Metal Wall Art: Enamel Signs Reimagined

Our homes are a blank canvas for us to share our personality and creativity with the world. Each wall is waiting to be customised with photos, art prints or metal wall art that has been painstakingly chosen for its aesthetically pleasing qualities. Over the years, walls have taken on a new meaning. They are no longer used for just structural purposes but instead, they form the background to a carefully curated gallery of personal items and memories.

Metal wall art: composition a small and large mirrors in a sun shape as metal wall decor.

MAKE A STATEMENT WITH METAL WALL ART

Our obsession with having an ‘Instagram’ worthy home has driven us to become more design savvy as our houses are now the backdrop to any social media post or video call. Gone are the days when our living spaces were something private, now with the rise of social media and the work from home culture, our homes are on view to the world daily. 


Creating a design statement through your interior decor is easier than it sounds. Metal wall art, especially vitreous enamel wall decor, not only creates a dramatic look but is also very durable and will not tarnish or wear over time. So, why not give those boring, neglected walls some attention and turn them into your own home gallery wall art space?

METAL SIGNS FOR THE HOME

Travel back in time with some vintage metal signs and brighten up your walls with their vibrant and eye-catching designs. Originating from the late 1800s, porcelain enamel signs were once the go-to for advertising signs. Appearing on all street corners across Europe, they captured the imagination of millions and helped to spark the consumer culture that we have today. They became popular thanks to their witty slogans and fun illustrations, which meant illiterate people were able to join in the fun. 

The perfect decoration for the retro enthusiast, vintage signs add an authentic touch to the home decor while adding a dynamic edge to the living space. To make a statement,  create a gallery wall in an area of the home where there is lots of natural light and fill the wall with vintage enamel signs of all shapes and sizes. The bright, cheerful designs not only add life to the home but also take the viewer on a journey into the past. Vintage signs can easily be fitted to the walls with screws or by using VHB tape and thanks to their durable qualities, their colours will not fade in sunlight. 

Metal wall art: black metal welcome sign hanging from a wooden door handle
Ask Nick: 

HOW TO USE VINTAGE ENAMEL SIGNS AT HOME?

For food lovers, it only seems appropriate to incorporate vintage advertising from much-loved brands into the kitchen decor. Since most advertising focussed on food brands, it is easy to find a classic, good looking vintage enamel sign such as one from Tate and Lyles, Cadbury or Fry’s Chocolate. Alternatively, to recreate the feeling of happy hour, a vintage advertising sign from an alcohol company is a creative way to incorporate kitchen wall art into the dining area. 

Metal wall art: collection of colorful vintage metal signs hanging on a black wall.

MIX QUOTE WALL ART WITH GALLERY WALL FRAMES

They say that a picture can tell a thousand words, but in some cases, when you have the perfect words to express how you feel, why search for anything else? It has become a common trend to incorporate inspirational quotes into your wall decor design, mixing them in with wall picture frames and illustrations and it doesn’t appear like this trend will stop any time soon. 

There are so many ways to combine enamel signs and word art. For a fashion-forward home, why not recreate the iconic “Prada -> Marfa” sign and display it amongst your favourite fashion prints? Not only will this give your home an instant “Insta-appeal” but it will also look like an authentic street sign, adding to the credibility of the design. Following the fashion theme, enamel signs can be customised in any way that you like. Experiment with fonts and line spacing to create an eye-catching wall plaque that allows for your interior decor ideas to shine through. Words like “Love” or “Amor” can be split into two lines and stencilled onto the sign using a fancy font. Or, a simple phrase such as “Namastay in Bed” offers a fun play on words and adds a stylish touch to a bedroom, especially for yoga lovers.

SONG LYRICS, POEMS AND MORE...

Song lyrics, poems, literature quotes and famous lines from films are all popular choices for eye-catching quotes. These can be displayed in a wide variety of ways using enamel signs and the beauty of enamel is that it can be displayed inside and out without getting damaged or tarnished by the weather or sunlight. The hand stencilled lettering adds a raised relief effect to the sign which adds texture and gives the sign a luxurious feel. Place a quote sign on your photo walls to give your hallways, kitchen or living room a personal feel.

ILLUMINATED WALL ART

Create a sanctuary of calm and elegance with metal wall art that will truly wow your guests. A bespoke design that can be combined with fancy uplighting is the perfect addition to your walls, especially in windowless rooms such as corridors. Using a rectangular metal sign that has been shaped to include flanges, cut a shape such as metal flower wall art, a mandala or geometric shapes into the metal and then using one single colour, cover the sign in enamel. This can then be mounted onto the wall, with some strategically placed spotlights positioned underneath. For the sign, black metal wall art is best so that the light behind is reflected in the best possible way. Whether you choose a long, thin sign, square or circular, adding lighting to the design works wonders to boost the mood of the room.


This is also a great option for adding lighting to outdoor space. Using the same idea as above, an illuminated outdoor metal wall art sign will turn a regular garden wall into a statement talking point and ice breaker at family BBQs and events. Including lighting in your outdoor space also adds an extra level of security allowing you to see where you are going when using the garden at night.

