Vintage Window Makeover
I have been trying to decide what to do with that old window I picked up at the Flea Market last month.
You know, the one my husband laughed at me for buying?
I had been thinking about putting pictures behind it, and Melissa from A Time For Everything
told me that she had put fabric behind some of her old windows, which I thought was a fab idea.
But somehow, once again, I found myself at Michaels in the paper aisle.
I have quite a fixation with paper for someone who doesn’t scrapbook….
I knew I wanted something with browns and a touch of blue, that was someone aged looking.
This map paper was perfect – and the fact that it was on sale for 25 cents a piece was just a bonus!
I had paid $18 for the window, which was a little bit more than I would have liked.
So I was hoping that finishing it was going to be inexpensive.
I had to do a couple of small adjustments on the window frame to make it work well with the paper.
The window came with green, white, and brown paint on the trim. it was chippy and old, and
I loved it. But when I put it in my living room, the green color did not look right.
And you all know how much I love my neutrals…
I painted over the green with some chalk paint – I used my Old White mixed with some Duck Egg Blue.
Then I went over the whole frame with a brown glaze. The results were a much better fit for my decor.
And for the map paper.
Then I used my uber impressive crafting tools and skills to add the paper to the back of the window.
As you can see, my tools consisted of a pair of kitchen shears, and a roll of off-brand clear tape.
I will remind you once again that I am a lazy crafter..
The red that you see is the back side of the map paper. Here I have it laid out on the back of the frame.
I started out trying to put the map pages together in a way that made sense, matching
up the lines. I eventually threw that idea out the window…… (get it? dang I’m funny..)
I ended up randomizing the pages somewhat, then turning them over and taping them together.
I am sooo happy with the way it turned out!!
I had to get quite creative with my photography skills to get shots of this without to much
reflection from the real windows in the room!
Well, what do you think? Are you in love with it as much as I am??
What is that? You are wondering where I got that cute mini wreath I have hanging on it?
I made it! You know how I love my coffee filters! Here is a link to the tutorial.
Thank you so much for coming by! And you know I always love to hear what you think:)
36 Comments
One Trackback
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[...] *image via The Little Brown House [...]
ingrid
214 days ago
oh i LOVE it! so cute! i have been wanting an old window like that for a while now too. i love what you did with it
fabulous!
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Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
214 days ago
I DO love it, Sharyl! I’m not an actual scrapbooker either, but I love the papers, too. I”m the same with fabric. I do other projects with the papers; kind of like you did here. I think this turned out sooooo good and I love your coffee filter wreath. I will be waiting for that tutorial because it looks like a size I can handle. Plus, now that I’m home {not working since we moved} I think I can manage to find the time to put it together!
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Sandy
214 days ago
It’s amazing…and makes me wish I hadn’t gotten rid of my two old windows at the last garage sale!! : ) Looks really cool Sharyl!!
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Christy@ Life, Made Interesting
214 days ago
Adorable! I have an old window in my garage, itching for something to be done…. you have my mind buzzing now…..
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gina
213 days ago
I love it. I am not really into the map craze…I don’t quite get it. Although, I did save an old globe of mine from being thrown out ’cause I liked the way it looked on a side table! Yours looks great, though. Love the wreath, and can’t wait for you to teach me how to make one! Are you still in Nashville? Hope you’re having a grand time!
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Melissa Kaiserman
213 days ago
Love it! The map paper was a great choice, and the coffee filter wreath is the perfect complement. Beautiful!
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Amanda
213 days ago
I love it! I am going to be on the look out for an old window now! I thought I was the only one who buys and uses tons of scrapbook paper but doesn’t scrabook, it’s nice to know I’m not alone!
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laurie
213 days ago
What a darling idea, Sharyl! LOVE the old maps!
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Bonnie
213 days ago
Love those coffee filter wreaths. Looks like you tea or coffee dyed yours. I have been dying (no pun intended) to make one. It’s perfect with the window. I have a whole stable full of old windows (the previous home owners and our own remodel). This is a great idea.
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Julianne
213 days ago
I love it!!
I too have been wanting an old window for years…..I finally found one a month ago at a yard sale for $1. It came with floral fabric glued onto the glass….I am going to have to change that out as I had visions of a poster of a beach scene.
I have it hung over my laundry sink to add dimension and the illusion of a window in a window-less room. It does the trick!
I also can’t wait for your tutorial.
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Elaine
213 days ago
That is super! I have a couple of old windows trying to think of ideas for them………this is it! Thanks so much!
