Chic on the Cheap: Silhouette Art Step by Step

Generally, I tend to think about a project for a little while before actually doing anything about it. Not so this weekend.

On Friday I found this post at Imperfectly Beautiful and the photo hit me as a great weekend project. I already had our silhouettes so I just had to do the manual labor. The tutorial on Country Living was for smallish corkboard heads. A good idea but I wanted something larger and I wasn't too crazy about the texture of cork.

Off I went to Home Depot to buy a piece of hardboard for $5. I printed our profiles on multiple sheets of paper, taped together and cut out a template.

SiloArt1

Using spray adhesive to stick, on it went.
SiloArt3

I followed the edges of the paper template with a sharpie to make the cut marks.
SiloArt4

Peeled off the template to reveal the shape.
SiloArt5

My plan was to cut that with a heavy duty razor. For those of you who follow me on Twitter, you might have seen a late night frantic question about alternate ways to cut hardboard. I'm sure you have already guessed that the razor didn't work at all. So I had no choice but to borrow my brother's jigsaw. Nervous about losing some important digits (how would I type out blog posts without them??), I forged ahead.

Here is where I would include a snazzy photo of me cooly outfitted in a workman's jumpsuit cutting smoothly in a beautifully organized workroom. Alas, I was in my kitchen, wood braced between two stools, standing a pile of sawdust in my pajamas while sweating profusely as I tried to hold the board with one hand and cut with the other. Not pretty! What should have amounted to certain disfigurement ended up like this
SiloArt6

I added some letters and sanded them all down to smooth out the rough spots.
SiloArt6a

The only spray paint I had handy was semi gloss black so they got a few coats in that.
SiloArt7

Not crazy about the finish on them I considered holding off on hanging them until I could recoat in a flat black with a small roller. But then I realized if I wait, these will probably just be sitting in the box room forever like the rest of the things I always mean to hang but never get the chance. So instead I decided these were good enough. Up over our bed they went.
SiloArta1

I'm so happy with how it turned out. The big boldness of it really stands up with the large damask print. I think it gives the room a little whimsy too which is fun in a personal space like the bedroom.
SiloArt9

And when I get bored of them, its only a few small nails holding it all in place so it won't be too bad to bring down.

Considering the price of $5 (excluding the supplies I already had laying around the house like the paint, paper, sharpie, etc.) I'm really happy with how it all turned out.

But more importantly, now that I have myself schooled in the art of the jigsaw, I know I'm going to be using it again.

49 comments:

  1. Ok, you have all 10 blogging fingers left, so now I feel like I can jigsaw too. I just said that like it was a new dance craze or something. :-P Great job!

    I would totally make some of these of our dog! You just gave me an idea.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You did it!!!! I told you you could jigsaw!

    I love them. Very cool.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I LOVE it! Awesome job!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cute!!! And I'm so glad you still have all your fingers!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lady, you must have been reading my mind. I was just thinking about how I could obtain me some sillouets without breaking the bank. This is a great idea. Just wondering, where did you get your comforter? I simply love it and think I need it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. thanks ib73 - comforter is from walmart!

    ReplyDelete
  8. YOU. ARE. AMAZING. PERIOD. :)

    RUTH

    ReplyDelete
  9. Those turned out great. I agree that they add a little whimsy to the bedroom. Thanks for sharing your project. Glad you kept all your digits!

    ReplyDelete
  10. AH PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!!!!! Great project and happy to read you still have all fingers!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your pictures look better than the ones from the magazine! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the vote .
    Love the new project , I guess those of us with double chins should steer clear from this project , he he ! could you imagine , yuck!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cute project - I love that both the silhouette and the damask are regal, but the glossy black keeps it modern.

    ReplyDelete
  14. holy cow, I LOVE this - they are so cute!!

    You and the hubby look great hanging above the bed- what a fun project :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I can't believe you were able to get everything so rounded using a jigsaw, great job! They look fantastic in your beautiful room!

