Tutorial: Quatrefoil DIY Decorative Wall Art

Finding custom decor items can get VERY pricey, and since most of us don’t have a lot of extra cash these days, DIY decorating is getting more and more popular. Making custom decor pieces yourself can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run, and the great thing about All Things Thrifty, is that I TEACH YOU how to do it! 🙂

I decided to update my master bedroom wall art to a quatrefoil design, and I wanted to make them big (as usual around here) go BIG or go HOME, huh! The wall is very large that the art was designed for, so a small art piece would drown in the space. I was lucky to recruit the Hubsters to help me again on this project. He. is. the. best.
quatrefoil wall art

 

Items you need for this project:
1 piece of 3/4″ MDF (comes in approx. 4 feet X 8 feet sheets) I got mine at Lowes. The Lowes associates will also cut them for you which will save you time, and their mega-cutting machine cuts a perfect line, so I recommend having them do it for you. I had them cut the MDF into three pieces that were 24 inches wide. The last piece was left over for another project and it is slightly larger than the other three. FYI: One sheet of MDF costs around $26.00.
An overhead projector (I used the old school kind).
A transparency
A pencil
A Corded Jigsaw
Paint of your choice
2 yards Fabric of your choice
Stapler and Staples
D-ring hooks to hang them

Here is your pattern.

Step 1: Trace your pattern onto the sheet of MDF. You will only need to trace it once with the projector.

Step 2: Make sure that the design has an equal amount of MDF framing the clover designs. We had to trim a little off of one side of each board.

Step 3: Set up your MDF sheet onto saw horses to provide a steady work area. Be prepared to make a HUGE mess, so cut out the MDF design in a location that can look like this in a hurry with no worries.

Step 4: With smooth even pressure, cut out the MDF with a corded jigsaw. Do not use battery powered jigsaws for this project. We learned this the hard way. You will burn through batteries like it’s going out of style.

Be prepared to cut for several hours. Yes, he loves me that much. He is Mr. All Things Thrifty, after all. As you can see, he drilled holes throughout the board. It is challenging to cut curved lines with a jigsaw, so the holes allow him to cut small triangles at a time.

Doesn’t it already look AWESOME!?!?
Step 5: After you have the first panel cut out, lay it on top of the next two panels and trace the pattern on with a pencil. This will ensure that all three panels will be identical.

Step 6: Cut out the other two panels.

Step 7: Paint the panels with primer and paint. I used Krylon (surprise, surprise…my favorite paint brand) Black Satin spray paint for the project. I primed them with Rustoleum automotive primer since they sell it in black. Do not skip the priming step. You will be sorry if you do. MDF sucks paint in like crazy. In face, I used 220 grit sand paper to sand between coats to help achieve an even coverage.

After the panels were painted, I was tempted to leave them as they were. I think they are great. BUT, I wanted a little more pizzazz.

This is what they looked like on the gray wall in my master bedroom.

Step 8: Upholster the back of the MDF with your choice of fabric. We used a staple gun for this process. Be sure to pull the fabric tight and staple it into place. MAKE SURE that your fabric design is repeated perfectly. It would drive me crazy otherwise!

As you can see, we put the yellow fabric in the middle of the quatrefoil design, and the corners were upholstered in white. I bought the yellow fabric at Home Fabrics and Rugs in Las Vegas Nevada over a year ago. I am so sorry, but I don’t know the name. It was $5.99 a yard.

I think they are SAWEEEEEEEET! I love them.

The greatest part is that this project was VERY inexpensive. Total cost: approx. $50.00. 

In case you are new around here, let me remind you what my Master Bedroom looks like.

I was thrilled when my headboard was featured on HGTV.com. 

I hope you enjoyed my new project!

Published on August 5, 2011

32 thoughts on “Tutorial: Quatrefoil DIY Decorative Wall Art”

  5. Great job! I love your bedroom. Most of the wall space in our little master is covered with furniture and doors, so really only one space (above the bed) for artwork of any size. What fun to create something with such big impact for so little $ 🙂

    Reply

  9. This look SO amazing!!! I am in love with any and all things quatrefoil, so I'm swooning hard over here! I really want to make one but don't have a projector. Any suggestions?

    Reply

  10. I saw you on Good Things Utah this morning. Loved it! Your projects are amazing and you are so inspiring! My husband even sat down and watched! Great job and keep up the good work!

    Reply

  14. ok that is HAWT!!!! love love love it!!!! i was just showing the 10 year old your website so he can see where i have been getting all my project "ideas" from and he thinks you are amazing too!!!
    Thanks for the inspiration…p.s. my multi color dining table set is almost complete…cant wait to show you!!!

    Reply

  25. Hi Brooke. I absolutely love this. I think what is the best is that this project can be adapted in different ways. I'm already thinking of how I can put a mirror behind it or something for the living room.

    You and the jigsaw man did a great job 🙂

    Reply

  28. Sooo awesome!

    Do you think if I went with a thinner particle board it be to flimsy? I have never tried cutting wood before. I found 1/8 particle board. And I have no clue what the out come would be if using a thinner board.. I was trying to cut the project to $25 bucks… but if it’s better to use the 3/4 i would change my budget.. i want it to last for a long time… is it better to use MDF or particle board… i was looking for MDF at lowes and it’s not on their site for my local store.. or at Home depot…

    Reply

  29. ooo i found the MDF under paneling… lol I was looking under plywood and osb section…had to go to Moulding & Wall Panels on Lowe’s… but still wouldn’t mind to get your opinion on using a thinner board to save money….

    Reply

    1. Charlene, I like the thicker board because I want to see the dimension of the board. I have had readers use thinner boards though. I just depends what look you want! Good luck on your project! xoxo, Brooke

      Reply

  30. Yes it is! It’s very easy and cheap project. Because everyone have an overhead projector and a corded jigsaw in his (her) home!

    Reply

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