Make Ugly Frames/Prints into Chalkboards!
2019 note: this post is a few years old, back when sponsored posts had to be published on a separate page. I really like the chalkboards I made for this post, though, so I thought this deserved a spot on the actual blog. I don't think Cabot makes this stain anymore, but I still like the project idea!
Remember when I ventured into the world of stain last summer?
Well, I'm partnering with Cabot again, and I'm using the same lovely water-based, tintable Premium Wood Finish.
Readers, this is great stuff. And apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so because Cabot Premium Wood Finish won the 2014 Product of the Year award!
Normally I avoid stain because I really loathe using oil-based products (The cleanup is such a headache!), but this product is water based, which means you can wash your hands and brushes with plain old water.
Love.
Also, you can get all kinds of crazy colors with this stain (How fun is the fruit punch??)
Cabot sent me some more stain and a few unfinished frames for this project.
But I figured that while I was at it, I might as well do a bunch of staining, so I visited Goodwill and found these beauties.
The large one is dated 1981, and the smaller one screams 1995 to me.
So, you know, I thought they could stand to be brought into the new millennium.
Did you notice the the large one has those odd 80's black dots on it, just like the mirror I stained last year??
I'm ridding the world of black speckled frames, one Goodwill purchase at a time. 😉
If that weren't enough, the print has a fake mat on it...it's all just one flat piece of paper.
Room for improvement, people!
The smaller frame had a fairly easy-to-remove back, but the larger one had a big piece of glued-on posterboard backing, which I unceremoniously ripped off.
It looked pretty bad when I was done, but it's the back! It goes against the wall! No need to fret.
Once the ugly innards were out of the frames, it was time to sand. I started with the smaller Goodwill frame because it looked a little less difficult to sand. And I gave the frame from Cabot a once-over too.
I used Mussel (a blue color) and Espresso (a dark, dark brown) last year, and to switch things up, I opted for Midnight (black) this time.
After one coat, I always think, "What the heck am I doing? I have made this more ugly than it was before!"
But a few coats later, all is well.
I tackled the larger frame next. And I discovered that if you're going with a darker stain, it's not actually necessary to remove Every Last Particle of the old finish.
Good thing, because the details on this frame were pretty tricky to sand, and I'd have had to drag out the stripper if I wanted to get it super-duper clean.
I put three coats of stain on the frames, but if you wanted more of the original wood color to show through, you could just do two. Cabot says to let the coats dry for two hours before adding another coat, but on a warm, low-humidity day, I didn't find that two hours were necessary.
The quick drying time makes this much speedier than it'd be with normal oil-based stain.
So, I got the frames stained up all nicely, but what about the inside?
Well, I got out some Goo Gone to take off old sticker/glue residue.
And then I took the glass pieces into the backyard and sprayed chalkboard paint on 'em. I'd never used this type of paint before, but you guys, it's so much fun!
I kind of want to make everything into a chalkboard now.
The back of the glass just looks super glossy.
But the spray paint magically turns the front into a chalkboard.
How neat is that???
I know everyone else discovered chalkboard paint long before I did, so pardon my newbie enthusiasm.
The large one seemed like it should be a menu board.
(I am way not experienced at using chalk, so excuse the not-Pinterest-worthy writing!)
I had a terrible time trying to get a picture of this in my dining room (it's on the north side of the house and is pretty dark), but here's the best I could do.
Of course, my kiddo couldn't resist adding a little something to the board. 😉
Note the food illustrations too.
I probably should just have my kids make up the menu board each week!
I haven't decided exactly where I'm gonna put the smaller frame yet.
I'd originally planned to give the chalkboard treatment to the frame Cabot sent me, but it's got a clear plastic front piece instead of glass. And the can did not say it was ok to spray paint plastic.
So, I spray painted the MDF backing with chalkboard paint.
I thought this would be a little bit not ideal because of the black rivets (they hold the hangers and the back "leg" of the frame), but then I realized they could be worked into a drawing.
One of my kids had a less demure idea for incorporating the rivets.
Of course, we can also opt to use this as an honest-to-goodness picture frame if we prefer. But I think we might just keep it as a chalkboard. 😉
So, let's review.
Before:
After:
So much better!
I love it when I can turn something ugly/outdated into something lovely.
And you really could do this too, people. Cabot's Premium Wood Finish dries quickly, cleans up with water, and produces a smooth, hard, glossy finish with no brush marks, so even if you haven't got lots of finishing experience, I think you could be successful at transforming some ugly frames!
