Home decor: customized house number wall plaque
While there are many varieties of address plaques to choose from as well as numerous companies that make them, you can make your own stylish address plaque and customize it to your taste. It does not have to be fancy. In fact, understated elegance is more appropriate.
When you choose a letter style, choose one that does not have a lot of intricate detail. There are several beautiful styles of script, but many can be difficult to read. This is especially true from a distance, or when a person is in a moving vehicle looking for a house or office number. If you decide you must have that delicate script, use it only for your surname or company name, and use a sharper, cleaner style for numbers. Make sure the numbers are large enough and bold enough to be seen from the street.
Custom address plaques can be made from several different materials. Plastic or acrylic works well. If your home or office building is a light color, you can create a contemporary look using clear acrylic and dark numbers (or vice versa). The numbers can be painted on or you can apply pre-cut vinyl numbers. For this style of plaque, do not use a border. The numbers should look as if they are floating near the wall.
Most any type of wood can be used for address plaques, as long as it is treated to withstand weathering. You can purchase craft wood in interesting shapes, and you can find inexpensive scraps of hardwood at home improvement centers, which you can cut to shape using a jigsaw. Try an oval shaped plaque or a round one, for interest. Maybe you would rather have straight edges on the sides, and bottom, and make the top arched to create some architectural detail.
When you achieve the desired shape, sand the wood, and wipe away any dust from sanding. Carve numbers into the wood with a wood burning tool. You may want to lightly sketch or stencil the numbers, letters, or any designs before burning. Add another coat of stain. When it is completely dry, add a clear top coat for added protection.
If you prefer paint, you can follow the steps listed above, substituting paint for stain. Alternatively, you can paint the surface of the plaque and paint the numbers, using a contrasting color. Do not forget to add a contrasting border treatment. Adding a border is like adding a frame to a picture. It will give your plaque a more finished look.
You can also purchase carved wooden numbers and paint or stain them. Attach them to a nice piece of hardwood, or try a piece of driftwood for a more rustic look.
Aluminum sign blanks, normally used for custom license plates, make great address plaques. You can find them at most sign shops, or order them online. These blanks are the perfect size and shape; they are about 6" high by 12" wide and are rectangular with rounded corners. They are inexpensive and are usually available with a baked on coat of white enamel. A special color can be ordered, or you can paint it yourself. Most license plate blanks already have slots drilled through the top and bottom for easy installation.
If you prefer to paint the blank yourself, lightly scuff it with fine grain sandpaper, wipe it, and paint it the color of your choice. When it is dry, you can paint the numbers or use pre-cut vinyl decals. Finish it off with an interesting border, or purchase a decorative plaque holder to frame it.
Keep in mind that colors that coordinate with your home or office building's existing color scheme will be the most attractive. For example, if your home is white with red trim, a red custom address plaque with white numbers will be eye catching. If you prefer more contrast, a black sign with white numbers would also be quite striking.
Many people form an impression before ever setting foot inside a home or office. Displaying a stylish and attractive address plaque will help you make a good first impression.
When you choose a letter style, choose one that does not have a lot of intricate detail. There are several beautiful styles of script, but many can be difficult to read. This is especially true from a distance, or when a person is in a moving vehicle looking for a house or office number. If you decide you must have that delicate script, use it only for your surname or company name, and use a sharper, cleaner style for numbers. Make sure the numbers are large enough and bold enough to be seen from the street.
Custom address plaques can be made from several different materials. Plastic or acrylic works well. If your home or office building is a light color, you can create a contemporary look using clear acrylic and dark numbers (or vice versa). The numbers can be painted on or you can apply pre-cut vinyl numbers. For this style of plaque, do not use a border. The numbers should look as if they are floating near the wall.
Most any type of wood can be used for address plaques, as long as it is treated to withstand weathering. You can purchase craft wood in interesting shapes, and you can find inexpensive scraps of hardwood at home improvement centers, which you can cut to shape using a jigsaw. Try an oval shaped plaque or a round one, for interest. Maybe you would rather have straight edges on the sides, and bottom, and make the top arched to create some architectural detail.
When you achieve the desired shape, sand the wood, and wipe away any dust from sanding. Carve numbers into the wood with a wood burning tool. You may want to lightly sketch or stencil the numbers, letters, or any designs before burning. Add another coat of stain. When it is completely dry, add a clear top coat for added protection.
If you prefer paint, you can follow the steps listed above, substituting paint for stain. Alternatively, you can paint the surface of the plaque and paint the numbers, using a contrasting color. Do not forget to add a contrasting border treatment. Adding a border is like adding a frame to a picture. It will give your plaque a more finished look.
You can also purchase carved wooden numbers and paint or stain them. Attach them to a nice piece of hardwood, or try a piece of driftwood for a more rustic look.
Aluminum sign blanks, normally used for custom license plates, make great address plaques. You can find them at most sign shops, or order them online. These blanks are the perfect size and shape; they are about 6" high by 12" wide and are rectangular with rounded corners. They are inexpensive and are usually available with a baked on coat of white enamel. A special color can be ordered, or you can paint it yourself. Most license plate blanks already have slots drilled through the top and bottom for easy installation.
If you prefer to paint the blank yourself, lightly scuff it with fine grain sandpaper, wipe it, and paint it the color of your choice. When it is dry, you can paint the numbers or use pre-cut vinyl decals. Finish it off with an interesting border, or purchase a decorative plaque holder to frame it.
Keep in mind that colors that coordinate with your home or office building's existing color scheme will be the most attractive. For example, if your home is white with red trim, a red custom address plaque with white numbers will be eye catching. If you prefer more contrast, a black sign with white numbers would also be quite striking.
Many people form an impression before ever setting foot inside a home or office. Displaying a stylish and attractive address plaque will help you make a good first impression.
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