Post a Comment On: Design in Living Spaces

Not very long ago, it was very common to find a map of the world in most work-places. Often perceived as the most obvious 'decor' in office spaces, the world map was not used to its full potential. However, it has become more glamorized over time.
Today, the idea of using a world map as design has evolved. It can be seen on furniture, upholstery, accessories, walls, and what not! More often seen now, in casual environments than in formal settings, world maps add the right amount of interest to a child’s room, fun to a formal living room, character to a lone wall and can sometimes even act as a conversation starter.
One of the easiest ways to add a lot of spunk to your otherwise conservatively designed interiors is by introducing the world map, in your own style. Here are some ideas to pick from:
For the Child in You (or in your life) The use of images and illustrations has been scientifically proven to be an effective learning tool for young minds. Could there be a better way to show your little one how beautiful, wide, and vast the world is? It's time to become 'geo-nimal literate,' we say!!
POP N LOLLI's Iconic World Map is so many things in one! It's colorful, trendy, witty and bright! And this fabric decal is SO easy to use, you can't say no to it. Available in 2 sizes, this is one chic world map!
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And for those of you who don't want the white back ground on your colored walls, checkout what PROJECT NURSERY did to create the ocean effect!
[Image] Details:  M - 50" x 45"@ $191 L - 94" x 80" @ $457
WORLDMAP's baby nursery decal is another beautiful, animal silhouette world map decal available in more than 25 color options. This handmade, matte vinyl decal looks like it's painted on the wall after application. It comes with a seven year warranty and ships from Bulgaria.  [Image]
Details:  46.5" x 90.6" @ $178
PETITCOLLAGE's fabric world map decal is not so petite and measures a good 24" x 36" making it an ideal size for smaller nurseries. Complimenting the map's colorful textures and patterns is the quality of the decal which is printed on eco-friendly, adhesive fabric; not vinyl.  It does not wrinkle or rip, is removable, and reusable; thus making this decal easy to apply and re-position. This fabric decal does not leave a sticky residue and is safe on non-porous walls! Priced at $49, do you need a reason to add this to your wall??
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FUN MAPS FOR KIDS is a beautiful hand drawn print featuring major world landmarks and animals. They offer free personalization to parents who want to add their family name or child's name to the map. Environmentally conscious, they follow world-class sustainable printing techniques. This laminated world map is available in 4 sizes and is quite affordable too!
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16" x 24"@ $25.99 18" x 27 @ $32.99
24" x 38" @ $59.99
36" x 54" @ $119.99

For the Chef! Hmm, now there's no way a world map can be used in the breakfast nook or dining and not look out-of-place, right? Wrong! This Spicy World Map from WALL MONKEYS is a simple peel-and-stick decal which is printed to order. Available in four sizes, this self-adhesive fabric decal won't ruin your wall! [Image] Details:  18" x 14"@ $24.99 24" x 18" @ $29.99
36" x 27" @ $54.99
48" x 36" @ $74.99
60" x 45" @ &99.99

Go Vintage! If you've had enough of all the cute designs, happy colors and bright moods, how about we quench the vintage side of you? Are you ready?
RESTORATION HARDWARE's L'ISLE 1720 WORLDMAP is a wonderful reproduction of Guillaume de L'Isle's World Map that traces the paths of great explorers like St.Antoine, Mandana and Quir, and Abel Tasman. This reproduction of the map is anything but brief. It consists of 9 panels replete with ships in full sail, a mermaid and merman, and allegorical figures representing 4 continents. It is expertly printed on Sepia-toned archival watercolor paper to create a deep amber hue, featuring the subtle mottling and fading of the original vintage paper. Each 28" x 20" panel is framed in vintage black wood behind Plexiglass, which when put together, creates a larger piece of art measuring 84" x 60". Priced at $2495, this is yet another desirable product at RH which is not-so-affordable!
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How About a Travel Log World Map? SCRATCH IT BABY, SCRATCH IT! Don’t go wondering, we’re still talking about world maps! LAGO DESIGN SHOP’s Scratch Off World Map is an innovative travel log. All you need to do is visit a new country, come back home and scratch it off the map, to find a pop of color that will probably make you happier than visiting the country itself. And for the snobs who can scratch off most of the countries on the map, don’t forget, you still have more to finish!
[Image] Details:  31" x 21"@ $21.90
CORK BOARD WORLD MAP Cork board world maps make interesting art pieces while being great conversation starters and memory-journal boards. Here are some Cork Board world Maps to try your hand at.
Not for the faint hearted, this blog from MAN MADE has a detailed step-by-step tutorial on making a cork board world map. The map is made - not by pasting or drawing the world map on a cork board, but by actually cutting out each country on a cork board and pasting it on a plywood panel. Sure seems like a painful DIY, but looking at the result, it might just be worth the extra effort!
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If that scared you away, try this simple and easy World Map tracker by WIT AND WHISTLE.
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LIL BLUE BOO’s Travel Map Bulletin is an easier-than-it-looks tutorial which uses vinyl stickers and spray paint to achieve the look. This one is easy and cute!
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CHALKBOARD WORLD MAP If you’re a big fan of chalkboard paint, this might just be the project you’re looking for. THE CRAFTED SPARROW shows you how to make a chalkboard magnetic map to keep track of all the things you want to, at different times of the year. Although the tutorial is of the US map, you obviously are smart enough to make a similar world map like this, aren't you?
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PICTURE WORLD MAP You've seen world map journals to remind you of good times and memories. How about you add a picture to it? This very simple and easy Vacation Memory Photo Map DIY lets you use a simple world map decal, your favorite pics and a few photo frames to connect good memories, pictures and places, all on your wall!
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World Map Art! With the plethora of DIYs today, did you think you could procrastinate and excuse yourself with saying it’s ‘too expensive’ to put up a world map? Yeah? No! Here are some inspiring (not to mention easy-peasy) DIYs that’ll make you run to the supplies store as soon as your done with this article! You can thank us later, with a picture of your DIY J
PAINT IT ON CANVAS SO YOU THINK YOU’RE CRAFTY’s Interactive World Map Tutorial is almost God sent. The tutorial lists out everything from scratch - and with a little bit of imagination, you can customize it with your own Key and colored tacks to pinpoint your favorite places in the world. WOW!! [Image]
RIGHT GRAIN’s Colorful Wall Art Painting is an inspiring DIY, and hopefully a little simpler than the previous Interactive World Map. Get square canvas boards from Walmart, stencil the world map, paint it, and Voila! You have it ready to put up on your wall.
[Image] Don’t feel like putting in all that effort? Just buy from Right Grain. Their 100% handmade paintings can be customized to fit your needs with a large color palette to choose from!!
SHOP SYDNEY’s super girly, super chic, pink and gold world map is a simpler, easier, no-fuss version which might look great in baby nurseries, salons and even in your office, if you like pink.
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It is only fair to mention sincerelyYou’s ‘Oh the places you will go’ world map which is as cute as it is mature. A modern, hand sketched painting on an 18”x24” gallery wrapped canvas, this is available in many colors, and priced at $98.
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PAINT IT ON WOOD
If painting the world map on canvas seemed too easy, why not try your hand at painting it on wood? DIYTHE HAPPIER HOMEMAKER’s Wooden World Map Art is gorgeous and has a very country-cool look.
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 Another, colorful variation of this is THE HEARTS AND CRAFTS’ World Map which is a made to order Map, hand painted on reclaimed pallet wood. Priced at $75, these come in approx. 18” x 15” dimensions, depending on the wood. Can it get any cooler? [Image]
JUST PAINT YOUR WALL!
Oh well, if you are the kind of person that goes all the way and settles for nothing less than painting an entire wall with the World Map, let’s save you the pain of figuring it out! BURLAP & DENIM’s Wall Mural Drama is a step by step tutorial showing how you can draw the map on your wall, easily, with a printed map, projector and painter’s pen. Does that make it sound too easy? Do it, click it and share with us!
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STRING ART, ANYONE? THE CRAFTY NOVICE’ String Art World Map is probably the simplest and easiest string art world map tutorial you can find online. And the result is classy!
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THE HARPSTER HOME’s Heart in Ohio tutorial adds a cute, personalized touch to map string art. It’s a great alternative to having the whole world map and makes a cute gift too.
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THIS is another tutorial with a similar idea!
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For all you lazy souls who love to LOOK at DIYs and then prefer buying them from the hardworking ones who actually make it, here are some cool etsy artists to purchase from:
NIDIFICATION has a wide range of maps, sizes, colors and styles to choose from. Priced upwards of $80, this artist’s map string art works are a steal, considering they can be personalized to your taste.
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An expensive alternative to the above artists work is BEAU GRAN MONDE’s Shabby Chic World Map, which, as the name suggests, is shabby chic! Priced at $330.80, this vintage looking string art world map ships from Germany and is about 42” x 19” x 0.8” in size. It is made to order, uses refurbished wooden planks cut to size and is signed and dated by its artist.
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We also love BEAU GRAND MONDE's wooden ornament hangers with US state maps. These look uber classy!!
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FORGET THE WALLS, ACCESSORIZE IT! There are many more alternatives to using the world map as a design element in your living and work spaces. If you already have wallpapered, paneled and designed wall but still want to use this element in your interiors, here are some accessories and furniture ideas to choose from.
UPHOLSTER EMILY BEAUTY’s World Map Pillow Case priced at $17.


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KESS IN HOUSE’ Geo Map Door Mat priced at $32.
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This World Map Carpet priced at $ 305+
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DIVIDE Vintage Global Room Divider from Wayfair
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A modern, colorful inspiration by BROWN BUTTON
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FURNITURE We could just not stop ourselves from including this cute DIY of transforming a regular, old table into a piece of art using the world map as inspiration. WHILE THEY SNOOZE was kind enough to share every detail of the project and make it look so easy!
[Image] Hope this article has made you fall in love with the idea of using the world map as a design element in your living spaces. We know there are many more ways out there to do it. Have you done something similar, something different? Share it with us in the comments section below!!