    ReplyDelete
  16. That is SO fun, I love it! What a great project, I'll be linking.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Amazing. Great Idea. Looks so wonderful above your beautiful bed.

    ReplyDelete
  18. DIY projects are great, this one is so neat! I like this idea, I bet anyone who sees this in person will think it's such a cute & original piece of art. :)


    Jen Ramos
    'Cards & Prints You'll Love...'
    www.madebygirl.com
    madebygirl.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous3:02 PM

    You do such a good job of blending classic and modern. So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ahhhhhhh!!!! I absolutely LOVE your version of this...they are fabulous. I think the large scale makes a real statement above the bed. Which ,by the way...gorgeous bed! Now I'm thinking I want to do this instead of the cork boards. Thanks for the inspiration...(and for the link...so thoughtful)!

    ~Amanda

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love it. Now I kinda want to do that to the ones I have over my bed ;) Thanks for the idea. Although, I'm definitely not as crafty as you are!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love this! So glad you didn't lose any fingers! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. This is so cute..and I personally love that you admit you do this stuff in your kitchen -- in your jammies! Me too. Love it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love it! It looks amazing. I love the black against the blue walls. And every room needs a bit of whimsy.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great project!

    I can't help but study your bay window and how you hung your curtain rod. I too have a similar bay window that it is a big decorating dilema and I love what you've done. Is that rod one continuous piece that has been bent or shaped to fit the bay window? Great curtains also...custom?

    ReplyDelete
  26. looking all jiggy!
    good thing that your mate's letter is not M otherwise it would read S + M! :) You are magnificent!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Way to go! Use that jigsaw mighty woman! I LOVE POWERTOOLS!!! Looks great! I also think they would be great in an entryway!

    ReplyDelete
  28. great job! love this project.

    ReplyDelete
  29. You clever girl ! I love how the images are a throwback, but modern, all at the same time. Classic, but whimsical too.

    Nice job with the jigsaw.... I know what you mean about the digits... I just used my hub's electric miter saw for the first time today, and I still have my fingers. Pop the champagne !

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great job! So have you decided what to do with the unfinished nightstand? I am thinking that painting it to match the other would be great. But I'm sure whatever you do will be great! I so wish my place looked like yours! Hugs from Conroe, TX!

    ReplyDelete
  31. hi nancy - I am going to paint the nightstand. I just haven't gotten around to it. Painting things is so NOT fun so I postpone forever :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wow! fabulous job...Your project turned out awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  33. How crafty and creative of you! Good job.

    ReplyDelete
  34. wow those turned out amazing!

    <3 Lindsay

    ReplyDelete
  35. You did it again, Mrs. Limestone! This is so stunning.

    ReplyDelete
  36. very cute. I also love you're bedroom, the bay windows look great and your tufted headboard.. very lush

    ReplyDelete
  37. Lovely!! I love how they turned out. Thanks so much for your comment today. You are so right. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thank God you have those digits! I don't know what we'd do without your blog... The project is brilliant and really does stand up against that dramatic damask. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Anonymous8:06 PM

    Your silhouettes look perfect over your bed for all the reasons you stated. What a great bedroom and what a headboard!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I can't wait to share this with my sister in law. This is just her style!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anonymous6:13 PM

    So fantastic! Love this idea:)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Ada @ New York5:54 PM

    Turned out great .. and glad u managed to keep your fingers! Yeah!!!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Karyn Lloyd10:07 PM

    I love the silhouettes! I'll just have to convince my husband that he likes them too :)
    Where'd you get your headboard? It's beautiful! I need it or I will explode!

    ReplyDelete
  44. MrsLimestone2:08 PM

    The headboard is from Candace Olson furniture line. I bought a display model from a wholesaler so I can't recommend a particular store but its nicely made.

    ReplyDelete
  45. katherine leonard3:11 PM

    I LOVE IT!!! great idea for a couples bedroom!

    ReplyDelete

There is nothing that thrills me more than hearing from readers. Please share your thoughts. ♥

Follow @ Instagram

© 2007-2020 Brooklyn Limestone. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy
Back to Top