Using Metal in Decorating – Sprucing up a Boring Corner

I have a corner in my library that is very bland and really needed some sprucing up. The room has a huge wooden bookcase so I didn’t want anymore wood items.

The perfect thing to turn to was fabric and metal.The first thing I did was add some matching pillows to the bench seat. For the wall we needed metal artwork using the 1005 Design Metal Backsplashes.

I decided I wanted to use my 3 favorite designs: Art Nouveau, mosaic, and brush. The backsplash panels have 6 inch square designs. I didn’t want to have any cut up designs so I decided to use 12 inch squares. I was inspired to overlap the squares by a picture frame collage that I purchased. So I just moved the squares around until I liked the design.

Supplies for the Metal Artwork

• 5 – 12×12 wood squares
• 5 – 12×12 decorative metal backsplash panels cut to size
• glossy paint
• small paint roller
• construction adhesive
• screws
• drill and drill bit
• screwdriver

Steps for making the Metal Artwork:

1. There are unlimited possibilities as to how you layout your design. I selected to use five 12x12x1/2 in pieces of wood for mounting. I was able to get these cut at Lowes for like $3.00.

2. I painted each square a with a Gloss Black latex enamel. Then let these dry overnight, and gave them all a second coat.

3. Using a utility knife and a ruler I made 5 matching squares of decorative metal to mount on the painted wood. I selected 2 Art Nouveau squares, 2 mosaic square, and 1 plain brush for the middle.

4. After the second coat of paint had dried overnight, I glued each of the metal pieces to the wood. I used Locktite construction adhesive to mount the metal. For best results, the adhesive also needs to dry overnight.

5. Now it is time to layout the design and get ready to attach all the pieces. Start with the three middle pieces of the artwork (diamond, square, diamond, square, diamond). On the back draw a straight line from corner to corner. Use that line to match-up the other “diamond” positioned squares. Have the points touch in the back to keep the spacing the same.

6. Now that you have the middle three panels arranged correctly it is time to screw them together. Start by using a drill bit to make the pilot holes. Mark the pilot holes while the artwork is laid out. Then starting from the back go through to the metal just enough to make a mark. Now turn over the panel and with the drill bit drill through the metal. You will know where by the mark you just left. We made three holes for each connection so that there wouldn’t be any movement. Once all the holes are made screw the panels together. Repeat until all the panels are connected.

Using metal throughout the home as an accent is becoming very popular. It is not just for contemporary or industrial design looks. You can see from this corner, you can have a warm comfortable area that brings in a spark of distinction.