Nail head spotting

In the most random of places...

I was watching the documentary The Art of the Steal (definitely recommend) when I spotted these doors to the Montgomery County, PA courthouse at the tail end of the movie.

It got me thinking how something as simple as nail heads can turn even the most mundane item into something special. Without them, these would just be some boring, old courthouse doors. But with them, they're virtually a piece of art.

So with that, I'd thought I'd share some of my favorite inspirational images featuring nail heads, sometimes popping up in the most unexpected locations.

Of course we know they can do wonders for highlighting the silhouette of a piece like Janel did here with her chair.

via

But they can also create a whole new visual focal point.

via

Add just a tad of extra pizazz to something simple like a lamp shade (I might even use silver thumbtacks for this!)

via

Or push something already spectacular completely over the edge. This image is so insane, I want to print it out and show it to everyone I ever come into contact with. I'm assuming the table is upholstered in that toile fabric?

via

As much as I love what nail heads can do for furniture, I think I love what they can do for the architecture of a room even more. Like those courthouse doors above, these green leather upholstered doors from Miles Redd are taken to a whole new level with the addition of nail head trim. As if the words "green leather upholstered doors" weren't fabulous enough...

via

But nail head trim on walls has to be my favorite. Low cost and low commitment (ok...so there's a zillion little holes to fill after. Just skim coat the whole thing and call it a day!) Really the sky is the limit to the design and pattern you can create. The nail head trim on this headboard (a pretty standard location for nail head) is taken to a decidedly nonstandard level by framing out the wall behind it in more nail heads. I LOVE how it frames the bed and the artwork on the wall.

via

But my favorite of all are the walls is this sweet nursery by Coddington Design. I am loving the rainfall effect created here by grouping some larger diameter upholstery tacks near the ceiling. You could do all kinds of cute designs in a kid's rooms. How about a starry night time sky on the ceiling? Perhaps make your appointment for the chiropractor before you take that project on! But seriously...adorable right?

Do you have anything adorned with nail heads in your home? After looking around our house, I'm realizing there is a very sad lack of these little beauties up in here. Must remedy ASAP.

{UPDATE: Another cool project using nail heads.}