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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

My Map Quest

Lately I've been looking through lots of inspiration pictures that I've saved online or flagged in old decor magazines.  It's fun to see how my taste has changed from a few years ago when I only had to cater to my own tastes, to now that I have to decorate a space for me and N and two dogs.

One dilemma that I continue to struggle with is achieving a unisexual space without much of a budget for art (right now), and I came across a series of images that make me want to start looking around for vintage maps:

 I repinned all the above images to my pinterest board - sources are linked there

I especially love the last photo, where the glamorous chairs and bright centerpiece offset the intricate lines on the map.  I also love really rich, colorful maps with saturated tones like these:


All of the maps I just pictured are from the Bananastrudel shop on Etsy, which has the best prices I've ever seen for vintage maps.  Some are almost 120 years old and hand colored, but all are under $200!  Plus, there are maps from cities all over the world, which would be a great way to commemorate a vacation or honeymoon.  I think I hear a London map calling my name!

What is your opinion on decorating with maps?  Too common?  Too childish?  Or foolproof?
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8 comments:

  1. Seashells and Southern BellesJuly 19, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    I love maps too! I want to get a map of the NC Coastline and frame it in my house somewhere. So funny you posted this because I have been collection nautical map ideas for a post as well!!

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  2. Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful}July 19, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    I'm all about it...not only are they really cool looking (and educational, I might add), putting a map of somewhere that means something to you is like a little secret for your room...personalizing it without being really obvious. LOVE IT!

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  3. LaDiscoABesoindeVousJuly 19, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    yes- you totally hit the nail on the head! jonathan is all about maps- he wants to paint a ginormous map on the ceiling of the living room- i nicely opted out- but it's one of the few unisexual compromises!

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  4. Bravoe RunwayJuly 19, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    I never thought to use maps as artwork, for some reason it just made me think of geography class but now I've changed my mind. I like the first one the most!

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  5. Julie {love, julie}July 19, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    maps are such a pretty decorating tool, I especially love the first picture, that frame is fabulous!

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  6. Sam W.July 19, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    foolproof for sure!! it is hard to decorate with a husband and some pups in the mix...

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  7. jillian :: cornflake dreams.July 19, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    i love old maps! i think they make a v interesting decor piece. xoxo jillian:: cornflake dreams

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  8. SamanthaJuly 25, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    I think it can work, especially spread over several frames.

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