Antique Frames as Wall Art

Last month, amidst other exciting events,  I got to share in the joy of helping my friend, Laurie, get her home ready to move into. Laurie, is an incredible decorator, and her husband is amazingly talented at planning homes. Together, they helped do a lot of renovation on a historic college in Mexia, Tx. many years ago. 



  

 
I showed you photos of their home after we had finished cleaning it for the loan inspector  here and here. However, I knew that as delightful as the house was as a result of their meticulous attention to detail, that once Laurie started decorating, it would be even more stunning.  And I was not disappointed! 




One afternoon, I helped her organize her office as I mentioned here, and just before we left, she asked me and her 18 yr. old son, Cody, an amazing artist with wood working, and I where we thought she ought to place her favorite painting and an antique mirror.  Both of us agreed that the mirror wouldn’t work on this mantle place in the the keeping room. It reflected the ceiling fan, of all things! 


   


We were also convinced  that her favorite Kincaid painting should not go in the dining room or living room.  It just begged to be the centerpiece of her cozy keeping room. All that was needed was a fire crackling in the fireplace to be perfect.

 

But if the mirror couldn’t go on the mantle..what should? And what about all of that wall space above the mantle?  Cody and I had been admiring the exquisite collection of old frames that Laurie had acquired over the years…and I can’t even remember whose idea it was..but I do know that we all thought..why not display them? They were way too pretty to hide. Probably, it was Laurie’s idea first, but Cody and I agreed whole-heartedly!  Don’t you? This was just too good of a decorating idea to keep to myself!

 
  
My good friend, Maria Killam of Colour Me Happy, hosts a linky party for simple and inexpensive wall art and I thought this was the perfect candidate for a submission.  You can pick up nice old frames from local thrift stores, auctions, or estate sales. You can be sure that I will begin looking out for some right away!  I have the perfect place for a display like this…I just need to get out and start shopping.




If you have any great ideas for filling a wall..with art..be sure to drop by Maria’s wall art linky party and do tell her that I sent you. :o)  I’d love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment if something sparks your imagination.

What do you think makes great wall art for large spaces?

Happy Homemaking!

Lovely TableScapes using Thrift Store Bargains!

Shells…collected..frame on clearance..plant from thrift store (originally $30.00 from Michaels), Candle holder $2.00  from Thrift store ($18.00 price tag)

Maria Killam at Colour Me Happy teaches how to make these viginettes and  tablescapes ......

and they really can make all the difference in the appearance of your home! I have had such a fun time arranging and re-arranging stuff in the house!  The one at the top is my very favorite so I'm showing it at My Romantic Home's Show and Tell...you will love the beautiful things everyone shows from their homes if you visit. :o)

Styled by Maria Killam, Photography by Anna Beaudry

Of course, Maria's tablescapes are stunning! In all fairness though, I don't believe she buys her stuff from a thrift store though..Tee-hee!  She's an interior designer and has some really great store where she picks up stuff for photo shoots.  I believe she does shop at Pottery Barn on occasion though. And it certainly does help if the  house is stunning too... but still....folks like me can learn so much from experts like Maria. And she's so friendly and practical in what she teaches. She's become a really special bloggy friend to me.  I skip movie night now..just to read up on old posts on her blog. :o)

Box (antique from thrift store--$6.00), bowl (tray) $1.00, wooden sculptured fruit (basket full for 2.00) Antique book..from my father, fake book..from friend..Eucalyptus (3.00 from thrift store…$15.00 from Michaels!)  Vanilla pillar candles 2.00 each from Wal-mart. Fuzzy stuff…from discarded plant basket.

 

I enjoyed her post so much that as I told you last week, that Rebekah and I filled a basket with rustic decor from the thrift store..but what we didn’t tell you was how many bargains we got. And I didn’t really explain tablescapes all that well.

Antique books inherited, book stands (owned 10 yrs.) Parfait glass..thriftstore .50, floral from $1.50 per bunch at walmart, frame and photo (50 yrs old from dad), homemade candle. Clock from thrift store (originally $25.00 from Pottery Barn!).

Basically, Maria said that

A good tablescape will have at least some floral, candles, perhaps  a good decor item or two, and even a family photo. Adding a tray also helps group things and looks really nice!

These things need to vary in shape, size, and I guess texture.  Also, asymmetry looks more interesting than symmetry. I just read that so I may have to play around with mine a little more. I tend towards symmetry...I'm just way too type A!!

Candlesticks and salt and pepper shakers from thrift store (2.00 each set)…pitcher and mardigras glass from bargain Antique shop in Coldspring, Tx. Chicks a sweet gift from dear friend Tammy. Flowers from Wal-mart.Tablecloth (was a curtain..from thrift store. (Angelic Resale) 

I posted this dining room tablescape at The Shabby Nest!  Today is Frugal Friday so if you want some great ideas...be sure to drop by!

  

Basket $3.00, glassware .50 cent each from local thrift store, Candlestick $4.00 ( originally $16.00 from Salvation army store), pillar candle $2.00,  potpourri  $6.00 (it goes along way--still have half the box left)  both from Big Lots. Smells awesome in the bathroom!

 

Also, trays (or baskets) look super nice and pull it all together. I used an old picture frame for one since I forgot to get trays. You really need to check out  Maria’s post on How to Create a Vignette or Tablescape to get the full effect of what she is trying to teach us.   Have fun playing around with your stuff!! And be sure to tell Maria that I sent you!