An empty fireplace no longer needs to be an eyesore thanks to this fireplace candles hack. Although they make large candle holders designed to fill a fireplace, you can achieve the same effect by filling a fireplace with candles of different widths and heights. If you don’t use candle holders in the fireplace, it’s best to use large candles for a better sense of scale. Scented candles are another way to add another layer to this hack. Pro tip, when lighting the fireplace candles, start at the back and work your way to the front!
Copper Curtain Rods
I saved a lot of money on curtain rods by using copper pipes, L brackets, electrical hardware to hold the rods. I spray painted the hardware with copper paint. I bought 2″ rings with clips from Amazon and bought curtain material then cut it and hemmed all the way around.
DIY Statement Art on a Budget
Nothing brings a room to life and sets the mood like big art. You might think you can’t afford such an extravagance, but with these on-a-shoestring-budget ideas you will be surprised and delighted how affordable it can be. Apartment Therapy’s Katie Holdefehr has found several DIY statement art on a budget ideas including a DIY option using tools from your tool box, hardware store supplies like wood, fixtures, wood filler and spray paint. Other affordable options include hanging lightweight art from a half frame, inexpensive acrylic sheets (source included), a brilliant idea for framing large pieces of wallpaper and dowel rod frames on the cheap. Go to Apartment Therapy for the how-to’s.
3-D Book Page Art
In this day and age of digital media, print is quickly losing its relevance. Instead of sending your much loved print titles to the landfill, why not make 3-D book page art out of them? It’s as easy as recycling an old frame and learning a little origami. For the project shown, I found a book page flower tutorial online and followed the instructions. I then painted the flower with milk paint and added gold for effect. Next, I framed an unaltered book page, then glued the flower to the page and voila! There are so many possible interpretations of this project. Why not create an origami bird instead of the flower, or frame a beautifully illustrated vintage book page without the 3-D origami?
Up-cycle Old Picture Frames with Milk Paint
Milk paint is a non-toxic, water based paint with pigment added for color. You can make it yourself (online tutorials abound for this) or purchase one of the many brands available on the market today. It comes in powder form and has an almost forever shelf life as long as it is not mixed. To use you just mix it with water according to the manufacturers instructions. I love to breath new life into old picture frames with milk paint. You can get a multitude of interesting effects layering different colors or lightly sand each layer to create a distressed look. You can even create that ultra in vogue crackled paint look by using a specially formulated additive such as Old Fashioned Milk Paint’s Antique Crackle. For the ones pictured, I simply sanded some old frames, added a couple layers of milk paint, then finished with pure tung oil mixed with mineral spirits. For solid coverage and for paint to adhere to non porous surfaces, most companies sell a bond to mixed with the milk paint. I personally like to experiment and there are a multitude of online resources to research before you even lift the brush. Have fun with it!
Make an Antique Window Frame into Art
Spruce up an old window frame and turn it into art. Discarded windows are great finds at flea markets, yard sales and thrift stores. Photographer Ruth Rosenfeld of Georgetown, Colorado took this curved Victorian window and used it to frame four of her own photographs of doorways and windows from around town. From one pane to multiple paned windows, the creative possibilities are endless. You will need an old window frame, photograph/s, paint (if you plan on painting your frame) and wood or cardboard. Choose a favorite photograph and have it printed to the size of your window pane. Slide the photograph into window, then apply glue to edges of your wood/cardboard cut-out and attach to frame behind photograph to hold into place.
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