Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Under $15 Gallery Wall

We're not really a "photos of ourselves kind of couple", which you're probably aware of if you've checked out the "about" page.  We have a couple frames we got as wedding gifts that we've been meaning to put wedding photos in (for the last 2 years) and once we're unpacked I'll probably actually do it, but that's about it.  Maybe our feelings will change once we have kids, but until then we've got a lot of blank wall space.

I was at a thrift store over the weekend and I saw they were having a frame sale.  All the frames you could fit in a box for $5.  Who could pass that up?  So I grabbed a box and filled it with frames.  I knew I was going to paint them all black, so I wasn't too picky about the condition or finish.  After 20 minutes of digging through frames, 10 frames and a cute little mirror got to come home with me.

Next I stopped by Jo-Ann Fabric and Dollar Tree to pick up a couple more supplies.  In all I ended up with:

~ 10 Frames & Mirror ($5)
~ 2 Sheets of Foam Board ($1 each at Dollar Tree)
~ 6 Sheets of Scrap Book Paper ($0.96)
~ 2 Sheets of Decorative Matting Paper for the bigger frames ($2.50 each)
~ Spray Adhesive
~ Krylon Black Gloss Spray Paint

I'm going to say up front that I should have taken more pictures along the way, but it was a pretty simple project, so I didn't think about it.  I promise I'll do better next time.  And I'm not sure where the camera is, so you guys are stuck with cell phone pictures.  Sorry.

First I took the backing and glass out of the frames that had them.  Then I painted all the frames with Krylon Black Gloss.  When they dried, I had this:


While I waited for the paint to dry, I cut the foam board down to the size of the frames using the removed glass as a template.  I should point out that since a couple of the frames didn't have any glass I traced those frames on the foam board before painting them so I would know what size to cut them down to.  I forgot to take a picture of this step, but you're smart so I trust you can imagine what a piece of foam board looks like.

Next I focused my attention on the paper.  Once again, I didn't take a picture of this step, but everyone's cut paper before right?  That's what I did.

I went out to the garage to check on the frames and while I was out there I adhered the paper to the foam board with some spray adhesive.  I also sprayed my hands (hmmm... there seems to be a pattern, maybe I shouldn't be allowed around aerosol cans), but I think the project will work just as well if you skip that step.  When the adhesive had dried (on my hands and the foam board), I had this: 


Then I popped the papered foam board back in to the frames:


By far the hardest part of this project was deciding on a layout.  I sat on the living room floor for at least an hour arranging and rearranging the frames until I found a layout I liked.  A hammer, a couple nails, and some poster tape to keep them from shifting and I was done.


Grrrr...that one went crooked on me, that's where the poster tape came in

Ignore the random crap on the shelf underneath.
We've just been setting stuff there as we unpack.

I'm so happy to finally have something up on the walls.  It makes the house feel lived.  And for less than $15, I certainly can't complain.   


 

I'm linking up to:

lil luna link party buttonBeyond The Picket Fence
Chic on a Shoestring DecoratingJoin  us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap 
 up           party!UndertheTableandDreaming
The DIY Show Off


33 comments:

Rustown Mom said...

I like it! I might have to spray paint some empty frames I have and see how I can frame some pretty fabric or paper - what a good idea!

Nicole@Thrifty Decorating said...

That is beautiful....and I always spray my hands, too! LOL Thanks SO much for linking! :)

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

This is fantastic! I'm a frame "junkie" -- will definitely keep this in mind for an upcoming "redo" of a home office/guest room!

Whit said...

um hello I am totally collecting frames to do a family photo gallery wall and this is fabulous! I love the layout and the scrpbook paper everything just looks like it fits. Love it. I found your sweet wall on lil lunas link party. Come say hi
tyandwhitneyulrich.blogspot.com

Christina said...

What a great pairing of patterns and colors! You did a great job!! :)

Thanks so much for linking to "20 Below Thursday"! :)

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

What a great look, very visual. Thanks so much to linking up to Beyond The Picket Fence.

