See these beautiful seashell prints from Ballards?? Well, I don’t like the $179 each pricetag (and they are no longer available anyway), so what do I do??
Well, I lucked out about 3 years ago and found these 2 shell prints (the ones that match and have been hiding in the masterbath water closet all this time) at Kirklands and they were marked down to $10 each, so I grabbed them up. I would have loved to have a 3rd, but there were only these 2. The artist is Caroline Kelly, the same artist as in the Ballards prints.
See the odd frame in the middle? Well, it holds a 10×10” print, so I saved this frame to use especially for this project. I went online with Art.com and searched for additional prints and found out that there are a couple in that size, 10×10 that would fit perfectly in my old brassy gold frame, that is perfectly good wood, just doesn’t work for me anymore in its current state.
So, I ordered the 10×10” print (for about $14) that is a companion to my other prints from Kirklands and all the frames got a makeover. I love these sepia toned prints! So, this complete set of prints cost me around $34, since I already had the old frame.
And here they are after their white paint makeover. I had a can of Heirloom White (not spray, but brush on), so I used that to paint these babies and make them look all pretty to work in the master bathroom on those blue walls.
I used a little Spanish Copper Rub N Buff on the odd frame so that it would mimic the other 2, which I had sanded down to let the original bronze metallic paint show through. A little of this darker RNB and it was a good match.
And now here they are in their new home and they really look great on this wall.
Old pic of what I did have in here, a pretty watercolor that Peter’s Grandma Eleanor painted, but it didn’t show up that well in here, so Grandma’s painting got moved to the den, where it looks much better.
And we are really enjoying the new prints.
Closeup of the distressing on the frame. Just a little sanding let the old paint show through perfectly.
Yardsale shelf that I picked up and painted was $5 from long ago.
Holds hand towels, wash cloths and some shells.
And last year I added that pretty original watercolor of a beach scene that I found at a yardsale for $1.
You might remember this pretty iron tiered basket that I found last year yardsaling, for $5. It was in my kitchen, but it looks better in here and the color works well with the blues. Filled with seashells on the side of the tub.
And this plant also hangs out on the tub.
Just thought I’d share this recent project, just in case you have some old frames or prints that might need a makeover. It was fun to finally get this done, as I had envisioned it for a long while and actually got the print ordered. Happily, they turned out even better than I anticipated and since we are such beach lovers, a perfect complement to our masterbath blue.
I’m linking up with Kimba’s DIY party today too, so click over there for lots more DIY inspiration.
Also, tomorrow there is an Heirloom Party over at Marie’s blog and I’ll be participating, so if you need something to write about on Friday and want to join in, check it out.
Wow, that turned out gorgeous with your beautiful blue walls! Thanks for sharing!Come check out my TRANSOFORMATION end table at DIY DAY!
This is absolutely beautiful – straight out of a magazine! I love how all your small garage sale elements came together to make a trly beautiful room 🙂
Your bathroom looks divine. The pictures just well…, really pop (I don’t really like that word), but they do!
Absolutely beautiful and I’m sure you are so very proud of your newest creations! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings today and always,
Kaye
Matthew 21:22
They look great!
Those frames look so much better! I love how they pop against the blue!
Hi, girls! Rub N Buff can be found at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, or most any other craft store. My favorite color these days is the Spanish Copper, a metallic dark bronzey tone. They also have white, black, red, and several shades of gold too & are great to have around for small projects. It’s a metallic paste and a little goes a long way. It is applied with an old cloth & fingertip. I’ve used it on lamps, picture frames, anything that needs some highlights.
$179 EACH??? Girl, you done good! : ) I like yours so much better (maybe because I like the white distressed frames) than the Ballard ones. And thanks for the intro (for me, anyway) to the RNB.
**ahhhh**, I just let out the biggest exhale when I got to the photos hanging on that blue wall – looks so crisp and clean against that indigo – you’ve done a beautiful job with all the extra’s as well.
You are so resourceful! I love how you waited this one out and put your personal stamp on it.
Your prints really look striking in your bathroom! What a great shade of blue!
Fabulous!!! I want to do this now.
Rhoda, I love your “new” frames! I have just primed two U.G.L.Y. frames and plan on painting them soon to match my home’s color scheme. Thanks for posting your success!
Tana@Crafting R&R
Excellent redo Rhoda!!! Nice and graphic and fresh! Brava!
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! This is so my taste. Everyone has their own likes/dislikes; good for us all. I’m just not a gilt/scrolly/silk girl. Clean and simple is what appeals to me. I think the white distressed frames are absolutely fabulous! The entire room sings so much brighter than with the previous (and beautiful!) painting. I like the way the skylight hits them, too. Love this, Rhoda!
Oh my goodness! Those look amazing against that blue! Your bathroom is beautiful!
Great makeover! The prints look so nice framed in white. 🙂 I just got a Kirkland’s gift card a month or two ago…can’t wait to go (without children!) and spend it. 🙂
Nice job Rhoda! The white distressed frames compliment your shell prints very nicely. This post has given me some incentive to take another look at an old frame & print that I couldn’t part with. TFS! Sheila
P.S. Grandma Eleanor’s watercolor is a beauty. What a very talented lady!
You have the best yard sale finds!
I just love the blue and white–you’ve captured the typical bathroom beach theme but with so much luxury and elegance.