The Giveaway
I get to give ten(!) frame/stain kits to you guys!
You'll get the same curvy small frame you saw in my photos, a paintbrush (err, stainbrush), and two cans of Cabot Premium Wood Finish.
(One can will be Mussel Shell Blue and the other will be Espresso Brown. You can see both colors in my previous Cabot post.)
To enter, just leave a comment on this post answering this question:
What project would you do with Cabot's stain?
(and if you have a creative idea for the frame, that works for an entry too. After all, I still have one more unfinished frame left, so I could use some ideas!)
____________________________
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. One entry per person. Cabot provided materials and sponsored this post. Giveaway limited to the U.S.
Entries to this contest must be received by 11:59 PM EST on Monday, July 28th, 2014. Winners will be chosen at random.
I have a console table in our living room that I would LOVE to refinish. It's been quite abused by our two little boys and needs some love now they are old enough to understand being gentler with the furniture.
I think I would use it and stain the wooden towel holders in our guest bathroom first.
I am re-doing my boys bedroom this summer.... definitely something for their room.
I have these awesome drawer sets covered in horrible paint. Would love to strip them and stain them the gorgeous blue color!
I was so awkward at first when writing with chalk, too! I found some awesome chalk pens/markers at Hobby Lobby, they come in fun colors or just white. They erase like regular chalk, (although if you leave writing on the board a long time, they require a damp paper towel). They make it so much easier because they have a finer tip, and are much more pen-like to hold. They aren't too cheap, they come in multi packs of four or five colors, but I used my 40% off coupon.
Ooh, good to know! I did discover that if you wet the end of the chalk, it writes a whole lot better.
They are located in a rather odd place at Hobby Lobby. In my store, it is the very last aisle in the store, where unfinished wood, etc is located. Maybe because chalkboards are there, too? I'm not sure, it's been awhile since I looked.
I would use the stain on some shelves for my boys' room. We have lots of painted finishes already, and need some wood tones. Thank you Kristen! You are an inspiration.
Oops forgot to answer the question! I would stain a bench I've had forever, and would like to give to my daughter for her home.
I have never used chalkboard paint before either - I am officially now the last person! I have two large frames and a small side table I would love to rehab. Thanks for the chance to win. Happy Summer to you!
I would love to redo a standing mirror I have.
I have an old desk that needs staining. I have not used this product before.
I would stain frames and arrange them in my (almost) born baby girls nursery!
We just bought our first house, so there are all kinds of things I want to stain, especially the mantle over the fireplace.
Hmm, we have an unfinished wood play barn that could use some sprucing up.. I wonder how those colors would look for that? Or I have a globe stand that might could use a darker finish to fit into our office... Anyway I love the idea of a water-based stain (and I kind of love their blues); thanks!
I would make some chalkboard frames for my daughters. What a great idea!
I would love to redo my son's nightstand.
i have some blank walls that i would love to spruce up with some new pictures and/or frames, so i'd definitely do some frame work 🙂
Chalkboard frames are cute!
I've been looking at these stains and trying to pick out what color I'd like to do. I'm planning on building some shelves and really would prefer to stain them rather than paint them! This kit would be a perfect trial run before I pick out my own colors.
Gah! I would just love to have some frames. Our budget is so tight right now that those purchases are not an option. And I've been really pokey about choosing what to hang on our walls. Now that we've been here for 5 years and the kids are growing quickly, I should probably put a few up.
I have been thinking about using chalkboard paint and had planned to try it straight on the wall... using a frame and just painting the glass is such a great idea! I think I would get some frames (Goodwill or from my basement) and try a similar project as you did! There are a number of other items in our house that could use some refinishing, but it may be awhile before I get to them 🙂 A frame sounds like a reasonable project for us right now. You could always commission Joshua for a picture for the other frame!
I'm having my first baby this December!!! We're so excited!!! I've just started trying to plan out the nursery decor and I would love to use the Cabot stain and frames for decorations in my new little girl's room!!! We're also redoing an old dresser to use as the changing table and the stain would probably work great! 🙂
I would do some new "art" for a random wall in our house. I have an inspiration picture ripped from a PB catalog...those colors are great! Thanks for the giveaway (:
I think I would stain a couple of old patio chairs that we have.
I have a wood hinged room divider that has eight 8x10 frame openings. I would love to stain that and put photos of my 5 sons and my grandchildren and then use it to partially enclose a small reading area by some windows in the front of my house.
We are redoing our daughter's bedroom this summer and I would love to redo some frames in there.
Thanks for all your detailed, doable tips!
