Hello, my name is Sandy and I’m an antique picture frame-aholic. You know how some women sneak their shopping bags into the house so their husbands don’t know how much they bought? I sneak in antique frames so I don’t have to answer the question “What are you planning to do with another frame?” I have tons of vintage frames stashed in the basement and attic just waiting for inspiration to strike. When I see an old wooden frame covered in intricate carved detail (and usually dust) I just have to rescue it and bring it home with me. It’s a slight addiction of mine. And judging by the number of old frames I’ve found stashed away in my Grandma K’s attic, I’d say the addiction is genetic. Obviously I can’t help it!
One of my favorite pictures from my Grandma K. She enjoyed buying antiques at auctions. She said she paid “a quarter for the print and a lot more for the frame!”
If your grandma doesn’t have an attic full of gorgeous frames for you to raid, try finding frames secondhand! Check out thrift stores and yard sales. Don’t pay any attention to the color of the frame or the print inside. Spray paint is an easy fix for the frame, and I usually remove the print. The frame doesn’t even have to be really old. Simply look for large frames with detailed designs on the wood. I’ve found a lot of frames from the 80’s and early 90’s that are the perfect style for these projects.
My favorite frame that I found in my Grandma K’s attic. The carved detail is gorgeous!
Vintage frames are great for more than just displaying a painting or print. I’ve used a staple gun to attach screen to the back of a frame and then I hung my earrings on the screen. I’ve also inserted cork board that I spray painted into a vintage frame to make a pretty bulletin board.
And I’ve painted a piece of wood with chalkboard paint to create a fancy framed chalkboard.
I’ll write more detailed posts soon with step by step instructions for the projects shown above. I wanted to give you a little inspiration so you can start looking now for the perfect frame!
What about you, friend? Have you ever made something using a vintage frame? Do you like to collect a certain item? I’d love to hear about it! Chat with me on social media using the gray icons below. And be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get blog updates!
Have a beautiful day!
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