Creative studio backdrop ideas

[jenac]

I don't know if that title works or if this is in the correct place. I'm sorta new to the forum scene.

I have a standard black backdrop but have high hopes of improving my options soon. However, any modifications I make toward improvement have to be completely superficial, not disturbing the current walls or flooring because we are renting.

I'd like any suggestions on specific websites where I can get some affordable vintage/antique furniture pieces. I'm looking for the following: a couple of chairs, couch/love-seat, settee, iron bed frames, plush-rug. As well as wallpaper, trim and flooring.

I'm thinking the most affordable way for me to come up with some cool backgrounds is to build a couple of fake walls that I can attach wallpaper and trim to. I'm possibly looking at building a fake floor also and would like to find an affordable wood floor option such as a vinyl that has a faux wood finish. I'm pretty solid on the design, I just need some ideas on where to get all of the materials I'll need. I really want this to look as natural as possible and very high-end/elegant.

I've found several wallpaper designs I'm happy with and today I found a place that sells trim and crown-molding made of styrofoam on the economy that I'm super excited about. Also recently, I was thumbing through a magazine that had a few pages of fashion portrait shots where the backdrop was a wall that had wallpaper hung from it, only this wallpaper was a picture/painting of a wall that had contrasting wall coverings separated by a chair-rail complete with base-boards and crown-molding. So rather than the actual materials, it was a picture of a formal wall with base-boards and crown-molding, solid bottom, patterned top separated by a chair-rail; printed/painted on wallpaper - paper. So confusing to explain but so cool. I would love to find this somewhere, would save so much time and money -potentially. Have you heard or seen this?

Anyway any other ideas you have would be greatly appreciated!

[Shelby Lane]

I have had success with wallpaper on foam insulation board, with MDF baseboards glued on, but you will have varied success with that method depending on the insulation board. Some accept the glue better than others. Your styrofoam trim sounds perfect for that. You might try wall paneling as your faux wood flooring. It will give you a very steady base if your floor is carpeted, and it's very easy to move out of the way if you don't need it anymore. You don't have to build anything to use it, but it's more sturdy than just a roll of vinyl would be.

I'm not sure I've seen the wallpaper that you're looking for but it sounds interesting.

I have found the best iron pieces for good prices in Fredericksburg, so I don't have an online source for that. But for inexpensive and basic furniture (not antique, but some classic styles) you might try Home Decorators... not sure if they have anything you are looking for but I have a settee from them that has held up well and was relatively inexpensive.

[bluman95]

Are you military? I got in to trouble with the post office and the base in England for running a business out of govermemnt quarters. The military postal system will shut down your mailbox if they find you are using it for profit. Just thought I would give you a heads up if that is the case.

[CaptainTom]

When building sets for stage productions, we never pasted the wallpaper.
Just staple it up. It comes down a lot easier. You can also just staple the new paper over the old. Takes about a tenth the time.

[jenac]

Thanks for the heads up, no I am not military, but I will pass that info along to my military friends.

[Kym Kilcrease]

Wal-Mart has Canvas 9 x 12 in the paint Department! Get a Local Artist to Paint it for you. (They need the Practice) you could paint it solid Colors Yourself!

[Hazy]

Hi,

I went to Walmart fabric center & bought unbleached muslin, laid it out in my backyard & sprayed blue fabric dye over it, with all the creases - it made for a nice backdrop. I liked it so much, I went & did a purple one. Cost was around 35 dollars.

[trahanw]

Can purchase a paper roll any color you want for about 30.00 from the camera store.

[trahanw]

Sorry for re-post, but get white and gel a light on the background to change colors. Hope this helps.

[humminboid]

Jena:
Go to DIY PHOTO.NET. They have a how-to for a muslin backdrop, that is relatively inexpensive. Also some stands. A neutral color, a background light gelled to your wishes, and you are in business! When I worked in a college photo lab, we had some sort of a photo background that featured bookshelves, which looked very well in the finished prints.

[flatlander22]

CaptainTom! I NEVER thought to use staples! I have been using gaffers tape to hold stuff to the wall....It is always falling and I'm using all my tape. Thanks for the idea. (slaps forehead)