I have been playing with the idea of creating a gallery wall out of vintage architectural drawings. My dilemma, where to find old architectural drawings...inexpensively.
The other night I found a solution....Wikimedia Commons. Have you heard of it? It is a "media file repository." In other words, it makes available public domain and freely-licensed content available to everyone. It is free to use and copy the content available on the site.
I know what you're thinking...what does this have to do with a gallery wall of vintage architectural drawings? It has an enormous resource of copyright free images available for download and use. Not only vintage architectural drawings, but also advertisements,botanicals , work of famous artists. Many of the images are public domain because their copyrights have expired. However, read the permission file at the bottom of the image, some are still copyrighted, but allow use with attribution.
I am still in planning stages, but I downloaded some drawings and have been playing around in olioboard and photoshop to get some ideas.
Check them out:
I wanted to try them against a light back ground and a dark. Potentially I would use this wall in our dining room (gray walls) or our hallway (cream walls).
What do you think? Do you like the images against the lighter or darker background? Have you used images from a public domain site before? If so, how did you print them (standard printer)?
I am still in the very early planning phases. I would love to hear what you have to say...suggestions, feedback...I'll keep you posted.
PS: I'm being featured over at DIY Showoff today! Roeshel is featuring our house before and afters. Head over and check us out.
The other night I found a solution....Wikimedia Commons. Have you heard of it? It is a "media file repository." In other words, it makes available public domain and freely-licensed content available to everyone. It is free to use and copy the content available on the site.
I know what you're thinking...what does this have to do with a gallery wall of vintage architectural drawings? It has an enormous resource of copyright free images available for download and use. Not only vintage architectural drawings, but also advertisements,botanicals , work of famous artists. Many of the images are public domain because their copyrights have expired. However, read the permission file at the bottom of the image, some are still copyrighted, but allow use with attribution.
I am still in planning stages, but I downloaded some drawings and have been playing around in olioboard and photoshop to get some ideas.
Check them out:
I wanted to try them against a light back ground and a dark. Potentially I would use this wall in our dining room (gray walls) or our hallway (cream walls).
What do you think? Do you like the images against the lighter or darker background? Have you used images from a public domain site before? If so, how did you print them (standard printer)?
I am still in the very early planning phases. I would love to hear what you have to say...suggestions, feedback...I'll keep you posted.
PS: I'm being featured over at DIY Showoff today! Roeshel is featuring our house before and afters. Head over and check us out.
Congratulations on your feature! I love the idea of using architectural drawings in a grouping and had never heard of this site before. When I print from NYPL of VP I use a regular printer, but use card stock for the image. It seems to hold up better in the frame. Your mood boards look great and I can't wait to see what you come up with.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely a white wall person. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and source. I vote for the white wall. I would probably opt to have these printed at a local print shop on some quality paper. I just think they have better ink and if they mess it up, they will reprint it for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the sweet comment! This is a wonderful idea! Like Rene said, I think I will use card stock when printing out the image. Thanks for writing about this.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your feature! I'm with Rene. I had only used the new york public library but I LOVE the prints you have chosen. I tend to like more contrast so I vote for the grey walls. But either way they will look fab!
ReplyDeleteabby
I'm your 100th follower :)
ReplyDeleteI like the white. I think it looks really clean and fresh.
congrats on building the blog and getting featured. Your blog will really grow now that you have been on the DIY showoff. I can say I knew you when you started, lol!
ReplyDeleteOOOOOOH! Fabulous Idea! This is why I read your blog everyday :)
ReplyDeleteI think they'd look great on either a light or dark wall...
I love gallery walls! Looks great! I think I prefer the darker wall.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea!! I like them against the dark background!
ReplyDeleteOoo I love this idea! Very unique, if you ask me. I think the dark background would look stunning!
ReplyDeleteAs an architectural drafter, I of course, love this idea. The art in my dining room is mostly architectural drawings! I really like the mix of frames you picked against the darker wall. Can't wait to see what you decide and thanks for the source- I haven't heard of it.
ReplyDelete