Two years ago today John and I drove down to the Toronto airport to catch our evening flight to Paris. It was a beautiful sunny blue-sky day, and we were filled with such anticipation.
I was finally going to the city that I had dreamed of visiting since I was a teenaged girl… when I read Ernest Hemingway’s novel ‘The Sun Also Rises’ for the first time.
We took a ton of photos on our trip and we have many scattered on walls all over the house. Needless to say we’re just a little Paris obsessed!! So I decided to add a few Paris photos to my French Caribbean guest room.
Now even though I’m a girl who adores to decorate with colour, I’ve always loved black and white photography. I think it gives photos a fabulous vintage feel. I love that! And it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.
I found these wrought iron plate hangers at the thrift store for $5 for the pair. Amazing!! They are quite heavy and I thought they had a sort of faux bamboo look. They were painted a gold tone that absolutely had to go.
Here are some close ups of the details.
I spray painted them with a lovely white paint and primer combo.
Decoupaged Photos onto Canvas Frames
All I needed for the photos were 8″ x 10″ canvasses from the dollar store and my thrifted Mod Podge. I was lucky enough a while ago to find a few jars of brand new MP for 25 cents a jar. Score!!
I printed the black and white photos from my laser printer on regular 8 1/2″ x 11″ photocopy paper. Nothing fancy here.
Then I simply covered the top of the canvas with MP and placed the photo down, trying to centre it as best I could and smoothing it out. There’s not much time so you have to work fast. I turned it over and used my breyer to smooth out any small bubbles.
Then I decoupaged the sides where the photo was overhanging.
I find when decoupaging using regular paper it’s best to not do an overcoat of MP until the paper is completely dry. If you do it when it’s wet sometimes the paper will pull off in spots.
Also, if there are any bubbles in the paper they sometimes disappear by themselves as it dries, but if you have any left they can be popped with a pin and smoothed out when you do your top coat. I used the MP with a matte finish, so there wouldn’t be any shine.
So here are a few of our favourite Paris photos. Just a few mind you… I think ever Paris photo is a favourite. lol.
This is Rue de Buci, a market street that we walked along every day leaving and returning to our hotel, which was located on a charming pedestrian only side street. Who’s that girl?? That’s me… the blonde.. that’s me casually strolling down a street in Paris. Whoo hoo!!!
This is Pont Neuf in the River Seine. We caught our 2 boat cruises there, one day and one evening. Both were fabulous!
We ate here several times while sitting across from the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is spectacular to say the least. This was a great place to people watch, and have a reasonably priced meal.
This is Shakespeare and Company, a famous bookstore and one of our favourite places. John and I are both avid readers and have a real love for books. We spent some time here looking through the shelves of used and new books in room after room after room.
Books are a favourite souvenir for us to buy, and it’s fun to read them when we’re back home. I bought a copy of Walt Whitman’s ‘Leaves of Grass”, and a biography of American poet Edna St. Vincent Millay. (I know you probably don’t care what books I bought, but I’m telling you anyway. lol. )
We took this photo of a tour boat on the River Seine from the Eiffel Tower.
We ate at Cafe Deux Magots several times. This is where a lot of writers, artists, and thinkers used to hang out and party in the 1920’s. I love that era!! It’s a bit touristy now, but still a fun place to check out.
And here’s the display on the guest room wall. Sorry about the flash, but it was after dark and it was hard to get a good pic.
You’ll see how it looks with the rest of the room when I post my guest room makeover reveal later this month. The photos actually stand out nicely against the coloured walls. I almost think that colour photos would be too busy looking. What do you think?
I’ll also be posting more Paris photos from our trip because it was before I was blogging… and… well… just because I want to. Ha!
Thanks so much for reading! Have a great day!!
Please note: I’ve included affiliate links for products in this post. If you purchase products by clicking on one of the links I’ll receive a small commission of any sales, but it doesn’t cost you a penny more. This affiliate money helps to keep TRV going, and I thank you so much for your support. Read full disclosure here.
Tuula that is absolutely beautiful and I love hearing about your stay in Paris, lucky lady! That room is coming up amazing. Also thanks for the MP tips I'm terrible with it for decoupage
the black and white photography looks amazing against the blue of the walls. We have now seen the French and bits of the Caribbean of your room. The final reveal is going to be spectacular!
I would have never thought to use a plate hangar for photos! You are such a genius!! I love that you went to Paris! I also love that you thought to have a picture of you walking down a street there to remind you later! Awesome project!
Hey Tuula! sweet project, don't cha just love spray paint? those pics are too cute!
I loved seeing your photos. I went to Paris long ago, when I was young, with my previous husband. I would love to go again, but not with him! ;>P
Your plate racks are really great, and they look fabulous white.
What great wall art you've created with beautiful images and memories!
