How to Make a Window from a Picture Frame

I'm so excited to show you today how to take a picture frame and turn it into an old screened window!  Often when I start on a new project I have no clue what the end result will be.  I'm not really a planner, more of a maker-upper-as-I-goer.  When I first started on this project I had no idea it would turn into another window, but I'm so glad that it did, I absolutely love it. :)

I've noticed that when I make up craft projects as I go, I'm more likely to think of using things that I already have around the house (or garage).  Sometimes, like in the case of this window, I'm able to make them without spending any money and that really makes me happy!

Originally I made the wispy wreath and hung it on the wall.  Then I took an old frame that I had, painted it in Apple 4 (my free sample from Valspar) and hung it with the wreath.  After looking at it for a few days, I searched the garage, found a piece of window screening, and stapled it inside the frame to add some interest.  It was when I saw the screening in the frame that I realized it would make the perfect window.  I went a bit backwards (a hazard of making it up as you go) and added the grids to the frame last, which was not the easiest way to do it.  The final touch was adding the orange daisies about a week later.

Window Frame 

• Old frame:  Any large frame will work, check around your house, or at a thrift store.
• Paint:  Whatever color you like, you can get a free paint sample from Valspar or use paint you have
• Stain:  Dark Walnut
• Trim for window grid:  You should be able to find it at Home Depot or Lowes.   It's 3/4" wide and flat with rounded edges.
• Screening:  I used a piece of plastic window screening that I already had.   I bought it several years ago at either Lowes or Home Depot, I think.  I don't remember the cost, but I know I didn't spend a lot on the roll.
• White/Off White Paint:  I used SW Alabaster semi-gloss paint leftover from another project.

Wispy Wreath

• Wreath:  $2.99 from a local craft store
• Daisies-- $3.00 on sale, which was a splurge for me, but I thought it was worth it.              
• Other flowers--$2.00, two stems from the dollar store.  The flowers aren't even glued in, just poked in between the branches so they can be changed easily
• Ribbon:   I used a piece that I had, it wouldn't cost much to buy 1/2 yd of ribbon. 
• My Total Cost:  $7.00

How to Make A Window From a Picture Frame 

1. Decide where you want the trim pieces to go for the inside and cut them.
2. Paint the frame and trim pieces.
3. Glue the inside trim pieces in place.  (They should fit in the rim where the glass usually is placed.) 
4. Staple screening over the back.  
5. Hang a wreath over it. 

*Sorry, I don't have any pictures of the process, sometimes it's nice to just make something without the camera out.  Also, I wasn't confident that it was going to work, obviously my four year old (and best helper) wasn't either:

This was our conversation while he was watching me rub the white paint onto the frame:

4 year old:  Mommy, what are you doing?

Me:  Well...I think I'm ruining this.

4 year old:  Pauses, looks at the frame, and then says matter-of-factly; "You am Mommy, you am wuining it."

It was just too funny!  I love his honesty. :)

Here's how you can 'wuin' the paint on your frame too:

• Paint the frame with Apple 4 from Valspar or whatever color you like.
• Sand to distress
• Stain over it with Dark Walnut Stain.  Using a cloth, rub the stain on and then rub the excess off with another rag until it's as dark as you'd like.  (The longer you leave the stain on before you rub off the excess, the darker the wood gets.)
• Using a rag, rub on white paint is some areas, making sure you don't cover all of the base color.  I found that rubbing the paint on over the stain helped the paint to clump up some and look old.
• Sand to distress
• Stain over it again with dark walnut stain until it's as dark as you'd like.

I am so happy with the color and finish of this window.  The stain darkens the green paint, makes the white paint appear silvery and really brings out the distressed areas too.  (It's hard to see the effect in a picture.) 

 So now I'm curious, what are you? 

Are you a planner or a maker-upper-as-you-goer? 

Edited to Add:  I was asked why I made a window instead of just buying one, I've got a few reasons and thought you might like to know them too:

• I've looked for old windows at thrift stores, but haven't found any yet that were nice enough to buy.
• If I bought an older window from a thrift store, I'd run the risk that it might have lead in the paint, which could be a huge pain to remove and an extra cost too.
• I was able to make it for free, and found a purpose for a few otherwise useless items that were hanging around the house.
• I like that the screened 'window' is light because it doesn't have any glass in it.  This means if my kids 'accidentally' knock it off of the wall it won't hurt them.

Today's Fabulous Find...How to Make a Faux Window from a Picture Frame

 

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