The Rules

Posted by Rory, Contributing Editor

I was recently in the poolroom at the Brooklyn Social Club and kinda fell in love with an old stencil-on-corrugated-cardboard sign they have posted on the wall.

For the next few days, I found myself mentally chanting it, counting off my steps with its syllables, generally letting it get all up in my grille.

And then it dawned on me: The same rules that prevent barroom brawls apply to happy marriages. Then it further dawned on me: This sign could be just what the big blank space over my and Jamie's bed called for.

Then the arts-and-crafts trials-and-errors began: I bought a 36-by-24 rimless clip poster frame at Target (not online, but it cost $14.99). I went to the hardware store to buy Duro Decal 2-inch stencil letters, silver craft paint, and a piece of corrugated cardboard. It was a molten silver disaster! I didn't have the right paint or brush for the stencils, so the message looked all bleedy and indecipherable.

But in the process, I realized I liked the look of the stencils themselves (and especially liked the ones that I had covered with silver in the first try) against a solid background color. So back to the hardware store, where I bought three more stencil kits (to have enough duplicate letters for the full message) and some poppy-red paint to cover that thick brown paper you buy in rolls to protect floors. This time, the process worked pretty well.

 

I hung it up ... I don't know if I am in love with it, per se, but it is an easy and inexpensive temporary fix for our blank wall. It does make me smile every time I look at it. And, of course, my marriage will only benefit. You will also notice in the picture that the water bottles we keep at our bedside are plastic -- so there will be none of that smashing of a glass beer bottle and fashioning it into a shiv and really fighting dirty.

Comments

[MxPxFx]

so awesome!

[La Vie Arty]

I read the first sign as saying "No shooting" instead of shouting. Imagine my confusion when you started talking about your marriage!

[heather]

I love this - very ironic urban. I agree with the suggestion of trying it on plywood, though. This would also be great in a kids' or teens' playroom.

[Jessica]

I dig it.

[carrie m]

i love that bar, and i think that sign is a hoot. i also really dig your headboard/bookcase -- we desperately need one.

[sami k]

cute. i think it's healthy to have something there to dissuade you from being disorderly :p

i'm also jealous of your exposed-brick walls.

[lsaspacey]

I like the idea, but not really the paint on paper effect as it warps the paper. How about switching to colored poster board or paint on plywood if you want some texture?

[FAIRFAX]

Our favourite bar has a sign saying no loud or vulgar language will be tolerated.

[soju]

I think it's great. A fun & sassy statement, especially pertinent for the bedroom.

[Kate]

I like it. And I love the brick walls in your bedroom!

[tubu]

I really don't like this.

[Cirilia]

Frickin' hysterical! The finished look is pretty great, as well.

Great blog. I am currently doing academic work on consumer culture and the DIY movement and your magazine fits in very nicely. Keep up the excellent work =)