Mid-Century Modern Wall Decor from a Collage Frame

As you likely recall from this initial thrifting post and this follow-up thrifting post, we are still in the process of decorating our home. I’m still hunting for mid-century modern wall decor, and spotted this collage frame while at a Habitat ReStore last year.

It was a little scuffed up, but I liked the geometric shape of it right off the bat. The fact that it was constructed of actual wood sporting a walnut stain was also a bonus.

And yes, I’ve already created this piece of mid-century modern wall art last year from an unusual thrifted frame.

But, I had a different (and incredibly simple) idea in mind for this collage frame. In fact, this is probably yet another example of a project that doesn’t warrant a blog post; but I’m doing one anyway!

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Upcycle Idea for Mid-Century Modern Wall Decor

Now, truth be told, I played around with two different ideas. One was far more involved than the other and involved paint. But once I studied the frame up close and in better lighting, I opted for the much easier plan.

First, I removed all the inserts: eight individual glass panes and chipboard backings.

The wood was in decent shape, just a few scuffs and scratches here and there. Perfect for my idea!

Next, I had to deal with all the framer’s points. They’re those metal tabs that you bend up and down to hold your photos/artwork in place.

Using pliers, I removed them all. Four per frame in an eight-frame structure meant I pulled out thirty-two of those suckers.

I won’t lie to you- my hand was tired after that. Those little buggers were embedded in the wood something fierce. And I didn’t want to yank too hard and splinter or damage the wood frame(s)!

Then, I decided to “zhuzh” up my future mid-century modern wall decor and buff out the scratches and scuffs. Or, at least try to cover them up- and I used Restor-a-Finish in Walnut to do it.

It’s a semi-transparent stain that you use over existing stains/finishes. Not on naked or natural wood, as the color isn’t rich enough for that. But, it was a product I’d been curious about for a long time and finally had the perfect piece to try it out on.

Lastly and per the instructions, I applied it to small sections of my frame with a soft cloth and buffed it off immediately. It revved up the wood quite nicely! (The two sections furthest to the right had been restored in this photo.)

And that was it for this piece of mid-century modern wall decor. All I needed to do was finish “restoring” the remainder of the frame and then hang it up in the house.

Mid-Century Modern Wall Decor from a Collage Frame

Luckily enough, it already had a sawtooth hanger on the back and I hadn’t removed it. So, once I let the frame sit for 24 hours after using the Restor-a-Finish, we hung it on the wall.

Doesn’t it work fabulously as mid-century modern wall decor? Not quite in the Brutalist style, but the geometric shape and the walnut finish were a perfect compliment to our decor.

And since I know someone will ask- the two empty vases were thrifted, as well as the basket and plant stand. The pottery planter was purchased at a small art fair in Mount Holly, NC, and all the plants are fakes from Michaels.

All that thrifted frame needed was to be emptied of its contents and a little low-effort TLC on the finish. But it’s the perfect size for this little divider wall.

The long black mirrors (we have a pair that flank the dining room windows) came from our favorite mid-century modern shop in Hickory, NC.

It currently hangs in the dining room “area” of our open floor plan. My husband likes it there, but we may eventually move it to a higher visibility location later on.

This “project” is hardly a project at all and perhaps doesn’t even warrant a blog post! But, I couldn’t help but show off my thrifted $2 frame that originated at Walmart. And how good it looks in the right environment.

If you enjoyed this idea for upcycled wall decor, then you may also enjoy this weaving project, as well. I turned a most unusual thrift store find into a loom- and I loved it so much, I ended up making a coordinated mate!

And for a few more picture frame upcycle ideas, this post is full of inspiring ideas, too!

Craft on!

S

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