How to age a picture frame with your own hands. How to Reuse Old Picture Frames

Offers ideas for those who are constantly looking for original projects to creatively recycle things lying around into something new. Today these are old frames for paintings and photographs. The unconventional use of such frames is amazing! These are organizers, hangers, key holders, flowerpots, panels, chessboards and even furniture.

But, before you start implementing your idea, you need to transform the old picture frames. Think about your future idea, choose a color and style, select tools and materials, and decide on a technique. If the frame is wooden, then be sure to remove any remaining paint, burrs, or unevenness. Plastic frames just need to be washed and degreased. Sometimes it is enough to paint the frame with acrylic paint, but more often it turns into an interesting creative process: aging the surface, decoupage, mosaic, painting, applique, inlay and more.

trucsetbricolages

To decorate book shelves, glue finished frames to the shelf. Such decor will look very impressive on furniture if you glue them around the entire perimeter.

changeofsceneries.blogspot

Choose beautiful handkerchiefs, scraps of fabric or embroidered (knitted) motifs and decorate them with frames and glass. Depending on the selected images, such a composition will be appropriate in both the living room and the kitchen.

dwellingsanddecor.tumblr

An original shelf for cups, spices, tea or coffee. You can also place collectible cups or other items in this style.

kitchenisms

The tray is beautiful, simple and accessible even to a person who has never been involved in creativity and handicrafts. Don't forget to place a picture on the topic under the glass. It can be changed depending on the holiday.

nanaluluslinensandhandkerchiefs

The coffee table top is an old picture frame. For the legs, buy wooden balusters for stairs (sold in hardware stores). Under glass - all your imagination.

joann

Old picture frames are also popular as wall decor. They can be used either one color or multi-colored.

makelyhome

This composition with paper flowers also looks great as wall decor. But here you need to think about where such decor is appropriate. Or it will be a narrow hallway, a cottage, or a holiday decoration.

indulgy

In this example, the frame is used as a towel rack in the bathroom.

robolady.blogspot

Miniature key holder. The frame is aged. There are hooks at the top for placing keys. A very convenient thing.

hometalk

Classic - a TV in a good frame. Everything here should correspond to the chosen style.

buzzfeed

A desktop organizer consisting of a frame and strips of thick fabric. Here you can place pens and pencils, note paper and photographs, greetings to your loved one and wishes to the children.

wishfultinker.blogspot

Decorate the panels using old picture frames. Glue wallpaper, newspapers, or make drawings inside the frame using a stencil.

thehouseofsmiths

Set up a chessboard. Hang it on the wall. This will be a favorite place not only for children, but also for adults.

toysgadgets

ourfinehouse

Another organizer. Cover the cardboard with fabric and sew on pockets from old denim trousers. And you will get several pockets for pencils, scissors, knitting needles, hooks, rulers and other necessary handicraft tools. And also make a cosmetics organizer.

decozilla

Create a cozy place for your shoes. This design is easy to move to any place. And most importantly, it does not take up much space.

Watch, learn, fantasize and create your own masterpieces and give new life to old things. Good luck everyone!

Sometimes the interior style requires the use of certain items in it. For example, Provence, vintage, and shabby chic styles involve decorating the interior with various “antique” items. This can be aged furniture: tables, chairs, chests of drawers. Or decorative items: candlesticks, wall clocks, mirror frames, etc. And you don’t have to buy these things; you can transform those that are already in your home. Let's look at how to do this using the example of aging.

How to age a picture and photo frame

What you need to age a wooden frame:

- a simple wooden frame;
- brown acrylic paint used as a base;
- white acrylic paint;
- acrylic craquelure varnish;
- brush.

Step 1. We paint the frame with base paint.

The base paint is needed to clearly highlight the cracks, so you need to choose contrasting colors of the base paint and the paint that will crack. In our case, brown color was chosen as the base, that is, it is the color that “looks out” at the crack site.

We place the frame on a newspaper or any other surface that you don’t mind getting dirty with paint.

Paint the frame with brown acrylic paint in one layer.

In our case, just one layer is enough - the paint lays down in a completely dense layer. Even if there are “bald spots” somewhere, this is not a big deal, since crater varnish and white paint will still be applied on top, which will cover any defects in the main dark coating.
Let the paint dry for 1-2 hours (acrylic paint dries very quickly).

