A few weeks ago I found this poster size reproduction botanical print at Elm & Iron, a local store which carries a unique and lovely collection of home decor.
I love the detail on this print and knew it would go nicely in my living room/dining room area which is decorated in greens, beige, and wood tones.
I started by cutting a piece of 1/2-inch plywood the size of the print and applying it with Mod Podge. Whenever you use Mod Podge to apply paper to a solid surface, be aware that Mod Podge will stretch the paper which leaves bubbles and wrinkles. Once you have the whole piece of paper pasted on, immediately use a hair dryer to apply heat to the whole project. The heat will shrink the paper back to its original size, remove the wrinkles, and the paper will lay flat.
Making frames is one of my least favorite things to do, especially one with mitered corners. But I decided to take my time and go for it on this project. I used leftover wood from the new fence that was just installed. Probably not the best choice of wood since it is treated and was still wet. But it was free, and so far I only had about $7 in this project.
I cut and mitered the frame pieces, left them overnight to allow the wood to dry out a little, and then stained them the next day.
When applying the frame, nailing into 1/2-inch plywood can be tricky. It doesn’t take much for the nail to change directions and come out through the paper, So I decided to be patient and added the extra step of glueing and clamping the long sides first.
So here it is framed and propped up on a bench in the living room.
I liked the frame and wanted to stop here, but I had already decided to make a double frame, like the one in the next photo.
I so did not want to go outside in the cold to cut another frame, but I’m glad I did. The second outside frame cut and nailed on much easier than the first.
After attaching the larger second frame, once again, I had to allow the wet wood to dry overnight before staining.
I stained the second frame and hung the finished project in the dining room where it will hang for the Christmas season and the duration of winter.
I’ve used little to no red in my Christmas decorating the past few years, and have been focusing on using mostly pines and wood tones instead. I like the traditional red of Christmas, but I’m usually over the brightness and bling, long before Christmas arrives. Whereas I find the simplicity of pines and pine cones, calming and comforting not only for Christmas, but also during the long, cold days of winter.
Do you have any Christmas decor that you leave out all winter long?
You did a great job in all aspects, Cindy! The piece looks lovely in your dining room. I used to have an old Christmas ornament hanging from our chandelier all year long (!) but it was tucked away during our remodel and will probably not reappear in the dining room. As we really only have 2 seasons (cool and warm), I don’t do much of anything as an acknowledgement of winter.
Thank you Kris. I wish we didn’t have to acknowledge winter, but such is not the case here in Ohio. I deal with it my hibernating as much as I can. It really is a nice break from all the outside yard work, especially the leaf raking.
Impressive – you are a real pro, Cindy! You could make tutorials and post them on YouTube. 🙂 I enjoy seeing your decor – natural and soothing.
I keep pine cones out in wooden bowls and baskets. One year I did laurel garlands with dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks. My energy for holiday decorating has waned in recent years. Not as fun with no kids about.
Thank you Eliza! I don’t enjoy decorating as much as I did when I was younger, so I keep it simple. I just put my tree up today. I literally drug it down from the attic and plugged it in. It’s just a faux tree with white lights and pine cones. My sister loves decorating trees, but not me. No fuss is my motto.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I am in denial about Christmas and winter arriving. I usually start the decor around second week of December and find that by the time it’s here I’ve got in the swing of things.
I prefer the natural look you’re going for
Thanks Dorris! I don’t usually start on Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but our office had a huge Thanksgiving dinner 2 weeks ago, and it snowed here and got all the way down to 6 degrees. All that combined together, made my mind think Thanksgiving was over, and I was ready to move on to Christmas. I really don’t get into all the red and bling anymore. I can appreciate it in others homes or in stores, but in my home, I want peaceful, calming, and something I’m not ready to tear down the minute Christmas is over. Natural does that for me.