Updating A Thrift Store Painting

And it was a quite a haul.

There were so many fabulous treasures that honestly, I had a hard time picking a true favorite.

However.

If you forced me, I’d have to say that this hand painted floral picture is definitely right up there at the top of that thrifted list.

You may recall, that I left shop without it, due to its $40 price tag.

Of course, the nagging pit in my stomach forced me to go back and as fate – and the really sweet kid at the register – would have it, I scored it for half price.

Unfortunately, white the painting was perfect, the frame was not. That orange toned wood was all wrong for my cottage style decor.

Now, you’re probably thinking, Hello DIY girl, you makeover things like this all the time.

And yes, I do. Painting a frame is an easy fix, for sure, but when I flipped it over and saw the custom framing tag from Michaels, I got a little nervous.

This was a professionally set canvas and I wasn’t exactly sure what removing it from its frame would entail.

And if I’d be able to get it back together on my own.

You see, I’ve had a few things framed at Michaels over the years, but I’ve never been privy to the process and I’ve never taken any of them apart.

Perhaps I should’ve asked my friend Mary what to do, before I went tearing into the paper.

Turns out, it was a super easy DIY that I wanted to share in case you run into the same situation. Plus, now that I’ve seen the process of framing a stretched canvas, I know with a few tools, I could make a frame of my own.

Ok…well, Mr. DIY could, but close enough. And, if I didn’t want to make a frame I found this handy video that shows you how to use a regular frame and some clips. 

Painting The Frame On A Stretched Canvas

I started by removing the picture hanger hooks and wire with a screwdriver.

Then, with a bit of trepidation, I ripped the paper off the back…which revealed a stretched canvas underneath. Hmmph.

I was kind of surprised to see that they didn’t remove the canvas from its wooden frame, like I did when I framed my paint by numbers project.

They just framed around it using a frame with a recessed ledge that the canvas rested on. Genius.

And super simple for me to take apart and put back together.

All I did was carefully remove the staples and lift the canvas out of the frame.

Then I removed the price tag, thankfully I didn’t have to use my peanut butter trick, but I did use some vinegar and water to wipe the wood down.

Then I painted the frame with two coats of a white chalk paint. 

And sealed it with a gloss finish and waited for it to dry completely.

In the meantime, when I removed the paper I noticed what looked mold on the back of the canvas. It also smelled a little funky.

For a girl with allergies, that was a no go.

At first, I wasn’t sure what to do.

I knew I didn’t want to do anything that might damage the paint on the other side, but I figured a coat of sealer would be relatively harmless and might lock in the mold and get rid of that terrible smell…and I wasn’t wrong.

When everything was dry, I put it all back together.

I just slipped the canvas back into the frame and stapled it in place.

Then I put the hooks and wire back.

I still haven’t decided where it will live. So far it’s spent some time in the family room.

And the kitchen.

Popping against both paint colors.

Looking fabulous with its new bright, white painted frame.

And all those gorgeous, colorful, half-priced roses.

🌹🌹🌹

Do you tackle thrift store makeovers?

Happy Crafting, Friends!