Thursday, April 19, 2012

"Spring into Action" the reveal

 ***UPDATE***
 I just realized, based on some of the comments that it seems like I did the entire room in two weeks. I absolutely did not. Much was already in place, I just wanted to show the evolution of the room as whole. This project was about framing and/or hanging eleven pictures, moving things around, and adding the little bar for an overall zhush. Sorry about the confusion. Carry on.

It is not modern. It does not have a sassy mix of styles or anything all that clever but I loooooove my dining room. It has a decidedly masculine feeling but I think that is fabulous in a horsey, cigar and brandy sort of way.
Let's take a minute to recap.

The dining room started as a blank canvas.

We painted it a chocolate brown and added this trim to separate the two rooms that share a wall.

I made a huge mess.

I also bought a bunch of prints to frame and had some that were framed but not hung.

This was my inspiration.
Here is my interpretation of that.


I went with a more symmetrical arrangement because I had similar frames and my husband can't deal with the haphazard look in my inspiration photo.







In this last photo are all of the prints I framed. The two I had originally hanging on this wall belonged to my grandparents and at the last minute I decided to frame them like the others.

Anyone have a cigar?

I am so glad I did. I think a great-great uncle framed them in the 30s or 40s and gave two to each of his nephews and nieces, including my grandfather. Let's just say they needed a redo.


There was a caption taped to the back of each that I saved and will mount to the backs under acetate to preserve them. I have not done this yet.


You can see that their coming into contact with the wood inside the frame had drastically discolored the edges. It was well worth the added cost to reframe them.
Speaking of cost here is the breakdown...

Open back frames 50% off $9 each                                             7 @$9 = $63
UV glass $7                                                                                    7 @ $7= $49
Mat board $5 with coupon                                                                            $5
Foam board                                                                                                     $4
Miscellaneous hardware                                                                                $10
Total                                                                                                         $131

I dug out a receipt from last year when I had something framed. It hadn't dawned on me yet that I could do this myself. It was a comparable size and frame and I paid $52. The regular price was $139 but with a sale and a coupon it was only $52. What I am saying is that even with a sale and a great coupon, having all seven of these framed would have cost me a minimum of $364!!!!
If that doesn't convince you to do your own framing I don't know what will. Even if you have the store cut the mat if you do the framing you will save.
If you did not see my mat cutting and framing tutorials on video they are HERE
In all, I custom framed seven prints and cut mats for two more and used ready-made frames. Then I hung them all. I moved a few things around and grabbed that antique folding table from another room to set up the little bar table. My dining room is now the first room in my house that I feel is "done". I would like an antique huntboard and hardwood floors but that is so far down the road I don't count it as being undone.

Don't forget to check out all of these other great "Spring into Action" projects
  Suzy – Saved by Suzy
Tiffany – Living Savvy
Cathy – Room Rx
Carrie – Hazardous Design

13 comments:

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

Kerry is is stunning. I can't get over how perfect your DIY framing is. I hope you have a party and start enjoying this space soon.

Unknown said...

This is fantastic Kerry! The room is exquisite! Great pictures and post!
Xo Nancy
PowellbrowerHome.com

A room with a view said...

Gorgeous work, Kerry! I love that you have incorporated some ancestral pictures - anything with history is a must in my book. Defintely worth reframing them.

Unknown said...

Kerry your DR is fabulous and I can't believe how amazing your framed prints look! Love them, especially the fact that two are from your grandparents. The fact that you framed 7 prints for $131 is "priceless!"

Tiffany @ {Living Savvy} said...

You seriously just completed your own one room challenge in two weeks! I love the arrangement of the mirror and pics.. and the styling of the table is perfect!

Anonymous said...

Very tastefully done! I think you did a great job. I love the prints great job on the framing!

Shauna@Satori Design for Living said...

Wow, that's a lot of work! Love the artwork arrangement and the richness of the color.

Anonymous said...

The room was beautiful to start, but you made it so rich looking! Love the dark wall color and the way you added those prints! Nice job!

Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.com said...

Kerry, you did an amazing job on the framing. Your dining room is beautiful!

From G2B said...

I love the pic looking into your living room! So pretty! And I think it was a great choice to frame the other pics. That grouping is beautiful!
xo Becca

Carrie @ Hazardous Design said...

I love a masculine space and your dining room is a perfect interpretation. It has so much personality now. Well done!

The Pink Pagoda said...

It does have a bit of a masculine flair, but I think it's very chic. You're really talented, Kerry! I love your dining room!

Sam | Away She Went said...

The framing looks amazing! And I loved hearing how much you saved by doing it yourself!