How to Make Cottage Picture Frames

Cottage picture frames can be created at home.

Decorating with a cottage style, otherwise referred to as the shabby chic style, can turn any room into a lovely, comfortable space with an English garden ambiance. Although purchasing cottage-style decor in stores can be expensive, you can create your own shabby chic accessories, such as picture frames, at home. Creating your own cottage decor will save you money and will allow you to turn ordinary items into cottage-inspired treasures. Everything you will need to create a cottage picture frame can be purchased at any craft supply store.

Things You'll Need

• Picture frame
• Fine-grain sandpaper
• 20 dried flowers
• Silk or crushed velvet fabric
• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue stick
• Picture

Instructions

1. 

   Any wooden picture frame can be turned into cottage chic.

   Purchase a painted, wooden picture frame. Any size or style picture frame can be turned into a cottage frame, as long as it is painted wood. Gently rub a fine-grain sandpaper onto the frame, using small, circular motions. This will remove some of the paint, and will make the picture frame appear weathered.

2. 

   Dried flowers make any frame look like a cottage treasure.

   Place a hot glue stick into a hot glue gun and plug it in. Once the glue has heated, squeeze a dollop of hot glue onto the frame. Gently press a dried flower onto the glue, and hold it in place until the glue cools. Repeat this process until you have added all of the dried flowers you would like on your frame.

3. 

   Silk or crushed velvet fabrics work best for cottage styling.

   Tear a strip of silk or crushed velvet fabric with your hands. If the fabric will not tear, start a tear by cutting a small area with a pair of scissors. Once you have torn a strip of fabric, tie it into a loose bow. Squeeze a dollop of hot glue onto your frame, and press the bow onto it. Hold it into place until the glue cools.

4. 

   Your cottage picture frame is complete.

   Wait until all of the hot glue cools completely, then place your picture into the frame. Display your cottage picture frame in your home.

References

• Home Decorating Room by Room: Shabby Chic Styling
• Cottage Home Decorating: Shabby Chic Ideas