Creating a vintage look for your photo frame

I had 3 identical grey, plastic and pretty uninspiring photo frames and wanted to try and give them a bit of a vintage feel. These were a bit of a bargain buy from a local charity shop and although I wasn't keen on their current appearance, I knew I could do something with them.

Original plastic photo frame

I then chose a light grey as my base colour, so that the dark wax that I would be using to give an aged look would be more effective.

After the first coat of the light grey base coat

After the first coat had dried, I then did a second coat and then repeated this process on the other 2 photo frames.

All 3 frames after the 2nd base coat

I then took the dark wax and a soft cloth and added the dark wax to the raised carved details. If you find that you have added too much dark wax then this can be removed by using a clean cloth and a bit of clear wax.

Adding dark wax to carved detail

I then made it look a bit more aged by dabbing some black paint on the raised details with a dry sponge (you could also use a brush).

Black paint dry brushed onto raised detail

After the black paint has been added

As I wanted the frame to look like it was aged metal, I then dry sponged some silver paint over the frame (not all over it but just in random places).

Dry sponging on the silver paint

There we have it, very easy and very effective!!

I found 3 French black and white images which thought would fit perfectly in the frames.

Finished frame with french image added

2nd frame done

3rd frame finished with a lovely vintage postcard of a dancer hanging off the Eiffel tower!

I think the frames have an aged brush metal look to them now. What do you think? Why don't you give this look a go on some old frames you have lying around.

Before After