help! what should i do with this frame?
I bought this frame years ago at a flea market, intending to remove “Fred†and have a mirror cut for it. At 25†high and 18†wide, it’s the perfect size for our small half bath. Back then, I liked that the frame wasn’t in great shape. Now I’m not so sure. While “Fred†has been quietly hanging around in the laundry room, I stumbled across Mrs. Blandings and her post on Irish Georgian Mirrors. A real antique mirror will have to go on my lottery list, but I’m wondering if I could makeover my frame to get a similar effect. Black paint, silver leaf and facets dulled a little by glue might do the trick. Suggestions? I’m open to any ideas that don’t involve making “Fred†a permanent part of the family or ditching the whole project altogether.
Instant ancestor: If you think “Fred†is the real treasure and would not get the willies just from having him in the basement, leave me a comment and he’s yours. I’ll find a tube and mail him for free. — Sarah L.
I dont want Fred for myself, but I think it would be a horrible shame to throw him away. If you decide to get a mirror cut for your frame, you should reverse Fred and put him on the back side of the mirror (facing the wall), so that he’ll be with the frame forever. If you’d rather get rid of him, take him to your local antique mall and ask if they’d like him for free. The picture of Fred is quite old and that man must have paid a lot to have such a nice portrait of himself taken. It should really be saved.
The frame itself is quite nice too. If that’s real wood, you should keep it as is. I only ever paint wood if its cheap and crappy. nice wood should be viewed as is, without covering it up with paint. If I were you, I’d carefully refinish or cleanup/touchup the frame and put in a custom mirror. I wouldnt paint to replicate an Irish Georgian Mirror, unless you suspect the frame isnt original and is a lower quality wood or varnish.
If you had a whole bunch of “Freds” you could make a really amazing gallery wall. It reminds me of this great ideas from the “Fabulous Beekman Boys”
http://home.ivillage.com/slideshow/home_garden/at_home_with_the_beekman_boys/portrait_gallery.html
Angela – I have been wanting to watch that show! That gallery is awesome. I agree with nick – it might be nice to keep Fred with the frame.
I think the picture of Fred is pretty cool, but my husband would get the willies. I don’t see any issue with painting the wood. Why keep something intact that you don’t love? Try recreating the Georgian look, and if it doesn’t work, just paint it black. No loss there.
I also don’t see an issue with giving Fred away, but if you get no takers, keep him with the frame. As long as you don’t throw him away, I don’t see an issue with finding him a new home.
And you could always trot him out for Halloween, as your Great Great Uncle Fred, whose ghost still walks your house. I think Fred has a sense of humor.
definitely don’t part with fred…i can’t bear the thought!
i do, however, think that mirror would be an amazing piece if you did the black lacquer paint/distressed silver leaf thing you’re thinking of. do it! and put fred in a photo tube in the back of your closet…you’ll want him back someday.
We (the boyfriend and I) would LOVE Fred! We have multiple older pictures in our home of people who are not related to us in any way, we just like them. Also, my boyfriend has a habit of using the old pictures and photoshopping our faces onto them, so it looks like one of our ancestors. I know, weird, right?
That being said, we probably can’t use Fred because he’s a little too big… but I hope you find someone who can!
I would love Fred. I’m moving to an old home in an extremely rural area, where a newly acquired ancestor would be greatly welcomed!
Jess, congrats on the move and on your new “roomie.” If you send your address to Mary at mary@shelterrific.com, she’ll email me and I’ll get Uncle Fred in a tube. Send us a pic when you get him up.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I love the portrait gallery idea and printed it for my idea file. I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with old family photos and documents for awhile. That might be it!
Well, I took an antique frame with a picture of my great-great grandmother in to a shop (for repair), and they almost begged for the frame and glass. So before you paint the frame, you might want to have it looked at. Might just be worth more than you think, especially if there is glass with it.
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My Mom has been looking for a frame like the one you have. She has a picture of a relative in a frame similar to yours and needs another one to match it.
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