Canvas Redo

After living with my silver-leafed project for a couple of weeks, I still wasn't feeling it. 


The silver was too similar to the wall color and didn't really add anything to the area.  I decided to try another idea I saw on Pinterest and use paint swatches to bring in some color, kinda like this:

(via Pinterest)

I grabbed another canvas from Joann's while I was out and about and a paint sample book that we had laying around my office collecting dust.  

I started by cutting out the paint samples in 2" x 2" squares to fit the 24" x 36" canvas size.  


Which left me with about 250 or so paint squares:


I then used some double-sided tape to adhere the squares to the canvas.  I used the blue tape just to make sure I was aligning up, so that it didn't get wonky towards the end.


I kept the colors in order of the booklet to get a rainbow effect and kept adding squares until the entire canvas was filled.


In total it probably took an hour to cut and paste all the squares.  I had Mike hang it for me with some screws and I had a new piece of art in an afternoon.  It's not perfect, but I like it that way.

I think it looks a lot better than my original art and adds some much needed color to our muted living room:


(We also finally broke down and bought some wine corks from Ebay (you'd think it would be more fun drinking 100+ bottles of wine, but sadly Mike and I couldn't do it) and filled our glass container - Benelli must be so overwhelmed because he hasn't thrown any of them out - yet!).

PS.  Check out my other paint swatch art here.

9 comments

  1. I actually just came across your blog today and am literally clicking through the entire thing. I love this idea and may do it myself for our rental home... to give it some color... and make it more ours. White walls are harsh and renting... sucks. I honestly think this pops and looks so much nicer than the silver piece from before.

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  2. Thanks Lilia! I love gray and thought the silver leaf would be perfect. But, I have learned that too much gray can become a little drab. I actually gave the old canvas to my sister so that I wouldn't be tempted to add more gray anywhere else!

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  3. I just came across your blog from re-nest.com and I love it! I am currently trying to decorate my boyfriends and my place. I had a quick question, I have been looking for a desk/cube stool like yours forever. Can I ask where you got them?

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  4. Anonymous - Thanks for stopping by! As far as the furniture, the boyfriend actually made the table when we lived in our old apartment. It's a simple design and construction, with inexpensive wood since I was painting it. The storage ottoman is from Bed, Bath, and Beyond, (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=16111970). I read some of the online reviews and agree that it's not the most durable piece of furniture for everyday use, but we haven't had any problems with it since we use it for blankets and get in it about once a week. Hope this helps!

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  5. I came across your blog, and this post, from the Pinterest Challenge and I LOVE this. I have pinned it :) Thanks for the inspiration!

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  6. I love this project! Can't wait to see more. I'm your newest follower!

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  7. I love this!!! My Dad is a painter so I am going to ask him for all of his old paint chip books!!! And of course he will have to save all of his new ones for me too!!! What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing!! Kathy

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  8. this turned out great! Very cute!! Thanks for sharing.

    I actually just made myself some paint chip art this week! You can check it out here if interested:

    http://julieloveshome.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/seeing-spots-diy-paint-chip-art/

    Thanks -all the best,
    Julie

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  9. Though I loved the silver leaf project, I can see how it wasn't really working in your space. Good for you to make something else! I love your paint swatch canvas. It looks like something that's been extremely pixilated. Love it!

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