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Jun 10 2014

oversized patent art

Posted by hayley
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oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

If you’re searching for statement art, then look no further than the US Patent office. For our dining nook these RIBBA frames from Ikea ( previously used in our old playroom) were the perfect size. But purchasing art prints that large would have been pricey.

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Instead, I used Google’s patent search to find technical drawings for nautical items. After typing in your patent search term, click the “Search Tools” tab.

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

This bar will appear and you can narrow your search to a certain date range and US Patent Office. The “sort by relevance” tab is also useful, as you can instead choose to sort by filing date (oldest or newest). When you click through to the image, there is a option to see the “original image” which is better quality. Then just right click on the drawing and choose “Save As” to save it to your computer.

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

I especially love the patents from late 1800s and early 1900s. All the drawings are hand-sketched and the signatures have lovely scripted charm.

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

After finding the perfect drawings and saving them to my computer, I simply took the files on a thumb-drive to Office Max. They enlarged them to my desired size and printed them for me as “engineer prints” on their oversize printer. At 24″ x 30″ they were only $4 each! I then cut them down and positioned them in the frames, unmatted.

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

The best part about this idea is that it can be adapted to fit all types of decor, because any product worth it’s salt has been patented at one point or another.

So, whether you’re into WWII bomber planes, ladies footwear, or eyeglasses for chickens (if only I were joking) there’s something for everyone!

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Original patents of classic toys would be super cute in a playroom. Adding color with art pencils or markers would go a long way in bringing these to life.

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

How about the original Barbie or GI Joe dolls?

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Antique toys would be lovely hung up in a nursery. They wouldn’t even have to be large scale, just print an 8 x 10 at home.

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

The possibilities are endless and if you print them on your inkjet, it’s totally free.

Since the frames were pre-owned and the engineer prints were very affordable, this whole art installation cost a whopping $12. At some point I may want something more colorful on there, but I sure like it in the meantime!

oversize patent art  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Tags: art, diy, home decor

Comments (3)

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  1. Lauren
    June 11, 2014

    Oh my goodness. GENIUS!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  2. Leah
    June 16, 2014

    COOL! I’ve noticed the frames in previous posts but always figured you sketched what was inside. Really, really love this idea!

    Reply
  3. Pingback: a shower for scarlett | Grey House Harbor October 8, 2014

    […] frames usually display my patent art, but in order to theme them for the shower I covered the glass with white poster board cut to size. […]

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I'm Hayley. Wife and mother by day, DIY enthusiast by night. Fueled by sweet tea and jelly beans, I own power tools and know how to use them. Consider yourself warned.

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