DIY Fancy Frame

Guys. I love picture frames. The bigger and shabbier, the better. I've been on the hunt for some at our local antique markets. I mean, there's plenty of booths filled with gorgeous wooden frames at $50 each. EACH. And these aren't big frames. These are frames that would fit a 4x6 photo. I love them, but no thanks, okay?

So, I started thinking, I have a whole stack of unused, cheap, sad frames in a closet. Some of the frames came from thrift shops, some were gifts, some I've had for a decade. #hoarder

Anyhoo, I went through the pile of frames and picked out two wooden ones that were from the Dollar Tree. I made sure the smaller one fit perfectly on the bigger frame after I took out both of the frame's backs. I left the glass in the smaller frame, but took out the glass in the bigger frame.

I then used some glue that I had on hand and glued around the back of the smaller frame. I let that dry for a few hours.

I decided chalk paint was the only way to go, and I painted the frames. This blue chalk paint actually came from Home Depot. It isn't Annie Sloan, but for the $8 price tag, it will suffice.

After I let the chalk paint dry, I distressed the frame with sand paper. I used a little of Annie Sloan's clear wax after the distressing.

I added a 4x6 photo to the smaller frame and then put the back on it. I also re-added the back to the larger frame.

And there you have it, a gorgeous $50 boutique photo frame for basically nothing.

Oh, and sorry about the fuzzy photos! It was cloudy that day.

Dinning Room Part II

I hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day weekend! We sure did. We spent Saturday AND Sunday playing Monopoly. I must have really mentally blocked out how long that game lasts.

Anyboardwalk, I'm stopping in really quick to share with you the rest of my dinning room photos. I also wanted to give you guys a source list from this room. Literally most of the items in this room were bought second hand. Because thrifting owns my face. But, I did try to find similar items!

Ohandplusalso, please excuse the smudges on the mirror. I totally didn't seen them while I was taking the photos.

|| Source List ||

Wooden Framed Mirror - Thrifted. Similar seen HERE
Wooden Candle Stick - Thrifted. Similar seen HERE
Birdcage - Thrifted. Similar seen HERE
Ball Jar - Thrifted. Similar seen HERE
Wooden Spring Sign - Thrifted
Silver Ball Cake Platter - Gifted. Similar seen HERE
Pottery Rabbit - McCarty
Pottery Shell - McCarty
Lamp on Buffet - Bought at a local store years ago. Similar seen HERE
Buffet - Thrifted
Wooden Bucket - Thrifted. Similar seen HERE
Shutter - Thrifted. Similar seen HERE
Table - Thrifted. Painted with Annie Sloan Old Ochre Chalk Paint
Chairs - Thrifted. Painted with Annie Sloan Old Ochre Chalk Paint
Pottery Plate on Table - McCarty
Flower Pot on Table - Walmart
Giraffe Print Lamp - Bought from a friend
Drapes - Made them myself
Curtain Rod - Tuesday Morning

Dinning Room Table

Like I said in last's weeks post, I'm addicted to chalk painting. Annie Sloan is my go to girl for chalk paint, and I've been committed to her since.

I really have never liked the whole wood look. I'm sorry, but I just can not/will not. It's too masculine and dark. What I do love are soft pastel and neutral colors with feminine accents. I'm a total shabby chic slash French country girl. Freals.

Late last year, I started looking for the perfect dinning room table. I knew I didn't want to spend a fortune on one, but I knew the ones I liked cost a fortune. I mean, I still heart you, Restoration Hardware, but let's not, okay? #stayathomemommy #stayathomebudget.

Anybuyingsecondhandismyjam, I finally found an amazing table and chairs on our local Facebook yard sale page. The woman wanted $60 for the whole set! I could totally swing that. Plus, she would deliver. Ba da ba ba ba, I'm loving it!

Here they are before:

The table and chairs were dated and ugly. I knew immediately that I had to use chalk paint on them. I did happen to like the seat covers. They were already recovered with a maroon and cream toile. So, win there.

I painted the table and chairs with Annie Sloan's Old Ochre, which is a creamy white. If you've never painted with chalk paint, you're missing out. You absolutely do not have to do any sanding or priming on the piece of furniture before you paint it. Another plus is that it's odorless and dries in minutes, so it's perfect for inside painting. 

After I painted the table and chairs, I gave each a coat of Annie Sloan's Clear Wax. I then sanded the chairs in the spots where I wanted them to look distressed. After sanding and wiping down the chairs, I rubbed Annie Sloan's Dark Wax over the spots I sanded.

And there you have it. My first experience with chalk painting. Go HERE to see additional photos of my dinning room. I'm also planning more blog posts for all the other pieces of furniture I've painted soon!

Annie Sloan is My Hero

Happy Thursday, lovecats! I am stopping in really quick to share two photos of a chair I restored. I will share more before and after photos of it next week. I also have a ton of photos to share with you guys of things I've chalk painted and distressed. My whole home is going to be chalk painted before long. Sorry I'm totally not sorry.