Decorating Ideas for Old Wood Window Frames

Wood window frames may complement or contrast a surrounding wall.

Find the right decoration for old wood window frames to transform them into focal points for a room. Older homes, or those decorated in a rustic theme may have wooden frames around windows. If left natural or with a plain coat of paint, they may appear drab or stick out in a decorative room. Select a decorating option to suit the room.

Stenciling

A simplistic way to add color and decoration to wooden window frames is to use stencils. Stencils are available in almost every shape and size. Select a size to fit on the frame and colors to match the room. Use stencils to repeat a pattern completely around a window on the frames or create a scene or full piece, such as vines. A solid base coat of paint may be the canvas for the painted stencils, or they may placed on bare, stripped wood and covered with a clear coat for protection.

Crackle Paint

For a rustic or shabby chic appearance, use a faux painting technique known as crackle. Strip any old finish from the window frames and sand smooth. Paint a dark base coat to match the room, immediately followed by a lighter color or shade. Before the paint dries, apply a coat of crackling glaze with a rag. This process causes bubbling of the second coat of paint and makes small cracks that reveal the darker first coat. The final result is an old, almost antique appearance essentially accentuating the age of the frames.

Wallpaper

Hide the presence of old wooden window frames by covering them with wallpaper. When adding new wallpaper to a room, include the frames in the papering process. This will blend the frames into the wall, and they will become invisible to the casual observer. If you're not using wallpaper for the room, consider covering only the frames. Select a wallpaper pattern to match the room colors. For example, if the two main colors of a room are blue and yellow, choose a pattern with blue and yellow. While this makes the frame stand out, they will look bright and fresh, as opposed to their former wooden selves.

Matching Stain

For a room with wood furniture, staining old window frames may incorporate them into the landscape of the theme. Begin by stripping off any old finish and sanding the wood smooth. Select a stain the same as or as close to the furniture stain as possible. Remember it may take several coats of the stain to achieve the true hue or tint. Always finish the project with a clear coat to protect the stain and the wood.

References

• Faux Painting Techniques: Ageing and Distressing
• Art Sparx: Stenciling