Staining old frames for repurposing
This gives me lots of ideas for projects here, especially the menu board.
I have some old frames that I would use this on and maybe and old table that need to be refinished.
Would love to refinish some frames for a photo wall!
We have an old bookcase we saved from the dumpster that - while highly functional - is begging for a face lift. Would love to touch it up!
I have SEVERAL frames in the garage that have been waiting a LONG time to be refurbished for use. I would use the Cabot's stain to finally do that project. My husband almost threw the frames out last week when he was cleaning the garage because he said I would never get that project done. BUT - I must get it done! So I got him to save the frames. 🙂 The paint would help get me going!! Thanks for your creative ideas! Tracey
Oh! Very fun! I think I'd redo some frames too! I have a lot of frames lurking in my basement.
I have a chair I want to try to stain, but I am scared!
I have a large armoire in my living room left by the previous owner. Our house is old, old, old so closet space is at a premium for my family. We keep this thing around for easy access to book bags, coats, swim gear, etc. The cabinet is currently light blonde stain with zero personality and we would like to snazz it up a bit.
I find myself transforming many old items into new uses and appearances, I also avoid using stain for the same reasons you listed in your post.
However, I am currently giving my teenage daughter a "new" look to her bedroom- Sherloack Holmes inspired. The frames and the stain would be an ideal match for the room transformation.
thanks for all you do to inspire us
I have a WALL full of ugly frames 🙁
In addition , my entry table is a serious mess ( chips , dated color ). I can see a communication center ( organization at last ).
My old yellow nightstand is crying out for some lovin'. Help me Cabot!
First I'd practice!
An inordinate amount of scrapwood has accumulated in my place - an excellent place to start practicing, if you ask me. After that, I'm not sure. So many possibilities. I'm not so fond of the small curly frame for myself, but I think it would make a good "Where I am" board for work, especially if I could make it into a dry erase board.
The curvy frame would be great for practice, then! It's small, and it wouldn't be a big deal if you messed it up. 🙂
I have a coffee table and to side tables that I would like to do. They need updating but I would also like for them to match more than they do now
Love the chalkboard idea!
Oh, I keep buying pictures I like, but the frames are unusable. I would definitely rehab some frames for all my beautiful pictures.
I have a lot of old wooden shelves that could use a face lift.
I need some curtain rods in my apartment, so I would hope I could get your basic wood supplies like a dowl, caps and holders in wood and stain those in the dark Espresso Brown finish. I think that would look like the old cast iron look that I want and had in my house.
I have a beautiful antique bookshelf I have been wanting to refurb for my 9 month old daughter's ever growing book collection (can you have a collection at 9 months old...?) and the Cabot appears to be an awesome solution! The Mussel Shell Blue is gorgeous!
I love to cross stitch and I've made a cat cross stitch picture for my friend who is such a cat lover but can't have one yet where she lives. So I need a frame to give her my finished cross stitch !
This is so inspiring. I was just given a big stack of frames from a friend who is moving and I want to make a gallery wall. Even though they don't all match being the same color would definitely make it look more cohesive. Thanks for the fabulous idea!
I have this old sewing table that I am turning into a make up vanity that I want to strip and refinish. I would love to use the Cabot's stain on that project - there are so many different colored stains to work with - it's a better option than going with regular paint.
We have SO MUCH hand-me-down furniture from my parents (end tables, stools, dressers, etc.). I would LOVE to update *something*! in our house with the stain! 😉
I have a beautiful frame that has seen better days.....would looooove making it into a menu board to put in my kitchen! Great idea.....
I would love to refinish a bunch of frames that have been sitting in my basement for about 8 years...I have a years worth of pictures that I need to put on the walls but the frames I have are not ready yet...
Wow! This is exactly what I need for a message center for our family calendar, menu, in/out box, shopping list, etc. I need to redo some frames and sub for this project.
I like both ideas! But I think I would try the chalkboard. The espresso brown would match my front door. It would make a great "don't forget note board"!
I would LOVE to do these little chalkboard projects!! My daughter's room is done in espresso furniture, so espresso stain would be lovely with a frame to do a mini chalkboard for her dresser 🙂
I always like the idea of pretty stained/painted frames on just a wall with no glass. I think they make really neat little wall hangings to add some visual interest. I've seen ones with lace in the center instead of glass, or beads hanging around the frame.
Your menu board is FAB! I think I need one of those now... 😉
I have a dumbwaiter table that i need to redo, this would be perfect!
My 16-year-old daughter wants to decorate her room with a collage of picture frames, and I would love to refinish some frames with this product.
