I know, it has been ages since I have posted something other than travel but I have been working on a project that is nearing completion in between all the Summer jobs needing doing too ….
As my regular readers know, I like to change things regularly & that includes displaying art, photos & interesting things we have.
A couple of years ago, we put some Ikea picture ledges up in our entrance way to display some of our photos & images. The shelves suit the space between the doors from the front of the house & the inner hallway …
Some are vintage framed images painted by my late father in law more than 70 years ago, found in his attic & framed as primitive art for hubby.
The little black frame shows the rural place where my grandfather was born more than 100 years ago - picture shelves of memories …
A large vintage African painting is hung at the top as it fits in perfectly & looks right at home.
Various photos adorn this shelf where they are changed regularly …
I wanted something similar for our living room but the modern Ikea shelves are too modern for the room so another plan was needed.
Luckily, I spotted this sideboard top from a local seller I have bought interesting bits from - could it be perfect for what I need?
However, having just had the whole living room repainted in Natural Calico (the Marsala red is now gone) I felt that the dark shelves would be too imposing on the light wall. The unit was also too tall so I marked it & cut it to just below the second shelf. It was hard work sawing through that as the wood is solid, hardwood oak!
I glued & nailed a small edge to each shelf front to support pictures displayed so that they would stay in place on the shelves. I used very tiny tacking nails on the supports. The supports would be part of the shelf once painted.
It is now ready to be taken outdoors for painting, the front supports visible to stop art sliding off …
The top fretwork had some damage but I had a plan -I used a jigsaw to make both sections look the same -
The shelves are shown with the first coat of Annie Sloan's Old White Chalk Paint
Sanding the cut edges smooth before another coat of paint is applied.
Waxing time for the paintwork - Annie Sloan's clear wax with some dark wax in the details.
The more compact size can be seen & the changes to the fret work seem natural, as if it has always been so. I think it looks very good. The supports on the front look as if they have always been there rather than a modern addition.
It is now ready for the wall but that will be for another day …. I look forward to being able to display various art & photos in the living room without having to do nails or fixtures each time.
How do you display your art at home? Do you change your mind or are there favourites that grace your wall all the time? Please tell all …
Thanks for stopping by & taking the time to leave a comment. The competed picture rail is bogged in this post ....
Dee ~♥~
I like what you did with the old shelf... giving it new life and a new purpose. And the fact that you need not put any holes in the wall other than the shelf unit to hang favourite photos, art and maps makes it a perfect addition to the room.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Thanks for stopping by Susan - I am so looking forward to being able to display more of our collected art & bits & pieces that are otherwise just not seen & enjoyed ….
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