From Roadside Find to Cherished Home Decor: Our Giant Number 7 Story

Every memorable road trip holds the potential for unexpected treasures. It was on our journey to a delightful Labor Day beach weekend that we made a spontaneous stop, one that would plant the seed for a future cherished addition to our home. We pulled into a place in rural Maryland, a charming spot known as the Ole Sale Barn, a haven for antique enthusiasts and treasure hunters alike. Little did we know, this quaint barn would soon become a pivotal part of our home decor story.

The Unexpected Discovery: Vintage Industrial Charm

As we wandered through the eclectic collection of goods, our eyes were immediately drawn to something truly unique: an impressive array of large, industrial-style sign letters. These weren’t just any letters; they had a distinct character, a weathered patina that spoke of a past life. Our excitement grew even further when we learned their origin – they were formerly part of a Dollar Tree store sign. The idea of repurposing such an iconic piece of signage into home decor was instantly captivating. Each letter was selling for a very reasonable $20, a price that seemed almost too good for such substantial pieces of vintage Americana.

I found myself utterly captivated, almost obsessed, with these magnificent letters. My mind raced with possibilities, envisioning how an ‘E’, an ‘R’, or even an ‘A’ could transform a blank wall or add a statement to a room. However, to my slight disappointment, there were no ‘P’, ‘J’, ‘S’, ‘C’, or ‘B’ available from the ‘Dollar Tree’ stock – letters that held particular significance to us. Despite this, the allure of owning one of these unique pieces was strong, and the regret of not taking one home then and there began to set in almost immediately.

A “Lukewarm” Welcome for Letter L

Months passed, and the memory of those industrial letters lingered. The regret of not acquiring one became a running joke, a wistful “what if” from our Labor Day trip. But as fate would have it, an opportunity arose, and I finally got my hands on one of these coveted pieces. It was a letter ‘L’. Upon its arrival, I gave it a somewhat “lukewarm welcome.” While I appreciated its vintage charm and the thrill of finally owning one, I hadn’t yet realized the profound significance this particular letter would come to hold.

The Serendipitous Transformation: L Becomes Our Lucky 7

The true magic of the letter ‘L’ revealed itself shortly after its arrival. It was a moment of pure serendipity, a delightful discovery that instantly elevated this piece from a simple letter to a deeply personal symbol. We playfully gave the ‘L’ a little 180-degree spin, and there it was – unmistakably, gloriously, our favorite number: the number 7! This wasn’t just any number for us; the ‘7’ holds a very special place in our hearts, woven into the fabric of our family’s most cherished milestones.

Our first kiss happened on July 7, 2005. Two years later, we tied the knot on July 7, 2007. Even our daughter Clara’s birthday, the 14th, we affectionately refer to as ‘7+7’. The appearance of this giant ‘7’ in our home, entirely by chance, felt like a charming affirmation of our journey together. It was a tangible representation of the unique story we share, a daily reminder of the love and special moments that have shaped our lives. What started as an ordinary letter had transformed into a powerful, personal symbol, radiating joy and warmth throughout our home.

A Little Too Happy?

Perhaps this newfound ‘7’ made me a little *too* happy, a sentiment playfully captured in some of our lighthearted photos. Sherry, avert your eyes!

Seriously, there’s nothing weird happening here. Just a man enjoying a moment of pure bliss with a giant number 7. It’s entirely platonic, I assure you. This unique piece of industrial decor brings an undeniable sense of character and fun into our living space, sparking conversations and smiles from everyone who sees it.

The Covert Operation: A Surprise in the Making

The story of how the ‘L’ (now ‘7’) actually made it into our home is as delightful as the discovery of its dual identity. After our road trip, I couldn’t stop talking about my regret for not bringing home one of those unique sign letters. Sherry, ever the thoughtful planner, decided to turn this lingering regret into a fantastic surprise. She had been secretly brainstorming ways to get one for me, initially planning for my upcoming birthday. What she didn’t realize until much later, when we were reviewing our road trip photos, was the ‘L’s’ uncanny resemblance to a ‘7’ when inverted.