Step 2. We paint the frame with crater varnish.

Crater varnish is a coating that causes cracks. But it is not the paint itself that cracks, but the paint that is applied to it.

It looks like a completely ordinary varnish.

Apply varnish to the frame. What the varnish layer will be is up to you to decide. The most important thing is that no matter what it is, there will still be cracks. That is, even a beginner can’t make a mistake. If the layer is made thin, then the cracks will be small, if thicker, they will be pronounced.

Paint the frame and leave the varnish to dry for 2 hours (no less).

Step 3. Apply a layer of white acrylic paint.

Paint the frame white, quickly brushing it over the surface.

Cracks appear instantly.

It is important to be able to paint the entire width of the frame with literally one stroke, without lifting the brush. It is better to first practice this “operation” on any other surface. Why is this so important? Because when passing the brush over the same place, it disrupts the pattern of cracks: they have already appeared, and we, passing the brush again, apply another layer of paint, which no longer cracks.
In addition, by passing over the same place a second time, you can literally blur the drawing.

It looks like this.

In this case, such a small smeared area even makes it more decorative, but it is important that such “decor” does not dominate the cracks, that is, there should be more of them than smeared areas.

The paint dries in 1-2 hours. After drying, the cracks become more distinct, and the texture we need appears.

Ready option.

Now you know how to age a wooden picture and photo frame with your own hands. By the way, this way you can age any surface.

Patina is the natural process of aging and oxidation that appears on antique furniture and decorative items in the form of plaque or cracks. Patina does not spoil the item at all, but on the contrary, increases its value. It is an integral element of the vintage style; it can also be found in a baroque interior and even in a loft.

However, waiting for your chest of drawers or copper doorknob to age on its own can be a very long time, especially if your items do not have a rich history. But you want to admire the patina in the interior now, which is why we have selected several master classes for you on how to create almost real patina with your own hands! So, choose what you like best!

Imitation of patina using oxidizing paints

For this method, we will need special oxidizing paints with a patina effect, primer and some kind of base that you want to turn into a vintage item. This could be, for example, a photo frame or a ceiling rosette. The base itself can be wooden, plastic or metal - the material is not too important.

First you will need to coat the base with primer to help the paint adhere better. After this, carefully paint the entire surface with gold paint and, before it has time to dry, apply a turquoise-colored oxidizing agent with a thin brush. The oxidizing agent is applied in small strokes to those areas that you want to “age.”

After some time, it will begin to appear and create exactly the patina effect that we need. Finally, the frame should be varnished. See the visual sequence of actions

Imitating patina using conventional paints

If the previous option seemed a little complicated to you, or you simply don’t want to bother looking for such paints, then you can also use ordinary ones, at the same time using your imagination and sleight of hand.

Buy acrylic paints in bronze and turquoise with a metallic effect, as well as brushes or a sponge and regular water spray.

Using a brush or sponge (you can achieve a denser and more structured coating with a sponge), paint ordinary jars with bronze paint and let them dry thoroughly.

After this, mix the paint that imitates patina with water and relieve your soul, spraying it on the jars as you please. A modern decorative element with a taste of antiquity is ready! By the way, you can decorate almost anything in this way.

"Crushed" technique

If you want to patina something on a larger scale, then don’t be scared - it’s easier than it seems. An ordinary dark brown table can easily be turned into an antique one, covered with an almost real patina.

To do this, all you need is to mix paints of a suitable shade and arm yourself with crumpled paper or a towel.

Treat the entire surface and legs of the table in a “creased” style, let it dry thoroughly and - voila! - you are the owner of a real rarity. Well, almost real, shh.

Photo: happymodern.ru, ib-gallery.ru,liveinternet.ru, livemaster.ru, redouxinteriors.com

If you are a fan of vintage style, then you probably already have a lot of interesting “antique” pieces in the interior of your home. And if you used to buy all these little things for your home, now you can make them yourself! Frames for photos or embroidered paintings, placed in such “antique” frames, will look simply gorgeous! In this master class, Krestik shares the idea of ​​decorating a finished plastic mirror frame. In addition, we will teach you how to make panels with imitation embroidery using a simple Decoupage technique.

