I am a huge fan
of art. Painting is one of my all-time favorite hobbies when I am having a slow
day or when the Van Gogh bug hits me (at this point it is clear that his works
are a go-to reference if you have been reading our past blogs).
By Sistine Chapel
standards, mine would probably be described as something just a step above
doodling. However, my last piece of work got me so excited that I am itching to
get a frame for it. And because I am all for doing it myself from scratch, I
was on the hunt for a DIY frame I could make myself.
Cue crown
molding.
Crown molding is
traditionally revered as a magnificent addition to a ceiling. It has long been
the go-to to add a spark of elegance to a room, offering a smooth transition
between the walls and the ceilings.
But what if like
me, you wanted to be a bit more creative
with your trim? What if you wanted to try out something else that would make a
fantastic accent piece?
Try a picture
frame.
Frames are a
beautiful way to dress up a painting or a photo. They can also be a sneakily
fantastic way to dress up the wall above the fireplace or create an accent
wall. Yet they can be pretty expensive, especially if it is large and
customized. Trim could come in handy to save you some bucks while allowing you
to put your creative skills to the task.
Today, we’ll look
at the quick and easy steps to making a customized frame from crown molding
Step 1: Assemble the
supplies
Pick out the
crown molding and accompanying trim you will need for the job. Consider our 7 inch-wide molding for a larger, more
ostentatious frame, or the smaller, 3 ⅜ inch-wide trim for a smaller frame.
Determine the length required for the frame and get just a bit more to cover
the extra loss in making the corners.
All our trim is
made from high-quality polyurethane that is light and flexible and will be easy
to work with. It is moisture-resistant so your picture frame will be right at
home even in the bathroom.
For this project,
the assumption is that the frame will be out of a single piece of trim.
However, there are no limits. If you want a stacked up frame, consider using
baseboard trim as the foundation and then add a decorative piece of trim on top
of it or have two pieces of decorative trim with varying widths.
Beyond the crown
molding, you will also need:
●
Tape measure
●
Pencil
●
Miter saw
●
Wood glue
●
Caulk
●
Sandpaper
●
Desired paint (depending on what
you’re going for, opt for regular paint or spray paint. I find that spray paint
will be easier to work with)
2: Measure, then
measure again
Be certain that
you have the correct measurement of the item you intend to frame. The worst
possible thing could be to work so diligently at the frame only for the item to
not fit, or for the frame to be too large. The outside length of the picture
should match the inside length of the molding you will cut.
When you have
measured the dimensions of the item, round up to the nearest quarter inch and
then add another quarter inch to the measurement to allow for some elbow room.
3: Cut the molding
pieces
Set the miter saw
to 45 degrees and cut the first length of the molding with opposite
inward-facing angle cuts on both sides. Confirm that the length is accurate and
then proceed with the rest of the pieces.
To help get an
accurate frame, cut the top and bottom lengths first, or the side lengths. It
is essential that the opposite sides are exactly the same length otherwise the
frame will be slightly lop-sided (assuming that lop-sided is not what you were
going for).
If your trim has
an intricate, continuous design, be careful as you cut the pieces so that when
you bring them together, the design will be seamless. This is where the extra
measurements you rounded up your length to will especially come in handy.
Lightly sand down
the cut edges to make them even and smooth. Be careful not to file away the
length as this will interfere with how the pieces come together.
4. Bring the frame
together
Assemble the
pieces to confirm that they match as they should. Next, apply the wood glue and
gently join the pieces at the joints. Wipe away the excess glue and use
painter’s tape to hold the pieces together. Give the glue some time to dry- if
possible leave the frame overnight so that it dries firmly.
When it is dry,
remove the tape. Apply a bit of caulk where the joint is not seamless to hide
any gaps. Remember to wipe away any excess caulk.
If your project
involves stacked up pieces, they will probably need more reinforcement to the
glue. Use corner braces to help secure the trim and add to the frame’s
durability.
5. Decorate it as you
please
This is
especially where you get to customize the visual appearance of the frame. Our
polyurethane comes already pre-primed and ready to paint. Personally, I intend
to go with black with gold flecks when I am done making my frame.
Paint it any
color that suits you. If you are more artistic or the frame has some detailed
motifs, consider painting only sections of it using a small brush. As
aforementioned, I have found that spray paint does a faster job and is always
my go-to when possible.
Leave the paint
to dry.
6. Do the backing
If necessary,
make a simple but firm backing using cardboard cut to size and stick it to the
back of the frame using glue. Before sticking it on, be sure that your picture
or painting sits squarely within the frame so that the complete work will be
symmetrical.
Add hanging
material to the frame and check if it supports the weight.
With that, you
will have a fantastic frame and a new accent piece for your wall. Happy
framing!
The Dream Wall Decor online store offers large selection of discounted wallpaper and wall borders from major US and Canadian manufacturers, polyurethane crown moldings and trims, ceiling medallions, wall ornaments, interior columns, decorative corbels etc. All home decor items in our stock have the most competitive price on the market. Customer satisfaction is our top priority here at 