The idea of MP photo on a canvas truly brill!! My mind is racing. And I have a smaller version of your plate rack so I think I am off to my Michaels now for supplies I have a coupon so Look Out!
Thanks for Sharing!
Lovely art work! It turned out beautifully!
These are beautiful. I have never notice canvas frames at my dollar store. You have inspired me to check again! Thanks for sharing:)
what a great project! I need to do this with pictures of my children. thanks
This really does look amazing. Great idea. Hugs, marty
Tuula,
Lucky, lucky you! What a fabulous reminder – I love your photos. Thanks for sharing how to put them on canvas. I'll have to try it.
Cecilia
What I great idea! I love those black and white photos, too.
I'm visiting you today from a Stroll Thru Life. I co-host a Linky Party Tuesday (open thru Sat). I hope you get a chance to stop by my blog, leave a comment and Link Up, too!
~ Megin of VMG206
Join me each Tuesday for Brag About It Link Up Party
These look great! I love the look of these vintage style Parisian canvases. You did a great job! Krista @ A Handful of Everything
When I saw decoupage in your title on the Show Me What You Got Tuesdays, I had to take a look. I love black and white photos and these are wonderful.
Would love you to share on Tuesdays With a Twist Link Up.
http://yourlife7.blogspot.com/2013/05/tuesdays-with-twist-6-link-up.html
This post is wonderful and your project turned out beautifully. Thank you for sharing it with us on our Brag About It Tuesday party. ~~ Sharon & Denise
What a great idea! Love the black and white photos! Thank you for linking up with Rustic Restorations Weekend!
First Tuula, LOVE the plate racks!! Second, thanks for the tutorial on how to add photos to canvas! I have been wanting to try it myself but have chickened out. You make it looks simple enough for me to give it a shot 🙂 Thanks for sharing sharing your art at the party this week! I am featuring it on my Facebook page as well as pinning it to my You're Gonna Love It Tuesday board on Pinterest!
Tuula, you find the best deals! Your plate racks show off your fabulous photos of Paris handsomely. My hubby and I toured Paris back in the early 70's on our way to Spain. I remember being excited to be there but too young to really appreciate the city back then.
I just love this! I would love it if you linked up to my Create It Thursday post…it's live now! http://www.lambertslately.com/2013/05/create-it-thursday-2-plus-features.html
This came out great! I'd love to have you share this at What to do Weekends Party also. it's a great weekend project! Following on Hometalk and Pinterest. Best wishes, Linda
http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/05/what-to-do-weekends-party-19-and-target.html
It is beautiful! I want to go back to Paris and take photos now!
I love the Shakespeare and Company photo! Thank you for sharing this on Fluster's Creative Muster Party!
Robin
Fluster Buster
Love this idea! Gorgeous pictures! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
This is lovely, Tuula! Love it 🙂 thank you for sharing at our All My Bloggy Friends Party !
Linda
With A Blast
That's SO COOL! Thanks for the ideas. I might have to try myself this weekend.
Thanks for sharing at Tuesdays with a Twist! Hope to see you again this week!
http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/search/label/Tuesdays%20with%20a%20Twist
Love the idea of photos on canvas! And what a wonderful trip – you lucky girl!
You've taken excellent photograph of this trip and these photographs are looking very attractive on canvas, it's really a great combination of good photography and canvas, worth decorative look these canvases have, nice to see them. thanks for sharing this idea.
http://www.print2canvas.co.uk
Loved this idea and thank you for the tutorial! My hubby and I also went to Paris, but about ten years ago. I'm going to be digging out some of our photos now. 🙂
Definitely going to try this. I have a photo I took that I wanted to give my hubby as a gift and this technique will be perfect for that! The display racks are amazing!!
Love those display racks! You indeed scored! Enjoyed seeing the photos of your trip to Paris….makes me want to go there again. What a wonderful trip & great memories you’ve shared! And yes I do care what books you bought!
What luck and foresight on those display racks! Decidiing how to hang several photos is such a challenge for me. This was a great way to do that ☺ Love your photo’s, awesome on the canvas – great tip ! Thanks!
*hugs*
Deb
Thanks so much Deb! I have a thing for black and white photos, and they lend themselves well to decoupage. The plate racks make them stand out a bit, and saved more holes in the wall.
WOW…..these are so awesome. Finding these plate holders, you were very fortunate…not just one, but two…and for ONLY $5…unbelievable!!! I love to decoupage but haven’t done anything for years. Your choice of pictures makes it appear you’ve been to those places & taken the photos yourself, lucky you!!! You did a fabulous job. Really like this idea. It rates high with me.
Thanks Linda! We were lucky enough to visit Paris and it is a treasured memory. I see single plate holders often, but not sets so I was very lucky here. I hope you give decoupage another go. I really enjoy it.
I absolutely LOVE the photos on canvas. I’ll certainly have to try that.
Thanks very much Laura! I love to decoupage and this was a fun project.