Upcycled Framed Print Set

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The upcycled framed print set is a great way to create budget-friendly decor for your home!

Hello friends, and happy Trashy Treasure Tuesday!

It’s that time again. When a few friends and I get together and share our latest “trashy treasures”. Be sure to scroll all the way down to check out their makeovers, too!

A banner with a pink checkered background reads Trashy Treasures Tuesday. The word Trashy is in pink script above TREASURES TUESDAY in black, with a black silhouette of a lamp—perfect inspiration if you’re learning how to paint laminate furniture.

I hope you all had an amazing weekend. It was gorgeous here. Well, I wasn’t here here, I was several hours away at a wedding for the weekend, and it was gorgeous there too. I think spring is finally here to stay. I mean summer. Haha, we never seem to get much of spring around here anymore, but I’ll take the hot weather over this wacky winter weather any day!

I’ve got a super simple makeover for you all today. Made even simpler using ChatGPT. Crazy, really. But I thought I’d give it a go, and it worked out quite well. And as per usual, a great way to create inexpensive decor for your home.

Upcycled Framed Print Set

My favorite place to find things lately is actually my two local ReStore stores. Lots of furniture, knick-knacks, decor, etc. I can almost always find something. Rarely do I walk out of there empty-handed. Thrift stores, well, I often walk out empty-handed these days. I don’t really visit like I used to, sadly. I miss the good ole days of thrifting!

Anyway, here is what I found.

Two framed print set palm tree prints with brown frames are propped against a wall on a wood floor. The word BEFORE appears at the top right of the image. Part of a patterned rug is visible in the foreground.

A nice, framed set of palm prints. Not bad, but not my style. If this were your style, you would have to do nothing at all to them. Just bring them home and hang them up. And the best part, they were only $5 for the set!

MATERIALS SUPPLY LIST

I took them apart…

Two upcycled picture frames are shown from the back with brown paper backing partly torn open, exposing the backs and edges. Both have "Made in Canada" stamped at the bottom—a unique find for any framed print collection.

I ended up having to leave the glass in because I couldn’t get them past the staples. And I really didn’t want to have to remove the staples just to put more back in, so I left it in.

Two upcycled picture frames with torn brown paper backing lie face down on a marble surface. The frames have glass fronts, and peeling paper reveals the inside. The bottom left framed print says MADE IN CANADA.

No worries anyway, I’ll just tape it on the front to protect it from the paint.

I wanted to give them a driftwood look, so I started with this paint color.

A hand holds a jar of Fusion Mineral Paint in the color Chateau, labeled 500 mL (16.9 fl oz), ideal for upcycled projects, with “paint it beautiful” written on the label.

It’s a nice neutral base for the wood-look.
I’ve done several other wood-look projects like this with different-colored stains for a deeper, “wood”- like look.

You can see them here:

I painted two coats on…

Two upcycled rectangular picture frames with glass centers covered by blue painter’s tape are shown side by side on a marble surface. The white frames appear to be freshly painted, with brush strokes visible.

Two white picture frames on a marble surface, each with blue painters tape covering the glass center—perfect for an upcycled DIY project. Reflections of overhead lights are visible on the glass.

I let it dry overnight, then applied the stain. As you can see below, one side has the stain, and the other side does not. I also decided to leave the inside detail (closest to the mirror) unstained.

Two rectangular picture frames—an upcycled white frame and a weathered, grayish one—sit side by side on a white surface, blue painter’s tape covering the glass. Perfect for showcasing your favorite print set or framed print.

You simply rub it on using an old cloth and wipe away with a clean cloth. (for this one, I used several different techniques in the other posts I shared above)

So easy!

Now for the fun part. 

I told ChatGPT in great detail exactly what I wanted it to create for me. And it got it right on the first try. The key is to be extremely detailed. I asked for something like a matching set (but not exact matches) of Blue Herons on the beach, with sea grass, in a watercolor style, etc.

Two watercolor illustrations of herons standing among beach grass near the ocean, with seashells and sand visible. This print set is beautifully laid out on a light-colored marble surface.

ChatGPT can be wacky, though, haha, but aren’t they pretty?? I printed them out on my laser printer.

I used the pieces from the back to line up around the prints for cutting.

A hand holding a striped pen traces the edge of a paper atop another sheet featuring a beach scene Print Set, all arranged on a light-colored, marbled surface.

Once they were cut, I put them in and pressed the staples back down to secure them.

A hand uses a flat tool to lift metal tabs securing the back panel of a black framed print, preparing to remove the panel.

And lovely new artwork for your home!

This print set features two framed prints of herons standing among beach grass and sand, with the ocean and sky behind. The light wood frames rest on a hardwood floor beside a wall, adding an elegant touch to any space.‘

I live in a coastal town, so this is my style for my home, but you could do anything.

I was thinking I would hang them here. However, I’m not sure, as they may be too small.

A white table lamp on a wooden side table sits in front of patterned wallpaper with blue, gray, and gold floral designs. Above the lamp is an upcycled framed print of a bird illustration, and a blue curtain hangs to the left.

On each side of the couch in this room.

A corner of a room with floral-patterned wallpaper, a small upcycled framed print of a beach painting, a white textured lamp on a wooden table, gray wainscoting, and blue curtains on the right.

Have you played around with ChatGPT for artwork for your home? It’s pretty amazing what it can do.

PIN it to save it!

Two framed prints with palm tree art are shown “before,” then transformed “after” into an upcycled print set with new beige frames and updated heron artwork by the water. Text reads: “Upcycled prints.”.

You can check out my friends’ makeovers below:

A graphic with a pink diamond pattern background reads: Trashy Treasures Tuesday with a black lamp silhouette. Below are the names: Salvaged Inspirations, Artsy Chicks Rule, Confessions of a Serial DIYer, Petticoat Junktion—plus diy holiday decor with thrifted frames.

A collage of four vintage furniture and decor items, each labeled 1 to 4: a tarnished metal box, an upcycled round wooden side table, a black three-tiered serving cart, and two brown-framed print set pictures with palm tree prints.

  1. Petticoat Junktion
  2. Confessions of a Serial DIYer
  3. Salvaged Inspirations
  4. You are here!

Have an amazing week, friends!

xoxo

The word Nancy is written in elegant, flowing black script, reminiscent of Chalk Style Paint For Furniture, with a heart shape used to form the dot above the letter i. The background is plain white.

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3 Comments

  1. Hi, I don’t think I’ve ever written you. I love these. Great idea and I’m going to have to try it. I think you’re right–they’re too small to put one on each side. How about one over the other on one side? Nice job!

    Reply

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