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Picture Frame Ideas ~ Super Easy DIY

January 30, 2015

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Decorating With Picture Frames

Sometimes you just have to think outside of the decorating box and I have the perfect example today.

I was looking for wall decor to fill a blank spot in my master bedroom for a long time. I just couldn't find the right thing for the space and it was making me crazy.

You see, the room had been furnished and decorated long time ago. The new needy space was created when we ditched the TV we used to have in the room.

At first I was excited about the idea of shopping for something new, but in very short order it became apparent that the space would not be easy to fill. The room already boasts three mirrors, three lamps, a beautiful piece of artwork and a wooden architectural feature.

To add any more of those items would be overkill. So I was looking for...I don't know what...inspiration to hit when I was in the store, I guess.

Well, a few weeks ago, I was in Marshall's and I found these two matching picture frames for $6.00 each. They were perfect. The wood pattern matched the wood circle I had over my bed. Kismet!

Except they were broken, which was fine, I wasn't going to use them as stand up frames,
I was going to mount them on the wall, so they were perfect after all.

White Lattice Style Picture Frames

I removed the damaged stands with a small screwdriver and my husband hung them on the wall....and there they sat for a few more weeks, empty frames, waiting for more inspiration to hit.

I already had pictures of the family on the dresser and while I adore my kids, adding faces to the wall would just be too much, but pictures go in a picture frame, so what to do?

Picture Frame DIY

Then I had a brainstorm. I wanted to add some color to the room, so I photographed the pink tulips in my kitchen and popped a picture of a bloom in each frame. It wasn't right from the get go.

Cottage Style Green and White Master Bedroom

The minute I put that color on the wall, I knew that whatever filled the frame, needed to be white. It was a feeling in my gut and I could suddenly see exactly what I needed.

Cottage Style Green Master Bedroom

I was initially thinking fabric, but on a trip to the craft store, I found the prettiest white, floral scrapbook paper for $1.99 (plus 40% off with my coupon). I cut out two 4x4 squares to fit the frame space and I was done.

It's perfect, but like I said, I had a lot of other picture frame ideas. I could've used fabric in the frame, needlework of some sort, I bought stamps thinking I might add our initials, mine in one, his in another, the possibilities are endless if you just think a little out of the box.

Framed Scrapbook Paper

I am just thrilled with the way it turned out and it only cost me $14.00 to fill the space with something that I absolutely love to see in my room!

Now this was not a great transformation and putting something other than a photo in a frame is not a new idea by any means.

I shared because there are still a lot of people who think that DIY is beyond their ability and I want to show that it is not. I don't own any power tools or chalk paint. Refinishing furniture, other than slapping on a few haphazard coats of paint, is not something I have ever done.

I have never transformed a palette or rewired a lamp, but I can create some pretty amazing things with the limited skills I have...and so can you. It just takes a little imagination and a lot of glue sticks.

So the next time you pass by something that catches your eye, but it's broken or won't fit your needs exactly, stop and think about what you could do to it to make it perfect for you.

Benjamin Moore Sherwood Green Paint In The Bedroom

I guarantee it will save you a ton of dough and you will end up with something custom made for your home and a feeling of accomplishment and pride every time you peek at it, which is what decorating your home should be all about.

Unless you want to stay in the box.

Do you?




Before And After White Cottage Style Kitchen


How To Decorate With Pillows
Kim Signature


Post a Comment | 46 Comments

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  1. A little imagination and a lot of glue. Love it! Thanks for the encouragement to do DIY when I don't have any of the "required" equipment.

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  2. The box?? Who wants to live in a box! (Except for your tv. hehehehe!) I like your picture frames with white embossed paper. No one said you have to put pictures in there!

    I am still in awe that you don't own any power tools or chalk paint! And yet look at all you do! Great work, Kim!

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  3. You are right, the white is absolutely perfect. And while you could have probably used a white paper with a small green design on it or something, I think the textured paper is exactly right. I love the shabby finish on the frame, the distressed edges peaking out from behind the white paint. Great job. And for those of us who lack vision it is nice to see that trying something and finding it is not right is not too traumatic and that with patience the right answer will come to you.

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  4. Thank you, Lorri. I really wanted to show that not every project I do is perfect off the bat, there is often a lot of trial and error that goes into getting it just right. :)

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  5. Thank you, Nancy! Nope, no power tools here...well, lots actually, but none that I know how (or would want to know how) to use. I leave that the hubby. I enjoy the fun and easy stuff!! :)

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  6. Thank you, Hope! I am so glad you found some encouragement today ~ it's exactly what I was hoping to accomplish with this piece! You just made my day! :) I hope you have an awesome weekend!

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  7. The frames are lovely and the paper is perfect! You have encouraged me with this post!

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  8. Perfect solution & they look so pretty, too!

