What do you get when you combine an antique gilt frame, burlap, and old ironstone? Vintage french glam, of course!
Sometimes, everyday pieces take on a completely new look when framed inside a beautifully carved gilded frame.
Our framed ironstone is now a highlight in this dining room.
Whenever I’m out antiquing, junking, or picking {whatever term you use}, I’m always on the lookout for antique gesso frames, especially the ones with their original gilt.
These frames are perfect for framing and showcasing special pieces, and can be displayed in any room in the home.
Many times, you can find these salvaged frames at yard sales, flea markets, estate sales, or thrifts stores, and often the prices are very reasonable.
I recently found a beautiful, large antique gesso frame that was a really good price.
It was nice and large, and very ornate with lots of patina to the original gilt.
With an idea swirling around in my head for awhile now, I knew this frame was going to work perfectly for the project.
I love the look of old ironstone platters, plates, and even old tureen lids hanging on the walls.
Looking for a new way to display a few special pieces of ironstone in my collection, I decided I wanted to showcase them inside this beautiful old frame.
I didn’t get a lot of “before” pictures, but it was so simple to do, that I really don’t think you’ll need them!
I took some burlap fabric and adhered it to the backing in the frame with spray adhesive.
When found, the frame had a thin plywood backing, so it was easy to cover in fabric.
If you find a frame that is empty and doesn’t have any backing, simply cut a thin plywood or mdf back for it.
{May contain affiliate links}
Collecting antique ironstone has been a passion of mine for years, and I’ve had a couple of pieces that were less than perfect that belonged to my grandmother.
The pieces of ironstone had a few cracks and chips, a couple of lidless tureens, and an old bowl. These pieces were never going to be used but they were very sentimental to me so I didn’t want to throw them out.
Turning the ironstone platters over and using E6000 glue, I glued a metal picture hanger on the back. This glue is so strong, it will hold just about anything.
I let it sit overnight, and then using the E6000 again, I glued the tureens and bowl onto each platter.
Since the backing in the frame is plywood, I just nailed a small picture hook into it, and then hung each ironstone piece on the hook.
I’m so pleased with the way it turned out.
This would be such a beautiful way to display a few heirloom pieces that may have seen better days.
It makes a stunning, and storied, display piece for a dining room or even the kitchen if you have the space for it.
You could do this with pretty transferware, old family china that has been damaged, or vintage silver-plate.
It would also be fun to pick up random pieces of old china with holiday themes such as for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and just swap out the dishes depending on the holiday.
I hope you have enjoyed this easy way to showcase ironstone!
Cheers,
Cindy
Before chippy furniture became the thing, I remember as a young girl watching my mother fix old frames. She would take some sort of putty and find an area that was not chipped, similar to what was missing on the frame and make an impression of it. Next she would pour regular old plaster into the mold, let it dry and pop it out then carefully glue it on after arranging it with small paint brushes. With the frames missing ornate moldings rebuilt, she’d hit it with some spray paint and her old chipped frame was perfect.
What a wonderful story, Elizabeth! Thank you for sharing!
Such a BEAUTIFUL idea, I absolutely love it!!! But no pic of the puppy? Miss that precious face <3
Thank you, Monique! Miss RubyLou usually makes an appearance, but she missed this one!
Thank you for sharing. This is a great idea and I’ve aleady got some pieces in mind.
Wonderful, Karen! Thanks for commenting!
Beautiful Cindy – what a clever way to display pieces you love! Hope you’re staying cool where you are and Happy 4th to you and your readers.
Thank you so much, Susan! Happy 4th to you and yours!
I found two clearance frames that were once clocks, several years. I added some transferware saucers and I love them.
Hi Cindy, I just love your style and ideas. Would you share the wall color in this room? I have the same paneling in the master bedroom and it needs a new color. Thanks, Karla
Hi Karla! The wall color is Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray!
I love this!! I know this may sound crazy, but is that just regular burlap you used? I have burlap but the weave seems to be very loose. What you have seems to be more tightly woven much nicer then my burlap. Where did you purchase it? Thanks so much for your help.
Blessings, Candy
Candy, the burlap we used is a much tighter weave, it’s an “upholstery grade” burlap. I purchased a roll of it at http://www.burlapfabric.com
I have a frame like this and
did not know what to do with it… But now I do , thanks soooo much for all your great redoes !!!!! LOVE EVERYTHING YOU DO !!!
Fantastic idea! Love your idea of changing it out for the seasons with holiday ware. I love when something has a lot of variety of use.
That’s a really great idea. I love your table too. Very nice.
Thank you Cecilia!
Cindy, I just adore this idea! It looks absolutely stunning in your gorgeous dining room! I’m a huge fan of what I call architectural art. Beautiful pieces that have 3D value. Wow, oh Wow!!!!
Thank you so much Yvonne!
oh I’m with you on this one, I am also always on the lookout for these frames except I put mirrors in them, have them all over the house and garden to add reflection. I also love your idea with the ironstone, now just to go find some here in Australia. x
Thank you Suzana!
I have seen ironstone hanging on walls but not framed. Love this!
A fabulous idea! Simply beautiful….
Smiles~
Mari
Thank you Mari!
Good Afternoon Cindy, What a fabulous idea and I love that it is possible to ring the changes for the different seasons.
Best Wishes
Daphne
Thank you Daphne!
🙂 Our shared luv of Ironstone and burlap! Timeless.
Thanks for the how to. Who knew it was so easy. Luv the elegant look of it in the gesso frame.
Happy today Cindy!
Thank you Gee!
Thank you so much for sharing, i love it, so creative and different than a standard picture. Will be creating one of my own.
Thank you Carolyn!
Cindy, what a fabulous look!
Thank you Kim!
Cindy – I love how you framed the ironstone, and your use of burlap. So the plywood was thick enough to take the picture hook nail, or did it poke through a little? Did you also use burlap in the framing of the two pictures adjacent to the ironstone? I love that natural texture. It looks beautiful. Thanks for your tips re: glue etc. It helps me move from wishing to doing 🙂
Thank you Patti! We used a short nail, however it did come through a slight bit on the back side of the plywood. I just bent the end down with a hammer and put a piece of masking tape over the end so it didn’t scratch the wall. The two pictures are not framed in the burlap.
What a great idea….especially being interchangeable. Always tasteful!
Robin
Thank you Robin!
I love the way you showcased the ironstone ! Absolutely stunning! Thank you for sharing, I am definitely going to try creating one.
Thank you Danette