Beth said...

Love this...I have been collecting frames for a little while trying to get a gallery to create. Always fun when you find a couple of cheap ones!

LucieP said...

wow I LOVE this! I am your new follower- I will be needing you as we are building a house and I have no clue and no real budget for decorating!!

Unknown said...

Super-cute! Love the glossy paint on the frames - makes it pop even more! And the textured look of the papers is gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Very creative. You did a great job.

Crystal @ Ordinary Days said...

You did a very nice job! I just did a wall and didn't put near that much time into the design. Needless to say, I have a lot of nail holes in the wall!

Daniella said...

Haha! I hate taking pictures of me!! My kids, everyday, and dh loves his pic taken too!! But me, no way. The pic on my "about me" is from Christmas, and I had to approve it before putting it up! ugh.
Your art gallery is lovely!! really great job!
I'm here from Debbie's party! And I'm your newest follower!!
xxDaniella

Sommer said...

I am in love with all the gallery walls in blog land right now. In fact I'm quite envious because I can't hang one strait picture let alone ten! LOL. I would love if you could stop by and link up to my VIP party tonight. Otherwise it runs every Friday through the weekend =) http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/04/vip-party-10.html

Debbiedoos said...

That is totally a cool idea. Thanks for sharing the inspiration with my newbie party. Have fun.

michelle@decorandthedog said...

Turned out great!! I'm in the process of doing a gallery wall as well!!

Stopping by Debbiedoos. New follower!

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

Well done. I can't believe you got all those frames for $5. Your gallery wall reminds me of the one that they did in the living room of Young House Love, so you are in good company putting paper in your frames.

Emily said...

I love doing this with picture frames! Coming over from Debbiedoos. New follower.

Lauren @ 31diy said...

Looks great! And you've got to love the inexpensive price tag for the whole project.

rjerdee said...

Wonderful job...hanging that many pictures in a variety of sizes is no small accomplishment, not to mention the creating of each piece. Well done!

Unknown said...

What a great idea. I like that idea, I think I will have to use that somewhere. Thanks for sharing.
Brooke

Allison Nicole said...

great idea! i will have to keep this in mind for my bedroom! i'm your latest follower from debbie's! hope you will come by for a visit & follow me back! Allison @leomommyof4.blogspot.com :)

Unknown said...

Looks gorgeous! I really like the effect of all the colors and designs rather than actual photos. Thanks for sharing! I'm your newest follower.

Amy@oneartmama.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

$5 for all the frames! I am jealous! Love your layout!

I am having a fine art photograhy giveaway by Melanie Alexandra. She has more than 200 images in her store to choose from. Just leave me a comment telling me which is your favorite image for a chance to win.
http://houseonashwelllane.blogspot.com/2011/04/fine-art-photography-giveaway-by.html

Christiana said...

Such a cool idea! Love it!

Rini said...

I only wish I could do something like this! It looks, great, edgy and fresh! :) I also love the design of your blog, great colors!
I am popping in from Debbie's Party and follow along! Have a great Tuesday!

Roeshel said...

I'm addicted to pretty papers! Such a cute idea! Love it! :)

Thanks for sharing your creativity in the DIY party! ;)

Roeshel

Kate said...

This turned out cute! Thanks for linking Flaunt it Friday with me! :)

Nicole@Thrifty Decorating said...

I'm featuring your project this week on Thrifty Thursday... :)

Jacqueline said...

Love it!Thanks for linking it up to my party!

Bri McCoy said...

This is too cute! I was just poking around your blog and I love this. Michael's is having a 50% off sale this weekend so I might go there and check things out!

Angie @ Thrifty Like Me said...

Love this! I'm trying to choose a wall in my house to put my gallery wall....I just can't decide! :D

Creative Raisins said...

I love this, Thank you for the idea.

Jessica Lauren said...

Looks great! I found you over at the Gallery Wall Party and am your newest follower! Loving the stuff you've shared on your blog!
~*Jessica Lauren @
http://copy-cat-crafter.blogspot.com

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