I have a shelf that I bought at the goodwill about a year ago. It needs sanded and refinished, but I keep putting it off.
I would stain a old wooden dresser in the espresso color that looks really bad but I'd like to save it. And with the frame I would probably make a jewelry
hang up where you hang bracelets or so in it. Or even stain it and than clue stuff like shells on it.
I would do some cute artwork for my boys' rooms. I've used chalkboard paint on all sorts of things and love it!
I'd redo my bedside table which is sadly in need of it.
Nice! This is perfect timing! My next project is to go antique shopping (at this GIGANTIC antique warehouse in this old factory in a local small town) and find a shorter dresser to use in lieu of like a buffet table. I see them do it all the time on HGTV, so it must look good. 🙂 Not sure how I want to stain, but definitely something snappy and bright!
I would refinish the little end table we have that is pretty beat up looking.
Is it more expensive than spray paint? Because it doesn't look any different than a black spray painted frame. I mean, I like how it looks but if you were choosing black, then why not just use spray paint? Maybe the other colors look more like stain?
You know, I'm not sure how the price compares per square inch of coverage!
It's a little hard to see in the photos, but even the black stain allows some of the wood to peek through a bit, especially if you stop at two coats. Also, I think the sheen on this is much easier to control than spray paint. I almost always have issues with the sheen of spray-painted pieces being blotchy unless I buy flat paint.
And yeah, the BIG advantage to using this would be when you choose a color other than black. There are some very different options than what you can find in the spray paint aisle.
You aren't the only one who has discovered chalkboard paint late. I love it and want to do more with it. Great projects.
I would like to try the stain on a night stand and some old frames!
My brother's birthday is coming up and I would like to make him something homemade to show him how much I love him!!!
I would use it to stain shelves for my little girls room and a mini bar-like table I am in the process of making
Hi Kristen,
I just recently found your page. I've been using your tips in my travels to the world of being "frugal" as this is a new avenue for me. My husband is retired Navy and last year had to have his colon removed. He's been extremely ill ever since so being "frugal" is a must at this point....so thank you for sharing all your wonderful ideas!
I would love to try the Cabot's stain. I have one of those Texas Star Kitchen tables that I have been wanting to re-stain for some time now. I've had it for 10 years and it has 10 years worth of memories marked into the word. I'm thinking of leaving these irreplaceable memories on the wood...and just doing a light sand. I have 3 kids my son 19, daughter 15, and my youngest daughter 10..and trust me they have enjoyed leaving their marks on my cherished table 😉
I'm also going to attempt to tackle the chalkboard project soon as well.
Thanks again for all your tips! ~ Amy, Keller TX
Kristen really admire your creativity!I bought few small frames from Goodwill to for our girls' bedroom and would love to stain with black and white colors.
I have some old picture frames that need redoing too! This would be the perfect motivator for me to get it done. 🙂
I would use the Cabot stain to refinish a small nightstand I just bought at Goodwill. The blue stain would look great!
I would use it to re-stain my table. Someone to remain unnamed went a little off the paper with some permanent markers.
My husband built me a couple of ledges for over my sofa to put up family picture and that is one of the items I will stain and I may do it in blue. I also have an end table that I got from a thrift store that I would like re stain.
I would tackle the trash-picked mirror I got for my boys' room that's still sitting, ugly stain intact, in my garage.
I would use it to stain some goodwill shelves I picked up for craft supply's!!!
Oh, I could so use some new house decor. I've been thinking of refinishing some frames for a while now but I am a bit of a chicken. This sounds easy and fun, I would love to try Cabot stain. We moved from an apartment into a house and there is too much wall space that I can't fill yet
Really good project, loved the way they turned out!
I would use the stain for some stools in the kitchen that are the cheapo, plain, boring light wood stools. They need some serious sprucing and this would be the perfect way to start that!
More frames !
This made me think of all the great photos I haven't printed.
Wow - gorgeous redo's!
Don't you love making something old into something new? Makes a person feel virtuous about being creative. I'd use the lovely new frame to showcase a wee original work of art, something that either echoes the organic curves or is a geometric opposite. We have some lovely small abstractions that might be just the thing. It would be fun to play with the possibilities.
So much I want to paint and stain, from frames to chairs and desk and dresser
I have some 'dated' photo frames in boxes that I would love to liven up and enjoy again.
I think I'd fix up my daughter's tv stand that she's been asking me to paint.
I have a coffee table I'd like to give new life too.