You will need:

• plastic frame,
• a piece of fabric (burlap),
• napkin for decoupage,
• acrylic paints,
• several brushes: for varnish, a thin brush for painting, a wide brush for the background,
• a piece of sponge,
• water-based acrylic paint,
• PVA glue,
• acrylic lacquer,
• sandpaper,
• cardboard.

Sand the plastic frame with coarse sandpaper. This is necessary so that the paint lays down well and adheres to the surface.

Then, brushing off the dust with a damp cloth, wipe the entire front surface with nail polish remover. This is how we prepare the surface for decoration and remove excess shine.

Then we cover the entire frame with PVA glue. Repeat the primer 2-3 times with intermediate drying. The first time we go over the protruding parts, the second time we cover small parts and recesses, and the third time we cover the entire workpiece with a thick layer.

Now you can start painting. Paint the frame with white acrylic paint (in several passes, as in the previous stage). If the PVA layer has not yet completely dried, then cracks, the so-called craquelures, will appear on the surface of the paint as it dries.

This effect can be specially achieved by applying a layer of a special crackle composition under the paint.

Gently sand the painted surface with sandpaper. Brush off the dust with a wide, clean brush.

At this point, the preparatory stage of creating a vintage frame with your own hands is completed. Let's get started.

Let's iron the burlap. Prime with liquid PVA glue and leave to dry.

We cut out an oval base from cardboard, onto which we then glue the fabric.

You can secure the burlap with double-sided tape. Or glue it with glue and iron it with a hot iron through a sheet of newspaper.

Trim the edges of the fabric. Cut out a motif from a napkin. Using a pencil, draw an outline on the burlap.

We will paint the figure inside the outline with white paint, so the image will remain bright. If you glue the drawing directly onto the fabric, the colors will fade and the image will merge with the background.

Apply a napkin to the painted outline. Apply a drop of glue and, carefully adjusting it with your fingers or a brush, disperse the glue according to the motif. We go from the center to the edge, getting rid of air bubbles and excess glue.

When the glue dries, draw the details of the picture with a contour of a suitable color.

We trim the edges of the fabric and cut out the second piece from cardboard - this will be the backdrop of the picture.

Glue the backdrop to the decoupled piece of fabric.

Now let's put everything into the frame.

At this stage, you can once again draw the details of the design on the fabric. In this case, the contours are additionally outlined with black paint.

Using a hard old brush, we pick up black paint and go over the protruding parts of the frame, painting over the recesses in the relief.

Instructions

Photo. Choose what your soul and heart tells you. The success of the gift largely depends on the image that will be in the frame.

Select a frame. Before anything else, buy a frame you like. Pay maximum attention to its size, the material from which it is made, relief, etc. It should be noted that wood gives it a special elegance, while plastic looks more simple.

Choose a drawing. If it is just some color, then you need to skip this point; if you plan to make a drawing, then first draw it on a piece of paper. Cut the paper to the size of the purchased frame and make sketches.

Choose a color. Start from the photo. The color of the frame should highlight it. At the same time, do not use too bright colors, because the frame should fit into the room.

Buy paint and primer. Frames can be coated with different types: from paints with colored shades to natural wood. Each one looks different, and it’s up to you to decide which one to choose. You can also buy and use silver and gold plating. This will additionally make the gift unique. If you want to use acrylic paint, then pay attention: if you want it to shine, buy glossy, if, on the contrary, you don’t want this, buy matte.

Primer. This item is only relevant for a wooden frame. Using a brush or roller, prime the frame and give it a couple of hours to dry. After priming, the paint will adhere well and not be absorbed into the wood.

Coloring. Attach the drawn drawing (if any) and transfer it with a pencil to the frame. Next, paint in the chosen colors. Give it time to dry.

note

You can't select a frame. You can make it yourself. This will allow you to make it exactly the way you want.

Antique objects are usually associated with something expensive, noble, beautiful and refined. Antique items in specialized stores sell for a lot of money, and finding something worthwhile at flea markets takes a lot of time. But you can make unique items with a touch of antiquity yourself. For example, a picture frame covered with a light patina will become a real work of art.

