I have a long, empty hall at the top of the stairs. It is one of two interior spaces that still need to be painted and nothing has motivated me to tackle it. It is narrow and boring, and until now, I have had no desire to take it on.
Then, I saw this idea: an inexpensive way to bring nature into a windowless, upstairs hallway. An idea that has put a bee in my britches. I am aching to paint the hall now, if only to properly show off my newly created (Yes! By moi!) botanical prints.
These botanical prints were made on my phone, with leaves from my yard. I braved the January rain and cold to bring in a bit of nature. I first saw the idea on Pinterest from Better Homes & Gardens. Below is the inspiration photograph:
Better Homes & Gardens suggested using a scanner to scan leaves and print them out. The scanned plants were a little too real looking (um, it’s January and everything is brown) so I went for photographs instead, brightened with the exposure altered to give them a fresh look. I then chose “gallery style” mats with a regular 8×10 opening, and was able to print the photographs using my printer and photo paper. I purchased the frames from Michael’s on sale for $18 each and used most of the ink in my printer, I’m sure.
The large mat emphasizes the prints and gives them the gallery look that I was after. I will hang all three prints in a nice even row and it will give the hall a feeling of light and air as you walk along it. Now, I am inspired to paint the walls Benjamin Moore’s Green Hydrangea. This is the same color as my downstairs hall, which will provide continuity, since you can see both halls from the front door.
This project was simple and inexpensive. I used leaves, but you could easily use feathers or fabric. Let your imagination run wild!
The botanicals are just what is needed in this dull space. Hallways are an opportunity to show a little spunk and I can’t wait to get this one started!
Up next, PAINT! And I still need to hang up these pictures…
© copyright 2014 Mariam d’Eustachio at Simply Turquoise.
Simply Turquoise 
7 responses to “Budget Botanicals”
Miriam, what a simple and excellent idea! Your house is definitely your canvas. Hope your mother is well. Tell her I miss her! P.S. I read each and every blog of yours.
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Thanks, Barbara! I will pass along your greetings.
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I gave you the idea to use pictures! Does ‘moi’ get credit?
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Of course! Your idea was a good one and it worked!
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love it, love it, love it. I have a boat load of beautiful ferns in my yard. Will have to try.
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They look really great hung up, even in my not-yet-painted dingy hall. It was a fun project that felt artsy.
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[…] may recall a post in which I photographed a few botanicals (Budget Botanicals) from my yard. I printed them on photo paper and then framed them for a “gallery style” wall in […]
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