I would up cycle a large frame I have, adding a slotted mail holder to it, and paint the glass with chalkboard paint. It would serve as my message/incoming outgoing mail station by the front door. The kids can leave me a message of where they went as they run out the door, or I can write a reminder I need them to see before leaving the house. Hopefully making it super easy to remember to leave important communication.
I've always wanted to do a wall of black frames with pictures of grandparents and great-grandparents. I think I need to make a trip to Goodwill! Thanks for the inspirations. 🙂
I really like the idea of using an old picture frame to stain and turn into a chalk board. I'll be on the look out now at the Goodwill.
I would use it on a coffe table and make the last frame into a tray for the table. It could hold magazines or a tea cup set!
I want to get into some small do-it-yourself projects, but I am very hesitant because I don't know what products work best. This project seems easy enough that maybe even I could accomplish it. I so enjoy your posts every day. It is very refreshing to know there are other women that want to live the simply in this beautiful world our Lord Jesus Christ has given us. Thank you
HI, you have to "season" chalkboards before you use them by using the long side of the chalk and coloring in the whole board then just wipe it off and it is ready to go. Makes it so much easier to write on.
Love the chalkboard look while repurposing frames! I just turned a headboard into a chalkboard using this stain and the paint for our daughters wedding! Now that the wedding is over I would love to do something for fun...frames for her pictures!
My mother-in-law gave me an old step-stool to put in the washroom so the kids can reach the sink to wash their hands. But it has teddy bears painted on it. I definitely need to sand it down and update it!
I am making all the centerpieces for my wedding and I have some wood boxes to stain.
I have a small table my husband make soooooo many years ago. It is neat of a face lift. ha I so enjoyed seeing how these frames turned out.
I have a wooden bench that sits at the end of my bed. The seat lifts up revealing a storage area inside. I keep my sheets and pillow cases in it. It is old and I just don't like how it looks in my room. I have thought about tossing it on several occasions but I have no where else to put my sheets and so have kept it. Never even crossed my mind to redo it ( I know, duh right? ) and make the wood match my bedroom set. It would look fantastic and I'd keep my linen closet.
I have a ton of leftover frames that my in laws gave to me because they lived in a town with a frame factory and got really good desks. I LOVE the chalkboard frame idea for my classroom for a really cute and unique look and a speedy process.
I have a wooden bench on my porch that has seen better days. It would look lovely with a new stain. I am excited to try water-based stains because I too avoid oil-based anything.
Bought cigar boxes thinking about staining them.
Love the stain color options!
Would love to try staining crates to create a book library for my two kiddos.
I love the menu board idea. I have some old frames in my basement tha could use updating/re-doing.
LOVE this! I'm also a new homeschooling mom and "frugal" is now my middle name. We're creating our school space and I'd love to re-do some frames (I have a few in a closet that I've not known what to do with) with the stain and chalk (or dry erase, maybe) to post the day's schedule, use for parts of lessons, etc... Thanks so much for the idea. You've really inspired me!
I have a side table I have a side table that seriously needs refinished. Love your chalkboard frames! My kids would love some of those too!
I'm boring. I would probably use the frames just as picture frames. I have a fun wall down my hall that shows pictures of my girls through the years. Always looking for a new frame to put a new picture on the wall.
That is JUST fine, girl! Heaven knows 95% of the frames in my home hold, um, photos.
I would LOVE to use this stain on an old piece of furniture left to us by my husband's grandmother... would make it look lovely!
Its a big project but I have an old desk that belonged to my grandmother that needs some TLC. I have thought about painting it, but you might be inspiring me to try the stain!
Those frames turned out amazing! I don't know what's up with all the 80's black speckles but lord they are everywhere. I have the perfect frames for the gorgeous blue that I would use in my bedroom. The darker I'm not sure on yet but heaven knows I have tons of uncompleted projects laying around that I could get into.
I have a box full of frames; some old some not so old. They are in bad shape.
I do not want to throw them away, but would love to "transform into useful frames for our home.
Thanks.
I am in the process of sanding two adult size rocking chairs. Just touch ups left on one, the other I've started. My daughters say to paint them, it would be easier. I want to stain them. Have no idea what I am doing. Glad you posted this it will be a big help. Starting with something small would be help me out. Love my rockers, don't want to mess them up. Thanks!!!
Nightstands! We have black furniture in our bedrooms and our brown and proud nightstands are SCREAMING for a makeover. I never really thought to use black stain on them, but that would be 10 MILLION times better than the look they're sporting right now 🙂
We just moved into a new house and I have a ton of house projects I could try this on!! One would be an old wooden kitchen table that is currently sitting in my garage.
I have an old end table my husband's grandfather built that I would love to refinish.
Thank you!
I think it would be awesome to use these chalkboard frames as "slates" for a unit on pioneers (what they used for school supplies). That is what I would make 🙂
We have several items that need to be updated or given a face lift. Most of our furniture is hand-me down or from a thrift store. To update it and make it ours would be amazing. The first item on my list is our ugly old coffee table.
I'd like to redo a rocking chair we have. Frames would be fun too, but I love the color possibilities for the chair.
I would use the stain on small side table and some frames. Love the menu drawings!
I'd love to refinish a wooden credenza from my living room. My husband and I rescued it from the street in our neighborhood, and it has some water damage that would be easy to fix with a nice sanding and stain. It would be so great to win the kit!
Wow, I would love to try water-based stain.
Hi Kristen! I love your inspiration! If I had Cabot's stain I would re-stain the wooden and metal park bench that my husband gave me as a gift several years ago It's been outside for a while now and desperately needs a new coat. This past spring I expanded my garden and the bench is in a new spot - right where everyone can see it. I would love to make it look as pretty as the rest of my garden. If I had even more Cabot stain I would then refinsih two Adirondack Chairs that my husband and I received as a wedding gift. After 16 years together, they can use some updating. In the frame I would put a picture of my husband and I - sitting on the newly refinished bench or chairs!
Oh man this is inspiring! I have some cheap frames that badly need staining. I would stain them dark espresso to match the other frames in my house. Also, I might finally get around to framing my diplomas!
I really want to stain my banisters, but that's probably not a project for a first-timer. I might start with a shelf for practice; my son needs a shelf anyway 🙂
My daughter has a degree in Illustration, and does a lot of watercolor and pen and ink work. We are ALWAYS picking up picture frames at garage sales that need to be re-stained. We also pick up small tables and other furniture for her to tune into something beautiful
My daughter has a degree in Illustration, and does a lot of watercolor and pen and ink work. We are ALWAYS picking up picture frames at garage sales that need to be re-stained. We also pick up small tables and other furniture for her to turn into something beautiful
I think I would use the stain on some unloved but free curbside find.
I would restain a small end table in our house. It is in need of something.......
I am ashamed to admit that I have never stained the new wood trim that was installed when my sliding glass door was replaced 5 years ago. The door itself was made to look like wood even though it is steel and I am afraid I will do a bad job. This product looks so much easier to use than oil based stain.
I have a sideboard that got scratched up by the dogs when our bunnies first moved in. Wow we have a lot of animals:)
I would love to redo some old frames like you did. I have been wanting one for my son to play with.
Our family pictures are in a bajillion mismatched frames we collected over the years and they just scream to be made over after I read your post! I'm thinking once they are all the same color, they'd look so much nicer. Thank you for a chance to win!
I recently started an online graduate program so my study area/desk/craft station needs major "prettifying" - you name it it needs work - frames, file cabinets, wooden drawers and much needed wall art. Thanks for giveaway!
I would *finally* finish refinishing the small table I picked up from heavy trash day last year!
I need to upgrade my family room coffee table. Which I built in the 90's, so although it is strong, it is quite dated. Thanks.
I would love to use the mussel blue to stain a wall shelf in my "new to us" retirement home. Currently moving in and making it homey bit by bit
Have several frames that could use a serious update. Would also consider a small table from my in-laws.
I just inherited a bunch of furniture from an old family home that was being sold. All beautiful, real wood. I have many refinishing projects ahead of me! I'm sure I could fit that stain into a project...
I have some picture frames that could definitely use some sprucing up! They don't scream 80s.... but they might scream 90s (which I'm not sure is much better). I also really love the idea of making the frames into chalkboards. I've been an admirer of chalkboard paint for quite some time but have never taken the leap to actually try it.
I have an old buffet that is in pretty rough shape. It was left in our current house by the previous owner. I've been looking for a way to spruce it up... and going blue with it isn't a bad idea!
I have so many projects in mind! Probably I would start with framed pictures of my daughter - she is 22 months and I don't think I have any framed photos of her up!
You have a great idea in the Menu board. I just let some leftovers get moldy because I wasn't paying attention. Posting the menu "Might" have prevented the food waste.
I already have a stash of old frames in the garage that I could transform into a Menu Board.
I would love to try and stain some chairs I have. Though I've never striped and stained anything before so maybe I'd start with something smaller, like frames for my walls.
