Do you have a piece of fabric, wallpaper, etc. that is too small to use for a large project, but too special to throw away [or do you just like this idea]?? Here's a great project!!
I made this little photo gallery area and I'm super excited about it. Not because they are a ground-breaking design [but they are awesome... I can change photos in and out with only a tack... how easy is that?!], but because they are special. [This could be a very long story, but I’ll [try to] give you the quick version... I know too late already!]
I grew up in an old farm house [it’s around 120 years old now], and a few years ago I found a section of left-over wallpaper from the master bathroom. I have no idea how old the wallpaper is, but I do know that it was already there when my parents moved into the home in the early 1960’s. As a child I always loved their master bathroom because it felt very French and glamorous to me [fancy wallpaper, beautiful scalloped tiles, glass door knobs, etc.]. So anyway, the section of wallpaper wasn’t very large, but it was in perfect condition and I couldn’t bare to throw it away. Well, you know me [after all, I am the Salvage Savvy gal], I took it home thinking that someday I’d find just the right place for it [in the meantime I stored it in my super messy office]. Well, now I get to use it in my new [still super, but not messy] office!
Here's what you need:
Frames (glass & backing removed)
Homasote board (can be purchased in 2ft x 4ft sections at home improvement stores)
Spray Paint (I used white primer & gloss white paint)
Latex Paint (I used a titanium color)
Tintable Glaze
Here’s what I did:
I found inexpensive frames from the Goodwill [I spent $8 altogether]. It took several trips to different Goodwill stores, I didn’t “luck-out” and find them all right away. Patience is a virtue [and impatience inevitably costs more, so take your time if possible!]
Then I removed the backing and got rid of all of the [super snazzy] pictures inside.
Next, I primed them [using a primer spray paint], and then spray painted them in a glossy white finish. They were instantly better [they had been sitting around the house for weeks, and when I brought them in nicely painted my super hero hubby suddenly noticed them and said, “Where did you buy those?” In his “How much $ were those??” Voice]. Paint is just amazing!
I could have been done, but [since I’m a glaze addict] I decided that I wanted to give them a little depth. I mixed titanium paint with tintable glaze (1 part paint to 2 parts glaze) and used a cloth to wipe it on [making sure to get into the recessed areas]… and then used another cloth to wipe it off [making sure not to wipe it out of the recessed areas].
Next, I measured-out each frame size onto the homasote board and my super hero hubby used a skill-saw to cut them out [according to him, it’s an easy cut… but it is messy so be prepared.].
Then, I took the homasote boards and arranged them on the wall paper to make sure I cut each one in an “interesting” spot [this wallpaper is so beautiful, I don’t know how I could’ve messed that up, though.]. Next I just cut the wallpaper with plain-old scissors.
The last step was to lay the wallpaper in the frames, then lay the homasote board behind them and replace the backing on each frame. That’s it!
There was one frame where the homasote was too thick, so I just secured the back with packing tape [I know, high tech right?!] and added a new wall hanger right into the homasote board… super easy.
Now I can easily change my photos… whenever I want! Super easy and high-style! And the best part is that I now have a bit of my parent’s “glamorous” bathroom in my office to enjoy!
linked up @
http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/
Here is my newly styled Entry Table... pretty cute, huh? [if I do say so myself]. Want to know what makes it extra cute? Thriftiness. I found all of these accessories [not the sunburst mirror, I already had it] for about $30. I found the glass vases @ Goodwill for just a couple dollars each. There are always a ton of glass vases at any thrift store. I just sifted through them until I found three that worked for my plan [I was thinking scale: large / function: candle holders / form: simple]. I had planned on using Looking Glass Mirror Like Spray Paint [by Krylon] to make them look like Mercury Glass; however, once I put the white candles in, I liked the simple & clean look of plain glass. So, [for now] I'm keeping them as-is.
I wanted to mix [muted] silver & gold accessories in order to "play off" the sunburst mirror. So when I found this bird I instantly fell in love with him [Yes, it is a boy. And his name is Oliver. Don't ask me why- I'm only telling you what my daughter has informed me.]. Right next to him was the pewterish/goldish pot [which is signed and numbered by the artist...]. I snatched it up as if it were the last candy bar in the kids' halloween bucket [did I just admit that?!]!! The white planter was on clearance at Target, and then I got creative and transplanted a fern from my yard to keep costs as low as possible.
Now for the truly amazing find. A fellow thrifter found this 3ft x 4ft mirror @ Goodwill for $19.99 [thanks Wendy!!]. She's a rock star. Now I have an entry that says "Welcome [to my unique and thrifty home]." What does your entry say??
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