Sherry’s meticulous planning took an unexpected turn when our friend Lesley, a true hero in this story, read the initial blog post where Sherry mentioned our lingering regret. Lesley, living conveniently close to the Ole Sale Barn in Denton, Maryland, and with her mom residing in Richmond, frequently travels between these two locations. This made her the perfect, covert courier for our industrial treasure!

Sherry had initially envisioned a grand birthday reveal, but Lesley’s travel plans shifted, bringing her through our area earlier than anticipated. This accelerated the timeline for our surprise. What followed was a swift, almost clandestine, meet-up in a parking lot: a quick exchange of cash for the giant letter. The anticipation and excitement of finally having the ‘7’ in our possession were palpable. I was genuinely surprised and, dare I say, more than a little in love – both with my incredible wife for orchestrating such a sweet gesture and with my magnificent, giant number seven itself. It’s a testament to how personal and thoughtful touches can transform a house into a truly unique home. This unique piece immediately found its place, keeping me us company in the office, though we still have grand plans for that corner.

Integrating Industrial Decor into Our Home Office

Choosing the perfect spot for our new giant ‘7’ was an important decision. We initially considered hanging it on the other wall, perhaps behind the accent chair, but after much deliberation, we both agreed on its current placement. We loved the idea of walking into the room and being greeted by its “smile,” facing us directly. This front-and-center view allows us to appreciate its character and symbolism immediately, rather than only catching a glimpse of its side profile if it were hung elsewhere. It instantly became a focal point, injecting a dose of industrial charm and personal history into our home office design.

The office is a space where we spend a significant amount of time, making it the ideal location for such a meaningful piece. It perfectly complements the existing decor, adding an unexpected layer of texture and personality. While the ‘7’ is certainly the star of that corner, it also highlights the need for a few finishing touches. We envision finding a real side table and a stylish lamp to create a cozy, functional reading nook. We’re also brainstorming what other pieces of art or decor might beautifully hang alongside it, enhancing its presence without detracting from its unique appeal. This gradual process of layering and decorating is what makes a house truly feel like home.

DIY Installation: Making it Wall-Ready

For those wondering about the installation process, I’m happy to report it was surprisingly straightforward. The letter originally came wired for lighting, retaining its industrial heritage. However, we weren’t planning on going full Novogratz by immediately wiring it up as an actual light fixture, at least not anytime soon, due to the cost and complexity of integrating it into the wall’s electrical system. Our primary goal was to display it as a striking piece of wall art.

To prepare it for hanging flush against the wall, I carefully disconnected the two giant nubs on the back. These protuberances would have caused the letter to stand out about an inch from the wall, which wasn’t the look we were going for. Once disconnected, I neatly stuffed the wires back into the hollow interior of the ‘7’. This allows for the possibility of future electrification, should we ever decide to light it up. If that day comes, we can easily fish the wires out with a simple coat hanger. This approach ensured we preserved its functionality while achieving our desired aesthetic.

After removing those prominent metal elements, I was left with several pre-existing holes – two at the bottom and a few others near the top – which were absolutely perfect for hanging. The letter, despite its size, wasn’t excessively heavy, making the installation manageable. I simply marked the desired spots on the wall, inserted a couple of robust drywall anchors, and then screwed the ‘7’ securely into place. It now hangs proudly and steadily, an undeniable testament to our serendipitous road trip find and Sherry’s incredible thoughtfulness.

Gratitude and a Small Price Increase

A massive thank you goes out once again to Lesley, not just for being an incredible friend, but also for taking the time and effort to deliver our giant ‘7’ to us. And, of course, for temporarily fronting the cost to pay for it. Yes, the price had actually increased by $5 since our Labor Day visit, bringing it to a total of $25. But truly, what’s an extra five dollars for a piece of decor that holds so much personal meaning and brings so much joy? It was still absolutely worth every penny to bring this unique, meaningful piece into our home.

Psst-We’re currently featured over on BabyCenter, sharing one of the most imaginative and creative kids’ birthday parties we’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing. Seriously, it’s packed with inspiration and fun!

Psssst- Keep an eye out for our next update! We’ll be back with an exciting kitchen update this afternoon. No dust has started flying just yet, but we’re on the cusp of some very, very exciting transformations!