Well, I might be biting off more than I can chew, but I would LOVE to use the Cabot stain to redo my craigslist kitchen table, which is a much outdated light pine.
I have an little old wooden box shaped like a treasure chest I would stain it that beautiful blue and give to my 9 year old grandson to use as his "treasure keeper" ~ something all 9 year old little boys need.
I think this kit would be perfect for repurposing my own picture frames to hold more pics of my 5 grandsons ranging in ages 1-8 yrs. Thanks for sharing!
I would use Cabot stain on a pair of unfinished wooden wall shelves! They've been sitting in my closet begging for stain!
We have an old doll swing that could use some updating. Thanks for the opportunity.
Love this! I've been scouring through the thrift store picture frame bins for some picture frames to repurpose into jewelry organizers. This staining how-to will make them really look amazing. Thanks!
There is an old bench in our hallway that I would absolutely love to use these on. Thanks for the give away.
Brilliant! Thanks so much for the chance to win. I would love to have little chalkboards for my kids' bedrooms, schoolroom, kitchen, for freezer inventory, shopping lists, Bible verses, etc. Love this!
Love your frames! I think I would scour Goodwill for an end table for my living room if I win. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
I just bought a coffee table that I'm planning to stain espresso. I can't wait. It's my first project in some time. Would love the stain!
My daughter just got married last week so I am actually renovating her bedroom as we speak! My son is anxious to move in it and we just bought a "Granite Gray" colored paint today. We are thinking of using grays, blues, and browns in his room so either of these colors would be perfect! Unfortunately, I just took a BUNCH of ugly 80s frames to the Goodwill a month ago (I'm not creative like you), so I guess I'll have to go buy-back some of the frames I donated and try my hand at staining some myself for his room. He has nothing on his walls but I put together a steam engine train picture a while back and glued it and he wants to hang that in his room. It would be a perfect thing for a custom home made frame! Thanks for the ideas!
While pregnant with my first child, I bought a rocking chair from a neighbor's estate sale for $25. The craftsmanship is excellent and the rocker is still very comfortable, but the finish has come off the arms so it's looking rather bedraggled. Well that baby is 27 years old and expecting his first child in December. I'm hoping to get the chair refinished before the next generation gets rocked to sleep in it.
I got a FREE old kitchen table from another homeschooler that needs a makeover. BAD. 🙂 (pick me pick me pick me.....)
I would love to win! I would love to work on a kid's table that is in sore need of some new stain and varnish!
I'd love to refinish our living room side tables. They are good quality wood but in desperate need of refinishing!
I would update some of my frames I'm trying to figure out what to do w/ them........ this sounds like the perfect solution 🙂
Water based stain?! YEAH! I've got this great little kids table and two chairs my friend picked up last summer at a garage sale. It's a pretty bland blonde wood color in need of a freshening up. Would love to try out the Cabot stains on it. Thanks for the chance to win! Love the chalkboards!
Well... your drawing of the hamburger and slice of pizza makes me laugh!
I have a mess of all different colored frames on a wall in my family room. They hold pictures of my adorable grandchildren. I would use the stain to do all the frames the same color--much more attractive.
I have an old stand that I got at an estate sale that I've stripped, but never got around to staining. This would be the perfect incentive to finish.
Menu board sounds like a great idea for me to try.
I love your big chalkboard project and I'm tempted to duplicate it. But I have an old mirror I want to repurose to use in my half bath. I'd love the espresso brown stain. I think it would look nice.
I also have some dated frames that could use an update. I would do those. Great post...
I have two end tables, whose tops have definitely seen better days. We've been talking about painting them or re staining. I like that you said this stain cleaned up with just soap and water and has a nice finish.
I would stain my son's dresser. It's a This End Up dresser that could use a facelift!
We've recently remodeled our family room and I have many family pictures that need displayed. Problem is I have oodles of frames of all different colors and finishes. I would love to be able to use the websites ideas to make our room a real "family" room!
We've recently remodeled our family room and I have many family pictures that need displayed. Problem is I have oodles of frames of all different colors and finishes. I would love to be able to use the website's ideas to make this a real "family" room! Thanks for considering me!
I'm working on finally finishing the nursery, and I need to repurpose several old frames to hold picture book pages. 🙂
I love making old things new! I am currently turning an old dresser into a vanity and I've been looking for a stain and didn't know there were water base ones out there. I will definitely be looking into this.
I would bring back to life some plain brown frames I have; what a great idea this is! I've been meaning to draw my daughter a fairy picture so I would redo one of the frames for that artwork.