You will need

• acrylic primer;
• gray, blue, green, white and gold acrylic paints;
• rice paper or napkin;
• red brass;
• glue for tombac;
• brush;
• stain;
• umber;
• liquid wax

Instructions

Wipe the frame well to remove dust and dirt. If it's a wooden frame, prime it with acrylic primer. A polymer or plastic frame can be painted immediately. Take light gray acrylic paint and paint the frame with one coat. Wait for the layer to dry.

Take untreated rice paper (the kind of paper used for decoupage on glass, you can find it in an art store), this is a structural material that absorbs moisture very well. Make a small swab. You can also take a napkin, but it should not leave fibers on the frame. Using a swab, apply gold paint to the frame over the gray layer.

Prepare the glaze - in a small jar, make a mixture of blue, green and white acrylic paints. It's better to start with white and pour colored ones into it. Mix, but not completely, to get a heterogeneous color of several independent shades. Use a pad to coat the frame with icing. Before it dries, erase it in several places so that the gilding shows through. The first gray layer will take on a patina hue.

Instead of acrylic paint, you can use special gilding, for example, tombac “pod”, sold in the form of sheets. It looks very impressive, gives the impression of real gilding, but is cheaper. First, it is better to cover the frame with colored paint of any shade, you can take both dark and light. Paint the curly areas of the frame well. Apply special glue for tombac to ensure adhesion of the metal to the surface. Let the glue dry a little, but it should still be sticky. Place a sheet of tombak, removing the backing. Using a small brush, smooth it out and press it into the surface of the frame. Sweep away any remaining flakes that do not stick to the frame with a clean brush. Then rub natural umber into the frame profile using a piece of fabric, thus achieving an antique effect.

You can have a frame without gilding; to do this, cover it with stain, making a test stroke on the reverse side. If the color is too dark, dilute with water. Dry the frame and rub it with sandpaper in several places. Cover the surface with white water-based paint, and while it is still wet, wipe with a soft cloth. If you like the result, dry the frame and cover it with liquid wax.

Sources:

• Gilding of the frame

Old antique things have a special charm and charm, but not everyone has “grandmother’s” furniture, and real “antique” is very expensive. There is a fairly simple way out of this situation - you need to artificially age your furniture. It won’t take much time and effort, and buying the materials you’ll need for the job won’t put a big dent in your wallet.

You will need

• - emery cloth;
• - soil;
• - acrylic paint;
• - candle;
• - varnish for craquelure;
• - metal brush.

Instructions

Things made of ceramics, brass, glass and forged metal are well suited for aging. Add an antique look to wood furniture. Take the item, clean it of dust and sand off the paint and varnish. It is better to take a coarse sandpaper; you can work with it faster. Wipe off any debris from the surface and clean the work area to prevent old paint particles from sticking to the new layers.

Cover the item with primer; a mixture of PVA glue and white acrylic enamel will do. Let the surface dry. Then coat the piece of furniture with brown acrylic paint. Apply two layers of this product. Leave it overnight to dry thoroughly.

Rub paraffin or wax on all edges and corners of the product. Choose the color of your future “antique” furniture. Pale pink or ivory looks good. Create your own color by mixing white paint with color. A few drops added to the jar will be enough.

The brown base should be completely hidden under layers of new paint; these layers can be from two to four. Don't forget to dry each layer well.

Take 800 grit sandpaper. Sand the areas that you rubbed with the candle. The base paint will wear off and reveal the brown. Rub it carefully so that there are no burrs. For greater authenticity, work unevenly, rub harder in some places, and in other places make only a hint of wear.

Use a soft brush to remove dust from the surface. If you want to further decorate the furniture, cut out floral patterns from napkins and stick them on the chosen place. After this, coat the entire product with matte varnish. This technique is called shabby chic.

Try aging furniture using brushing. Brush the surface with a wire brush; it will remove soft wood fibers and highlight its texture. Apply a layer of paint, its color should be dark. Without waiting for the product to dry, rub it deep into the pores and cracks of the wood. The entire structure of the wood will be clearly visible. You can use finishing varnish with different effects - metallic, pearlescent.

Items aged using the crackle technique look impressive. Apply new paint to the furniture, and after a few minutes apply a crack-creating agent (craquelure). This can be a two-component varnish or paint. When working with them, follow the instructions strictly, since there is no single recommendation for different products.

Video on the topic

Related article