But in 2010, no one wants to settle for the spartan practicality of our peasant ancestors, even if we can't afford the gilt frames of our aristocratic ones. How do you decorate your walls in a way that reflects your taste, interests, and personal style - but not your budget? It's easy. Just go to that bedrock of free community services, the library. Specifically, the New York Public Library.
In recent years, the NYPL has taken on the daunting task of digitizing its mammoth collection of image-related pieces - manuscripts, photographs, maps, sheet music, and vintage posters. And they've made nearly a million of them available online. At their website, you can browse through hundreds of thousands of images, organized by origin, era, or various collections (Civil War, Dance, Victorian, Nature, New York). Select an image, crop it any way you like, and order a beautiful print for around $25. Or, you can enlarge and print it yourself. It's instant decoration.
All images, New York Public Library.
10 comments:
What a great and informative post! It's a brilliant idea that allows everyone to personalize their home at a very reasonable price. Good for the NYPL and thank you for sharing the info.
That must be some project and years and years of work ahead. I had no idea about the availability on the website.
Thanks for the info. I love the butterflies.
Nice to know this info. Thanks!
L.
These are amazing - it's so easy to get lost in those archives! Have a great weekend!
as a pseudo-librarian myself, i love the availability of things like this....thanks so much for posting it!
Best tip ever! Thanks.
Skyla, I always enjoy your posts. They are so full-bodied. (if that makes sense) I laugh, smile, learn, and feast my eyes on some lovely eye-candy... this one is no different. I love your point about your walls reflecting your own style and personality. I'm working on mine right now, carefully building it with what I love, and this post came just in time...
I hope you have a great weekend.
xo
Hi, hope it's OK to contact you here. We would love to include your blog on our giveaway blog network: Giveaway Scout (http://www.giveawayscout.com). Have a look and if interested, use our online form to add your blog (http://www.giveawayscout.com/addblog/ ). thanks, Josh
I have spent many an hour browsing around NYPL's digital library. Fascinating stuff. I even found a 100 plus year old map of my street.
Tip: If you like butterflies, search "insects".
Post a Comment