PROJECT ONE A picture is worth a thousand words

LEVEL Beginner

Have you put old frames up in the attic because they didn’t match your new colour scheme? Or you just don’t like the look of them any more? Well, it’s time to dust them off for this gallery wall project. Gallery walls are a great way to display your artwork or family photos. If you don’t have any, don’t worry, old frames are easy to pick up in charity shops at a range of prices.

Materials needed

Old frames in a variety of sizes

Sugar soap

Cloth

Sandpaper

Paintbrushes

Artwork or photos

Undercoat (I used Colortrend undercoat)

Paint (all Colortrend satinwood, H-French Mustard, I-White Tea, I-Dressage)

Method

1 Carefully open the back of the frame and remove the glass. Leave it in a safe place until needed.

2 With a medium grade sandpaper, sand the timber frame with the grain of the wood.

3 Clean the frame with sugar soap and a clean cloth.

4 Prime the frame with Colortrend undercoat.

5 Lay out the frames as you would arrange them on the wall. Start with the largest frames first. Place them at different heights (one at the lower level of your gallery and one at the higher level). Next, work with the medium-sized frames (these can slot into the spaces between the larger ones) and finally the smaller frames (in the spaces left). You can play around with the medium and smaller frames to figure out which layout is more visually appealing. You can also take a photo of different arrangements which will help with your decision.

6 TIP: if you are having trouble with the layout, you can cut each frame size in paper and temporarily stick them on the wall and play around with what arrangement works for your space.

7 Now that you know where the frames are placed, you can work out colour combos and how to evenly distribute the colours you have chosen.

8 Paint your frames in the colour of your choice and leave to dry fully.

9 Repeat step eight for your second coat.

10 If you want the distressed look, lightly sand the edges and corners of the frames.

11 Carefully clean the glass with window cleaner and place back into the frame.

12 Hang up your gallery.

GET INVOLVED

Are you inspired to tackle this gallery wall project? Let us know how you get on by tweeting @IrishCountryLiv or email mmoynihan@farmersjournal.ie CL

KYLE LANE

Joanne Condon runs Kyle Lane in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, selling affordable upcycled furniture, ranging from shabby-chic and retro to French country style, as well as home wares. The shop also offers an upcycling service to customers ranging from painting to upholstery, as well as interior design for businesses.

Next week Turn an old headboard into a cool kitchen organiser