How to Give an Old Frame an Updated Farmhouse Look

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Have you ever walked by the clearance aisle or been at a yard sale and bought something because it was only $1 or so?  That's what this frame was for me...clearance at Hobby Lobby impulse buy.  

From a distance I kind of liked it  (this was about 7 or 8 years ago).  It was big, I love red, and the scrolly lettering looked kind of cool so I grabbed it and didn't even think to read it until I got home.  That's when I fell out of love with it.  We used it for a while but eventually it was shoved in a closet where all of the other items I have bought go until I get around to fixing them.  We're talking years!

Last month inspiration finally hit and I am in LOVE with this frame now!  It now has more of a modern farmhouse look that I love.  It's amazing what some paint, wood, and stain can do.  It doesn't hurt that these are some of my favorite pictures :)

Those pictures are from the night we got engaged.  We look so little!  

You probably don't have the same frame I have but this will work with any frame (canvas, sign, etc.) with a straight edge.  Check your stash of frames or turn some of those unfinished frames you find at the craft store into a showstopper!

Here's how to do it.

Optional step:  If you have any type of design or lettering on your frame gently sand it down to avoid seeing it through your new, beautiful paint job.  Or if its not wood but plastic (I think its plastic..I don't know what it is) gently sand where you are going to paint.  It will give your paint something to grip. My frame is not wood so I can tell you paint will work.

Next Paint!  I recommend chalk paint.  It works on pretty much any surface.  I tried acrylic at first and eventually gave up.  I used this brand in white Adirondack.  It works great, its inexpensive, and last bottle of paint seems to last forever!  Also I use these brushes.  It makes a huge difference in quality and I think speed then using a regular or foam brush.  It took about 3 coats.

Now its time to build your frame.

The edge of my frame was about the same width as my wood so it sits flush if your frame is smaller you will have more of a traditional framed farmhouse sign.  However, if you like the flushed look (and your frame is thinner then your wood) lay your frame face down instead of face up when attaching your wood.  Let me know if you need me to clarify this a little more :)

I use cheap 1x2 furring strips for my frames.  They are around $1 each.  Measure the bottom of your frame and the top of your frame and cut your boards to match. Move into place for the next measurement.

For the sides you are going to measure from the top corner of your "frame" at the top to the bottom of your "frame" at the bottom.  Cut your wood.  Here's a close up of the corners.

Here's a better visual from another project I made. There are some more detailed instructions in that post as well. (find it here).

Here's what your frame should look like.  Now that its all cut to size paint or stain your wood.  (I love this stain).  For this project I used ebony.

Once your stain is dry its time to attach your frame.  Move your wood into place and glue together with wood glue (this stuff works great).  That's all I used but you can add a few nails with a nail gun.  I'm not putting any weight on the actual wood frame so just the glue has worked for me.

Reversible Farmhouse Signs

I love big, beautiful holiday signs but what I don't love is finding a way to store them. After I made this fun sign (find the tutorial here) this past fall I loved the location of the sign and knew I wanted to make another sign to fill the spot.

Then it clicked why not just paint the back.  So that's just what I did.  I had already stained all of the sides of the frame when I put it together so I covered them with some painters tape and made a new sign

I painted the board black.  Once it was dry I placed my vinyl and painted the entire board white.  After it dried I carefully pulled the vinyl off and lightly sanded to give it a distressed look.

The farmhouse side sits flush with the frame and the harvest side sits back inside the frame.

I now have two amazing signs for the cost of one and I saved time and I don't have to worry about storing either one!

Easy DIY Farmhouse Wreath Tutorial

I needed a new wreath for my front door but didn't want to spend a small fortune.  I also wanted something to fit the farmhouse style that I love.  I decided to try something a little different and love the result especially the unexpectedness of the galvanized bucket instead of a traditional wreath. The best part is it was super easy.  I'm not too great with floral arrangements so if I can do this then you really can do this and it will probably look better then mine :).  I also loved that it was pretty inexpensive.  I bought most of my supplies from Hobby Lobby.  Don't forget to use the 40% off coupon or even better catch the flowers on sale (like this week!)

Gather your supplies: (contains some affiliate links)

Galvanized metal bucket

flowers here and here or pick your favorites

floral block

wire cutters

Jute twine or ribbon

 Cut the stems of your flowers apart.  I kept my stems as long as possible.

 Cut your floral block to size and stick in you bucket

Arrange flowers to your liking.  I just stuck mine right into the block.

 Loop your jute twine through the handles and tie behind the flowers at your desired height.

 I added a command strip at the bottom to keep it from bouncing around.