Stenciled Wooden Wall Art

 
So here we have a little project I completed aaaaaaaages ago! (No dramatification required!).
Literally, the photos have been sitting on my computer for months now! So I decided since I have a day off (and managed to hyper-extended my ankle last night so limiting me from doing much else), I may as well actually post them!


The story goes that I wanted to make a piece of art to hang on the wall in my spare bedroom which would fit with the 'au natural' theme I have been trying to create. I pretty much knew I wanted to go with wood as my main material since its such an obvious choice:

Natural - check.
Easy to get - check.
Easy to work with - check.

I had looked around on Pintrest and various other sites for inspiration and found many examples of stencilling to create dramatic decor pieces using personal/fun/inspiring messages - I knew I had found myself a winning idea. Now all I had to do was create a canvas from wood and find some cool message to slap on top of it. Simple, no? 

No Picasso!



I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.

- Pablo Picasso



My first attempt a blending colours
and featuring a feather
... because I like feathers... 



As the title to my post may have informed you, when it comes to free hand painting I am certainly no Picasso, in fact I am sure there are many Kindergartners with more ability than me. However, as the great man himself has said, how can a person ever expect to become better at something if they don't at least attempt it?!

So, essentially this post will stand as my starting line. My first steps into what I hope will one day be a hobby I can literally be proud to hang on my wall. My fatal plunge into the world of painting!

And what a colourful first step it is! The very definition of the saying 'less is more'!

Forest Frames!

 

So here we have possible the easiest, quickest and most basic means of redocrating, yet also one of the most effective (in this blogger's humble opinon!). Got an piece of furnature or decor that needs some new life shoved non-too gently up its behind? About ready to pull the plug, read the last rights and start eyeing off new pieces of wall-candy after an appropriate mourning period has passed? Stop right there! Or here... whatever, just keep reading....  

So I am slowly giving my room a wee bit of a makeover, inspired by my love of the show Once Upon A Time - THIS office in particular!




Best set on TV!

 

 

 

 

Once Upon A Time Set Decorator Mark Lane

Anywho...

Since falling in love with the use of blacks, whites and datmask patterns I decided to give my room a bit of a revamp based on this look, albiet with a more 'enchanted forest' vibe about it. I have gradually been putting together various bits and the whole look is slowly coming together, helped immensely by my new wall decor made by taking old, worn looking frames and giving them a coat of new loving (otherwise known as paint...)!

 

 

I love the carved frames, the dramatic look and the shiny black coating which perfectly matches the other bits and pieces now tastefully (to some!) scattered throughout my room! As an added bonus, not only were they incredibly easy to make but were also really cheap.

Revamped Picture Frames 101

This is so easy you really don't need many instructions... just a little common sense!



1. Cover a large table with plastic or newspaper


2. Get yourself some old picture frames - I found mine on clearance sale at Target for just a couple of dollars each! Yay for money saving!




3. Give said frames a quick wipe down to remove any excess dirt and lightly sand them (this will help ensure the paint sticks well but really, i'm sure you could skip this and it will still work out fine!)  



4. Get youself a glossy enamel spray paint in your chosen colour (I picken mine up from Bunnings for about $7 and was left with PLENTY to spare for latter projects!)

5. Spray the be-jesus out of them! Make sure you get in all the nooks and crannies that will be visible later and you may want to apply a couple of coates depending on the look you are after - just leave it to dry for a little bit in between each coat)







6. Leave them to dry completely  (don't be impatient like me and go poking them... they will leave fingerprint evidence!)

7. Put a pretty picture in them or leave them empty, your choice! Just stick them around and let them bask in their glossy awesomness!

 

xo