Easy and Inexpensive Art for the Home
I am going to paint my bedroom very soon. I’m ready for something different… I’ve already created Bi-Fold Doors for the Windows and I’m ready for new artwork, as well.
I am really in love with old photographs from the late 1800s and early 1900s. I decided I wanted to create artwork from a couple of these old photographs I have. I kept the frames from my old cabinet doors and used these as the base. I had the photos printed in a poster size, painted the edge of the frames, mounted the posters, and voila!! New artwork for my room!
Here is what I used:
- A DIY wood frame
- A poster or photo blown up to poster size
- Paint for the edges of the frame
- Mod Podge (<–affiliate link!)
- A sponge roller and frame
- Craft knife or razor blade
The frames I used were frames I built as doors for the kitchen before the remodel. I never got around to installing them and nailed a piece of 1/4″ plywood on the back side of the frame to cover the pocket holes. (If you are following the plans above to build a frame, skip the step to rout a rabbet for the glass, and nail a piece of 1/4″ plywood on the back side of the frame.)
I painted the edge of the frame and plywood. I started with grey but wasn’t feeling it so I repainted the edges with silver metallic paint.
Once the edges were dry, I poured Mod Podge on the face of the plywood, then coated the entire surface with the sponge roller. Pay special attention to the edges of the surface! A roller works well for this application because I could spread a lot of it on the surface very quickly since Mod Podge dries so fast!
I positioned the poster on the plywood surface, then smoothed out the air bubbles. An old credit card or gift card help smooth out the bubbles!
Once it was dry, I cut the excess poster away with a razor knife. I put a soda can tab hanger on the back and now my art piece is ready for hanging!
See? Easy, right? I decided to mount another poster on a wood frame for a second piece of artwork. I love these photos! Have questions or a request? Contact me at cher {at} designsbystudioc {dot} com!
Originally posted 2013-12-10 08:00:57.
7 Comments
Sounds so easy to do.. and I hope it is when I actually do it. Great post Cher 🙂
It really is easy, Vinma! I promise!
Dang! I wish I’d known about this 20 years ago!
LOL, Tammy!
Hey Cher, is it correct in saying that you applied your picture on the back of the frame? The very top pic shows a wooden border but the finished product is flat? This looks so cool! I have never done modge podge, but that’s gonna change!
Hi, Rae! I added a piece of 1/4″ plywood to the frame, then applied the poster to that surface. I just bought a gallon of Mod Podge – you will love it!!
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