We may earn a commission on purchases made through links.
The “grandma chic” trend is officially back in style, overtaking the sterile, minimalist look that has plagued interior design for the past decade. Now is the time to fill your home with cozy and homemade accents, like DIY doily decor. YouTuber Donna has that Creative by natureDid — and it’s easy to recreate his idea. There are many Genius ways to recreate doilies around the houseAnd Donna’s creative method upcycles them into a chic farmhouse clipboard wall decor complete with dried flowers.
Donna’s project requires very few materials and tools. The two most important materials for this project are a standard clipboard and a rectangular doily that is roughly the same size or larger. Another important part is a cluster of about four or five dried flowers along the stem. You can learn how Make your own dried flowers For a unique outfit, or buy a pack like this one ACRYCS Daisy Flower Bouquet. You’ll also need scissors, craft glue, craft paint, gesso primer, a hot glue gun, and a piece of twine to assemble and put the finishing touches on your handmade decor.
What makes this idea so unique is that it is completely customizable. Donna painted the clipboard blue and used dried pink roses. However, you can use any color or variety of flowers that fits your interior aesthetic and color scheme. This project also has the potential to add nostalgia to your decor. This can be achieved by repurposing something meaningful, such as an item inherited from a grandparent or a special find from a memorable thrift trip.
How to make this one-of-a-kind wall decor with recycled items
Start this adorable idea by mixing craft paint in the color of your choice with a white primer, eg Liquitex BASICS Gesso Surface Prep. Mixing your craft paint with primer has two benefits. It lightens the color to a pastel shade and makes the craft paint thicker. This makes the first coat opaque, so fewer coats are needed for full coverage. Try to avoid the metal clip of the clipboard. If you accidentally smudge it with paint, wipe it off quickly before it dries or try something else. DIY methods for removing paint from metal.
After the paint is dry, line the doily with the clipboard. Remove the extra edges, but do not throw them away. This can come in handy later if you need to fill gaps in the fabric. Start at the bottom of the clipboard, and use thin, careful lines of hot glue to adhere the mallet section by section. Save the craft glue for the top of the clipboard. You’ll need it for this part because the hot glue dries too quickly to line up properly under the metal piece. Don’t forget to finish off your design by gluing down any trimmed edges of the lacy material. This prevents them from flaring over time.
The final step is to hang your homemade or purchased dried flowers from the clipboard clips. Trim them if they are too long, and tie the stems with twine to add rustic charm. Snap the flowers into place using clipboard clips, hanging them upside down by their stems.
How to properly style and hang a finished lacy floral clipboard
Once the dried flowers are in place, this lightweight foxy decor piece is ready to style in most rooms. None of the assembled materials are particularly heavy, so it should be easy to hang them from a nail in the wall. Try styling it with others Farmhouse wall decor ideas that add rustic charm to interior spaces.
A key factor to keep in mind is that dried flowers are fragile and susceptible to shading. Extend their lifespan by choosing a strategic location. They should not be placed in humid rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens, and they should be kept especially away from appliances that emit steam. Otherwise, flowers may wilt or mold may begin to grow. Also look for wall areas that don’t get a lot of direct sunlight throughout the day, as this can cause their color to fade.
