February 2, 2012

✥ Restoration Hardware Eye Charts {Hack} ✥

Hello dearies, remember a few weeks ago when I shared an eye chart  I made?  It was inspired by this one from Restoration Hardware?











And I mentioned that I wasn't stoked with it's placement on the gallery wall. I feel like the black was too heavy for the wall. It kept pulling my eye to the bottom corner like a black hole or an eye chart magnet!

I know, I know- you couldn't tell from the pics I posted. Well, that's cuz I totally moved some frames around and intentionally only took pics of half the photo wall. Sooo sneaky, I know! But now you know the ugly truth- so this is how I fixed it.
After some thought I figured the perfect solution would be to move the eye chart to the opposite wall from the gallery. {see? ☝} I figured I'd turn my print into some canvas art and, while I was at it, I'd make something larger scale to fill up that blank space. 
I felt my "Tumbling E" eye chart would look lonely and kinda sad by itself- so I whipped up another eye chart. This time it was Restoration Hardware's more traditional "Letters" chart.
 
For all you newbies my lil blog- I made my eye charts in  Microsoft Word Publisher- which is awesome cuz it's free, yo!  I wrote up all the nitty gritty details here-when I showed how to mimic Z Gallerie's subway art.
Back to the eye charts-here's the abbreviated directions-

Making an eye chart is a piece of cake. 
1] Select a font. I looked for fonts here.
2] Create columns on both sides of the page. This is where you will put the distances on each side.
3] Fill in the numbers/letters you want.
4] Choose background colors to create a worn/distressed or weathered look. Again, the tutorial for that stage is found here.

-TIP-When I made my 2nd eye chart {the "letters" version} all I did was adapt my 1st "Tumbling E's" eye chart. I replaced the "E's" with the right letters, using the sizes and spacing as a guide. I also changed up the shading effects for the background- to make sure the two versions wouldn't look like clones of each other.

5] Print'em up. I had my posters printed up at Staples cuz they're the cheapest. They only cost me $3.50 since I had them printed up in black and white.
6] Attach them to a canvas. I use Mod Podge to do this-mostly because I like the glossy finish when it's done.

7] The letters on RH's eye charts are tan-ish. Since I didn't want to pay for a color print {they're crazy expensive}, I painted over top of my letters. I used craft paint mixed with a little glaze to turn my letters off-white.
I really like that it makes the signs look hand painted and it creates more dimension to the finished piece.
You can see the eye charts from every angle in the entry/ living room/hallway. One of the benefits of condo living? {yeah right}
My canvases are 18"x24" and cost like 5 bucks for both. The prints cost me $3.50.  Now Restoration Hardware's canvases are 24"x30" and cost $345 EACH for that size!! Aye! That's a savings of $682.50!!!! Don't you just absolutely lurve when that happens! That's all folks- DIY eye charts and saving some dough!
So, what do you guys think?!
What have you hacked lately?

28 comments:

  1. This looks fantastic! It would make me feel bad about my vision...so, I don't think I will try this one. Still LOVE your site!

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  2. LOVE them! And so smart to paint over the letters afterwards to save on printing costs :)

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  3. SO amazing! Thank you for this great tutorial and all the tips! I LOVE them!

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  4. again, you totally rock the charts!! i love your whole room! got to say, i am heading for staples soon to print the E chart. and now i want the other one too. i love your globes and yep, you can call me a copycat. cause i bought 2 in the last couple weeks. :)

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  5. Adore your knockoffs! Thank you for sharing your lovely project at Potpourri Friday!

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  6. I love this! I think I am going to have to give this ago myself... that is after I finish the other 2 wall art projects I have going on at the moment!

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  7. This is just so smart!! LOVE everything about it. Am also in love with that turquoise lamp...wowzers!! Would be delighted for you to link up to Mop It Up Mondays: http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/02/mop-it-up-mondays-party-2.html
    {HUGS},
    new follower Kristi

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  8. I LOVE these. They look amazing and they have such clean lines. You did an amazing job!

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  9. Wow, you did a fabulous job, and way to go saving over $600!! Glad you shared these at Shine on Fridays!

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  10. Great eye charts - it's nice to see them in black for a change!


    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  11. This is beautiful!! great job! would LOVE for you to link up to our Uncommonly Yours link party!

    www.uncommondesignsonline.com

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  12. I love these! I have been trying to replicate and don't think I have the right software...its not turning out right. Anyway you would email me your files?

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  13. These turned out great! So Neat! Thank you for joining me for Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  14. What a great idea. Thanks so much for joining us on "Strut Your Stuff Saturday". We loved having you and hope to see you back next week with more great ideas! - The Sisters

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  15. Great tutorial. You can't even tell which is which, expensive Restoration Hardware version vs the knock off you did. Not only did you take a great idea and make it accessible BUT you executed it flawlessly!

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  16. Becca, these are awesome! WOW! You did an amazing job! I can't believe the savings. Your DIY version is fabulous! I'm featuring you tomorrow. ;) Thank you so much for sharing!

    Have a great day!

    Roeshel

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  17. Great project! I saw it featured on the DIY Showoff's blog. I'm a new follower.

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  18. Really like the eye charts, but kept getting distracted by the globe display on high. Fabulous!

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  19. That is great...thanks for sharing how, now I am inspired

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  20. These turned out fabulous! I'm featuring you tomorrow! Oh, and I got your email...still catching up after being away for almost two weeks. I'll respond real soon!

    XO, Aimee

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  21. Loving these prints! I looked around for the free version of Microsoft Publisher but didn't have luck. Did you download it or did you already have it with the software that came with your computer? Thanks for the tips!

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  22. the eye charts look great just wondering what fonts did you use

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  23. You totally ROCK with this project! I can't believe they only cost $3.50! So awesome!

    Hope your week is going well!
    --Katie

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  24. Whoa! Love these. So glad I clicked over from Imparting Grace. New follower!

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  25. Amazing job! I am wanting to have a customized chart with one of my favorite phrases. Any way you would be willing to email the .pub file?

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Thoughts? Questions? Opinions? Let's talk about it!