You guys know I'm a fan of Restoration Hardware's Map Art- remember these knock offs from a few months ago ?
Well, I was brainstorming a way to get bigger version of this MAP art- but also trying to figure a way to keep costs low. I figured I could use the same tutorial- {which explains on how to blow up a jpeg image of a map and keep the high resolution.}
But also- I could print off INDIVIDUAL color pages and pay per page rather then paying 60+ bucks for one giant color print off.
Which reminded me of this super-sized map art, Decoupage Paris Map, at Restoration Hardware.
They sell a decoupaged reproduction map of Paris for a couple thousand bucks! Crazy!
Well- if they can mod podge- then so can I.
Here's what you need to recreate the look.
1] Get your Image: Use this tutorial to get your jpeg images of your map- or whatever else you're blowing up
2] Print'em off: I prefer to print mine off with a laser printer when I'm going to decoupage them. So off to Staples I went. I had them do a couple test sizes- trying to determine how large I could get my map before it got too pixelated- and finally settled on the largest image I could get.
But you could also go in with specific measurement in mind and that would be easy too.
3] Cut Wood or Canvas: Once I knew how large I could get my map, I had a piece of mdf cut to size.
4]Get you Images Ready: Use a paper cutter to cut off all the excess white boarders on each page
5] Deoupage: Use Mod Podge to decoupage each piece of your map puzzle together. I started in the top corner and worked one at a time.
Brush mod podge onto your surface, then onto the back of the paper and adhere. Burnish the front of the map- making sure to work out any bubbles.
6] Edges: Either: Wrap the Map around the edges and Mod Podge them down, see where my white arrows are in the above image? That was my overhang.
or- If your map is too small to do that, you can paint the edges a matching color.
7] Seal you Map: Use a final coat of Mod Podge to cover the front and seal the work together.

My map ended up being about 3 1/2 feet by 4 1/2 feet- perfect for over the guest bed. Like I mentioned- I wanted it as big as I could get it- without having losing detail via pixelation.
The placement had me thinking of these pics I had pinned on Pinterest.
I believe all of these, mine included, are maps of Paris.

The Cost:
Color Copies: $12
Mdf: $10 {I purchased a small piece to save money}
Hanging Hardware: $6
I already had: Brush, Mod Podge, Paper Cutter, Paint
RH sells theirs for $1,700 to $2,450. Super rad savings, right?

But I did go out and buy a special cleat that allows me to hang heavy art on the wall. I don't need this thing falling on my Grandma when she comes for a visit! ;-) I also used the same type of cleat to hang my headboard in this post- in case you'd like to see what it looks like and how it works. Oh yeah- it cost 10 bucks but you can buy it at Hobby Lobby with a coupon and save 40%.
For any of my more nosey readers- I've mentioned a million times how this room has to "do it all" as a sparebedroom/craft room/ office/storage room. Here you can see how close the desk is. Just keeping it real, folks!
-xoxo-
I'm also linked up here.
That is awesome! I may just have to do this! Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteYour map is just amazing! What a great tutorial. Thanks for sharing! Megan
ReplyDeleteGENIUS!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBecca yours is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteLove those giant maps.
Susan
Homeroad
This is fantastic, thanks for sharing. I will definitely be making one of these.
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome!!! Looks great and I LOVE the size of it!
ReplyDelete--Katie
You totally blew this one out of the park! I am shocked that those are all individual pages. I absolutely love how it turned out. You have a serious talent for figuring out how to make things on your own--and they even look better than the original! Great job Becca!
ReplyDeleteSO awesome!
ReplyDeletebtw my MIL sent me a picture of a bed and said it was what she wanted for hers.... it was your room. :)
So great! Love the map just a spectatcular job.
ReplyDeleteCynthia
ADORE! How fabulous would map wallpaper be?? if it were sepia toned and ancient looking... so cool!!!
ReplyDeleteBecca,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this. I never thought of individual pages. I am totally pinning this. You ALWAYS.....and I mean ALWAYS have the best ideas :)
blessings,
karianne
That's amazing! You've done a great job, and what a huge saving!
