Happy Wednesday, Friends! Friday I shared a recent thrift store art find. For today's 15 Minute Fix, I'll show you how I gave it a mini upcycle to create a look I love...
![From drab to fab in just 15 minutes-how to give thrift store art a quick upcycle using chalk paint 15 minute thrift store art upcycle](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7A0364Zc1Lc/WYZxZafMaBI/AAAAAAABZVo/neTdMHU0tzQNSozTfaWetH-2eOsdUk4zgCLcBGAs/s640/Thrift%2Bstore%2Bart%2Bwhite%2Btable%2B.jpg)
As I mentioned before, usually when I buy old prints like this, it's to upcycle the frame for my Etsy shop. This time I was drawn to the art, but the dated gold plastic frame--not so much. Even so, I knew it was a quick fix. Here's how you can do it too!
![How to give a dated thrift store frame a quick upcycle using chalk paint! 15 minute thrift store art upcycle](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Jy5T3FwjYc/WYdw0nFWVqI/AAAAAAABZcI/1bs5TEjM9Bo_Efkk1Jq4G_6DxXoHi99YwCLcBGAs/s640/Before%2Bswan%2Bprint%2B.jpg)
First, remove the art and glass to protect it while you paint.
![From drab to fab in just 15 minutes-how to give a dated thrift store frame a quick upcycle using chalk paint! 15 minute thrift store art upcycle](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-w_aw88QNs/WYZ01QaBgvI/AAAAAAABZWY/kCiKCIhW7DgGiQvoqpHihaWcMMa7wefFwCLcBGAs/s640/Before%2Bart%2Bframe%2B.jpg)
Next, select your favorite paint. I used my go-to gray paint, DecoArt Americana Chalky Finish in Yesteryear.
![]() |
As a DecoArt blogger outreach member, I received paint for this project. This post contains affiliate links for suggested supplies. See full disclosure here. |
Brush or sponge on the paint: 9 minutes. {Tip: If you use chalk paint, there's no need to sand or prime the frame first.}
![From drab to fab in just 15 minutes-how to upcycle a thrift store frame using chalk paint! 15 minute thrift store art upcycle](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kQDmtqPVrdA/WYZ5ZlOlLQI/AAAAAAABZX8/awYxB8lQZ74Qn7PR9Sn3iefIMnp52TwVwCLcBGAs/s640/Painting%2Bthrift%2Bstore%2Bframe%2B.jpg)
Allow it to dry thoroughly.
![How to use chalk paint to upcycle a dated thrift store frame in less than 15 minutes! 15 minute thrift store art upcycle](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--O104BxFRbQ/WYdtBAo46RI/AAAAAAABZb8/OyO7b96wyhsBSsCpgSSo9TBjx_kW5m5sgCLcBGAs/s640/Painted%2Bgray%2Bframe%2B.jpg)
Once the frame is dry, use an accent color to dry brush the ornate detail on the frame: 5 minutes.
![From drab to fab in just 15 minutes-how to use chalk paint to upcycle a dated thrift store frame! 15 minute thrift store art upcycle](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oXQpgZ-RnBY/WYZ9Q7LeuDI/AAAAAAABZZI/egnFleDCYvQFtJXOjnnneQ-7thGpROJJwCLcBGAs/s640/Dry%2Bbrushed%2Bframe%2B.jpg)
Allow to dry, replace the art and voila! After purchasing my framed print for .50, I saw the exact same Homco print on Etsy for $35.00!
![How to give thrift store art a 15 minute upcycle using chalk paint! 15 minute thrift store art upcycle](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7A0364Zc1Lc/WYZxZafMaBI/AAAAAAABZVw/cyqNNz9QKZIFdSghaS3DSv596vFNXLAVACEwYBhgL/s640/Thrift%2Bstore%2Bart%2Bwhite%2Btable%2B.jpg)
![Thank you for pinning! My Thrift Store Addiction](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iL5PstqGYL8/VuGtnvqXboI/AAAAAAAA3f8/dQhrpPUaHaYL_u79blNAWpEA2z-JD2rtwCPcB/s1600/pin%2Bit.png)
![From drab to fab in just 15 minutes-how to upcycle thrift store art using chalk paint! 15 minute thrift store art upcycle](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rpBwUthUFw/WYnviZYKHHI/AAAAAAABZq8/MFGm_7JDssUibXwtNz3yNBuW5uXE1zrQwCLcBGAs/s1600/Pin-2-Thrift-Store-Art-Upcycle.jpg)
Remember to join us for tomorrow's Vintage Charm party!
![Join us every Thursday-Monday for the Vintage Charm link party! My Thrift Store Addiction Vintage Charm party](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0EJ7rshn-w/WFmtydgLwpI/AAAAAAABLC0/vRUV1Q9NnxYTr4lsDXgkrVuw69vH1Z2ewCPcBGAYYCw/s320/vintage%2Bcharm%2Bbutton%2B2.jpg)
![Peace be with you! My Thrift Store Addiction signature](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YzI3E5ZMP7k/U8gMS6WzjcI/AAAAAAAAUMQ/UwrDLfBDJfg/s1600/Signature.png)
That colour on the frame really makes the artwork more noticeable, thank you for sharing. x
ReplyDeleteLove that frame color and plan to purchase some and try it. The "ager" in me so wants to add a little dark wax to that frame, just to age it down a little.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty Cecilia! Love how you accented the decorative swirls with white. It so nicely complements that sweet picture too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference the paint on the frame makes! Love that color!
ReplyDeleteLove how the frame turned out Cecilia :)
ReplyDeleteGreat quick fix Cecilia! That pretty gray complements the print beautifully.
ReplyDeleteLooks very pretty now. (Had I known the print was worth something I might not have turned it into a chalkboard lol).
ReplyDeletexo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home
What a wonderful transformation!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Debbie
Love the color and looks great with the art.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing at Snickerdoodle.
DeleteI have that same print in the exact same frame! I love it gold, but now that I see it in gray and white.... I love it even more! I must paint mine now.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
:) gwingal
So pretty...I love the transformation.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how the different colored frame transforms the artwork. Thank you for sharing on Thursday Favorite Things. Shared and pinned.
ReplyDeleteI love the serenity of the picture. And the highlighted embellishments--reinds me of jasperware Wedgwood.
ReplyDelete