Decoupaged Antique Map

Houston… It may not be glamorous, or beautiful, or sophisticated, or less than a million degrees in the summer, but it’s home.

create your own rustic, antique map with this tutorial at maisondepax.com

I recently had to say goodbye to a friend who moved back to the Pacific Northwest. Houston was only her home for a year, but we got to know each other during that year, and I am so sad to see her go! I wanted to make her something to remember her home here, however brief it was…

create your own rustic, antique map with this tutorial at maisondepax.com

So I sort of combined my giant decoupaged map of Paris and my anniversary gift to my husband to make a little something for her to remember us by. Since she was about to drive across the country and car space was limited, I went for a miniature map (approximately 5″x8″), but she can put it in a gallery wall, stand it on a shelf, use it as a bookend, or whatever she wants…

create your own rustic, antique map with this tutorial at maisondepax.com

It was simple to make. I began by printing an antique map of Houston that I found online and cutting a 2-by-6 to fit. I sanded the board down (especially at the edges to create an aged look) and stained it Dark Walnut.

create your own rustic, antique map with this tutorial at maisondepax.com

I then folded the map to give it creases and brewed a little coffee…

create your own rustic, antique map with this tutorial at maisondepax.com

I unfolded the map and used coffee along those lines to give the map more of an aged look.

create your own rustic, antique map with this tutorial at maisondepax.com

Once the coffee dried, I used a quick coat of mod podge under and over the whole thing, and it was finished.

create your own rustic, antique map with this tutorial at maisondepax.com

The sanded edges and aged map are gorgeous.

create your own rustic, antique map with this tutorial at maisondepax.com

And, most importantly, it’s a little taste of home.

create your own rustic, antique map with this tutorial at maisondepax.com

MORE DIY DECOR:

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Clear step-by-step instructions to create your own Restoration Hardware inspired vintage Paris map at maisondepax.com

DIY Vintage Paris Map

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18 Comments

  1. Great idea! I made coasters once for my sister with maps from every place she has lived. It was so good to have met you at Haven the other night. I was the one at the bar admiring your sweet baby 🙂 Hope you have a great day!

    1. What a great idea, Kathleen! Map coasters would be so fun… I’ll have to file that one away. 😉 I’m so glad I got to meet you at Haven, too!!

  2. Rachel…I didn’t realize that you were in Houston. So am I…well, Cypress…just next door to Houston. That’s a great gift you gave your friend. What a treasure and memories that she will have each time she looks at it. Who knows…it may even lure her back to our wonderful city. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Cypress totally counts! I’m so glad to know you’re nearby, Vickie. And so glad you like the gift! 🙂

  3. I love this project Rachel! It does remind me of your anniversary sign you made (which I featured today at our link up and would love to have you back please 🙂 This would look fabulous in our son’s room… will have to see if I can find a vintage map online! Love that idea especially! Such a sweet handmade gift!

    1. Thank you so much, Kendra! For the sweet comment and the feature. 🙂 I hope you find a fun map for your son’s room!

  4. Such a creative going away gift!!! So you just printed an old map of Houston onto regular old printer paper

    1. Yep. 🙂 I used the color printer at Fed Ex Kinkos because I’m out of colored ink, but it was their normal color copier on regular paper – nothing fancy. So glad you like it!

  5. Rachel, this is fabulous! You have the best ideas! It was amazing meeting you and your adorable baby at Haven this weekend. Big hugs girl!
    Jamie

  6. That is so great! Love this simple piece for your friend to remember her time there. Would love it if you shared this at our Motivational Monday party going on right now. {http://www.burlapandbabies.com/2014/07/motivational-monday_28.html}

  7. G’day from Oz. Thanks for sharing your map project-that looks so gorgeous! It’s a fabulous gift idea too.

    If you have a minute to spare I’d be thrilled if you could share your post at my weekly Say G’Day Saturday linky party. It has just started and this would be a wonderful addition.

    Best wishes for a great weekend.
    Natasha in Oz

  8. This is such a great idea! We just moved to FL for six months, we’re living in a rental, and so I’ve put a halt on everything decor related until we know where we’ll be next. I’m itching to do something creative, though, and this would be the perfect thing! Thanks for the idea! And, I love that coaster idea someone mentioned above. Have a blessed day!

    1. Thank you so much, Lauren! I’m so glad you like it, and I hope it satisfies your creative bug!! 🙂

  9. So simple and beautiful! Definitely heading over to check out the big version now. My husband and I had our honeymoon in Asheville, NC and I’ve been trying to think of a way to incorporate a little something special from that trip into our home. Looks like a map of our old honeymoon spot is in our future! Thanks so much for sharing! Pinning now. 🙂

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