Art is sometimes the last element to come together in a room, but never the least important. When it came to our peanut’s nursery, we were looking for something that had meaning to both of us and wasn’t too girly; my husband had already maxed out on all the layers of pink I put in the room. Floating the crib in the middle of the room freed up a blank wall unbroken by windows or furniture. Whatever we landed on would have to fill the expanse and create a lot of impact.
Shel Silverstein was a natural source of inspiration. We both grew up reading his poems and can still recite them by heart. (One of my husband’s favorites is Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Too; I can’t decide between The Pancake or Sarah Sylvia Cynthia Stout.)
We spent an evening thumbing through the pages and reminiscing about which ones we could remember. In the end, we selected several two-paged and single-paged poems. That way they interact with each other. When they’re hung, you can actually read across the wall.
If you haven’t guessed by now, we literally ripped the pages out of the book! It’s well worth buying an extra copy to skip the hassle of scanning.
I added a hand-painted matting to make these shine. I brought my paint chips and fabric swatches to the framer, and we decided on a custom-mixed reddish pink outline. Two skinny black lines on either side of the pink matting sharpens the edges and ties it in with the black and white graphics of the drawings.
Speaking of the graphic pen and ink line drawings, they’re already laid out like pieces of art. I know our little girl will love looking at them from her crib.
In the end, I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. It adds another layer to the room, has plenty of impact without being overwhelming, and can grow with her over time. Most importantly, we’re passing on a tradition that means so much to both of us. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that it makes us smile, too – and that it’s not a big pink floral painting!
Before I leave you, I just had to share these booties that my friend Bianca of Bink & Boo made for peanut. They’re made from a vintage 50′s dress. Aren’t they incredible!!!
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Just BEAUTIFUL! Great job!! I love the framing details. (May need the name of your framer.) She will love these for many, many years to come. (I just got rid of some art I did the same way, and my son is THIRTEEN. I framed 6 pages from the beautifully colorful book The Sailor Dog. Though he’s so sentimental he asked me to keep them “in a closet or something.”)
Amy,
I love your idea for the art work. When you first reveled the room I was taken by the gallery and now that I’ve seen the art work and heard the wonderful story I’m so inspired. What a great idea. The hand-painted matting really pulled it all together. I’m going to share this idea with my daughter-in-law for future nursery ideas.
Shel Silverstein’s books were always favorites with our two sons.
Karen
So beautiful and such a pretty graphic element to your peanut’s room. Great inspiration!
All the best,
Erin
Amy: I love the baby’s room! I was especially intrigued by the wall art, though, because it will be appropriate for many years! Love it! Great idea and beautifully framed. Thanks for sharing! I am well beyond kid’s (even grandkid’s) rooms, but I’m following this with interest!
How precious! Thanks for sharing this. Those booties are so CUTE!
I was wondering what the wall art was! What a great idea. I have seen story book pages framed before, but nothing similar to what you chose. The black and white is unique and the mat color makes it pop.
Now there’s an idea with ingenuity. Shel Silverstein was also a favorite of mine as a child. I pored over A Light in the Attic until the pages were discolored and dog-eared. Wish I still had a copy…
I can also recite Sarah Cynthia Silvia Stout as well as I Cannot Go to School Today.
Your little one will always remember this poems, I suspect.
Camille
Amy- This artwork is just wonderful. The way the linework in Shel’s drawings work with your matting is divine. I have a few copies of his books and will have to crack one of them open to read to my three kids!
Loretta
Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout. She rocks. I want to be her. Until the end of the poem. Good memories. Thanks!
What a great idea and it came out so beautifully! I love the mats too. My sister just had a baby and they went with a Dutch theme (her and I are Dutch but both live in North America) by choosing prints that revolve around bikes, since the Dutch bike everywhere. Having meaningful art does make such a difference beyond just having it look pretty!
Where The Sidewalk Ends is on the first books I remember checking out of the library. I am so honored to be included in this post. Thank you.
The art is absolultely perfect! This was a favorite book of mine as a child and I have given countless out as gifts. Such a beautiful nursery for your little peanut.
I do love using illustrations from a favorite book as art. And your mat detail is incredible! Oh, and those booties. Gorgeous.
I so liked the wall art in peanuts room I’ve told a good number of others about the wall art. It was a pleasue to see and hear about them.What a great way to save special books & other things. The booties are so pretty & such a delight. Like you, another very talented person. Carlene
I love this idea! I’m going to use it in our playroom for my 3 young kids! Thanks for sharing! I just found your blog through Pinterest & am enjoying all of your lovely designs and great tips
Congrats on your baby too! My daughter wore that same outfit for halloween last year as an infant
Amy, I love your nursery art! I’ve been searching and searching for inspiration and finally stumbled upon your great idea. I’d love to recreate something similar for our nursery and would be so grateful to find out a little more about the frame/mat sizes that you used.
Thanks!
Amy
This is beautiful! Would you mind to share the size of the mats and frames that you used?
Cute idea! I loved those books as a kid!