Framing Interesting, Memorable, or Vintage Objects

In the past I've had a difficult time finding wall art for our home. I tried buying a print from Homesense once. It's hanging in our spare room and I secretly want to get rid of it. It's just not interesting or memorable. It's a generic print that a hundred other people prob'ly have too. Boooo to that.

I've tried to find other ways to fill up the walls of our home by:

a) Purchasing Etsy prints from various artists (see post here).

b) Framing vintage botanical prints from an encyclopedia (see post here).

c) DIYing a typography collage with print from a favourite book (see post here).

But I still have some empty walls. So on our recent vacation to Ottawa/Montreal I came up with a brilliant (to me) idea. Since I have this odd fascination with doors/doorknobs/locks/keys I decided to purchase a set of door knob plates from an antique shop and frame them as a little collection.

These doorknob thingies vary quite a bit in finishes and styles but I decided to get some plain, rectangular ones with chippy white/off-white paint. Three were bundled together so I bought the little set.

I took a look at Homesense for a shadowbox but they were all really deep. I spotted a frame that was shallower than a shadowbox but deeper than a regular picture frame. It was perfect. 'Cept I had to tell the cashier that I wasn't a crazy cat lady. {Might be a crazy dog lady though.}

This project was so easy.

First, I cleaned up the door plates with a little windex. Then I opened up the frame and removed the ugly matte. I used a gluestick to glue a piece of white scrapbook paper directly to the back of the picture frame. (I had to secure the paper to something sturdy since the metal was quite heavy.)

I had a tricky time trying to adhere the doorknob thingies to the back of the frame. At first I used a glue gun but it didn't hold to the metal very well. Next I tried some silicone that was leftover (and laying right beside me) from our last project. It was stinky but I used it anyway.

I let the silicone dry for about an hour and then reassembled the frame.

So easy and so unique! What I really like about this project is the contrast of the new, white frame with the old, chippy doorknob plates inside. They look so tidy and cute!

My plan is to use this on a future gallery wall in our bedroom. I'll lean it on a shelf for now though.

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I put together a few inspiration photos of other vintage/antique items that would look super cute framed by themselves or as part of a collection.

The possibilities are endless if you really think about it. Just dig around some antique shops for some interesting items:

Buttons
(Image: Little Frame Big Wall)

Tins
(Image: Lovely Package)

Cars
(Image: Unknown)

Letters
(Image: Little Vintage Violet - Etsy)

Tart Tins
(Image: French Larkspur)

Hankerchiefs
(Image: Glam Lamb)

Spoons
(Image: Stephie B.)

Records
(Image: Fresh MD)

Maps
(Image: Home Shopping Spy)

Keys
(Image: 2B Creative - Etsy)

Flashcards
(Image: Show and Tell)

Cookie Cutters
(Image: Bird Nests and Paper - Etsy)

Matchbooks
(Image: Lox Papers)

Typewriter Keys
(Image: Moxie Thrift - Etsy)

Thread Spools
(Image: I Could Make That)

So, which collection is your favourite? Do you have any objects/items to add to my idea list???

:)

Linking to: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm, Twice-Owned Tuesday @ Creating a House of Grace, Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle, White Wednesday @ Faded Charm, Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts, Good Life Wednesday @ A Beach Cottage, Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, Show and Share Day @ Just a Girl, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest