Unlock the secret to creating stunning, large-scale wall art with a modern, high-end frame that would typically cost over $1,000, all for an incredible budget of under $50. Transform your living space with this accessible DIY project that proves luxurious decor doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.
Our long-awaited master bedroom makeover is finally nearing completion, and the excitement is palpable! We’re just a whisper away from calling the entire project *done*, waiting eagerly for the final two throw pillows to arrive. This renovation has been a labor of love, marked by festive holidays and the delightful chaos of kids on winter break, but the finish line is truly in sight!
And let me tell you, this particular art project, crafted specifically for our refreshed bedroom, has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. It’s not just a piece of decor; it’s a testament to creativity and budget-friendly design.
UPDATE: Witness the full transformation in our final Master Bedroom reveal here!
The journey to finding the perfect large-scale artwork for above our dresser was fraught with challenges. I scoured countless stores and online galleries, consistently encountering two frustrating extremes: pieces that fit our budget but completely missed our aesthetic, or exquisite artworks that captured our hearts but came with exorbitant price tags upwards of $1,200. It’s the classic “champagne taste on a beer budget” scenario, a familiar tale for many DIY enthusiasts.
Rather than compromising on style or breaking the bank, my partner Robert and I decided to do what we do best: create our own. This hands-on approach always allows us to achieve exactly the look we envision, without the prohibitive cost.
Our search for the perfect image led us through various art archives until we discovered the breathtaking “Harlem Valley Winter” by Ernest Lawson, a beautiful public domain masterpiece. Although it depicts a serene winter scene, its gentle, neutral color palette makes it versatile enough to grace our walls throughout the entire year, seamlessly blending with changing seasons.
For printing, we opted for a blueprint at Staples, a method we’ve successfully used many times before for large-format prints. This cost-effective solution allows for impressive scale without the hefty price of fine art printing. While some individuals have reported inconsistencies with their local Staples printing images on blueprints (policies can vary greatly by store), fret not! Excellent alternatives include Office Depot or convenient online services like OvernightPrints.com. We’ll provide more detailed printing information later in this post to guide you through the process.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how we transformed a simple blueprint into a captivating piece of large-scale wall art.
(Some affiliate links are provided below to help you find the products we used. Full disclosure here.)
Transform Your Walls: A DIY Guide to High-End Large Wall Art
Elevate your home decor with this comprehensive guide to crafting a stunning, large-scale art piece that looks like a designer splurge but costs mere pennies. This project is not only incredibly satisfying but also an excellent introduction to DIY for beginners, requiring minimal tools and offering maximum impact.
Essential Supplies You’ll Need:
Gathering the right materials is the first step toward your masterpiece. Here’s a curated list of everything you’ll require:
- Large blueprint of your chosen image: (Refer to our detailed printing instructions at the bottom of this post for tips on securing your print.)
- Tape measure: For precise sizing and cuts.
- Pencil: For marking your measurements accurately.
- Scissors: For neatly trimming your blueprint.
- 1/2 inch thick plywood: This will form the sturdy, durable base for your artwork.
- 1/4 inch lattice strips: These slender wood strips will become your modern, floating frame.
- Circular or miter saw: Essential for clean, straight cuts on your plywood and lattice strips. (We rely on this reliable model for our projects.)
- Nail gun: A powerful tool that makes attaching the frame quick and secure.
- Wood stain of your choice: To give your frame a refined finish. (We achieved our desired look with Minwax in Weathered Oak.)
- Stain/paint brush: For smooth and even application of your chosen stain.
- Elmer’s spray adhesive: Key for securely mounting your blueprint to the plywood, ensuring a bubble-free finish.
- Old credit card: Your secret weapon for smoothing out air bubbles and achieving a perfectly flat surface.
- Eye hooks and picture wire: For a secure and professional hanging solution.
Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Masterpiece:
Follow these detailed instructions to create your own bespoke, large-scale wall art:
1. Prepare Your Artwork: From Print to Perfect Square. Our vision called for a substantial square piece of art to command attention in the room. Since our chosen winter landscape image was originally horizontal, the first step was to transform it. We carefully measured and trimmed the blueprint to a precise 36-inch square using a reliable tape measure, pencil, and a good pair of scissors. This crucial step ensures a modern, balanced aesthetic.
2. Measure and Mark Your Plywood Base. Once your blueprint is perfectly sized, you’ll need to determine the dimensions for your plywood backing. For a clean, wrapped edge effect where the paper slightly overlaps, subtract one inch from the final dimensions of your trimmed blueprint. This means for our 36-inch square blueprint, we marked our plywood at 35 inches by 35 inches. This precise measurement is vital for the professional finish.
3. Precision Plywood Cutting. With your measurements accurately marked on the plywood, it’s time to cut. Use either a circular saw or a miter saw to achieve straight, clean edges. Always ensure you’re working on a stable surface and prioritize safety by wearing appropriate protective gear, such as safety glasses, when operating power tools.
4. Test Fit Your Blueprint. Before applying any adhesive, gently unroll your trimmed blueprint over the freshly cut plywood piece. This dry run allows you to ensure a perfect fit, verifying that you have an even half-inch overhang of paper extending beyond all four edges of the plywood. This overhang is crucial for creating the gallery-wrapped look.
5. Initiate Adhesive Application: The Top Edge. Begin the adhesion process by carefully lifting just one end (the top edge) of your blueprint. Apply a light, even layer of Elmer’s spray adhesive to the corresponding top edge of the plywood. Work methodically to prevent overspray and ensure a consistent bond.
6. Secure the Initial Edge. With the adhesive applied to the plywood’s top edge, gently press the corresponding top edge of the blueprint down, aligning it precisely. Press firmly to ensure good adhesion, working your way across to eliminate any immediate air pockets. This sets a straight baseline for the rest of your artwork.
