Using What You Got: My Free Wall Art

So I’ve got this awesome/amazing/spectacular idea for the one remaining empty wall in my Family Room. However…it requires this particular material that has to be just right (this will all make sense to you when I find said material and post about it for you;). Not knowing when I would stumble across this “just right” piece, and the entire Family Room Makeover’s completion waiting on this empty space, I couldn’t wait. I mean, it could be months until I find it in my travels, and you know the ND and patience don’t exactly go hand in hand when it comes to decorating. So what’s a girl to do when she wants something up temporarily that’s cute enough to stay up for a while, until the perfect thing comes along? Shop her house, of course!

I had this large frame laying around. Hmm…I had chalkboard spray paint. A wreath. Burlap. Before I knew it, I was getting to work on this quick project that is pretty darn cute, I think! It didn’t cost me a penny:)

Here’s what the frame looked like before.

It was a large gold frame. I removed the glass, took it outside and sprayed it with a few coats of chalkboard spray paint. Sorry I didn’t take any pics of this step – I didn’t even really plan on posting about this, thinking it wouldn’t be anything blog-worthy;)

Then I grabbed some leftover Sheffield Gray – the paint color I used on the backs of the bookcases. I added some white because I didn’t want it too matchy-matchy. Had to be dark enough to contrast against the light walls though. Once I was happy with the result, I painted the frame. Once it dried, I took a little of the white paint and with a very dry brush, went over the raised edges just a little. Took a piece of sandpaper and roughed it up a little, and was left with just the right finish!

Who knew that boring gold frame could be so much fun? 🙂

Then I replaced the chalkboard painted glass (after I “primed” it – run a piece of chalk on its side all over it, let it sit for a few hours (or day) – always important to do when you’re dealing with a chalkboard).

I wanted to use a pretty green wreath – perhaps a boxwood-ish type – didn’t have one. BUT, I did have a perfect sized gold wreath in my Christmas bin (which I’ll be pulling out anyway on Friday – close enough, right?). Gold worked great in my decor last year, but this year EVERYTHING has been redone, so I decided to grab my silver metallic spray paint and give it a makeover too. I love it silver! Again, sorry, didn’t take a before pic of the wreath in its gold form.

I needed ribbon to hang it…enter burlap. Had some laying around (of course!;), so I cut a strip and frayed the edges. Taped it to the back (the wreath is very light), and decided it needed something. So I wrote a Christmas quote around it.

It says: For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

OH! Almost forgot – I had that key here too. I wanted to update it, because of the the dark wrought iron finish. So I just used some white paint and gave it just a very light coat. Left it very chippy and hung it above – now I like it again;)

I think this’ll do just fine until I find that perfect piece I’m searching for! In fact, I kinda love it;) And what’s really great is now I can finally show you the Family Room! Stay tuned – it’ll be sometime this week!