Easy DIY: Taped Frames
I do lots of crazy stuff around my studio that I don’t always is that DIY story worthy if you know what I mean. Most bloggers put so much effort and hours into their DIY posts but me… Oh gosh, I wing it and hope it doesn’t flop! I know you guys must be thinking I’m nuts for posting this extra simple DIY stuff but I have to write about things that matter to me first, you know? I like it, it makes me happy. And then I just sorta hope they matter to you and give you some creative ideas, too.
Today’s DIY is the perfect example. It’s not elaborate at ALL but maybe you’ve never thought of it or tried it so it may be a fun new idea to you. This idea came when I was looking at some artwork in neon lucite frames and thought that I would love to have neon frames in my studio… So I went out and bought some paint and was seriously all geared up to paint wooden frames when I thought – what if I paint the frames made for my original pieces of art (I collect lots from Jennifer Davis) and then, in 6 months, I hate the frames? It’s not easy to custom frame all over again or even affordably.
Then I wondered if certain colors would even look good. Gosh, why was I so scared to paint a stupid frame? Again, I think it had to do with how these were custom made for my artwork by Jennifer herself and I really cherish the originals and don’t want to ruin them. Then I though, “Oh whatever, loosen up” and pulled out my paint. Suddenly I thought WAIT. I walked over to my stacks and stacks of washi tape, grabbed a roll in the same color as my paint pot and taped up only the sides of my frame to see how the color looked before I committed to painting. BUT a cool thing happened. The tape works just fine. In fact, if you lay the tape on perfectly straight, cut it with scissors perfectly straight on each end and do two layers without any overlap AT ALL it actually looks like paint – even when you stand pretty close. A bit relieved, I put the paint away, hung the first piece and feel that sudden DIY glow – you know, when you do something that wasn’t an epic fail. Ha!
I sometimes think my random little ideas don’t matter, that everyone else must be doing this stuff too, but then it dawned on me that often it’s the little easy things that we overlook and miss out on trying. This makes me want to keep sharing my mini projects. I hope that you enjoy them!
Have you taped up the sides of frames before? Here are some I worked on and wrote about a million years ago (ok in 2009) on IKEA frames – check it out, you may like that easy idea too!
(images: holly becker for decor8)
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February 12th, 2013 at 4:57pm
Oh I love this idea ! My frames are a little bit old, it could be a good thing to decorate them…
Mnêmosunê´s last [type] ..De nouveaux produits dans ma salle de bains #1
February 12th, 2013 at 5:08pm
It’s very easy and fun to do. I’ll try it soon!!! Thanks
xoxo
Giò´s last [type] ..Stylish masks
February 12th, 2013 at 6:06pm
I love simple projects that make a big impact. This is now on my list. Still loving the bright colors.
R. Joyce´s last [type] ..Closet Home Office: The Big Reveal
February 12th, 2013 at 6:10pm
oooo I love this idea so much, paint is sometimes a big commitment issue and this takes all the worry out of it. Thanks so much for sharing your inspiration no matter how small or simple, it’s all great!
February 12th, 2013 at 6:15pm
I will try it soon. Thanks for sharing..
janika R´s last [type] ..Quotable
February 12th, 2013 at 6:24pm
Cool idea… I love your wall art vignette! :)
Catherine
InspireBohemia
February 12th, 2013 at 6:29pm
I love this idea to spice up my ikea frames!
Punctuation Mark´s last [type] ..A Masked Celebration
February 12th, 2013 at 6:50pm
Its wonderful to try and fun too . Thanks for sharing with us :)
February 12th, 2013 at 6:57pm
Last week, I became the proud owner of my first four rolls of washi tape (I’m sure there are many more to come!), so this project comes at just the right time- can’t wait to try it!
Lauren´s last [type] ..fancy thumb tacks
February 12th, 2013 at 7:22pm
Love the simple DIY ideas! Keep it up. I find I’m more often in the mood for something quick and simple, so I love the inspiration.
February 12th, 2013 at 8:32pm
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea! Thanks so much for the inspiration! Picture perfect!
Tracy´s last [type] ..Inspirational Adornment – What Lies Within You by MakingHappy
February 12th, 2013 at 8:57pm
Ha! I was just doing this to some frames in my bedroom.
bmerry´s last [type] ..I fell in love…
February 12th, 2013 at 9:08pm
I love simple ideas like this one! Not too much effort, but with a great difference! Tape is one of the best DIY materials ever – so versatile, and it is fun to see how many ideas people actually can come up with! This idea was new to me, so thanks for sharing, will definitely try it out!