Metal wall art: rustic outdoor setting with rusty lantern and wire basket suspended from a chain.

PERSONALISED METAL SIGNS

Of course, the ultimate way to add personality to your space is by customising your metal wall art to add a personal touch to your gallery wall art.While this could be as easy as creating a personalised name plaque to celebrate your family name, there are so many other ways to get creative with enamel signs

Metal wall art: black metal calendar above a leather couch with cheerful woman playing with her dog

NEVER LOSE TRACK OF TIME WITH A CALENDAR WALL

Turn your large metal wall art into a calendar and never forget a birthday again with a stylish and handy collection of signs designed especially to help you to remember special dates. A large rectangular sign will be used to adorn the wall and explain the meaning of the calendar. Each month will be spelt out on an enamel sign which will then be hung under the larger enamel sign. From these 12 months, smaller enamel signs will be made showing the date of the special event and the name of the person involved. This ingenious way to remember special events is the perfect addition to a family-centric room such as the kitchen due to its practicality and ease of use. It is also a great way to teach children the concept of time.

MAKE A STYLISH FIRST IMPRESSION

The entranceway of your home is also the perfect place to make an impact by using custom metal wall art. First impressions count, so it is important to ensure that anyone visiting your home will see your home decor in its full glory. Welcome guests to your home practically and beautifully with a picture wall or a custom made key rack featuring a porcelain enamel sign for decoration. Include a “Welcome home” phrase on the sign and even show off your sense of humour with a phrase such as “Welcome to the Chaos” and include the names of all household members (pets included) underneath. This sign can then be fitted to a plank of wood using screws and hooks that can be placed underneath so that all house members have a safe and sophisticated way to keep their keys close by.

CELEBRATE FAMILY MOMENTS TOGETHER

Metal wall decor can also be created to mark important milestones such as weddings, anniversaries or retirement. This sentimental wall art is renowned for drawing the attention of onlookers and enticing them into conversations about life and everything in between. If you are married, make your house a home for both you and your partner by creating a sign that combines both your names as a symbol of your shared love and commitment. “Mr & Mrs Jones” plus the date of the wedding is a sweet reminder of your special day and this sign could even be customised further with an icon of a ring. Or to make a loving statement, create a sign which lists your marriage vows to each other and place it in a corner of your home where you can both appreciate it. This will be a loving reminder for each other to commit to the promises made on your special day and it will also be a great family heirloom in years to come.

Metal wall art: outdoor dinner gathering of family of 5 people surrounded by trees and greenery.

WHY CHOOSE ENAMEL FOR YOUR HOUSE SIGNS?

Of course, when creating metal signage for your home and garden, there are many options to choose from such as brass plaques or silver metal wall art. However, you indeed get what you pay for when it comes to metal wall art and the cheaper the sign the less durable it is. Originally nearly all signage was made using vitreous enamelled steel however, similar signs were produced using aluminium or tin and then painted which meant shorter production times and cheaper prices for consumers. These signs overshadowed enamel signs and converted them into the artisan, bespoke products we are accustomed to today.

Metal wall art: close-up of black modern house number sign with contrasting white numbers.

LONG-LASTING QUALITY

While enamel tends to initially be more expensive, the return on investment is huge. These signs are designed to be extremely durable and long-lasting which makes them very desirable as they will not need to be replaced due to wear and tear. If cared for correctly, enamel signs can maintain their original state for decades, sometimes even for centuries which is why they have become such popular collector’s items. These hardy signs are not affected by UV rays meaning that their colours won’t fade in the sunlight and the luxurious, glossy surface of enamel will also not tarnish with harsh weather conditions. Changes in temperature along with extreme highs and lows do nothing to weather these signs as the production process of enamel signs ensures that they can endure dramatic alterations in the heat without any side effects. This makes enamel the ideal material for outdoor garden wall art.

Metal wall art: black front door with white number sign surrounded by lush greenery.

A SUSTAINABLE CHOICE

Enamel is also more eco friendly than other materials such as acrylic as the only natural, sustainable materials are used in the production process. No harsh chemicals are used and all the colour is created through ground glass particles mixed with naturally sourced minerals. Of course, as these signs are so long-lasting, only one sign of its kind will need to be made, reducing the energy needed for production.

A QUICK FIX FOR YOUR HOME DECOR

Overall, incorporating metal wall art into your interior design scheme is a quick and creative way to add character to your living space. A personalised design not only brings a sense of identity to the decor it also helps you remember and reminisce about big events in life such as weddings, anniversaries and the birth of a child. Using porcelain enamel for your creative wall art ensures that the design will remain as good as new for years to come with as little maintenance as possible - an essential factor for those with busy households. 

Don’t leave your walls bare and empty, demonstrate your flair for design and create a truly unique design that will add a touch of creativity to your living space. Get in touch with us today to discuss your custom design ideas.

Customize a Sign