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  25. I love this. I would like to try it.

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  26. I love this. I would like to try it.

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  27. Thanks for this fabulous idea. I have saved some old paintings to do something similar, but now that I see this, I know what to do!

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  28. Amazing! I'm doing this with pink! Thanks for the brilliant idea.

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  29. This is really cool! Great job!! I am going to try : )

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  30. Thank you so much for this idea! I didn't see where it was going with you putting the tape on AFTER your paint was dry, but you obviously saw something beautiful. I take care of a little girl and we do crafts for an hour a day (to beat the summer hum-drum), and I think she will totally love this idea and put it in her room! Thanks again, Jill

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  31. Awesome!!! I'm so impressed ;) I'm a total DIY-er. I can't wait to try this (like tomorrow)! Maybe with some teal & purple or something. Thanks so much! :D
    -BECCA

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  32. This is fantastic! It looks like you paid top dollar for it! To make DIY paintings customized for their room colors, homeowners could use the small cans of sample paint from the hardware store to make this--just an idea.

    Amy

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  33. My Blogger profile didn't "populate" correctly in my last comment; I'm Amy from The Red Chair Blog.

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  34. YOU are AMAZING!! Great ideas, Great mom, and you share. Thanks I will be trying this idea.
    Rita :)

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    1. Wow, how have I not seen this until now!? I should go back and read through all the comments when I need a boost... you're so sweet! Thank you! You made my morning. :)

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  35. Omg! I LOVE IT SO MUCH! Gonna try to do this in a few days! :D

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  36. Just tried this today. I used a smaller canvas and placed sticker letters spelling "Merry & Bright" on the canvas before painting and when I peeled them off at the end the letters are white like the canvas. I used shades of red and gold. Instead of painters tape I used washi tape since my canvas was smaller. Pretty pleased with it. Thanks for the idea!

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    1. Ohhh, good idea with the washi tape. :) Glad you were inspired. Thanks!!!!

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  37. This just got added to my list of things to do over the Christmas break! I LOVE this!!! Great job kids! (And Phineas and Ferb) and Mom!

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    1. Haha! Thanks! Yes, Phineas and Ferb help with many projects :)

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  38. Now I wanna ruin some paintings lol
    Beautiful diy!

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    1. LOL. Go ruin them! A year later this is still hanging in my bedroom and I love it. Best ruined project I ever did. :) Thanks!

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  39. What an amazing piece of artwork! Thanks for the inspiration. Your family is awesome! :-)

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    1. Awww, compliments on not only the project but my family too?? You've made my day. Thanks so much! Glad you like it. :) Happy dance...

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  40. Thanks for the inspiration. What a beautiful piece of artwork. Your family is awesome!!!

    :-)

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  41. What color are the sides of the canvas? Awesome.. thanks for the tutorial!!!

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    1. Hi Natasha. I just left the sides of the canvas the color they were from the original painting. That said, the original colors in the painting were similar to the final new painting I made. If the painting you start with is way different than what you're going for in the new one, I would suggest painting the sides of the canvas too. Hope that helps. :)

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  42. Love it! Thanks for posting! Herringbone" Metallic Artwork are truly a great way to decorate. I think simple wall silhouette decals with class can really add life to any room.

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  43. So creative. Good for you. It turned out beautifully. Thanks for sharing.

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  44. I have to try this...looks like fun too.

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    1. Try it! Especially if you have a painting laying around you don't like anyway. What do you have to lose, right? :)

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  45. What kind of paint did you use? I was wondering if I could use the paint that I used to paint the room? You did a great job! Also is this a canvas that use were using?
    Thanks

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    1. Hi. The paint was just regular old craft paint so regular old house paint should work fine too. And yes, this was a big canvas with an "oil" painting on top that we bought in a parking lot. I'm pretty sure it was more like a print of an oil painting on canvas... perfect to paint over. Check Goodwill! :)

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  46. Great painting! I wanted to know what type of paint you used? I was thinking of using the paint that I painted the room with? Thanks

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  47. I love ur ideas...especially this one. I have older large pictures with glass on top. U really cant remove the picture as its glued to the back of the frame. Can I do this on top of glass (to cover these old pictures)? Please help. Thank you :)

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    1. Thanks :) Hmmm, that's tough. I would say yes if you used a paint made for glass but then I'm still not confident the whole taping process wouldn't pull some of that paint off. I've never painted on glass before like this. Can you cut the old picture from the frame somehow?

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  48. i will never pass up an ugly painting again!! its a good canvas as is!! Genius idea I absolutely love it... but I will admit, I'd be terrified to try it and fail mierably lol Bravo!!

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  49. Thank you for this great idea!! I really love this!

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  50. Hello wow this is amazing! did you use the same gold spray paint over the tape?

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    1. Hi! Thank you :) Yes, I use the same gold both on the canvas and then over the tape. Hope that helps!

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  51. Over from Addicted 2 Decorating. Awesome. Love this!

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  52. I just did this project yesterday! It turned out really good and I have already gotten compliments from the people who have seen it!

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  53. I have some really large oil paintings like this and they are in the garage, next step trashman....because I thought you cannot paint acrylic over oil????????? please advise ;-)

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    1. Hi Linda. I'm fairly sure my painting was not a real oil painting (I bought it in a parking lot for not very much money). I think it was a print disguised to look like an oil painting. But I did find a thread on wetcanvas.com that gives some steps on how to do just that. http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=791491
      I hope that helps! I would think a bit of sanding and a whole lot of primer would set you good to go too. But read the thread... they're the experts on oil paintings. :) Good luck!

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