Maps have really come around as great way to accessorize and "art up" a space. Of course I love vintage maps, but the vintage look isn't always what I'm going for. Plus, most of the time I like to do something a little different than everyone else. Recently I found this "Map to Image" website! It's really cool and easy to use. You just type in a place, choose a map style, and then crop it to the size you are wanting. Here are a few of the different looks that are available. . .
This last map is a "watercolor" option and I love it! The more you crop/zoom the more detail you get of the land. I was so excited to find this website because I had recently spied a watercolor map that I loved, but I needed a much larger size and couldn't afford it.

This website is a great alternative for me because:
1. It's free!
2. I can make large prints. (especially sense watercolor by nature is a little blurry)
3. And with the help of Photoshop I can change the map to fit the color scheme of the room I am working on!
Here is the same map with a different pallette. The color possibilities are really endless with photoshop.

The gorgeous work of art that started my obsession with watercolor maps was this piece. . .

I try to support artists and makers whenever the budget permits, so if you can go buy this piece from Summit Ridge on Etsy or have her commission a city of your choice. I still love this original, hand painted piece more than the computerized version. I'm smitten.
'Til tomorrow! :)
I love the Stamen site! I found them a few months ago and used the water color map option also.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this post! I've been dying to recreate a map of Athens for our dining room. We got to go there for our honeymoon and I think it would be a fun accent piece!
ReplyDeleteLove this! Thanks for sharing!
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