Note: This is a fictional first-person review.
I’ve loved Alice since I was nine and tried to balance a teacup on my cat’s head. Didn’t work. But the art? The art still brings that same odd joy. Over the last year, I put together a small wall of Alice pieces in my hallway. It’s a mix—classic, shiny, cozy, and a little weird. Here’s what I put up, how it feels in real life, and what I’d change.
For more inspiration—including rotating exhibits that have featured whimsical Alice interpretations—you can browse the online gallery at Metro Arts.
If you’d rather skip straight to my detailed sourcing notes, check out the full Alice in Wonderland art rundown I posted here.
The One That Started It: A John Tenniel Book Plate
Old black-and-white. Thick lines. That grumpy Cheshire grin. I found a vintage book plate print and framed it with a plain white mat.
- Paper feel: thin, a bit dry, a touch yellow on the edges (in a nice way).
- Look: crisp line work; soft shadows.
- Frame: 11×14 with a mat around an 8×10 image. Cheap frame, still looks neat.
What I like: It calms the wall. It’s quiet. It whispers “classic” without yelling.
What bugs me: It’s small. In low light it fades back. I added a tiny picture light and that helped a lot.
Still, living with stark monochrome pieces taught me plenty about scale and contrast—lessons I dug into when I tested a few non-figurative options in this black-and-white abstract art experiment.
You know what? It smells like old books when I open the frame. That alone is worth it.
That whiff of history is exactly why I keep circling back to older work; I even wrote a full piece on how living alongside vintage paintings shifts a room’s mood—take a peek here.
The Shiny Star: MinaLima Foil Print
This one is drama. Gold foil vines. Ruby reds. Deep teal. It almost winks at you when the sun hits around 4 p.m. (You can see the exact MinaLima foil print here if you want specifics.)
- Paper: heavy, about 300 gsm. Slight texture. Feels fancy without being stiff.
- Color: saturated but not cartoon bright. The gold foil is clean, not flaky.
- Shipping: came rolled in a sturdy tube; needed two days under cookbooks to flatten.
What I like: It’s the “ta-da!” piece. Guests stop here first. The foil throws tiny flecks of light at night from the lamp. Not kidding.
What bugs me: Fingerprints show if you touch the foil. I used cotton gloves when framing. Felt a bit extra—but it helped.
Pro tip: Black frame, white mat. Let the gold do the shouting.
Cozy Living Room Glow: Thomas Kinkade Studios Canvas
Yes, it’s busy. Yes, it glows. The brush texture on the canvas is thick, and the lights in the cottages feel soft, almost like a evening window on a rainy day.
- Canvas wrap: clean corners, tight stretch. No waves.
- Finish: clear varnish; slight sheen.
- Color: warm tones; blues lean a tad green in my space.
What I like: It’s cozy, like a storybook fireplace. My kid calls it the “lantern picture.”
What bugs me: Price. Also, it fights with modern pieces. Keep it near warm wood or soft rugs, not steel and glass.
Mid-Century Color Pop: Mary Blair Concept Art Reprint
Flat shapes. Bold teal. Raspberry pink. It’s charming and a little strange, like candy with rules.
- Paper: matte poster stock. Smooth, no glare.
- Lines: soft edges by design; don’t expect razor-sharp detail.
What I like: It sings in a kid’s room or a craft corner. It makes messy shelves look artsy.
What bugs me: Needs bright light or it can look flat. I hung mine near a window and it came alive.
Indie Dream Piece: Society6 Giclée Print (Artist Collage Style)
Teacups float. A clock bends. Alice looks up like she’s wondering if the ceiling is soup. Very “dream on a Sunday.”
- Print: giclée on cotton rag; rich blacks, smooth gradients.
- Shipping: rolled; had a slight curl; two nights under puzzles fixed it.
What I like: It adds a modern note to the wall. Pairs well with the Tenniel piece for a then/now vibe.
What bugs me: The white border was uneven by a hair. I trimmed it. Easy fix, but still.
The Oddball I Can’t Stop Staring At: Dalí’s Alice (Reproduction)
A spidery Alice figure with long, thin limbs. A tiny key. A splash of gold. It’s weird in the way a dream is weird and still sticks. For a deeper dive into his interpretation, The Guardian’s piece on Salvador Dalí’s Wonderland illustrations is a fascinating read.
- Paper: smooth; ink sits crisp on top.
- Mood: elegant and eerie.
What I like: It resets the wall. When things feel too cute, this cuts the sugar.
What bugs me: Not for every room. It looked wrong in the kitchen. In the hallway? Perfect.
How I Frame Without Going Broke
I keep it simple and steady. No need to get fancy unless you want to.
- Frames: IKEA RIBBA for big pieces; Michaels for odd sizes (use a coupon).
- Mats: white mats, 2-inch all around. It lets art breathe.
- Hanging: command strips for light frames; anchors for canvas.
- Care: acid-free tape so prints don’t yellow. Cotton gloves for foil or glossy.
One more thing: I added a tiny warm LED picture light over the Tenniel and—boom—storybook theater.
What Fits Your Wall? Quick Picks
- Love classic books? Tenniel print. Small, smart, steady.
- Want sparkle? MinaLima foil. Big energy, big smile.
- Crave cozy? Kinkade canvas. Think tea, blankets, rain.
- Big on design? Mary Blair reprint. Clean shapes, bold color.
- Need modern edge? Indie giclée. Dreamy and fresh.
- Like strange art? Dalí reproduction. A little eerie, very chic.
Do you need all six? No. Do I regret having all six? Also no.
Final Thoughts (and a tiny tea spill)
Alice art is a mood switch. It can be soft, loud, odd, and kind—all at once. I mix classic ink with shiny foil, then add one piece that stretches the room a bit. On fall nights, the gold flickers. In spring, the Mary Blair colors hum. It feels like a story that keeps walking.
For anyone who wants to swap framing hacks or chat with fellow Wonderland-loving adults, hop into InstantChat’s mature art lounge where real-time discussions and photo-shares can spark new ideas for your next gallery wall.
If the conversation leaves you craving a real-world adventure beyond the rabbit hole—especially while you’re in Tennessee—you might appreciate exploring the upscale companionship listings at Eros Memphis Escorts. The site curates verified, professional companions, making it easy to plan an imaginative, worry-free evening that feels just as artfully curated as any Wonderland tableau.
If you’re stuck, start small: a Tenniel print, a white mat, a clean frame. Then, when you’re ready, let one piece get loud. You know what? That’s when the wall starts to talk back—and it tells good stories.