Breathing new life into an antique frame Pictures frames were once truly magnificent. They were really detailed and full of motifs and colours. Do you have an antique frame hiding in your attic, basement or another storage space? Instead of throwing it away or forgetting about it, you can give it a new life. Many antique wood objects can be revived with proper handling and treatment. This can give them a new life and prolong their lifespan if the object is not very damaged and has not been infested by woodworm. Antique and once prized wooden objects can be transformed in a few simple steps into beautiful and original objects that improve any space. In this issue, we will show you how to restore an antique wooden picture frame and transform it into an eye-catching mirror. Search through your attic or basement for an old wooden frame that has been gathering dust. If you don’t have one at home, a flea market is a great place to find a unique picture frame that can serve as the base for your mirror. When choosing a suitable antique wooden picture frame, the condition of the material – the wood – is important. Avoid a wooden frame that is rotting or infested by woodworm that have already caused irreversible damage. Choose an antique picture frame that suits your taste and chosen space. To transform an antique wooden picture frame into a unique mirror, you will need: An antique wooden picture frame Glass mirror Abrasive paper Brush Belinka coatings for wood First, prepare your chosen antique wooden frame by wiping the dust and any other particles with a cloth. If the frame is very dusty, lightly dampen the cloth. Then wipe the frame with a dry cloth to prepare for the next step. If necessary, also sand the wooden surface of the frame and remove any remnants of old paint. Always sand in a circular motion. This is the easiest way to remove damaged particles and to avoid damaging the wooden surface. To protect and refine the wooden frame, use Belinka Interier stain, which will keep the structure of the wood visible. You can choose from nine standard colour shades, and MIKS is also available in 70 additional colours. Interier has been tested according to EN 71-3 and is certified suitable for coating children’s toys. This means it is very safe to use in interiors. Interier is a water-borne stain and has no unpleasant smells, and both protects and enhances wood. Or, if you just want to coat and protect the wooden frame, use the colourless coating Interier lacquer. The natural structure of the wood will remain visible, and its surface will become glossier with each additional layer. Apply thin layers of paint. If necessary, several layers can be applied, depending on your wishes. Once the paint is dry, attach the glass mirror. The shape and size of the mirror of course depend on the shape and size of the antique frame. Once the glass mirror is attached to the newly restored antique frame, it can be hung or placed in its chosen spot and will have a new chance to shine.