Katja/ Neovia house´s last [type] ..A Virtual Shopping Tour
February 12th, 2013 at 9:22pm
I really enjoy these simple DIY projects. I don’t often have the supplies, patience or time for larger projects – but these easy ideas are definitely do-able and inspirational, too!
Tazim @BeingTazim.com´s last [type] ..Where To Find Fun Things To Do In Any City
February 12th, 2013 at 9:37pm
Hallo Holly,
dein Buch stand gerade bei der aktuellen Folge von “2 Broke Girls” im Regal hinter dem Party-Manager, Glückwunsch!
Lieben Gruß, Isabelle
February 12th, 2013 at 9:39pm
Great ideas, but what caught my eye was the 1 Romanian lei banknote above the last frame. Where do you have that from? :)
February 12th, 2013 at 9:53pm
Hello, great idea! I like the picture wall. I want to change mine and your post comes just the right time! Sorry for my English, I come from Germany. :-)
Greetings
Bettina
Bettina´s last [type] ..Valentinstag
February 12th, 2013 at 10:02pm
@Andreea – One of my friends in German school last year is from Romania and she gave it to me because I thought it was so beautiful!
February 12th, 2013 at 10:06pm
Great idea! So crazy how simplicity (no paint used) can be so beautiful. I’m eyeballing my photo frames now. THANKS Holly for sharing this.
Ada (new york)´s last [type] ..Tasty Tuesdays | No coffee, No workee!
February 12th, 2013 at 10:09pm
That’s a great idea and totally share-worthy! Thanks for the inspiration.
seabluelee´s last [type] ..Getting Over It
February 12th, 2013 at 10:19pm
Easy & fun are the best DIYs for me. A lot of DIYs are just way too time consuming, complicated and unnecessary for my life. And I wonder how much toll it takes on spouses and kids to spend days prepping & documenting complicated DIYs. This is something fun I could do in a few minutes that would make a spicy change and brighten things up. Keep sharing your ideas Holly. There are other places we can go if we want to know how to built a 4-story children’s playhouse out of a tree we’ve grown from seed, cut down, planed and painted (of course by making our own paint!) ourselves. wink, wink. We love you just the way you are and we <3 ideas that mean something to you.
February 12th, 2013 at 10:58pm
Love, love, love! Such a fabulous idea! I’m always painting picture frames when the mood strikes me. As a matter of fact, I paint almost anything sitting still… if the mood strikes. I’m addicted to color and this is a great way to feed my addiction. I’m almost embarrassed to say that I don’t own the first roll of washi tape. But today ~ I am on the hunt for all colors and patterns. Who knows, my paint brushes just may git a little jealous! Thanks for sharing such a GREAT idea, Holly!
Chelly @ Color Digs´s last [type] ..Tiny Table. Colossal Color.
February 12th, 2013 at 11:01pm
What a cool idea!!!
I gotta try this!
February 12th, 2013 at 11:25pm
This was totally fun. And I’m in live with your tiny little yellow chair perched on your frame! Omg how cute!
February 13th, 2013 at 4:06am
Great idea! I’ll do it, for sure!
February 13th, 2013 at 9:54am
I think even your smallest ideas are worthy of posting, original thought is very thin on the ground! x
February 13th, 2013 at 10:34am
I did the same thing to a mirror I bought at Ikea! That is what I love about washi tape… the possibilities are endless!
Traveling Mama´s last [type] ..budget friendly {valentines} gifts
February 13th, 2013 at 11:07am
this is a great idea – thanks for sharing Holly!
February 13th, 2013 at 11:37am
I love this idea! It is so simple and fantastic, I have never thought of this but I am so trying it today! :)
Guðrún Vald.´s last [type] ..Selje náttborð frá IKEA
February 13th, 2013 at 12:14pm
I always look forward to your personal posts!!! they are my favorites!!!!!!
This DIY might be simple, but really lovely!!!
and your photos are oh so inspiring!!!!! : )
thank you for sharing and taking the time to put it together!
ishtar´s last [type] ..Colorful washis and snail mail ♥ Coloridos washis y cartas
February 13th, 2013 at 12:23pm
Hi Holly,
That is a great idea! Thanks for sharing..And my ego keeps telling me it is nor worth to share basic and small ideas..But they are the most precious! I have immediately applied your idea, but I have sticked the washi tape on the front face of the frames!
I was just thinking of spicing up my two cheap frames..So your post came just in time!
XOXO
Hatice´s last [type] ..Duvar Kagitlari Nasil Uygulanir?
