How to Paint a Picture Frame for a Pinterest worthy Present

Now say that post title 10 times fast.... ;) 

Tongue twister aside, we want to show you 7 Easy Ways to Personalize a Pinecone Home Ready to Paint State Shaped Picture Frame. Techniques shown include ombre, plaid, stars, home stickers, shabby chic, racing stripe and checkerboard inspired.

Supplies needed for all 7 techniques: Spray paint, painters tape, stickers, sandpaper

All of these projects were done without the glass inserts which can be easily removed. If leaving the natural brown of the frame exposed, we recommend sealing it with clear spray paint to avoid bleeding. 

How to paint ombre:

We were inspired by colors of the ocean for our California ombre blue. We decided to go with white, medium blue, navy and black for a 4 tone look. 

Step 1: Spray white, focusing on the top part that will remain white

Step 2: After white is dry, spray blue, starting at bottom of frame and working up to meet white. Just a light mist over the white border makes for a gentle transition. 

Step 3: Spray navy starting from bottom of frame and gradually moving faster and spraying farther away for a less solid look as you move towards next color. 

Step 4: Spray the bottom portion black using the same technique. 

Voila! Ombre! 

Texas Stars: 

We know Jerry Jones wouldn't want us to directly copy his football team logo, but we used the same color scheme and a pack of sticker stars to decorate a Texas shaped picture frame. Great gift for a Cowboys fan or astronomer. 

Step 1: Paint frame silver

Step 2: Once dry, apply star stickers. Press down firmly. 

Step 3: Spray navy over stickers

Step 4: Once dry, peel stickers to reveal the silver below. This took the help of a sharp edge. Some of those stickers did not want to budge! 

Here's the final frame:

 Plaid Wisconsin:

Red and black plaid are a classic combination, and it seemed like a good fit for Wisconsin- I can imagine a wool blanket in this pattern on the laps of a Badgers fan. 

Step 1: Paint frame red

Step 2: Once dry, tape off horizontal stripes. We used the wide tape with the narrow tape as a spacer between the lines to stay straight. 

Step 3: Paint black. We tried to make this like a gingham or buffalo plaid where part of it is translucent and other parts more solid. We went a little heavy on the black, especially at the top. Next time I might do gray for one of the layers. 

Step 4: Peel tape.

Step 5: Tape in opposite direction. We picked some wide and some skinny stripes. 

Step 6: Spray black. We went for a solid black this round. 

Step 7: Peel tape. 

This was definitely my favorite. 

 

 

Tennessee Checkerboard Inspired:

We are big college football fans, and have some friends who are TennesseeVols fans so we set out to make a checkerboard pattern like the one used in the end zone at Neyland Stadium. 

Photo credit: Chattanooga Times Free Press

Step 1: Paint frame white. 

Step 2: After frame is dry, cover with painters tape in grid pattern. Make sure to press tape down firmly for crisp edges. 

Step 3: Spray orange. 

Step 4: Peel tape.

This is where we miscalculated....we only did the grid once and only estimated the placement. We should have make sure the grid was EXACTLY one square wide and then do the grid another time before painting. We decided to stop and call it "checkerboard inspired" since doing the grid another time wouldn't result in perfect squares. 

Racing Stripe Louisiana:

You can tell we are college football fans with our purple and yellow color choice for the Louisianaframe. This was a lot simpler than the plaid of checkerboard- just a diagonal stripe.

Step 1: Paint yellow over middle of frame

Step 2: Once dry, lay tape across yellow. Press down tightly.

Step 3: Spray purple over entire frame.

Step 4: Peel tape to reveal stripe.

Home on North Carolina

Makes for a great gift for a friend missing home or just proud of their home state. We decided to do the text in black and the frame in white. 

Step 1: Paint section of frame with where stickers will go black.

 Step 2: After black paint is dry, place stickers and press down firmly.  

 

Step 3: Spray white over black. This required 2 coats. 

Step 4: Peel stickers to reveal black text. 

This might have worked better with white letters and black frame, but still turned out pretty cool. Next time I'd try spelling out a vacation destination, names and year for a wedding gift, or someone's name. 

Shabby Chic Rustic Ohio

Step 1: Paint frame or purchase pre painted black or white frame from Pinecone Home where the edges would come painted, too. 

Step 2: After frame is completely dry, take sandpaper (I used 150 grit) and sand on edges and across surface. 

Tip: go in 1 direction for a more uniform look. 

That's it! Super simple!

https://pineconehome.com/collections/state-shape-frames