When spring rolls around we want to declutter our homes. Even more, the funny thing is, many of those same folks have a yard or garage sale and the de-junkers head out to go saleing and come home with more stuff! haha! It’s a vicious cycle, right? What if, instead, we make use of things we currently own to skip some of the in-and-out of clutter. I’m not saying skip garage sales, but maybe let’s have fun with what we have. Let’s take this antique brass frame and upcycle it into something new.
It’s made in Italy and is heavy. However, it is missing the original glass that may have been domed like these Boy Blue and Pinkie set I sold in my online store.
BREAK OUT THE BURLAP
While you could go many ways with this antique brass frame, I’m choosing to give it a rustic chic vibe that will give a nod to the history of the piece, while creating a mini vignette.
First, I break out my burlap and use the backing as a template to cut a piece large enough to wrap around.
Then, as soon as I have my shape, I notch the burlap in 1″ increments.
After that, I spray this adhesive on the edge so I can press the burlap into the back.
Clearly, Loula is enthralled with my work. tsk.
Next, for a bit of drama, I use tape to make stripes on the front of the backing. Then, I paint with basic acrylic paint.
ONE MORE FRAME
Meanwhile, that paint is curing, I take another thrifty find alone with art from my stash and begin to put together the second part.
Again, first I remove the backing, so I have just the frame to work with.
Last, but not least, I apply glue to the back of the smaller frame after I glue in the art so I can adhere it to the burlap.
LAYERED AND LOVELY
Finally, here is my ornate brass frame that was once empty, but now filled and telling a story all its own.
Yes, I could have painted it. Yes, I could have put in a basic print and called it quits. However, I felt this to be more fun and whimsical too.
With that in mind, I’d love to hear what you would have done with the frame. There are so many ways you can upcycle frames as I’ve shown in these past posts.
In the event that you’d like to make this a part of your home story, you can find this and more in my online store.
Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130
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Also, while you’re at it, check out these other projects like this antique brass frame upcycled:
You are so clever! You completely transformed this without changing the frame at all.🥰 I love that it has a fresh look while still keeping all of its vintage goodness!!! 🎉
Thank you for getting what I was after. It’s too beautiful not to let that patina “shine”. You get me, Rebecca. 😀
Interesting! I was just watching a show last night that was remodeling/saving a colonial cape house – this would fit right in with the decor. The designer kept saying they just made do with what they had back then to build with so they fashioned new things out of old. I thought about you and some other rehabers I follow. How fun, and I told my husband I need to go to the New England states and tour these old homes. Shalom Larissa!
That would be quite the awesome trip! 😀 I hope you get to do it someday.
Larissa this is so beautiful. It’s really hard to find these oval shaped frames nowadays. At least in my area. You did a wonderful job of elevating them.
Same and why I grab them up when I do. eep! Thanks so much, Mary. 😀
Larissa you have an amazing sense of creativity!! I love it.
Your words mean much. Thank you so much, Cheryl!