Now that is officially summer, I’m ready to get my mantel all cute and summer looking. I started with some simple DIY Wall Art that I’m using on my mantel but could easily be used as a focal point on a wall.

I had totally planned to show you a totally different post today, but that project is taking FOREVER to dry. I posted a pic of that project on Instagram over the weekend. Since that was supposed to be today’s blog post, I needed something different that wouldn’t take too long. This project was perfect. It was an easy project. I even worked on it during our power outage last week. Painting in the dark…I’m totally dedicated aren’t I?! LOL! Anyway, the point is, that is an easy project. It just takes a little bit of time and some patience for painting all that detail (or picking a less detailed frame to begin with).

You ready to add some fun to your walls or mantel? Alright, let’s do this thing (even if there is no power 😉 )!

Supplies

• Unfinished wood frame
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Sand Paper

Start by painting your frame your base color. If you pick a frame like mine, please put your patient hat on before you start because to paint all the sides of the scrolls and details will take you a little bit of time.

You can end your project here, but if you want to add a little dimension and that shabby chic or worn and well-loved look, we can do a little more.

I knew I wanted to add a little something over the blue color I picked, just to add a little more. I mixed up a custom color. I watered the paint down a little to thin it and make it a little more translucent. I also added a few drops of the gold color to the metallic color you see picture above. I just wanted a tiny touch of the gold in the color so it would blend with another project for this mantel that is using the gold….more on that later this week. 🙂

Paint over the base color with your second color. In my case that was the custom mixed metallic paint.

Lastly, use sand paper to distress your frame.

I used the sandpaper to both distress some of the edges, but to also rub off some of the metallic paint. I think it gives it a more worn look.

Using the sand paper to remove some of the metallic paint also allows the blue paint to show through more in some areas. I love the effect.

You are done! You now have a pretty frame to fill and place on your wall.

Of course, if you plan to use your on a mantle, the work that you put in to distress it may not show all the way. At least not on my mantle. My mantle is kind of weird. The height of the actual mantel is probably about 5 feet or a little higher. It is high. The frame is at a position where I have to look up at it. I still like the frame, but I could have saved myself plenty of time by not doing the additional painting and distressing. Though I really like this more muted color better.

I have plans for the summer mantel, which as you can see above, is currently a hodge podge of between season or just left there stuff. The thing I’m not sure about is, should I put something in the middle of the frame or just leave it like that?

Such a pretty frame. Super happy with this project!

What would you do on my mantel? Fill the frame or leave it empty? I’ve got other things planned to fill in the mantel and the hearth, so there will be plenty of things for the eye to look at. If you can’t tell, I’m leaning toward leaving it empty, thinking it might be too busy with the other things I have planned. What do you think?

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