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Pottery Barn Inspired Mantle

PB ghostly gallery

Normally I wouldn’t suggest hanging crooked frames. Off center and wonky generally drives me up the wall – but in this case it’s a very good thing. I saw the idea in a PB catalog, and knew that I could achieve the same look with some thrift store frames.

Pottery Barn inspired ghostly gallery DIY

I went to Goodwill and bought a bunch of frames, all in different shapes and sizes (but all rectangular) – the most important part was that the sticker was the 1/2 off color of the day, the whole lot was only about $10. I also used my favorite decorating weapon – Krylon in flat black.

Spray Painting Picture Frames

I took out all the insides, so I could spray paint all the frames the same color.

Spray painted photo frames

The end of spray painting season is coming all too quickly… I’m gonna miss a quick coat of the magical stuff! While the frames were drying, I started working on the art stuffs to go in them.

coloring photo mat

I wanted to reuse the “guts” of one of the frames, but the mat on the photo had a green inner mat. I took a fine point marker and colored it in black – whole new look to recycled mat.

coffee stained book pages

I knew I wanted to vary the looks, so some of the frames were filled with coffee stained book pages – and others were filled with graphics from my buddy Karen at Graphics Fairy. I just printed them and framed them up – instant art!

hanging frames crooked

Once the frames were all dry and put back together, I knew that I’d need a way to hang them crooked. I originally thought I’d fill the frames and then use a nail gun to attach them all together. Then I realized that I never have enough art and it would be much better for my budget to figure out how to reuse the frames. So, I cut strips of felt and put them on the back of each frame with hot glue, then put hangers in the wrong spots to make them hang right (was that as clear as mud?) I intentionally chose spots on the back of the frames to put the hangers so that they’d hang wonky.

layered photo frames

I hung the bottom layer with small paneling nails, just like you’d normally hang a photo. Then, I used screws to hang the top layer, so that I could make them stick out past the bottom layer frames.

wonky frame

Some of the frames were a little too wonky. They fell too far on the bottom towards the wall

roll of felt

I rolled up a bit of felt and hot glued the “tail” of it down.

photo hanging tricks

Then I used it as a sort of stop to hold the photo out. I just tucked it right in there and it holds great 🙂

Ghostly Gallery DIY

And once you’ve got all the frames filled, screws and nails all up and everything put in place, just enjoy your crooked frames. Well, unless you wanna add a little more to them… but you can see that in my Halloween Mantle reveal post on Friday 🙂

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Filed Under: halloween, holiday ideas

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. Okio B Designs says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:15 am

    Totally want to try that too!

    Jeanine

    Reply
  2. gail says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:17 am

    funny frames!
    thanks for hosting!
    gail

    Reply
  3. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:21 am

    Thanks for hosting, Gina. The frames are spooky and spectacular.

    Reply
  4. Colleen says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:25 am

    Love the “wonky” frames! Perfect for Halloween.

    Reply
  5. The Corson Cottage says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:29 am

    Thanks for hosting Gina! Can’t wait to see what everyone has been up to this week:) Carrie

    Reply
  6. Brooke Kenny says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:32 am

    Thank you for hosting us!
    Brooke from babblingsandmore.blogspot.com

    Reply
  7. Katie says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:53 am

    Those frames are so fun!! Thanks for hosting Gina!!

    Reply
  8. Deneen@dreaming-n-color says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:56 am

    Leaving you a than you on the iPad. Lord knows how the words will get turned around lol. Thanks for the link and party.

    Reply
  9. Kelli @ The Turquoise Piano says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:04 am

    LOVE the crooked frames! Great idea. Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  10. Messy Roost says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:14 am

    Thank you for hosting such a great party. I really love the frames.

    Rhonda

    Reply
  11. Debra @ Common Ground says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:21 am

    Love the frames, so creative!! Thanks for the party, just linked up!

    Reply
  12. Shannon at madiganmade says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:31 am

    Love your wonky frames! They are fun. (graphics fairy has some great fall prints, too!)

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  13. Kerry Rossow says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:33 am

    The frames are adorable, I mean spooky!
    Thank you for hosting!
    Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com

    Reply
  14. Leanne says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:42 am

    Thanks for hosting. The frames are so cool! I love how yours turned out.

    Reply
  15. Dusty Coyote says

    October 6, 2011 at 4:03 am

    Thanks for hosting! What a bash that was last week. These frames are so fun, I don’t know how you find the time.

    Reply
  16. Amy H. says

    October 6, 2011 at 4:07 am

    Those crooked frames are awesome! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  17. Jessica @ Sunny Tuesday says

    October 6, 2011 at 5:15 am

    Love it! I snuck over to Graphics Fairy myself this week! 🙂

    Reply
  18. Alicia @ Sweet Ava Kate says

    October 6, 2011 at 5:19 am

    I just linked up! Thanks for hosting! Love the frames!

    Reply
  19. Erin Downs says

    October 6, 2011 at 5:31 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  20. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says

    October 6, 2011 at 5:32 am

    WOW congrats on last weeks link party! Love your cute frames. I have a gallery wall that I spookified for Halloween and the OCD in me is also having a hard time with the crooked frames 😉 Hang in there…. it’s only for one month! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  21. Mammy Made says

    October 6, 2011 at 7:51 am

    Wow! I love that, it looks great!