7. Smooth Application: Unroll and Adhere. Now, progressively spray the remaining plywood surface with adhesive, carefully unrolling the blueprint over it as you go. Work slowly and deliberately, using your hands to smooth the paper as it makes contact with the adhesive. This technique helps prevent wrinkles and ensures a smooth, even application across the entire surface.
8. Eliminate Air Bubbles for a Flawless Finish. To achieve that perfectly smooth, professional finish, grab an old credit card or a similar rigid, flat object. Starting from the center of your artwork and working outwards, systematically glide the card across the surface. This action effectively pushes out any trapped air bubbles, ensuring your blueprint is tightly adhered and looks impeccable. Allow the spray adhesive to dry completely, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
9. Crafting Your Modern Frame: Lattice Strips. For the frame, cut two lattice strips to precisely match the length of your plywood (35 inches in our example). Then, cut two additional lattice strips to be the length of your plywood plus an extra 1/4 inch. This slight difference is for the overlap on the side pieces, creating a seamless look. While you could miter the corners for a more traditional frame, we opted for simple, straight cuts for a minimalist, modern aesthetic that’s also easier for beginners to achieve.
10. Stain for Elegance. Apply your chosen wood stain to all four lattice strips. We selected Minwax in Weathered Oak for its beautiful, natural tone that perfectly complements the soft colors of the winter landscape art. Ensure even coverage and allow the stain to dry thoroughly, as per the product’s recommendations, to achieve a rich, consistent finish.
11. Prepare for Framing: Elevate Your Art. Position your plywood art piece on a flat, stable work surface. This is a critical step: elevate the art slightly using a couple of spare lattice strips or scrap wood underneath. This elevation provides the necessary clearance to easily manipulate the blueprint’s overhang and securely attach the frame pieces without damaging your work surface or the art itself.
12. Attach the Top and Bottom Frame Pieces. Take two of your stained lattice strips (the shorter ones, matching the plywood length). Carefully fold the half-inch blueprint overhang on the top edge of your art against the side of the plywood. Position one lattice strip over this folded edge, ensuring it’s perfectly flush with the art. Using a nail gun, securely attach the strip to the plywood, creating a crisp, defined top edge. Repeat this exact process for the bottom edge of your artwork.
13. Complete the Side Frame Sections. With the top and bottom frame pieces securely in place, repeat step 12 for the side edges. Fold the remaining blueprint overhang on each side, position the slightly longer lattice strips (which will now sit proud of the previously attached strips, creating the floating effect), and attach them firmly with the nail gun. This final step completes your sophisticated, floating frame, giving your art a polished, gallery-worthy appearance that belies its budget-friendly origins.
14. Ready to Hang: Final Touches. For secure and easy hanging, attach two eye hooks to the back of your newly framed art piece, typically about a quarter of the way down from the top corners. Thread a length of sturdy picture wire between them, ensuring it’s taut enough to support the art’s weight but leaves enough slack for easy adjustment. Your magnificent, custom large-scale art is now ready to grace your wall!
And just like that, you’re done! Witness the incredible transformation of your space with a custom piece of art.
This project truly is a fantastic gateway into the world of DIY, even if you’re just starting to explore power tools. The satisfaction of creating something so impactful for your home is immense, and the learning curve is gentle. I am absolutely thrilled with how our art piece turned out. The fact that it costs less than $50, dramatically undercutting the $1,200 alternatives, is simply astounding!
This striking artwork now sits perfectly over our dresser, its subtle hues and modern frame popping beautifully against the rich, luscious black paint of our master bedroom. The contrast is simply divine, adding depth and character to the space.
If you’re eager for more inspiration to adorn your walls, explore a wealth of additional art and wall decor ideas available right here on our blog.
To ensure this beautiful winter landscape art was perfectly optimized for large-scale blueprint printing, I’ve meticulously reformatted it. Now, it’s available as a high-resolution printable, so you can easily replicate our process! Whether you want to create a grand statement piece like ours or simply print a smaller version from your home printer to pop into a frame, this printable is your key.
Ready to transform your space? You can snag this beautiful downloadable print yourself by clicking here to subscribe to our newsletter, or simply click the button below:
If you’re already a cherished subscriber of our blog, you should have already received this exclusive free downloadable printable set directly in your email inbox! Alternatively, you can always access our extensive printable library using the password provided at the bottom of all our emails.
Detailed Blueprint Printing Instructions for Your Artwork:
Follow these precise steps to get your large-scale blueprint printed:
- First, ensure you have downloaded the winter landscape print from the Bless’er House Printable Library (the password is conveniently located in your welcome email).
- Next, navigate to Staples.com on your web browser.
- Once there, locate and click on “services & solutions,” then proceed to “printing services,” and finally select “blueprints.”
- Choose your desired size; for a statement piece like ours, “36″x48″″ is an excellent option.
- Click “design now” to begin customizing your print, and select “color blueprints” for vibrant results.
- Utilize the “add files” option to upload the botanical print image you’ve downloaded.
- Under the “orientation” settings, make sure to select “portrait.”
- Finally, click “add to cart” and proceed to checkout to complete your order.
*Important Note on Printing Services: It’s worth noting that policies regarding printing images as engineer prints can sometimes vary by individual Staples location. If you encounter any difficulties at your local store, don’t despair! Excellent and reliable alternatives include visiting an Office Depot store or utilizing trusted online printing services such as overnightprints.com. Remember, for a smaller-scale project, you can also easily print the image directly from your home computer as an 8×10 (or smaller) to fit into a standard picture frame.
We absolutely adore this project, and we’re confident you will too! It’s a fantastic way to add personality and style to your home without the exorbitant costs.
If you’re inspired and want to keep this amazing DIY project handy for later, be sure to pin it here:
