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Mapquest

OUR 2nd HOUSE

Consider me running full speed ahead to jump on that band wagon.  that’s right.  I love me some maps.  And I don’t care how trendy it is – I wanna big ole fatty map.  I love em so much that I am willing to actually strap on my kicks (after blowing the inch of dust off them of course) and breaking a sweat for a good one.  So when I saw this vintage roll down school map of the USA and Mexico while perusing ebay….I broke out the debit card and made it my personal mission to win at any cost.

$27.55 cents later (and one killer bidding war – ok ok so 11 bids is not killer but I am fairly certain I almost had a heart attack at the last moment when I was fifty cents down…so yes, I almost died) I was the proud new winner of the bid for this beauty.

I had certain criteria for my first big map – it had to be big (which I could see by the photo of the guy holding it up that it was indeed large) and I wanted something with more muted colors (lots of them looked a little more childrens-playroom to me vs vintage collector map) so this one really fit the bill with it’s less-is-more color scheme.  Plus, I googled the tar outta the name Kuhnert Relief-Like Series and learned that this map was probably designed sometime between 1910 and 1930.  (although revisions were likely made during that time)

And I certainly had the perfect place for it in my mind – our giant blank wall that is more awkward than a grandpa picking out training bras.

At first that spot stayed blank – and then at one point we added a shelf and a canvas (also blank but I feel like at least we were getting a feel for something being present there).

That canvas turned into my jellyfish art piece (that now lives in my office)…

And once I was back to square one…err two?…with the shelf alone, I decided to just hang random baskets and frames up.

I liked the idea in theory but it was really odd seeing as how the art was incomplete (aka non-existent) and the whole thing felt ungrounded.

Soooo winning this map meant that I had one GIANT piece of artwork that was ready to go.

Funny tidbit – notice the shipping states $15…it was actually $28.50…which meant that I paid more for the Postman to bring it than for the map itself.  BUT it was well worth it because it actually came with the original hardware – the giant dowel rod with the seal of authenticity and the metal bracket that is used to hang it.  So I figure that the extra moolah was well worth it in the long run.

 

Oh and did I mention that the thing was actually a printed map on paper that then was adhered to linen like canvas?  So cool.

Jeremy helped me hang with since ladders and I have serious issues.  as in, I don’t believe in them.

We simply took a bit of clothesline we had lying around in the basement and tied it to both ends of the hardware to hang it.  Then we put in a little Walldog screw on each side through the mounting bracket to secure it to the wall.

I feel so cool now.  Kinda like the time my mom bought me actual Keds in elementary school…the ones with the little blue square on the back of the heel vs. the cheapo discount blue-squareless-versions that I always had.  Or like when I finally got a Jansport backpack…or those pink and white tie dyed parachute pants…I wish I was kidding right now.

Oh and here’s another fun tidbit – we analyzed the map for clues of it’s date….and it shows cities over 1 million and cities under 1 million and there were only 6 in the entire US that had reached the 1,000,000 mark.  So armed with that data, we found that this map was originally made in 1910 and used for schools in the 1930s…I love random historical items like that.

I slid the ottomans beneath it to take the place of future console tables (they will be much longer and taller and hopefully provide a bunch more toy storage!) but for now I am loving the look.

And yes, I moved the couch back to in front of the tv.  I confess….I am a chronic furniture mover.  I think we just came to the conclusion that we will save some more money to buy the right couch for this space.   Having a room that is so long and with a mounted tv so high, we absolutely need to utilize this area the right way for us….and this particular couch being there….well, it restricts us.  And it makes a big room feel cramped.  So for now, we will watch our tv in comfort and then later we’ll pull that couch trigger.  Hopefully something big and leather and begs for kanoodling.

Have y’all jumped on the map bandwagon with me yet?

No?  Well you should – the ride isn’t bumpy at all – it’s actually quite scenic 🙂

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Comments

  1. How did you get stuck with the additional shipping charges? If the seller on ebay lists shipping as $15 for a location that you fall under (within the USA) then that is all that you need to pay for shipping. It is the seller’s responsibility to determine the shipping cost that they list on the item and charge appropriately for that. It is part of the way some sellers appear more ‘attractive’ to potential buyers – by offering reduced shipping costs (if something will cost $10 to ship but the seller wants to only charge the buyer $5 then that item may actually go for a higher price in the bidding because more people will be bidding on it).
    Again, I can’t see how you would have been stuck for the shipping costs above the listed $15.

  2. This is uncanny (sp?), but I just got a map for my family room too! Yep, jumped right on the train with you. I actually got mine from paper-source.com. They have a bunch of fun maps over there in muted colors that I think all run about 20″ x 28″. They all look old and vintagey and when I framed mine (I chose Italy for my family and because it’s my dream vacation spot) I put it in a large matted frame from Ikea and it looks fantastic! Best part…$3.95! Take a look…I love all the cool fun gifts and wrapping paper (which is what the maps are supposed to be…but who would waste them on wrapping a gift?!).

    Looks great! Christine

  3. I’m obsessed with maps, too! I have the big canvas print from Ikea…. and it makes me so happy!

  6. no maps for me yet, though it is on my ever-expanding list of things I’d like to add to the house! I went on a search for an old school map a year or so ago, but couldn’t find anything within the budget I wanted to spend, so I gave up! I also didn’t have a specific place in mind, which is probably why I didn’t look very hard. Yours looks great though! It is perfect on that wall!

  7. I am SO in love with maps and I totally agree that I don’t care if it’s a trend. I have to have them. So far I’ve only brought home 2 globes and I’m trying to stay strong because Hubster isn’t exactly a huge fan of maps.

    I loved your comment about Jansport! I felt the same way when I got one. And I may still have one from college. (Ok, I definitely do still have it.)

  8. I actually majored in Geography so I love maps too ! This one looks great ! And it blends in you room nicely … good job !

  10. Love the map! Putting just one large item looks really great on that wall. I have a similar wall and family room. I have tried many groupings and shelves on my large wall and each attempt has been a fail. I have been browsing online for a large piece of art, but just can’t find one I love. Glad you found a map that you love for your space! I jumped on the map-band-wagon a while ago and got the kids the PBK map for their playroom. I love it! It’s pictured in the third picture from the bottom of this post. http://www.bartlettunedited.com/2011/12/yes-yes-i-can-get-anotha-room-up-in.html Not sure if I have a better picture of it on my blog. I’ll need to work on that! 😉

  12. I LOVE this idea!! Love love love old maps! My husband and I started collecting vintage maps of cities where we’ve lived or that we’ve visited together. We’ve framed them and created a gallery wall in our bedroom. Such a fun way to remember all of our travels! There are a TON of old maps for sale on Etsy!

  13. It was listed that the shipping costs were not confirmed and that the buyer would be responsible for addt shipping costs sent via USPS. I knew it would be more…and still think it was well worth it 🙂
    xo kb

  14. is it possible to lower the tv? after over a year of a stiff neck from watching tv on a too-high wall mount (i usually had to lay down to watch it comfortably), i had my tv lowered only about 6-8 inches and i swear it changed my life. secretly, i didn’t even repair the wall from the old mount location since i knew my tv would still hide it 😉 i swear, if it’s possible it IS worth it!

  15. Love! I’ve had an old school map forever (now it’s hanging in my son’s room). I used to be a teacher so it’s extra special. I loved pulling down the maps to show the kids. Our map is a world map and it’s crazy to see the difference in the European countries and Russia. Hopefully my son isn’t studying it too hard or he might fail World Geography!

  18. I love how unexpected it is in the space… but fits right in at the same time, like its always been there… does that make sense?
    Good choice…. and if I were to see that in your room without being a reader, I would for sure thing it cost A LOT of money!! Good buying 🙂

  20. Great find! I love maps, we have a couple framed ones, but nothing big like yours (yet). We have an over abundance of stuff to hang on the walls, so I cannot justify buying more until we use or get rid of what we have. Your room looks quite the opposite of cramped, if that makes you feel better. I guess trying to fit a TV into a room layout is hard to do regardless of the room size.

  23. Love the map! If we ever have a baby boy, I plan on putting a ginormous map on the wall in his nursery!

    I love that the couch is in front of the TV. I know that designers are all “you CANNOT have the couch in front of the TV, it’s bad feng shui, blah blah blah” but it’s not a show room – you LIVE here! So thanks for being real with us. 🙂

  24. For the record, I don’t think grandpas picking out training bras are awkward. I think little girls that NEED training bras but don’t have them because their grandpas felt weird buying training bras are awkward.

  25. I cannot get over your living room; I love it so much! Love love love the windows and natural light… Oh & the map 🙂

  26. I don’t know if this link will work but I did a cool $50 map project inspired by a $540 piece I found on Pinterest. Here it is: http://pinterest.com/pin/90775748709493312/ It was so easy–a cheapie square frame from Hobby Lobby (it had ugly art in it), a matboard, a circle cutter, and some maps I found and printed online. I chose 16 places that are meaningful to my husband and me. It makes me so happy every time I see it!

  29. Holy moly, am I ever with you on the chronic-furniture-moving bit! I am constantly in search of the IDEAL couch configuration for my living room (I’m sure it exists).
    Love the map.

  31. I am soooo on this bandwagon! 😉 I’ve been scouting for the perfect map to go above the new buffet I recently purchased for our dining room. Love the way your new map looks!

  32. I jumped on over 2 years ago. Was it a fad then? I don’t think it was, or if it was, I wasn’t aware. Anyway, we found some great ones at a surplus school auction. My small district has a bunch of them and they were getting rid of a lot of stuff that went for CHEAP! My mom and I both bought sold oak desks (the kind teachers used) for less than $5 each! I should have bought the antique fish tank with the stainless steel sides but didn’t act fast enough. But we did buy some pull down maps like the one you got for maybe $10 or less. I actually told a teacher friend of mine and he was so mad that his dad, who works for the auction company, didn’t tell him about the maps. I think we ended up with all of them and I have plans of putting one in our future nursery, but maybe it will go in our TV room or even in our basement remodel whenever that happens. We may have enough for all three rooms. Is that overkill? 😉 I also love globes and found one for super cheap at an auction last summer. I’m all about buying mirros, globes, maps, and solid wood pieces. I’m on a mission to replace all the fake wood in my house with solid pieces and have one more piece to go! You just can’t find stuff like that anymore without paying an arm and a leg.

    Glad you found one and it looks great. I love the colors of the maps too. And good luck finding a couch that’ll allow for some kanoodling! I’d love a giant leather couch.

  34. I have jumped on the map bandwagon, but ours are a little different. My husband and I keep track of how many states we’ve been to. So I printed out a standard US map and he used it to outline all of the states we’ve each been to in graphic pencil and shade it in. Our rule is if you’ve flown there and stopped you get an outline, but if you’ve actually been somewhere in the state you get it shaded in. So we both have a random assortment that make up parts of the country. Luckily we both have basically the entire Northeast to mid-atlantic, Florida and California so you can really make out the whole map despite the states we are missing. We just started the same map for our 9 month old daughter and it’s a cute little baby map in comparison to ours with only 5 states so far (we just got to add Florida this week). We have them all framed the same in basic black frames hanging on the wall in order of age. We bought a couple of extra frames for future babies and figured it would be a fun thing to do for our kids to keep track as they grow up and travel a bit.

  35. I love maps too. Been collection globes since 2002. I have quite a collection. About 6 years ago I was at a local thrift store and saw a pull down school map. I glanced at it but immediately struck it down to buying it since I still lived at home and didn’t have a place to store it. well a week later I was still thinking about it and went back and it was gone. I never did see the price either. I’m still kicking my self to this day for not buying it. I ADORE maps and am always looking at them. What a score! I didn’t realize they were so cheap on ebay. I may have to start looking for one.

  36. Katie Bower, do you have any tattoo’s? I’m not sure we’ve ever addressed this topic. Maybe a slab of bacon on your back you’ve been hiding from us?

  37. I recall my awesome Keds circa 1st grade. What 1st grader notices the small blue tag on the back and looooved those “real” shoes so much? Well, yours truly, of course. And my Jansport was hunter green. Yep, I’m cool.

  38. I died when you mentioned Keds and the pink and white parachute pants. I had the exact same pants (hand-me-downs no less) and I had to have real Keds! The blue rubber square was VERY important! I thought I was the only one!

  41. I bought a vintage map from the late 1800’s on eBay a while back. Now after getting married I hung it in our office and have begun pinning the places where my husband and I have been together. So far it’s Atlanta, GA, Asheville, NC, and Clearwater, FL. Oh, we get around.

  42. Oh, I am so on that bandwagon. My favorite birthday present (ever, I think) was when my husband bought me a vintage map of my home state, the year we moved away for good. (Or, as I tell myself, for now-for good. 🙂 ) It lives on my desk, and makes me smile!

  45. I never got real Keds or a Jansport (until I bought one for myself in college. It lasted all four years. Who’s saving money now, Mom?) So jealous that your mom caved to the name brands. I bet you even had shirts that said Old Navy on them! Now that I’m grown up I’m like, “Seriously Mom, you couldn’t spring for OLD NAVY?”

  47. Nope…none! And nothing pierced besides my ears. Which I think is kinda odd…since my brothers both have several tatoos and even my sister got her belly button pierced. It’s funny because Jer has none either!
    xo – kb

  48. ha…we found them at yard sales or had to use our own money (don’t tell my mom but she is way cheap!)
    And I did have one old navy shirt – 7th grade…blue and white ticking stripe…no logo 🙂
    xo – kb

  49. I wish! We lowered it to the lowest possible position…and it’s not uncomfortable to watch…it’s that the couch looks weird with the chair directly in front of the tv…and so the couch looks just better on the side but then it limits the seating because one seat is right next to the fireplace (it doesn’t make for comfortable tv watching no matter the height of the tv). So yeah.
    xo – kb

  50. Love it! And love big maps! I designed our sons big boy room on a map theme, and actually our younger son’s nursery has a (more subtle) map theme too. In there i bought AMAZING Etsy modern prints printed on vintage maps , and hanging origami spheres made of maps. Here is a pic of my 2 year olds room with the giant IKEA map, which also has nice neutral colors. 🙂 http://projectnursery.com/projects/landons-toddler-room/

  54. The family that I worked for in the UK had a giant canvas map on the wall in the living room (2m x 1.5m), it was so handy for geography debates, which came up surprisingly often, they don’t sell them in Australia though, major bummer.
    If you ever sold prints of that jelly fish I would buy it in a heart beat.

    And my grandpa once walked in on me putting on a training bra THAT was awkward!!

  55. I am seconding that, Dana. I was told that the most comfortable position for a tv is that the top rim (or at least the center) of the tv is at the same height as your eyes while sitting down. Your tv is waaaaay above, and your couch doesn’t offer much neck support. I hope you find a more comfortable solution. Maybe move the tv to the left built-in shelves?

    I have one more question. How do you wash the top windows in the living room? Do you have a very tall ladder or do you hire somebody to do it?

  56. I am absolutley on that bandwagon, reclining and enjoying the view! My husband is a school teacher and bought home two a little while ago – the school was going to throw them away!!! Glad you found what you were looking for!

  57. Love it! My Mom actually has been keeping one of these maps from my elementary school in her garage for when I have a house with more wall space. I love maps (as does my husband) and I also decorate with globes. It looks great and so does your family room.

    P.S. I totally get the Keds/Jansport thing. I don’t know that I ever had real Keds (always got the Kmart fake-o’s for cheerleading), but I definitely had the real Jansport. $27 for a backpack back then (90’s) and totally worth it!

  58. Love the map! And sometimes things are overdone for a reason. I, for instance, have a mirror hanging over my mantel, just like everybody else in the world. But you know what? I love it!

  60. I need to give Ebay a try because I’m looking for a historic map of Baltimore to put up somewhere in our house! Thanks for the tip.

  61. The wall you have the map on is the perfect size for that size of map. Is there any way you could trim the black stuff off the bottom of it? Or maybe flatten it somehow?

  62. Katie, it’s gorgeous! I would love a huge map of the world, or the US, for my future home – I’ll have to keep an eye out on eBay when the time comes!

  63. LOVE THE MAP. I almost bought an absolutely awesome pull-down map about 6 years ago (when the map craze was just taking off, I guess) off of ebay. Now I’m totally kicking myself for not getting it. You got a steal – even with shipping!

  64. I thought when I saw “mapquest” you were going to make roller shades out of them for Will’s room! LOVE THIS THOUGH!!!

  65. I bought one on ebay in the fall! We have vaulted ceilings in our living room and always struggled with what to put on the “big wall”. I love it. Plus, we have found ourselves “consulting the map” on several occasions so it’s kinda fun. Mine has the date on it… 1946. So cool! Love yours too, great colors! And, what a steal!

  66. LOVE. THIS! Too funny too because literally 5 minutes before I saw this post I “jumped on the bandwagon” and searched map art on pinterest. Funnily enough, the pin I added was from a blog connected to Sherry and your pinterest challenge. How’s that for coincidence?

  67. The part that got me was I was the kid who couldn’t afford real Keds either. I actually used a blue marker to color in faux tags on my shoes! I also too thought I was too cool when I final got a REAL Jansport backpack…now parachute pants…no, never had those. I was never that COOL! =)

  68. Oh, Katie, this is so cool. I’m so excited for you. My husband was a geography major and he would totally love this. I must visit eBay more often…right now we just have piles of old geography textbooks that he collects and, while still kinda cool, they don’t make the impact this big map of your makes.

  69. It’s actually one of the things I love about the map – plus I think most of it will be obstructed with the console tables anyhow…so we both win 🙂
    xo – kb

  70. Yes – you guys are right – the prime spot for viewing is definitely lower…but literally, we went over it a million times and there is no way that we could move it and it make any more sense than where it is now. Thankfully the couch does offer some neck support so it doesn’t bother us…
    As for the windows – I have never washed them.
    xo – kb

  72. I am impressed that you found a map of this age and quality for so little. I recently purchased a a newer classroom map from eBay, and it cost nearly $300 (including domestic shipping). I don’t have any regrets, but I am envious of your bargain shopping abilities. Looks great!

  73. During college I studied abroad in Spain for a year. And while I was there my parents went to Canton, TX to the First Monday Trade Days (largest in TX…you just gotta go if you are ever in TX) and found a map of Spain. Its an old pull-down school map too except it’s in Spanish and has export trade routes on it. And they got it with all of the original parts to hang it for a mere 5 bucks!!! They used it to keep track of all the places I visited and when I got back they gave it to me. That was 9 years ago and it’s been on my walls ever since…so I’m definitely not a bandwagonner…although I don’t blame you one bit. If I didn’t have this one I’d be all over this craze.

  74. Hi Katie! I jumped over a few months back from YHL & love your blog!!! I’m also a GA Peach from Woodstock (we’re neighbors!). I adore your living room decor (or is that your den??). I’ve been working towards an Americana feel without being too in-yo-face stars & stripes & you have nailed it! Can I ask where you found your rug?? That is exactly what I have been searching for! Thanks so much for your continued inspiration!!!!!

  75. Ahhhh I just love maps so much! My love for them has only grown since realizing I am probably spending the new 15+ years (and the last 3) moving all over the globe with my hubby… So now it just seems appropriate to have excessive quantities of map related artwork to document our military life… (my dream is to have a gorgeous map gallery wall in our home someday when we are actually permitted to settle down!)

  76. I bought my husband a wall world map decal for his birthday. Of course, I can’t find the name of the company I ordered it from! It’s cool – you can take it off and re-position it or move it to a new location and it will stick like a giant decal. It really brightens up his desk area. I’m so smart!

  77. Have you ever considered knocking that wall down entirely? Or would you not be able to? I think the map is alright, but kind of meshes with the rest of the room. But hey, to each his own 🙂 And I am loving your pillows! You always have the best accent pieces!

    xoxo Melissa

  78. ha. It’s funny how you think it meshes…but I see it as making the room so much better! Definitely funny how we all see things differently, huh?!
    And that wall is not able to be knocked down – it actually is a supporting wall for our stairs so it has to stay…that is, if we ever want to see our bedrooms again 🙂
    xo – kb

  79. The blue and white stripe rug is from Pottery Barn outlet (it’s actually a Williams Sonoma rug but apparently PBoutlet sells their stuff).
    xo – kb

  80. I didn’t at all realize maps were trendy right now! Our nursery is actually travel and adventure themed so we have maps up in there. Yay for happy accidents, I guess. Anyway, I love the map! It looks great!

  81. Katie,

    I love this idea!! In fact a few years ago I “stole” some of Kevin’s old hunting maps and cheaply framed them to take of space like yours…it was in our case a long hall way. Maybe I should pull them out again….

  85. Are maps this old like safe to have in the house? Didn’t know if there were weird chemicals or lead paint in them? Didn’t know if there was a way to clean them before installing them in a house with kids! Just wondering what you knew about it!

  86. I never thought of that. I wouldn’t imagine that they would have lead paint because they are printed on paper but it’s a possibility. I would definitely check especially if the map wasn’t used in a school but in a place that would distribute or create chemicals (like if it was in a distribution warehouse for cleaners or fertilizers or something like that.)
    xo – kb

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