Ornate Frame Restoration

Frames get me into trouble.  I don't know if it's because I once worked in a photography studio and sold them - or what, but they are one of those things that are hard for me to resist.  I just find them so interesting and beautiful - it doesn't matter if I have something to put in them or not.

My Aunt Alice once asked me after seeing some pictures of my home, "Are the empty frames hanging on your walls a new way to decorate?"  At the time, "no", but lucky for me I think I'm in style now.

While I like almost any kind of frame, my favorites are the chunky, ornate ones - and I say the chunkier the better!  Unfortunately, it's hard to find one that is inexpensive - unless it is damaged.  But here is the silver lining:

 a damaged frame - discount for the damage 
+ little repair job =

 gorgeous piece for your home 

Here is how I deal with the damage:

This is a 24" x 30" frame I purchased from an on-line garage sale.  I think I paid about 15% of what it might retail for.

It had pieces completely broken off that paint alone would not cover.

Using this wood filler by Minwax, I filled the voids and worked the filler until it resembled the general form of the ornamentation.  This filler dries very hard and durable, but you have to work quickly since a hardener added to it causes it to set up in 1-2 minutes.  Once it was dry, I went to work with an ice pick, sandpaper, emery boards, etc., to shape the dried filler to resemble the ornamentation on the opposite side of the frame.  Now, I am not an artist, sculptor, nor woodworker.  In fact, if you look very closely, I did not do the greatest job - but it's good enough!  Now that the frame is painted, no one but me can really tell that the frame had ever been damaged.

This is my carved repair.

I definitely think she was worth saving, 

and look how lovely she looks in white.

This is the painted repair.

This corner is not one that was repaired, yet is about as rough as the side I carved when you look closely.  

So, the frame isn't perfect - 

but don't you just love things that are still beautiful even though they're not?  To me, THAT is the essence of life.

 What do you adore that is far from perfect, but you wouldn't change in any way?  Good stuff to think about.......

Thanks for stopping by,

Ellie

Parties I Will Be Linking To:

Sunday - The Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table and Dreaming, DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff   

Monday - Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Tuesday - Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife,  

Wednesday - Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style, 

Thursday - Open House Party at No Minimalist Here,   Catch As Catch Can at My Repurposed Life

Friday - Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, Weekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and Jello