Saturday, August 16, 2014

Never Pay Retail for Picture Frames!


We thrifters have certain "go-to" areas in our favorite haunts. 


One of my always-check-it-out sections is picture frames (which usually includes mirrors.)

I rarely pay more than a buck for a frame...unless it is a really special one. 

The past week, I've had thrift store fever, so I have gone more than usual. I'm collecting items for my September renovation project in my living room and dining room. 

My plan is to pair fancy French items with industrial items. I get excited by contrast, people.


I also will use only rusty metal, bronze and gold. No silver...until Christmas. 

That little silver plate vintage-style frame was .50c - from Lillian Vernon. I love it. But it won't make the cut for fall.

Neither will these 3 matching silver plate frames:


As a mom of 3 children, I nabbed them. Three of the same of anything is rare at thrift stores. They were $1 each. 


I recently shared with you that sometimes I don't notice flaws in a piece I find, and buy it anyway. That was the case with the new frame on the left above. It is made of resin, and today, I noticed cracks in it. I think I was distracted by the rose detail at the top. Oh, well. I have some glue...

The vintage frame above on the right is a style I always buy when I see them - the faux mother of pearl trim is lovely. I gave 3 of different sizes to Hannah recently, so this one might go to her as well. Or I could collect more for me again. 


My fall living room will have some black and mustard mixed in...so I thought the fancy black frame in the center above was fine for $3.

The tall skinny mirror above will be part of a gallery wall...probably behind the sofa. With gilded gold mirrors and industrial things.

The round wood frame in the center above is like two more I found and gave to Hannah, so it might go to her, or it could stay with me. If I keep it, I'll probably make a faux antique mirror in it. (Click HERE to see how.)

My thoughts on thrifted frames: 

  • Buy them cheap, so you can paint them and make great gallery walls. 
  • Don't pass up a great frame, even if it is missing glass - glass is cheap. (Sometimes standard sizes can be switched out with dollar store frames.)
  • Look for vintage wood and metal. It's amazing what a coat of paint or a little touch up with Rub N Buff can do to a vintage frame!
  • Even 1950's gold metal frames look great sprayed white or a fun color. 
FYI - the total cost for every frame you have seen in this post was $15.50. 

Only one (the cracked one) is a plastic/resin type material. The others are wood and metal. 

Word for the Day:
James 1:22-25
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.


Possibly Linking With:
Sunday
Sundays at Home
Monday
Mod Mix Monday
Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday
Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
The Scoop
Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday
What’s it Wednesday
Cottage Style Party
Drop it or Swap it Party
Thursday
Under $100 Link Party
Creative Inspirations
Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Furniture Feature Friday
Frugal Friday
Junkin’ Joe
Thrifty Things Friday
Saturday
Party Junk


8 comments:

sweetvintageofmine said...

Evening Revi, I couldn't agree more about Frames! I have a fascination with them too....the "frenchie" frame in my post was actually an old picture. The pic wasn't very pretty but the frame was so I made it into a chalkboard...just cost $2~~~! Thanks so much for pinning 2 of my photos...I wasn't happy the way the kitchen pic turned out but I posted it anyway. I love to see what fellow bloggers are doing...especially since Fall and Christmas decor is soon! Blessings~~~Roxie

My thrift store addiction said...

Great frames, Revi! I love decorating with empty frames and upcycling them for my Etsy shop. In fact I have a stack that needs some attention...

Helena White said...

Thanks so much for visiting Revi. I love frames! I have turned a few pictures into mirrors because I like the frame, but not the print.

≈♥♡≈ Helena
─ƤєтαƖ & Lαcє Ƈσттαgє ─

Unknown said...

We don't get deals like that in Montreal - nowhere near that!
BUT I often get beautiful mirrors with dressers I buy - so I do have a stash of frames - and am creating an empty frame wall very soon !
You found some beautiful ones :)
xoxo

Rhonda said...

I am obsessed with vintage & antique frames and most of them cost me very little. You found some good ones, can't wait to see what you do with them!

Audrey said...

You do wonders with empty frames and your latest collection is great. They will be fun to work with.
Can't wait ... you are so inspiring.
Blessings,
Audrey Z

farmhouse-story said...

i cannot pass up an old frame--love them! your collection is fabulous, revi!

Angie @ Knick of Time said...

It's a good thing we don't live in the same town, Revi, because I love getting frames at thrift stores too! Thanks for sharing yours at the Vintage Inspiration Party!