ReplyDeleteFANTASTIC!!! i love it... and bookmarking for future reference!
ReplyDeleteJust flipping amazing!
ReplyDeleteGenius Becca!! The map looks so fab. Great job again, friend! By the way, will you be at Haven?
ReplyDeleteVisiting from At the Picket Fence. What a wonderful idea - I've been wanting to frame some maps up for wall decor and was frustrated because none of my old collection of National Geographic maps fit into standard-size frames. Your post has turned on the light bulb above my head, bzzzzz! The map you put together is truly stunning, I want one JUST LIKE IT!
ReplyDeleteThat turned out AWSOME!!! I have a project that I WILL do this on soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Im your newest follower. Please come visit me at PICKINandPAINTIN.blogspot. THANKS.
I have wanted to do something like this for so long and am always researching maps - the older the better. Thank you for sharing - will definitely be trying this one.
ReplyDeleteCould I just pay you to do one for me? I have been searching high and low how to find the Paris Map without paying $1K+. I need one
ReplyDelete72"w x 56" H. amyg@avenuewest.com
This is such a great project! I have a lot of old maps...I can hardly wait to try it! Thanks for the great idea and tutorial...I am a new follower!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!! I have a series on my blog that features projects inspired by RH, and would love to have you share this as a guest post. Let me know if you're interested! http://www.lovelycraftyhome.com
ReplyDeleteit looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteLove your map it turned out gorgeous! Also thanks for sharing the link to the tutorial. I'll have to give this a try.
ReplyDeleteI love it and I'm going to make it~one day!
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty friggin' awesome! I'm definitely going to do this. I had no idea a map like this retailed for so much money!! Kudos to you for figuring out a better way ... and then sharing your secret with the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteBECCA, YOU ARE THE WOMAN, THE MYTH ,THE LEGEND!!
ReplyDeleteHOW MUCH MORE CAN I SAY??
This is a great look and I enjoyed seeing how you put it together! Thanks for coming by Quirky Vistas to check out my map post and to comment! It's much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteLiz
This is a great idea. I just purchased a vintage looking map poster and need something to do with it. I will keep your idea in mind. :) I am your newest follower. Please feel free to check out my blog - www.jamscorner.com
ReplyDeleteJulie
That is absolutely fantastic! Thank you sharing the tutorial. It is definitely something I am pinning for the future!
ReplyDeleteLovin' the knockoff, lovin' the savings, just LOVE IT!! Great job!
ReplyDeleteJeannine @ The Concrete Cottage
The map looks wonderful. Kudos to you for figuring out such a great knock off!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my FAVORITE things from blog world last week! Mentioning this project on my blog with a backlink!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great inspiration!
Loved this post, really nice; please link it with me tomorrow at Wow Us Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Thank you for the inspiration and the tutorial... now to decide on which map :-)
ReplyDeleteThat looks fabulous! I really want to do something with a map somewhere in my house, but I'm not sure where!
ReplyDeleteAnother fabulous idea and tutorial! Pinning so I can hope to be as fabulous as you one day!
ReplyDeleteKelly
This is great! I love maps so this is right up my ally. I might just have to recreate this. Thanks so much for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteGreat job Becca! I absolutely love this...like most things you do:)
ReplyDeletexxx
Kim
This project blew me away! Now I'm inspired! xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt looks good! I can't tell that you pieced it together from the pictures.
ReplyDeleteLove it~ what a fantastic project!! Thanks so much for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous project. It's just perfect for that spot above the bed. I'd love to link to it and use one of your photos for an upcoming post about great ideas around the blogosphere, with your permission.
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing!!! I look forward to seeing you at My Backyard party:)
ReplyDeleteGreat work, I love it!
ReplyDeleteWow, it looks so great! I actually have a REAL map of Paris that my grandpa brought back when he was in the service... it's from the 40's... jealous at all!? LOL! ;o) I might just decopauge it to a piece of MDF!
