Vintage Paper Wall

I love paper. I've mentioned it plenty of times before but in those cases you would think I only meant craft paper. Not the case. I love all kinds of paper. Craft paper, pretty napkins, stationery, cards, gift wrap, maps, magazines, books, old books--so many old books. I also love the art people create with old books. The first time I ripped an old book apart to do an art project it felt so WRONG! I shuddered and hesitated but then I dove in and it was a fantastic project. I was sold on book art.

I saw this kitchen decorated with old book pages on Brunch at Saks (don't you love Brunch at Saks?) and was a little loopy for it.  Then I visited Watson Kennedy in Seattle where they had this fantastic wall and decided I would have a vintage paper wall in my house.

When I went to the last Gatherings At the School sale I bought three old ledgers from an Independent Order of Foresters lodge.  The price was right ($3-5 each, depending on thickness) and I figured the big pages would fill up a lot of space on the wall.  After buying the ledgers I remembered I had plenty of other old books I'd stuffed in my craft closet waiting for the perfect project so I pulled them all out.  I had a Parisian tour book from Michelin circa 1933, a daily calendar from 1921, a map of the L.A. basin from 1960, a children's nursery rhyme book, and a song book.

A wall in the guest bedroom was the perfect place for this project.  I covered the wall with painter's paper so I'd have a removable surface to attach the paper to. I cheated and did not remove the corner cupboard from the wall but papered around it instead. When we sold our last house two people made offers conditional upon whether I left that cupboard in the house. Things that make you go, huh . . .   I pulled the pages out of each vintage book, trimmed them if needed, and started adding pieces of the vintage paper to the wall, filling in, filling in.

This was a wonderful experience!  I loved reading the ledgers from the Lodge.  The dates ranged from 1910 to 1972 and the handwriting was gorgeous!  The man who owned the personal

log book filled in his activities--very simple--March 20, 1921:  Went to Wichita.  

Again, the handwriting was so pretty and I loved seeing the old, old dates and amounts of dues and funds and expenses.

The nursery rhyme and music books were very fragile and tore easily.  I made sure I liked the nursery rhyme or song facing out.

I suppose you really must love paper in order to tolerate a project and a look like this.

I just loved every page.  Each book was a time capsule and I admit, I felt a little guilty about tearing them apart, but at least the pages can be seen now.
 

Five rolls of double stick tape later, it was done!

I made a headboard with a drop cloth so it would be very plain against the busy, busy wall.  I put the bedding I have back on the bed for now but it definitely needs to be more plain.  Any ideas for colors or fabric?  What about for side tables and lighting?  

Looking back at the first picture I noticed the badminton racquet with the mirror in it.  I have two of those that I got from my friend Amy and I love the idea of making one or two of them into a mirror.  

I am excited to finish this space but I felt like sharing the wall now. 

Thanks for stopping by!