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  9. Love the colors in your room. Can you share where you bought your pretty quilt that is on your bed? I love it!

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  10. Love this idea w/ the white on white!

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  11. Perfect . . .
    I am a white on white gal anyway . . .
    and then a white embossed look, . . . very nice!

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  12. Very pretty...thanks for sharing that idea!!

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  13. WOW. Now that is one big difference! Even the changing out of the type of flowers in your vase also softened the space! I really like the embossed paper you found for the frames; sometimes subtle works best in service of the space and the surrounding features, and you did it! It's so fun to find just the right thing for little to NO money at all! GREAT JOB, KIM! Anita

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  14. Your room is so pretty! I love the fresh whites and the soft green.

    The picture frames are perfect. Doesn't scrapbook paper just rock?! They have so many beautiful patterns that the possibilities are endless.

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  15. Hi Lauren, thanks! The quilt is Laura Ashley's Rowland in sage. I found mine at Marshall's a while ago, but when I Googled it, it came right up everywhere from Amazon to eBay and Overstock. Good luck!

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  16. Thanks Gina, I love an easy fix! :)

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  17. I am so glad, Lottie! I hope you have an inspired weekend! :)

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  18. Thanks Sally, it's very simple...just my style!

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  19. Thanks Lynne! I just flipped for that paper! :)

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  20. Thank you, Elizabeth...and thanks for taking the time to comment! Have a great day! :)

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  21. Hi Anita! Yes, the flowers do make all the difference! There's nothing like fresh and none more elegant than white! Even they were a bargain at $3.99 a bunch, I couldn't resist! :)

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  22. I could get lost in that aisle, Stacey! I'm not a scrapbooker, but I sure do like that paper! ;)

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  23. So pretty!! I love it! Keep thinking outside of that box, girl! ;) haha

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  24. Thanks Rachel! You're always so sweet! :)

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  25. I love, love, love these, Kim. White on white embossing gets my heart every time. You were so right about the frames needing something white for that wall. Great eye! All the way around. Thinking outside the box is something I've always done, much to the chagrin of those around me and sometimes to my frustration. It can be so hard to help them "get it". Oh well, that's why I appreciate having my own creative space. I can do whatever I want in here and nobody has to like it except me. Hah! Hugs, Nancy

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  26. Awesome! A great idea.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Carla

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  27. Thank you, Nancy! Well, it looks like you are going to have 667 square feet to get crazy creative with, very soon and since it will be all yours no one will have to "get it" except you and your equally creative hubby!! :) xo

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  28. I remember the post about the piece over your bed / these are such a nice match and just perfect.

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  29. Kim ~ I love your bedroom, it's so calming. The green and white are perfect! I am glad you shared this because I never think about using frames in a different way. So many possibilities. Your frames looks so pretty now!

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  30. Thank you, Jan! I didn't plan on using them in a creative way until I got home and saw them in the space. You just never know, I guess!

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  31. I love it when things work out that way, Deb! If I had planned to find them, it never would've happened! I guess it's one of those coincidences! ;)

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  32. What a find! Looks great there!

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  33. Thanks Vel! I love a bargain! ;)

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  34. Isn't it such a bonus when you are the artist of such beautiful art? And like a true artiste, you stared at your blank canvas for a while, until your 'Eureka!' moment hit. And suddenly, it all made sense. It looks fabulous, and complements your existing decor and colours perfectly!

    Poppy

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  35. Thank you, Poppy! Yes, sometimes it takes a lot of staring to find the inspiration!! ;)

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  36. First of all I'm totally in love with your stove hood. Amazing...I'll be going back to visit some of your older posts, but secondly, I just read about the underwear incident at K-Mart. OK, that's one of THE funniest things I've heard. glad you can laugh about it now!!

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  37. ps, and I see that I was laughing so hard, I left the comment on the wrong post. duh.

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  38. Hi Debra! I'm glad you like my hood...my hubby made it for me! I'm glad you had a good laugh, too! I shared because I figured that some good should come out of my horror - haha! ;) Thanks for the comment!

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  39. Best compliment ever, Debra!! :)

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  40. I love the texture in the white paper you found. Changing out the pink tulip prints really made a difference. The frames are beautiful and got them at such a great deal.

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  41. Thanks Brandi! I absolutely love a bargain. :)

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  42. First, I have to say I didn't read this post. I was just looking at the room. :-) Your green and white and natural wood bedroom is beautiful. Now I'm a little torn. I found a pale aqua bedroom in a model home near us that I love because it feels so light and airy, but this fresh cool look is so appealing too - especially in our hot climate. Hmmm. Food for thought. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for peeking! Sometimes, it’s not about the words…I’m glad you found some inspiration in the picture. Picking a color you’re going to live with for a while is a big decision. Good luck! :)

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