Easy DIY frame for canvas artwork
January 26, 2015
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This is another one of those little projects I’ve had on my mental list forever, and this no-spend month is as good a time as any to get it done. Seriously, I want to go shopping SO bad. But this has been a GREAT month of getting lots of projects done and I will power through. :)
Back when I was finishing up our family room reno I needed some art for a wall and did a very quick piece of my own using a canvas I had picked up for another project. It turned out OK but it was a little dark and moody for the family room. The colors went gray instead of blue so I didn’t love it there.
I was changing things around in the master so I ended up hanging it there – and quite liked it. I don’t know if it will stay forever but for free art it will stick around for awhile:
A couple months ago I was finishing up small projects in that room and went ahead and framed it out with basic wood lattice trim from the hardware store:
I didn’t miter the corners or anything – they just butt up against each other. I quite loved the natural wood with the gray painting too:
I’ve been wanting to do the same with the painting I did years ago that now hangs in our foyer:
I just knew it would look more professional and finished off with a little edge to it. Problem was, I’m not spending on DIY this month and I didn't have enough of that lattice stuff. So I searched through the wood pile in the garage and came up with a solution. Cause I’m a hoarder crafty like that. :)
Remember the underlayment I used to do the inexpensive wood treatment over our fireplace?:
Well when I had them cut it down at the store I kept the scraps. It’s really hard for me to give up stuff I know I can use later. And that I did:
I had a couple pieces that were a little over two inches in length so I sanded down the rough edges, then gave them a coat of black paint on the front and back:
This stuff takes paint really well so I never have to prime first.
Since it’s so thin I was able to avoid the garage and just cut with my miter box and handsaw:
Old school baby!
I used my nail gun to secure them to the side of the canvas:
And I couldn’t believe what a difference it made! It really makes it pop!:
The thickness is just perfect – even better than the lattice stuff. It’s a lot more substantial:
You can see here how I didn’t miter the ends – I just boxed it out:
The edges of the underlayment stuff weren’t great but after it was painted, you can’t even tell. I really really love it! I love touches of black and now this all ties in together nicely with the stairs and the bench underneath:
Not bad for FREE. You can see how I transformed this old canvas into our personal art (I did it with the Bub) here. It’s something I treasure and I’m glad it has even more of a presence now:
If you don’t have scrap laying around the lattice is about $4 for eight feet – for less than ten bucks you could give a canvas some oompf. :) And if you have a big piece of art that underlayment is only $15 for an eight by ten sheet – you could have it cut to whatever size you need.
I did the same look with the giant IKEA map in the basement as well and it really finishes it off nicely:
I enjoyed reading your blog this morning... and what a lovely garden you have! I'm glad I discovered you. I shall come back.
ReplyDeleteCielo
looks so good and next week you can go shopping.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I have some canvas that I bought on sale and was going to do some projects with. I will have to use this idea to finish them off. It looks so much more professional and clean.
ReplyDeleteSarah, you are brilliant! Love this!
ReplyDeleteLooks so much more expensive! Love it.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE your wall decor ideas. I just discovered this blog and will be sure to visit often. Using things that you already have to create new pieces is a budget-friendly way to go, and really creates one-of-a-kind statement pieces. I've posted some ideas on home decor and wall decoration in particular at http://frameandartsource.com .
ReplyDeleteI will definitely check back in as these ideas are wonderful!
Ahh! Thank you for this! I have an Ikea canvas that I have been wanting to frame, but I had no idea how to do it! Also, no matter how many times I have heard it before, I ALWAYS forget that they can make cuts for you at the store, and that always trips me up when I want to do something like this. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove this! What a simple project and also a beautiful painting!
ReplyDeleteOh wow that's impressive! I wasn't a huge fan of the painting when you posted a snippet of it on instagram a couple of days ago, but now with the black frame, it's a masterpiece! Good job!
ReplyDeleteThis is really good stuff. I came across your blog because I am making improvements to my condo and needed to know steps for painting my door on the inside. While reading on that I came across some other interesting blogs such as painting cabinets and figured I would come to your most recent blog to say hello and I LOVE your DIY stuff!
ReplyDeleteWhat black paint do you use? I'm having a hard time finding the perfect black paint and your stuff looks incredible!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so resourceful. I am actually surprised at what a difference it does make. Just think, you'll be shopping by this time next week!
ReplyDeleteYou are so resourceful. I am actually surprised at what a difference it does make. Just think, you'll be shopping by this time next week!
ReplyDeleteThose all three look great! I have a large map hanging on the wall that I have been wanting to frame, thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteYou go girl! Loved the chair in the first foyer photo! Cat looks happy! I put an upholstered bench behind my couch at the window so the cats could lounge and peek out. I did not like the table there and them jumping on it and knocking things off!
ReplyDeleteSarah you are just Brilliant!!!!
ReplyDeleteI read your Blog every single day but first time posting a comment. Love all your DIY projects. I have a bunch of Canvas art begging to be framed. I have a question though with the DIY Canvas Frames, May be I missed this part. DO you actually screw/nail the canvas to the frame? or hot glue them together to stay in place? Please clarify the above. I can't wait to do this.
Thanks in advance! Amulya
Genius!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the underlayment stuff really called so when I go into Lowe's, I call it by the right name?You said it was more substantial than the basic wood lattice trim so I would prefer to use that. It looks great!
ReplyDeleteI am SO wondering where you got that WALL LAMP ???? It is EXACTLY what I have been looking for, IKEA maybe???? I am off to look there .... TIA
ReplyDeleteSuch a simple idea but it really adds something to the room! Love the huge ikea map- I may have to purchase this.
ReplyDeletehttp://theshelfsociety.blogspot.co.uk
looks awesome! such a great idea for upgrading the look of your home on the cheap. Especially helpful for me being a new home owner with many walls to decorate. Thanks!
ReplyDeletewww.lee-lee-land.com
looks great!! I've done something similar with wood shim bundles before and it makes such a huge difference :)
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! Totally using it!
ReplyDelete