DIY blog |

“Push pins work pretty good on painted canvas”

What’s a home bar without some great photos of friends… old memories you can recount and toast to? For some reason when I walked into Le Carrefour De L’espoir (second hand shop) and saw this original (yet, let’s be honest, ugly) art piece, I knew immediately it’s second life would be as a peg board for our basement bar.

ugly art turned DIY PEG BOARD!

Something about the frame looked 70′s ish with its slightly yellowed fabric (think, smoky cigar lounge) but the faded black and gold accent frame seemed right on. I snapped it up for $20. Maybe it was a little pricey (considering), but I really had been looking for a long time, and I knew I wanted something “authentic” vintage and not new “made-in-China” from some retail chain.

TIP: “every room in your home should have a thing or two that is old, unique or eclectic”

unique vintage diy photo peg board

With a paint brush and a tube of black chalk board paint I painted over it. I know I know, you’re thinking: “huh?” First, I knew I wanted to paint it black and already had this stuff laying around the house. Second, the painting was done in oil and already textury (OK, that is not a real word but you get me). So painting it with a small brush instead of a roller to help even out and add even more texture seemed like a good idea. Third, I knew most of it would be covered by photos anyways so I thought “who cares!?”.

diy vintage photo peg board how-to ugly vintage art turned photo board

More bar pics to come soon! Thanks for checking in -Julie

*re-posted by BOB VILA NATION on December 5th, 2012

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THE TRANSFORMATION: slip craft paper on top of art, between frame and art

Fake Chalk Board

I love mirrored furniture. Loved it even before it became a hot new trend in home decor and pieces could be snatched up a places like Target! It brings glam, luxe and a feminine vibe to a room. Plus, I am a firm believer that every space needs some sparkle so if you don’t have it in the form of candle holders or picture frames then this is a good way to get some!

After months of shopping for a coffee table, I decided that either a super modern glass table or a charming vintage-y mirrored one would be the way to go. But every time I came across a potential candidate it was too perfect and pricey; I like nice things but I don’t like feeling I have to run around strategically placing coasters or plastic sheeting to protect my family or guests from my stuff.

One day I was perusing the wall mirrors at HomeSense (a.k.a. HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, Marshals, Winners), when I had a vision: so many of these mirrors which were meant for walls could totally be re-imagined as tables. I was psyched.

That’s when a large mirror reduced from $189 to $49 spoke to me. Sure the frame was scratched (already distressed? perfect) and it had two tiny cracks on one of the mirrored tiles (nothing a pile of magazines couldn’t hide?).

After I hauled it into my car, atop my groceries -during a snow storm might I add, I popped over to a local second hand shop where I had seen a cute coffee table the week before with a bowed top (as if someone sat on it). Luckily it was still there, the perfect size (slightly smaller than my mirror) and for $10 it was cheaper and sturdier (because of the framing) than buying pre-made legs from the hardware store.

Later in the garage I removed the table top, gave it a quick coat of black spray paint and with a little wood glue and some screws I re-attached the base to my mirror.

I was amazed at how awesome it looked, how little it cost me and how impressed the kids were that I whipped up a coffee table between dinner and dessert!

The 101: Scan the isles of your favorite store for discounted mirrors with a frame that could pass as an occasional table. Rather than buying pre-made furniture legs at the hardware store, look for a used table or even re-purpose one you already own. Spray paint is a quick fix to make odd pieces match.