Ideas for Using Antique Frames in Your Decor

Ideas for Using Antique Frames in Your Decor!

Antique frames are used often in decorating our home. I love finding these old antique carved frames at antique markets, thrift stores, and estate sales. They are works of art on their own with their elaborate carvings and timeworn patina. Sometimes the mirror or art is missing, which creates opportunities for creating your own one of a kind statement piece.

One of my favorite antique frames holds a mirror and sits on top of the Louis XV commode in our kitchen/breakfast room.

The ornate details of the mirror gives this vertical display a subtle elegant touch.

Antique frames come in all different sizes, shapes, and textures, and are never boring with most of them boasting intricate carvings. This old beauty, with it’s aged gilded finish, stands proudly above the French dresser, reflecting the light and beauty from the kitchen chandelier. The frame creates a perfect background for hanging a preserved boxwood wreath.

The opulent carvings on the antique frame makes it particularly elegant. More than likely, it once held a grand portrait of its owner. However, today it frames a mirror, making it a refined wall accessory for almost any room in our home.

Antique frames also make the perfect background for displays of prized collections.

When I found this antique frame, I knew that I wanted to use it to display a few pieces of heirloom ironstone.

I cut a thin plywood back for it, covered it with burlap, and hung the ironstone on it, using small hooks. You can see more details HERE. The frame brings visual appeal on it’s own, but especially when framing a special item.

This large, heavily carved frame was found at a flea market several years ago. It had a great price on it, so I scooped it up and brought it home. I wasn’t sure what I would use it for, so it stayed in storage for awhile before I decided. It ended up being the perfect compliment for hanging a precious antique French processional banner.

I used the same technique with this display as with the framed ironstone, a plywood back cut to fit, covered with burlap. Whatever you hang inside the frame becomes elevated in a special way when framed this way.

This frame was salvaged from a 19th c. French mirror. The mirror was broken and I had the good fortune to find the frame at an estate sale. I mounted a santos doll inside the frame, and it now hangs in our bedroom.

There are so many different ideas that can be used for repurposing antique frames, even just replacing with a new mirror or an art print, such as the one hanging in my study.

I also love the idea of displaying a child’s christening gown, or a special collection, in this way.

Framing special items in an elegant gold framed offers you the opportunity to enjoy them every day, allowing the displayed pieces to stand out. The grandeur of the antique frame can tell the story of just how much you cherish the item. Overall, its the perfect way to showcase a significant detail.

Of course, antique frames make great chalk boards as well, such as this one that hangs in our kitchen.

Something small and insignificant can become larger and grander just by displaying it inside a gorgeous antique frame.

Walk through any antique store, estate sale, or thrift store, and you will find a wealth of antique frames in all sizes and shapes. Many times, they are priced low and can be picked up for just a few dollars. I recently found a large one at an estate sale. It already has a wood backing and fabric cover where it was used to display a special piece by the previous owner. I’m not sure what I will do with this one, but at $45.00, I couldn’t pass it up, and I’m sure I will find a treasure at some point that needs to be displayed in a special way!

I hope this collection of ideas will inspire you to be creative the next time you see one of these salvaged antique frames!

Cheers, Cindy