Navigation’s the Key!
On Day 10 of our 31 Days to a Beautiful Home series, we’re looking at how maps and ships can be used to make great home decor!
Over the summer, I found a great, old wooden ship at a local flea market. I fell in love with it and two of my boys argued over who got it for their room!
My oldest son won and therefore I decided to go with a nautical theme for his room. But, it needed to have a more mature look…not the typical nautical themed bedrooms for boys. Because I had already used them in another bedroom makeover, I immediately thought…maps…
I found this great map, which just happens to be a sheet of gift wrap! I picked it up at the Ballard Designs retail store in Tampa for $4.50. It has a bit of a vintage look, so I felt it would go great with the old wooden ship.
Then, I hopped over to Ikea and found this Ribba matted frame that was the exact size that I needed! I had never used one of Ikea’s larger frames, but let me say that it is great! It has metal clips that reinforce the frame. I was really impressed with the Ribba frame.
While there, I also picked up a Ribba Picture Ledge. I bought the 45 1/4″ ledge, but you can also get it in 21 3/4″. I wanted to put the ship on the ledge. Here is the framed map, the ship and I also added the weather station that I refinished in this post.
I think it all looks really good together. I need to get a few more awesome things for the ledge. Another trip to the flea market is in order!
I’m thinking some other vintage maps in various sizes would be great to add to the display, creating a collage wall.
You should definitely check out Ballard’s other sheets of gift wrap. That had numerous choices…not just maps. They’re great to create an inexpensive piece of art for your home!
Linking to: Live Laugh Rowe, House of the Hepworths, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Simple Home Life, Chase the Star, This Gal Cooks
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You are always Welcome at My House!
Stay informed of new inspirations, projects & exciting news.
Click below and subscribe to House on the Way…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love that old wooden ship you found! Paired up with the map and that awesome weather station, they sure are going to add character to his room!
Thank you Cristina! I think he’ll like it. Glad you stopped by!
Leslie I love this idea!! You have a great eye, and I have been on the hunt for a lovely map, you just saved me some time (and cash
Hugs, Tanya
Thanks for the lovely comment Tanya! I appreciate your comments so much!
Wow, that ship is amazing! You have created such an amazing vignette! Love it with the framed map!
Thanks! I love it too! I’m so glad you stopped by!
What a beautiful treasure you found! I love ship models and nautical themed rooms!
Thank you Kristina! I almost didn’t buy it, but I’m so glad I did!
That wooden ship is stunning! And I love your idea to frame a vintage-style map to go with it!
Thank you Laura! I really like that ship. Can you believe I almost walked away from buying it?!?!? I’m so glad I didn’t!
Love it! Wish I could get hold of an old wooden {or otherwise} boat – I am giving my bedroom a mini make-over BEACH themed
And you did great with the map!
Thanks Linda! I love your beach themed projects you’ve been working on in your bedroom! Beautiful!
Love the ship and map! I’m curious… do you live in the Tampa Bay area? I moved to NC from Clearwater. I can see the Ballard Design store in my head when I read your post.
Thanks Laurie! We have a vacation home in the area. We only get to enjoy it in the summer and on school breaks, but it’s a welcome sight!
Looks great–that ship is fabulous! Did you see the nautical map pillow they have at Ikea right now, too? I’m doing an ocean-y nursery, so I bought then, then thought I was changing my mind and returned it, then changed my mind again and now I need to go get another one!
Thank you! I’ve not seen that pillow. I need to take a look! I’m so glad you stopped by!
Hi, great addition to a boys room. I also love the wall color. It makes the blues and browns really pop. Could you let me know the name of the wall color?
Thank you Anjana! I will have to look that color up. It’s from Porter. I’ll get back to you with the color name.