Several months ago, I had this idea to create a wall of silhouettes in the nook by our staircase. It took me a little while to pull together for a few reasons. For one, I had to create about 15 more silhouettes than the ones I already had in my collection. In a perfect world, I would have been able to buy real antique silhouettes, but they cost about $25 each at local shops (and $25 x 15 = not in my budget).
The other reason was the sheer lack of nerves. Now granted, it’s no faux rhino busting out of a mirror (by the way, I just discovered Mandi @ Vintage Revivals and she is amazing). But, for me and my decorating style, a wall of silhouettes is a little much. I knew I needed to “go big or go home” with it, but I was frankly a little scared.
Not an hour after I finished my wall, I plopped down on the couch to read the latest copy of Country Living. Lo and behold, they did a spread on painter Kolene Spicher’s home, and my idea was completely validated.
My wall is very similar in concept. For my project, I bought a bunch of inexpensive, different sized black frames at stores like Dollar Tree, Dollar General and Walmart (paid no more than $2 a piece). Then, on black cardstock, I cut my silhouettes. Some of them are family members that I cut with my faux silhouette technique. The others are just random people I found on the internet and cut out with my Silhouette craft cutter (if you have one and want details on how to do that, let me know and I can do a tutorial on it). I mounted them on ivory cardstock and put them in the frames.
If you want custom work done, try Norma @ Petit Design Co! She can make a silhouette of your children, your husband, your dog (?) and send you a digital file that you can print yourself. A few of these images I found on the internet are her work, and they are adorable!
Okay, so it’s not just one wall of silhouettes. It’s one-and-a-half. And yes, this is the former home of the book wreath. And yes, the ‘B’ desk is now B-less. Oh, and yes (for all you geeks who noticed), my husband is going to put a little shelf underneath the desk so the computer is no longer sitting on the floor. It’s not the ideal location for a computer, but my in-laws gave it to my son for Christmas (thanks Jim and Linda!) and we wanted Zack to be able to use it in a place we could monitor from both the living room and the kitchen.
I like that it brings an element of fun into a really traditional style. What do you think? And before anyone asks, the book wreath will find a new home – just after I take it off of my dining room table.
P.S. Silhouette America is having another great deal if you still want to pick up a machine. Between now and February 28, you can pick up a Silhouette SD craft cutter, 1 roll black premium vinyl, 1 roll frosted vinyl, 1 roll transfer paper, and the Home Décor CD – all for $225 (just the machine itself is usually $299). Go here and enter the code ‘Lindsay.’ All of the premium vinyl is 25% off using that code, too!