Following Jill’s post on ‘framed things’, I’m excited to share a few inexpensive tricks from my own flat.
1) So, I absolutely love it when I come across a series of prints that are similarly framed and lined on a wall as seen here. Don’t get me wrong, I adore mismatched and funky frame arrangements as well (and many such arrangements can be found in my home) but something about the order and the stability of a few simple prints brings an element of permanence and consistency that is otherwise very hard to achieve.
While being on a budget, it is pretty much impossible (unless you strike gold at a charity shop or boot sale) to find more than one print/drawing and mat and frame that go together. So, I decided to create my own series. I am a huge fan of Picasso and Matisse’s sketches, so I decided to just copy some of their simple face images. You could do a series of your own loose sketches, or even frame a series of fun, brightly colored paintings by your toddler…the possibilities are endless!
I bought 4 matching frames with thick mats at Wal-Mart (of all places) in the states for $10 each and proceeded to carry them back with me in my carry-on at Christmas. You could also purchase the frames (like Jill mentioned) at some place like Ikea or Argos, here in the UK. Although a bit more pricey than other tips below, the only costs involved are the large frames!
2) Sticking with the idea of framing a series of similar items, you could choose to frame postcards, bar coasters from your favorite pubs, pressed leaves from your yard or any number of fun, colorful items that liven up your home. I bought the below frames at Ikea for £3 each and the vintage postcards were found at the local market for 50p each. I dug the bins and found some that had women depicted in different settings, clothing and doing different activities. I have these in my bedroom and I love the feminine glow that they bring.
I also used the same frames to hang some pressed leaves in our living room. Check out this link for a great guide to properly pressing leaves. At my old home in DC, I even had framed pieces of flat coral and dried seaweed from a beloved beach trip and it looked amazing. Be creative!
3) My last money saving tip for lovely but inexpensive framed wall décor comes in the form of wrapping paper. I cut out the little egg section below (actually used on a gift from my friend Sarah) and popped it in this $3 frame that I found at a yard sale in DC. I have the below map of England framed in our flat and it’s total cost was £4. The frame was £1 at a local charity shop and the map itself is actually a sheet of fancy wrapping paper from Paperchase that cost £3. You could find the equivalent at Papersource in the states. I also have the adorable ABC sheet of wrapping paper up on the back of our nursery door to teach our daughter the ABCs.
More tips: Check out these gorgeous calendars which could be used to cut and frame. In our daughter’s nursery back in DC, I found a beautiful old nursery rhythm book at a yard sale and I cut out pages and framed them to line her walls. It was absolutely precious and so original. Be creative…the possibilities truly are endless! Keep your eyes open and frame away!
the graduate wife 
