Who says that you can’t use frames alone in lieu of traditional artwork? No need to buy expensive frames for this project- the fun is in scavenging for the frames to create your masterpiece. Garage sales, attics, and your own home are great places to start. I’m a huge fan of popping the artwork out of an unused frame to repurpose it. Try this cool project over a console or over a bed or sofa. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules here – you’ll just need to follow a few protocols to make sure that you get the best results, and that you don’t turn your walls into Swiss cheese
ONE: PICTURE IT!
Here’s where you can let your imagination run wild. Choose the color, style, and number of frames you will need for your project. I’ve used the same color in varying tones for the project shown which make for a unified, cohesive display. Select various shapes – square and round, oval, and rectangular. You’ll also want to pay attention to the textures of the frames. Choose some that have smooth finishes, but more importantly a few that really stand out because of the intricate patterns of the frame.
TWO: STYLE IT!
Use floor space to create the layout you’d like to arrange the frames on the wall. You should measure the entire length of the wall space first so that you can have a frame of reference – no pun intended – for your layout. Be unique; mount frames on top of each other for an eye-catching, 3D effect. Or, arrange a frame within a frame to create visual interest. This is really the fun part! Play around for a while. If possible, take pictures of the layout on the floor until you feel that you’ve found the best arrangement before you move onto step three. I personally spent several days on this step. Sometimes a frame will look better if you put in on the vertical, as opposed to horizontally.
THREE: MAP IT OUT….
This extra step will keep your walls and your nerves intact. Use brown craft paper to trace out the shape of each frame. Use painter’s tape to affix each template to mimic the layout you’ve created on the floor. Mark a small “X” on the craft paper template for where the nail should go. After all templates are up, you’ll be able to easily make adjustments by just removing the template and reapplying it in your desired spot. Nail right through the craft paper, remove the tape, and rip the craft paper away and hang the frame. My secret weapon for mounting heavy frames onto others (not your walls) is an adhesive called “Guerilla Glue”. This stuff is no joke, and works like a charm. It expands as it dries forming a solid bond. Slowly, and before your very eyes, your creation will come to life!
FOUR: BE LEVEL-HEADED
Okay, I have this quirky little habit (it lovingly annoys my mother) of tilting my head sideways when I attempt to observe something I’ve just created. Let it be my freshly painted on lipstick, a new outfit that I’ve just donned for the first time, or a picture I’ve just hung on a wall- I still tilt my head. It’s funny, but somehow in “my” mind it allows me to evaluate properly. With this project, do yourself a favor, buy a level! Our eyes can be deceiving when it comes to the assumed parallel relationship of each frame to the floor. The smaller size levels work great for these types of projects as they are lightweight, and allow you to slip the level in between tight spaces without disturbing artwork as you work. Making sure that all frames are level will be the finishing touch. You’ll catch yourself, and your guests staring at your nifty wall display. Enjoy!
Photography by: Eboness Belin / Style Assistant: Andrea George