Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Decorating with Maps

Maps come in a wide variety of sizes, designs, and colors, which make them great candidates for art and design. There's something about a map that's mysterious and intriguing, especially vintage maps. I love the idea of framing a map of a place you dream of visiting someday or somewhere you've already been. You can hang a map of the city you live in or the place you grew up....the options are endless! One of my lovely readers sent me a photo of a cabinet she transformed by re-painting it and wallpapering the back with maps (see below). She did a fantastic job and her photo is what inspired today's post! What do you think about decorating with maps? What creative way would you display one in your home? {Just FYI, AllPosters.com has a huge variety of maps to choose from @ great prices!}

"In my home office, I took the door off an old china cabinet and painted the cabinet a high gloss turquoise, then wallpapered the back wall with Boston street maps." 
- Sent in by Tara










IMAGE CREDITS: 1. READER PHOTO FROM TARA; 2. HOUSE TO HOME; 3/4/5/6 DECOR PAD; 7/9 ELLE DECOR; 8. HOUSE TO HOME; 10. BHG.COM; 11. COUNTRY LIVING

21 comments:

  1. Beautiful ideas! I've always loved maps and admired rooms decorated with them. I've been on the lookout for a few years, but haven't quite found any that I love...yet :)

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  2. this is a great idea for a study

    Xo

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  3. I love decorating with maps - helps remind me that where I am is not the only place- there is a whole world out there to go explore!
    Much love,
    B

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  4. I love the idea of papering the inside of a cupboard with a vintage map.

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  5. I love using maps as artwork! They always look stunning :)

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  6. I agree, maps bring that certain je ne sais quois to a space. I am planning to do a wallpaper application in each of my boys' bedrooms one of a world map and the other, the London Underground.

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  7. We totally decorated our apartment with maps-- love it!

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  8. I really like prints on the inside of cubpoards its an unexpected surprise when you open the doors.

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  9. Great minds think alike. I recently posted on this same topic here
    http://www.onlinefabricstore.net/blog/home-decor-around-the-world-with-globes-and-maps/

    Hope you enjoy my post as much as I enjoyed yours.

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  10. Love the idea of using a map to wall paper the inside of a bookshelf :) But slightly creeped by the head on a stick in the fourth photo...

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  11. I LOVE maps and these photos are great!

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  12. This is probably one of my favourite decorative ideas! (It's actually also very practical in our house as it saves many an argument between me and my guy about where places are situated in the world!)

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  13. Beautiful ideas! Love the idea of using a map to wall paper the inside of a bookshelf.

    Year Old Birthday Party Ideas

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  14. I love the map as a wallpaper, sadly I will be there looking at it the whole day. Those are great ideas, Julie.

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  15. The black and white bedroom is fantastic! Beautiful art!

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  16. oh no..maps.. I have one map on wall in my bedroom but I don't like it :) I work in a company that sells maps, and I have too much on a daily basics

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  17. I love map decor. It's so chic and cool. I LOVE the first image with the map inside the china cabinet. Brilliant! So many great users for maps.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  18. Wow, these are really great ideas for using maps. I want to find a vintage/antique map of New Orleans and frame it, I think! But I don't think I'd be able to cut it up, even though the four framed pieces look really cool..

    x Hilary
    thecleverlife.etsy.com
    oneclutteredlife.blogspot.com

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  19. Love the kitchen backsplash and the maps. Such a fun post!
    Have a great weekend
    Jamie Herzlinger

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  20. I don't think I'll ever tire of seeing rooms with large and/or vintage maps! I know Alisha wanted to get a vintage London map for her LR, but now I'm not sure since we just put a map in the nursery.

    Love the cabinet! What a great idea!

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  21. All these rooms with their maps look lovely - it gives a sense of wanderlust, doesn't it? I've got this linked to my globes and maps post too today, for inspiration!

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Thank you for your comments! I appreciate you stopping by :)