ReplyDeleteTania
This is so fantastic! I have thought about how to make this so many times. What a great idea! Pinning this too. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou are the queen of awesome knockoffs! This map is great. Pinning...
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! I'm redoing my sons room with a map/explorer theme and I have to incorporate this idea somehow-thanks!!
ReplyDeletelove.love.love this idea. i couldn't tell whether its a knock off or the expensive version!
ReplyDeletelove the wall lamp too...wherever did you find it?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this! I have been keeping my out for a large vintage map at the antique stores but, they want a fortune for them. It looks like I will be taking a trip to the copy shop. I have become your newest follower and look forward to reading your future posts. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I absolutely love the way that map looks on the wall. It's classy and adventurous at the same time. I'm just a huge fan of decorative hardware around the house, I think it has more character and personality than paintings or photographs.
ReplyDeleteCan you really not see the page edges close up? This is beautiful but I'm worried that in the light of day in my living room it might look shoddy. Thanks. RebKnitz at gmail.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I love this project! We're planning to make our own as the first of many DIY projects we want to tackle. We're complete newbs! We noticed in the supplies needed, you listed Behr faux glaze, but didn't see it used anywhere in the step-by-step instructions. When does the glaze come into play?
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I will definitely be doing this when I have the time. So many DIYS so little time!
ReplyDeleteI bought the prints of the Turgot Plan of Paris 1739 some time ago and have been wondering how best to frame it. You have provided me with a perfect solution. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you use the fauz glaze?
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned "burnish" but I wasn not clear if you just applied the glaze after you had done a layer on mod podge on the top or if you did the glaze first then layered on mod podge.
I ordered the prints for $60 from museum replicas and they are too new and bright white looking. So the glaze step will be an important one for me, to have the aged appearance on my map.
Thank you.
Could I pay you to make a Paris map for me? Brandon Bspackm@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHi! Your blog is great & we've done a couple of your projects now. Thanks for the great ideas! We are currently working on the decoupage map knock off & I see faux glaze in your supply picture, but don't see it anywhere in the instructions. Is it something you do after the coat of mod podge? Help!
ReplyDeleteTotally awesome! I want a Louisiana plantation map but didn't want to dish out the big bucks for a big one! Thanks to you, I'm gonna try to make my own! Thanks so much for the great tutorial and links! I'm a new follower!
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome! genius idea! can you please elaborate on how to copy the image you find online in pieces? Also can you share your source of the map you used? how many individual prints did u need to take for your size? thanks a ton! i will be making this soon.
ReplyDeleteHey, I wanted to tell you that this project has inspired me! I really like the map idea, but I prefer Americana, so I went looking around, and on Wikipedia (of all places) I found a HUGE image of the town I grew up in, as it was in 1880, and it was done in the same style, with the 3-D perspective. So I'm going to follow your tutorial and make a map of small-town America and put it (somewhere) in my house. I'm so excited!! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteCurious about any needed treatment to theMDF surface? I finally sat still long enough to get the prints done (I'm doing Glasgow circa 1826). At this point I am ready to start and don't want to mess it up by not prepping the surface properly. I also have the same questions as others - where does the glaze step come in - before or after the Modge Podge?
ReplyDeleteThanks
Love this...do you think if you photocopied sections of the map at the time, then blew them up...you could get it even larger?? I would like to cover an entire wall!! too ambitious?? great job!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI Love This Pinned and Sharing on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteYou are very talented.
I Love This Pinned and Sharing on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteYou are very talented.
Do you think this would work with a poster? I was thinking of Mod Podging it onto a canvas. Your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely stunning! Where did you find the original map? I love the idea but I am having trouble finding pictures with enough detail to look good up close. Thanks so much - I really appreciate the help! Can't wait to try this myself :D
ReplyDeleteDid you have to pay for the map image or did you find it somewhere on the interwebs for free?
ReplyDeleteAnd what did you use to frame it?
Great project!
When did you apply the faux glaze?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Are you willing to make and sell me one?
ReplyDelete