How to give Grandmas ornate picture frames a modern edge. 

I waited a long time to get my gallery wall in my office.  I wanted the brick wall  install to be done before I started but after it was up it took only days to hang all the fun art and frames for revolving projects and seasonal artwork up.  I wanted a very modern unique look with a Boho edge so let me show you how I took Grandmas old ornate picture frames and turned them into fun modern frames and art in their own right.

things you will need 

1. old very ornate picture frames,  thrift stores are the best place to find these unless you have access to Grandmas attic.  I love the all the flowers and designs that these old beauties have.  You could also use your coupons to craft stores and find a few in the dent and scratched bin.
2. acrylic paint, accent colors of the room they will be hanging in.
3. foam brush not a brisel brush and I’ll tell you why in a bit

First you want to clean your frames so that they are free from dust and dirt.  Just wipe with a damp cloth using just water because you don’t want to damage the beautiful gold  finish.

Then squirt some acrylic paint on to a piece of cardboard and dip just the end of the paint brush into the paint .  Slowly and lightly paint over the places you want to add color.  like over the chipped areas and in the corners.  Make sure you are using a foam brush because you don’t want the paint to cover all of it.  Just a light layer of color over the top of the gold to add interest and a fun modern pop of color, by using fresh bright colors it creates the modern frame look you want.  If you were to use white or muted color you would get a totally different serene look that might be cute in a babies room or more traditional room.

The next thing is to paint the inside of the frame the space that sits next to your photos.  This will add the modern touch and whimsy to your frames.

Here is a little bonus IKEA hack.  Take those cheap white frames from IKEA and pop out the glass, line the inside frame with cute washi tape.  it will add just a bit of color to whatever you put inside it and you can change out the color with the seasons if you so choose.  I like keeping lots of empty frames so that I can take something three dimensional and popping it into the frame using 3M hooks.  

That’s it!  seriously you thought I’d have a difficult craft for you?  Nope!  This one is so easy and so dramatic that you just have to try it.  I have a very ornate frame I covered in gray chalk paint and I’m dying to do just the opposite and silver leaf just a few areas.  The more you use mix media in your decorating and accessorizing the more your look will be more modern, Boho, farmhouse and just plain you.  Don’t be afraid to do something with paint to your treasures, its better to have them out in the open where you can love them, then stuck in an attic waiting for some other darling person to come and snag them for their modern frame office gallery wall.