February 13th, 2013 at 12:24pm
Hatice – Do you mean this like? http://decor8blog.com/2009/10/08/japanese-tape-diy-for-frames/
February 13th, 2013 at 1:06pm
Love this project. I own a boutique flower shop and sometimes at the end of s long day, I just want to do a bit of crafting that doesn’t involve flkwers. Simple projects like this one can be done quickly with a sense of having achieved something. That’s why I love finding projects designed for kids that can be made sophisticated by the choice of materials and colors. Keep up the good work
Mimi´s last [type] ..4 Secrets for Adding Immediate Sophistication to a Room with Hydrangeas
February 13th, 2013 at 1:29pm
I love this idea! I want to reframe some of my wall art too and I think this will be an easy and fun way to do it! Thanks for sharing!
February 13th, 2013 at 2:28pm
@decor8: Exactly like this Holly ;)
Hatice´s last [type] ..Duvar Kagitlari Nasil Uygulanir?
February 13th, 2013 at 4:18pm
Simple but genius! I’m the kind of person that would think about the paint for hours too…will I, won’t I, etc…and then end up not doing anything! So this is the perfect solution
February 13th, 2013 at 7:34pm
A variation on how art students use electrical tape to “frame” their projects for class. Very nice!
February 13th, 2013 at 8:06pm
I am loving Washi tape at the moment! Never though of using it like this though :)
Megan´s last [type] ..One Tuesday morning..
February 13th, 2013 at 11:02pm
where did you get the frame? I’ve been looking for simple frame like this!!!
February 14th, 2013 at 12:31pm
@mami – They were custom made for the paintings by the artist, Jennifer Davis.
February 14th, 2013 at 1:17pm
Oh Holly, the simplest ideas are always the best. Brilliant – thanks for sharing. Hmm, like I need another excuse to buy some more washi tape!
I just used it to cover some boxes like you did the other day and am delighted with the results.
And I’m so delighted to see my little creation perched up there – that makes me very happy! Thankyou – I appreciate that Valentine’s Day * gift* ?. J x
February 14th, 2013 at 6:28pm
You’re totally right, I never thought of that and think it looks awsome!
Keep posting you little DIY ideas, please
Lela´s last [type] ..Golden glory: Updated wedges
February 15th, 2013 at 2:24am
Great idea looks lovely!
February 15th, 2013 at 4:03am
I absolutely love these. Now I just need to figure out how to hang pictures into really old sheet rock..
Chrystina´s last [type] ..family matters valentines
February 15th, 2013 at 7:01am
Fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:15pm
Your frame looks lovely Holly. Few weeks back whilst sitting in my NHS office, I was looking at those hideous clinical shelves. Washi tape in hand, I lined them and now what a transformation. Makes sitting at my desk whist doing my admin session so much more pleasant. My daughter and her friends will be selling washi tape for charity, comic relief, so we will have to now think of ways to decorate the stall, going to use some of your past great ideas for decorating xx
Geraldine´s last [type] ..Arabia Finland is 140 years old
February 16th, 2013 at 7:26am
Such a nice and easy to do DIY. And I love the fact that you have a 1 RON bancknote tucked behind the frame. I’m from Romania, so I’m a little proud of my old lion. Silly, I know.
February 16th, 2013 at 9:48am
I love this idea. Paint gets expensive and messy. I’m not too familiar with this tape. Is it easy to remove so you can change the colour?
February 16th, 2013 at 1:19pm
Please don’t stop writing easy diy posts! Honestly – my pinterest board is full of beautiful and elaborate diy projects. Have I done any of them? Um, no…. I like to look at them and dream of the day when I WILL do them, though. Ideas like this one are the ones that make you get up from your desk rightaway, grab the supplies and start getting creative. Fun!
Lena´s last [type] ..BLOGS I DIG: A #BLOGHUG
February 18th, 2013 at 2:56pm
Thank you Holly! i´m gonna try this, i´ve taped shelves edges before, but not frames, it is so easy and they look great.
xx
February 18th, 2013 at 5:49pm
Wow, it’s so simple and fun to do
I’ll try it. Thanks for the idea
Sarah´s last [type] ..Simple Tips to Keep Fresh Flowers Alive Longer
February 18th, 2013 at 9:34pm
That is simple and great idea. It certainly cheer up the wall.
Hrandica´s last [type] ..Črno belo na prste/ Black and white on fingers
February 18th, 2013 at 9:37pm
I love your easy DIYs. Maybe most of us have this little ideas, but I guess we all have different ones, therefore I think it’s great to share them. So thank you!
Sabine´s last [type] ..The Small Things: Bird Watching
February 20th, 2013 at 9:22am
Cooool idea! I will try it :)
February 20th, 2013 at 6:12pm
An easy way to add a little neon into a space. Clever.
February 21st, 2013 at 6:31pm
Charming and I love the POP of colour! ;)
March 11th, 2013 at 11:08am
It was fun to see you have a Romanian bill on top of one of your frames :) I live there, so it drew my attention very fast :)