Extracurricular Activities: West Elm Art & Other Affordable Art Ideas

I haven't been checking West Elm's new offerings in a while, and apparently I have been missing out because they are KILLING IT in the art department right now. And everything is super reasonably priced. Who cares if a million other people have it too ;) Anyone remember the Friends episode where Rachel buys everything for her and Phoebe's apartment from Pottery Barn but has to make up elaborate histories for each of the items since Phoebe hates big box stores. Well, Phoebe probably wouldn't approve of this art. But I do. Check it out.

I actually have something very similar to the second from the top (the ivory woven paper). A couple years ago, after seeing this post on Elements of Style, I DIY'ed my own version by spray painting two large pieces of woven paper gold, spray glue-ing them to a piece of white cardstock and framing them in a basic white Ribba frame from Ikea. They are currently above the nightstands on either side of my bed. Easy peasy. If you are interested in creating your own version, just search "woven paper" or "Amate bark paper" in Amazon or in Google "Shopping Results". The paper I used is very similar to the Amate Bark paper in woven Butterscotch sold here.

Framing decorative papers of any kind is a really cheap way to make some more high-end looking art. How cool would this Amate Bark paper in mint be framed with a thick white mat and a gold frame?! Reminds me of malachite. Swoon.

Marbled paper is another favorite. Check out this incredible collection. My brain is exploding! I think the one below is my fave. Thinking a thick white mat and gold frame with this one too. Hard to go wrong with that combo right thur.