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Have you been searching for that perfect, inexpensive piece of art to fill a blank wall? Maps are a creative and inexpensive solution to the bare wall syndrome most of us face. Maps also allow you to add a personal touch to your home as well. Why not hang a map of your favorite city or country or a map that represents some part of your heritage?

A vintage framed map of the United States is the focal point in designer Jeffrey Bilhuber's dining room. The map belonged to Bilhuber's great-aunt and has become a meaningful family heirloom.

L.A. designer, Peter Dunham filled the "big dead space" above the headboard in this guest room with a 1960's map of Africa he found at the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

A collage of maps can create an eclectic wallpaper in a bathroom (as seen at top) or a bedroom. In the bedroom above, designer Kerry Joyce used maps from the California Map and Travel Center.

If you are extra ambitions you can give your old furniture a face lift by decoupaging them with maps.

I found this Paris Map wrapping paper made by Cavallini at The Paper Source last summer for $4. Being that Paris is one of my favorite cities, I had the map framed and hung it in my little girls' room. On occasion my girls climb up on their dresser to get a closer look and together we discuss all the sights this chic city has to offer. I cannot wait for the day the three of us can travel there together!

There are so many great sources for maps both new and old. Travel centers and museums are a worth a look as is Ebay. Cavallini has a great assortment of excellently priced reproduction vintage maps that can be found on Amazon. If you are looking to cover an entire wall with a map, Hammacher Schlemmer and National Geographic are good places to look.

{images: 1 - via Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People; 2 & 4 via Elle Decor 3- via House Beautiful; 5- via Better Homes and Gardens; 6 - via Paper Source: 7- author's own}