    Reply
  22. Sewandthecity says

    October 6, 2011 at 9:08 am

    Love the frames idea! Really cool! Thanks for hosing a lovely party, I always find a lot of inspiration here.

    Reply
  23. andrea says

    October 6, 2011 at 10:24 am

    Hi Gina. Your crooked frames are pretty neat. The thrift stores by me have upped their frames prices b/c us ladies have been clearing them out! Thank goodness I have a stockpile. Thank you for hosting this week and…your party is ROCKIN’!!! Look at all the attendees! andrea@townandprairie

    Reply
  24. Heidiopia says

    October 6, 2011 at 11:08 am

    Love your take on this project, Gina! Thanks for breaking it down. 🙂 Linking up for the first time today ~ so glad I found your blog!
    Heidi @ Show some Decor

    Reply
  25. Erin says

    October 6, 2011 at 11:42 am

    Thank you for hosting….your picture frame display turned out great – very fun!
    Thanks again.

    Reply
  26. janet says

    October 6, 2011 at 11:44 am

    Happy Thursday Gina!

    Thanks for letting me share my Chalk Paint whole room makeover…enjoy the day!

    janet xox
    http://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  27. Heather {Simply Cottage Love} says

    October 6, 2011 at 12:10 pm

    Incredible! Heading over to Graphics Fairy to check her out! Love your creativity- as always an inspiration! I’ve got to add you to Simply Cottage Love’s Pinterest Board and shout from the rooftops (okay, okay… it just
    Simply Cottage Love’s Face Book Page ) but still! I love it!

    Reply
  28. Christine says

    October 6, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    Thanks for hosting Gina! Your tutorials are fantastic…

    Reply
  29. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    October 6, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    Love the wall of crooked frames… thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  30. -Kelsey Coghill says

    October 6, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    Those crooked frames are awesome! & you’d never have to worry about straightening them up 🙂
    Thanks for sharing & hosting this awesome party!!

    Reply
  31. Sharon, aka Bootersmom03 says

    October 6, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    I Love your frame project! I have a hard time getting anything straight, so that is right up my alley! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  32. Curtains In My Tree says

    October 6, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    You did have a lot of people join in last week you are so popular

    love seeing all the great ideas and talent

    those frames are great

    Reply
  33. Jenni says

    October 6, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    Thanks for hosting and hoppy cleaning!
    HUGS~
    Jenni

    Reply
  34. Vanessa says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    Hi, Gina

    I just love looking around your blog. I am a new follower. Thank you for hosting a link party.

    Vanessa

    Reply
  35. Colleen @ MuralMaker&More says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:50 pm

    Hey Gina! I meant to say hi before this. I’m a fellow 31-Dayer. Whew! I know, I know – it’s only Day 6, but I signed up for paint projects – EASY paint projects, but still that’s 31 of ’em!

    Obviously someone didn’t think this thru too good :p. Thanks for hosting. I’m enjoying your 31 projects!

    Reply
  36. Nicole says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    Great idea with the crooked frames. So fun and whimsical. They look fantastic!

    Reply
  37. Andrea @Oasis Accents says

    October 6, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    Hi Gina! First off..Thanks for hosting. I love the wonky frames and that you actually said wonky. It’s one of my favorites =)

    Reply
  38. Shabby Marilyn says

    October 6, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    Thanks for hosting, I also saw the frames and loved them, you know how you put it on your list to do!
    You did it and it came out great!

    Reply
  39. Carmie of the Single Nester says

    October 6, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    How fun for Halloween! Great job!

    Reply
  40. Stylebaggage says

    October 6, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    Great job the frame collection replica! Good idea to go to a thrift store for the cheap frames. You should head over to http://knockoffdecor.com/christmas-bulb-tillandsia-terrarium/ and share your project with Beckie. Her blog is about “knockoffs”.

    Reply
  41. Katie says

    October 6, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    Love your halloween frames! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  42. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says

    October 6, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    Your crooked frames are so cool. Thanks for the tutorial.

    Reply
  43. Shannon says

    October 6, 2011 at 11:13 pm

    They turned out SO great Gina!!!
    xo,
    Shannon

    Reply
  44. Casa De Luna says

    October 7, 2011 at 2:53 am

    Your crooked frames do look a little spooky and fun!

    Reply
  45. kayla says

    October 7, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    These frames are fabulous, and you could totally re-use them for different seasons! So fun!

    Reply
  46. Mary says

    October 7, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    Thanks for hostessing the fun linky party – I’ve got your button 🙂

    Mary @ Redo 101

    Reply
  47. Colleen Michalec says

    October 6, 2016 at 10:37 am

    You are a creative genius! I was trying to fill my blank wall for Halloween and voila! I came across your Pinterest! I’m so excited! Thank you so much for sharing your idea!

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      October 6, 2016 at 2:58 pm

      You are so sweet Colleen, thank you!

      Reply

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ARE YOU A FARMHOUSE FAN?
Get instant access to this free guide to The Best Sources for a Farmhouse Style Home on a Budget!
YOUR NAME:
YOUR EMAIL:
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