tea towel + frame = easy art for the kitchen
There are some tea towels that are just too cute to use for their intended purpose of drying dishes, absorbing spills and wiping dirty fingers.
I ordered this flag conversion towel {a darling collaboration between west elm and artist shanna murray which is no longer available – boo!} and decided to proudly display it on the kitchen wall rather than on the towel rack.
You probably need no explanation as this is the easiest diy ever, but just to prove it, here’s what it takes: a large picture frame, a cute towel and some helping hands to flatten all of those pesky ikea tabs.
Large impact for about $30.
After a little searching, I came across some great frame-able towel options.
If your kitchen is calling out for something pretty on its walls, look no further than your favorite dish towel.
Kelly - Talk of the House
What a great idea! I need to find a spot for that chart one from Crate and Barrel. It would work well in our kitchen,plus it would be handy helpful!
Tiffany
I actually have one from Studio Patro, just needs a frame. Of course, I just left IKEA…but this is why I read blogs, so helpful. Thanks.
Jill
LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!! And your use of great IKEA frames!
Sarah Barksdale Design
Such a great idea! I love the tomato towel that you found, I might have to find a place in my kitchen to frame one now
Duana
This is great! I have 2 gorgeous tea towels from our trip to New Zealand and I just can’t bring myself to using them. This is the perfect idea to display them. Off to ikea!
Angelia
I have some tea towels that my grandmother made that have small things embroidered in one corner. I would love to display them like this, but don’t want the large expanse of white nor do I want to cut them. What would you suggest?
Mallory
LOVE this idea! So cute. I have area above my kitchen cabinets that this would be perfect for. I’m thinking a leaning set of frames with a different towel in each. Thanks for the inspiration!
Jessica @ Dear Emmeline
you would never know that was a towel! so gorgeous! looks great hanging up on your wall!
Julie Anne
ooh, I love this idea!!! adding it to my kitchen redo ideas!!
Jessica
If you call West Elm’s customer service number (888-922-4119) they actually have 18 in stock. I just ordered one (2:45pm EST 2/5), this will look great in my kitchen! $9 with free shipping.
emily
wow! Thanks for the tip.
Rachel
Thanks for the tip! I just ordered one!
Taylor
Thank you so much…just called and placed my order
West Elm also said that their computers are showing that many of their stores have a bunch in stock, so it’s still possible to get one.
Krissy
I love it! Quick story: My grandma always had this beautiful painting of a ceramic vase of flowers, framed in a beautiful frame. It wasn’t until I was in my thirties, just before she passed, that she informed me it was a linen tea towel that she found at a swap meet, thought too pretty to use, and so she had it framed. Thanks to your post I’m inspired… I think I will add some towel art to my walls!
Sally
Gosh! I couldn’t agree more!! I have a collection of gorgeous teatowels that are not for any practical purpose they are definitely display only! They even live in their own special kitchen drawer so they don’t accidently get used for wiping up the dishes! Will be purchasing some frames now to put them in!
Kathy@mishmashmom
Love it. What a great idea!
Kelley
What a cute idea! You’ve got such an eye for all things graphic. I’m a little jeal!
Kelley
Kdiaries.com
Kerstin
Love this!!! What size is the Ikea Ribba frame? I was able to order a towel online.
emily
My frame is the $19.99 version. Not sure on the exact dimensions, but it works great.
Janet
This is a great idea and it won’t break the bank! We are looking to buy a house and I’m already wondering how I’m going to decorate on a budget, thank you for posting this!
jenn
so i am googling ‘patio studio’ but its not bring up a store?! guess i’ve never heard of it, would you mind posting a link? I love those ones
emily
Here is the link: http://www.studiopatro.com/
Kellie
Would you mind sharing the size of the Ikea frame (for those of us who get so overwhelmed in the store we are unable to think clearly)?
engquist
I did this a few months ago with a towel from Crate & Barrel. It’s one of my favorite pieces in my home!
http://www.seewhatiseadesigns.com/2012/11/tea-towel-art.html
Erin
Love this! Just wanted to let you know that West Elm has these back in stock online now!
katie h.
brilliant!!! i wish i had thought of this, and i already HAVE that tea towel!!!
such a perfect idea!!! and i do need to know the conversions often!! thanks for sharing!!! you are the best!!!
Jenn @ A Simple Haven
Love this! I will no longer hesitate to buy a dishtowel from Anthro for fear of getting it dirtied up–I will frame it instead. Thanks for the tip!
Carol
I love this idea! I went to Sur La Table last night, and got this towel to frame: http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-176591/Vintage-Label-Italian-Pasta-Kitchen-Towel
They have a ton of other really cute ones, too!
pixie
Oh I like this! I received a lovely tea towel as a Christmas gift, maybe I should display it! thanks for sharing and inspiring.
Bree
That is such a clever idea! I have several cute tea towels that I received a few years ago and I refuse to use them because they are just too cute for doing dishes! Now I know exactly what to do with them. Thanks Emily!!
Bridget
So cute! I’ll do this for a restaurant I’m decorating! Thanks for another great diy.
Katie O'Keefe
This is perfect! What a great idea, and I love that the tea towel shares something rather helpful information too
Sarah
Update:
West Elm has this one…or one very similar (http://www.westelm.com/products/flag-conversions-tea-towel-d086/?cm_src=E:all-sale||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-)
On CLEARANCE! I purchased one and had it shipped for $5…They are on an extra sale for President’s Day.
Carla
Good news/bad news: This tea towel is back on the west elm site currently for $4.99 with free shipping (and $4.24 if you snag it this weekend). Bad news, it’s backordered until August! !!! But I love it enough that I went ahead and ordered it.
Thank you for the wonderful idea….kitchen art is tricky, I think!
Black and White Wall Art for the Kitchen | Making it Lovely
[...] cute flag conversions tea towel, designed by Shanna Murray is no longer available, but the idea of framing it was so cute that I still wanted to include it [...]
Christina
Thanks for including Studiopatro towels! So many of our customers ask about framing, so we’ll pass this on to them.