You Can Frame It

I'm always coming across antique hand-colored book plates,
architectural prints, and other vintage ephemera that is too lovely not to save and frame. 
 Framing can be pretty costly, but I've found a few ways to display the treasures in not so expensive ways.

One of the easier ways to frame your "art" is to simply use a picture frame.  I find that picture frames  have much more interesting designs and also find them to be much less expensive than custom frames.  I also like to use the frames because you have the option of hanging them on a wall, or displaying them on a flat surface like a mantel, table, or bookcase.  I always try to purchase them with both options.  Similar to this.

Recently I bought a pair of frames.  I loved them because they looked like patent leather.
  I decided to contrast the contemporary frames with old world architectural prints. 
I like to find a frame very close to the measurements of my artwork.  If you need to trim the artwork, I use the glass in the frame for a pattern.  You can see through it and know exactly where to cut.  I trim with a small exacto knife and use the edges of the glass as a straight edge.  I use a cutting board under the print I'm trimming.  It's always a perfect fit.

Old World Meets Modern

I also like to recycle unique vintage picture frames.  I found this wonderful print of a man's face.  It was the cover on an early French magazine.  I loved his face and the french words surrounding him.

It fit perfectly into this ornate vintage metal frame.  The only expense was the frame and the magazine.  No need to pay for a custom frame and mat.  And, the look is unique.

 Many possibilities for this framed print.

If you really like the look of a matted print, I have another solution.  Most of the framing cost is in the frame itself.  If you already have the frame, you can have a custom mat cut for your art for less than $20.  For example, I bought this beautiful antique gilded frame with metal ornamentation.

I wanted to frame an antique hand-colored book plate of a stork.

Stork Book Plate

I had the frame shop cut a mat to fit the frame and the art.  The mat only cost $16.
I usually pay a little more to have the frame shop install the mat and print.


Here's the final result.

Here it is on my bookshelf in my family room.

One last example.  I had an antique bird print and antique frame.  Again, I had a mat cut to fit the print and the frame and had it installed.

Here it is on the shelf of the other matching bookcase.

Please share your framing successes.

Kathy


To see a previous post about how I styled this pair of bookcases, go here.

My Holiday Tree

Every year I try to find something to inspire my tree decor.  This year I fell in love with some wide leopard print ribbon and I was off and running.  I repeated the coppery brown and shimmering gold in the ribbon with copper and gold ornaments.  I also had some small mirrors in gold frames, some leopard pillow ornaments and cone baskets, some gold architectural castings, some mini leopard shade ornaments, and some beaded acorns that I sprinkled around.   Before I share the whole tree, here are some close ups of the ornaments.  Notice that I wove the ribbon vertically on the tree rather than wrapping it around the branches.

In lieu of a purchased tree skirt I retrieved a vintage leopard coat from the closet and wrapped it around the base.

I'm also pretty tired of wrapping garland around my stair railing.  I was going to hang wreaths instead, but changed my mind.  Lately I've been using empty frames or empty frames within frames in my decor. I decided to decorate the stairs with some vintage frames.   I dangled interesting gold frames from my stair railing with more leopard ribbon.  Magnolia branches within the frame add the holiday touch.

On the landing I added some sparkle to my shabby oil painting with a copper beaded garland.  One of my favorite vintage purchases is a French copper lined demi-john.  I added more magnolia branches.  The Santos angel with copper wings is perfect in the vignette.

 

My Foyer

My 2012 Tree

My leopard chairs and copper sequined pillows even cooperated with the decor.

So are you an animal print fan?

To see my 2013 peacock feather inspired tree, go here.

My 2013 Christmas Tree

Kathy

A Way With Empty Frames

Whenever I find vintage frames I always purchase them.  Sometimes they have artwork, but usually they're just empty.  I love to use them for chalkboards.  How fun is this one painted a bright pink.

I also love the look of gallery walls with empty frames.
 Why not paint the frames and the walls the same color?

Via

Or, this image via Pinterest of empty frames painted in variations of yellow and arranged above a fabulous settee.  Notice the pillows in the same hue.

These frames are all the same color but what I love about this image is that some frames are within frames and others hold unique objects .

Via

What about painting empty frames different colors and layering them on a dark wall.

via Pinterest

Or, this image that gives the impression of a work in progress. 

 How cute are the animal heads in the empty frames? 

Via

I love the large frame with smaller frames and a bust.

Via

Empty frames with fabric can be artwork too.

I used fabric in a frame in my family room.  You don't always have to have a grouping.

These frames are the right corners of frames.  They're all natural and look fabulous.

Via

How fun are these frames on the turquoise wall.

Via

Or, these empty frames with a wallpaper background.

Via

I do believe that gallery walls are much more interesting when collectibles are interspersed with the frames.

Via

I also wanted to share this chart with suggestions for gallery wall configurations.

Via

I created a variation of the empty frame idea with an old door.  This door was missing its glass insert.  To me it became an oversized frame.  I have it leaning against the wall in the upstairs hallway.  Inside I placed two wonderful framed French engravings.  I'll be doing another post about the door.
 Please check back.

To see more gallery wall ideas go to my Pinterest page.


Kathy

Frugal Framing

  I'm always coming across vintage prints--botanicals, architectural prints, or other ephemera.  While the prints are relatively inexpensive to purchase, the framing can cost ten times the price of  the prints.  What works for me is to find an empty frame I like that is larger than the print. 

I then take the print and the frame and have a mat cut.

 Here's an example of how this worked for me.

Last Fall I went to The Big Flea in Chantilly, Va. on a antiques shopping trip with Eddie Ross and 

Jaithan Kochar. What fun and so informative. I always look forward to reading his blog.  He has so many talents and one of those I totally relate to is the way he shops vintage and then creatively makes vintage work for today's style.  You can find out about all his creative accomplishments here. 

Sorry, back to the post.  While shopping,  I found some fabulous old book plates of shells and fossils.  

I knew that they would be perfect with some vintage frames I had found in the summer.  I purchased the frames with no particular plan in mind for them, which unfortunately is how I frequently do things.  I fell in love with the snakeskin and the mini red leather border and knew I would eventually use them.

Pretty wonderful.

I took the bookplates and the frames to Michaels, selected a mat color, and had them cut a mat to fit the artwork and the frame.  Each mat was only $16.00.  I know the frames had their flaws, but they were so unique that I wanted to use them. 

Here's how they turned out after matting and framing.

I think they fit in perfectly with my other shell stuff.  What do you think?

I'm working on styling some shelves in a cabinet that I just updated with paint.  Make sure you stop by next week for some tips you can use to give your bookcase a designer look.

Kathy