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Lynne
213 days ago
Gosh that turned out cute! I love your choice of paper and then the coffee filter wreath is like the cherry on top! Great idea!
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Anne
213 days ago
Simple gorgeous – I love maps!!
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Stephanie Stimson
213 days ago
Too cute!!!!!!!!!
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kathy t
213 days ago
Sharyl, I love the smaller coffee filter wreath on the window -also make sure you let us know where we can pick up the flower:-)
Love your photography in this post !
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Karrin
213 days ago
Welcome back! I hope your trip was great.
The new craft project is definitely a hit! I love old maps. We have an old globe and several old atlases. I have no idea what we will be doing with them, but right now they’re just neat conversation pieces in the library (yes, I’m snooty and have a library in my home…hehe). I love your “lazy” crafting as it makes me think I could maybe do it, too. However, right now I’m even lazier than you and don’t craft at all. Maybe one day….
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Linda
213 days ago
Hi
Love the window and the maps look really great! I too love paper but don’t do a bit of scrapbooking. I sort of collect the paper, take it out and drool over it. I so enjoy your blog. Thank you!
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Andrea @ Big Creek Cottage
213 days ago
I love it…..perfect…what a great idea for a beautiful old window. Can’t wait for the wreath instructions…..I think I am finally going to have to make me one……
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Caty
213 days ago
The window looks fantastic! I just love what you do with things.
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Judy
213 days ago
Definitely one of your finest moments. Fabulous!!!
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Diane
212 days ago
Absolutely love your window! So chic. And I can’t wait for your coffee filter wreath tutorial.
Diane
MA
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Angela (Cottage Magpie)
199 days ago
Okay, I admit, I gasped out loud when you said you painted over that gorgeous vintage paint.
BUT
Then I scrolled down to see the results… GORGEOUS!
I love it. Love, love, love it. I have a vintage window here that I have been really wanting to do something creative with (I actually have three matching ones), and I am really feeling like I need to do this project now!
PInning!
~Angela~
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Joy P
199 days ago
Just found you through BlogHer on Brenda’s Cozy Little House. I am going to follow. Love the map/picture frame.
-Joy
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Maya @ Completely Coastal
195 days ago
I’m loving this! The map you chose looks so great. I have an old window in the basement!!! I’ll definitely show this on my blog!
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Kathy
195 days ago
Hi, Yes, I love it as much as you do. Great project. I’ve done windows with old quilts, grapevine wreaths, flowers and various other items but never paper.
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Linda @ it all started with paint
194 days ago
Congrats on your feature at Under the Table & Dreaming!
I’ve been following your blog for awhile now — posting as a guest in the past (I too am an apple and also could be a G-Ma today but didn’t marry until I was 30 and had my first child just before my 35 b-day).
I hope this doesn’t sound like a blatant plug, but I just started blogging one week ago and would love to hear your feeback on my blog — and any advice on what I should or shouldn’t be doing. (You may spot a Longaberger basket in my post today. My older sister was a rep).
I guess I’m just looking for a mentor and I find your style and “voice” very comforting and appealing (I hope that doesn’t sound creepy).
Also, do you have a button I can put on my blog?
Thanks,
Linda
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Linda @ it all started with paint Reply:
November 5th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
… and I forgot to mention that I totally get your humor …
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Holly
123 days ago
I love old window makeovers and yours is tops!
Holly
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Sarah
112 days ago
Wow this is so pretty! I’ve been hoping to do a window project soon. Just gotta find a good one. Yours turned out so pretty!
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Krista@TheGatheringPlaceDesign
112 days ago
Wow…love this idea! Great job:)
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Julie Anne
111 days ago
visiting from CSI… LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!
Scrapbook paper is so awesome, for so many things!!
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shar
111 days ago
just found your site and LOVE IT love the humor
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Lorrie
110 days ago
Love your window! You did a fantastic job! I love old windows and old maps, it’s a win, win! I’m now following…
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Korrie@RedHenHome
110 days ago
Pinning this! Love it.
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gina
109 days ago
not sure how i even got here but I LOVE YOUR WINDOW!!!!
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Tammy
59 days ago
Great Idea! Love the map idea! I too thought about pictures, but this is a much better idea!
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Tammy
57 days ago
Hi! I just wanted to pass along an award to your blog! It is called the Liebster Blog Award and is given to up and coming bloggers. I saw your site and I love your creations! come check out my blog for all the details of the award so you can pass it on too!
Thanks!
Tammy
Onemoretimeevents.blogspot.com
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