DIY: How to upcycle old photo frames

I’ve had some family photos I’d been meaning to frame set aside for ages, but I was looking for the right photo frames. I couldn’t find them, so I took some thrifted ones and made them better than they were before. It was an easy and fun craft afternoon.

You will need:

• Picture frames
• Wooden beads,
  full and half
• Glue. Either wood glue or hot glue
• Paintbrush
• Painter’s tape
• Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat for the wooden frames
• Resene Laminate and Melamine Primer for laminate frames

Your choice of paints, I used:

• Karen Walker Chalk Colour in Resene Blanched Pink
• Resene Kashmir Blue testpot
• Resene Hacienda testpot
• Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel in Resene Guardsman Red and Resene Manuka Honey

Step 1

Sand and clean all your photo frames.

Step 2

Prime wooden frames with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer. If your frames are laminate coated, then use Resene Laminate and Melamine Primer and allow them to dry.

Step 3

Now it is time to add some fun details. I added full beads/balls to the edges of the curved frame using instant bond glue but you could also use a hot-glue gun. I positioned half the beads on the front of the square frame using PVA, I recommend using PVA wood glue for this, so you have more time to space them evenly.

Step 4

Prime any extra bits you have added to the frame.

Step 5

Allow everything to dry before decorating. I used a variety of Resene colours and finishes. They don’t need to match – just have fun and play around.

Step 6

For the blue ball frame, I applied two coats of Resene Kashmir Blue. For the oval frame, I used two coats of Karen Walker Chalk Colour in Resene Blanched Pink. For the arched frame, I used two coats of Resene Hacienda. Allow the paint to dry completely between each coat.

Step 7

To create the stripes, paint a lighter colour first. I used Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss in Resene Manuka Honey. Allow a good amount of time for it to dry. I used painter’s tape to create stripes, then painted Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss in Resene Guardsman Red onto the exposed parts of the frame. The frame will need two coats of paint, allowing time to dry between coats.

• For glossy varnished frames, you can skip the sanding and just seal with Resene Waterborne Sureseal then topcoat.
• Put down a Resene drop sheet with a leak-proof backing to catch any paint drips.

Top tips

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