I think I would get an old sewing machine cabinet that needs HELP and refinish it with the stain! for the frames I might frame an orphan quilt block...
My oldest daughter has just moved into her own place. She is busily trying to furnish her new home and refurbish items to help economize. She was given a coffee table to use and it desperately needs to be stained a new color. I showed her both stain colors. She really liked the Mussel Shell Blue and said it would work so well in her new home!
I really love your menu idea. I might try to do something like that. I wish you had tried one of the bright colors, because I am so curious about how that would look.
I am about to create beautiful wood desks for children. I have purchased old desks and will sand, stain and paint pictures on some of them. I think this stain will be my 'go to' in my new season of life! It looks like it would be just perfect for what I want to do!
I would finish some frames or a nice boarded with dec9rative knobs and hang in my daughter's room
I would do a an old ugly book shelf! And you could add a burlap back and hang earrings and small hooks to the edge for necklaces for your extra frame!!
I have an old bookshelf in my classroom that is in desperate need of a makeover. I would love to stain it a pretty color!
I love your frames! I have more than a dozen "ugly" frames that I could transform! I also have an old dresser that I picked up at a garage sale for $15.00. I am curious to see how it would work on it!
I have the swinging kitchen door from my childhood home,
that I am planning on repurposing into a headboard. I definately
want to refinish it, but what color do I choose? There are so many
great colors, I can't decide.
I would use the frame for a doggie name tag above the dog bed and use the stain to create a second one for the other dog!
I would love to try Cabot's "Hello Sunshine" or maybe the bright blue on a wooden frame and behind the glass I would mount sample paint strips on a white backing. My daughter would love this frame as a monthly calender by writing on the glass with expo markers. She is looking for something bright to go on the desk or wall in her dorm room. I have used water based stains but I have never tried Cabot and I would be interested in testing this product. I would love to try redoing an oak chest stained in a dark rich espresso or midnight stain on this 70 year old chest. I will be perfect for the college room for storage of winter clothes.
We replaced all of our windows a few years ago and I would love to finish some of the vintage 20's frames and make ... chalkboards! And in some the pages include cork board. Wedding gifts!
I have two kid's rocking chairs, both having seen their share of wear & tear. Of all of my wood projects, these two are needing the most life. A little stain would be a major rebirth for these two rockers.
I would love the Espresso to stain some trim we are putting up in our soon to be bedroom (once we get the kids bedrooms moved around/finished)
I just purchased a porch swing as a surprise birthday present for my hubby. I plan to hang it under our deck where we can look out into the trees and hope to catch any hint of breeze. I have to stain the swing first.
I would use them to make gifts for birthdays or Christmas 🙂
I have a wooden rocker on my front porch that needs to be stained. I love the picture frames and how they turned out.
I have a ton of outdated 80s frames that I inherited from my mom's storage unit.. they could all certainly use updating 🙂
I have a few frames that need some love and an old plant stand I picked up along the side of the road--great lines but bad paint.
I would LOVE to stain a pine armoire that I've had since high school. It's in my boys room now and like you I didn't want to deal with the fumes, but a water based stain!!; how cool. I already know the color, blue.
I'm not the creative one, and my creative kids are at sports practice right now - so I don't have an answer, but I'm quite sure they would find something around here that needs to be remodeled! (If I had to pick, it would be an old ottoman from the late 70s or early 80s)
I have lots of family photos that I would like to hang on our walls. However, with frames being so expensive, I have let these wonderful family treasures just sit in a box in the family room. I would love to buy some old frames at Goodwill and rehab them to get our family photos on the walls where they belong.
Well ... much to my chagrin, we got three replacement windows six years ago. (Six? How did that happen?) They are not yet stained. Surprisingly, I think the espresso color would match part of the woodwork. Nonetheless, if I take on any staining project, that's got to be it.
Oof. I understand. You think you'll get around to something and you don't, and before you know it, half a decade is gone.
We've had a little black coffee table in our house for years that we picked up from the curb. The black paint is scratched but it's a cute little table with spindles that I think would be lovely in a natural wood stain.
We have a ton of old furniture that could use a refresh, but I would start with our end tables and our entertainment center stand.
My husband does a lot of staining - he can always think of little projects to do! We got a free dresser and nightstand that we plan to use for our toddler's room and it needs some love, so I think that would be the first thing to do!
The project I would do with Cabot's stain is an old small drop leaf table that would look great with an accent color to have against a wall and be able to take out to use for extra dinner seating. The extra pop of color would be great!
I have a billion old outdated picture frames I inherited that I want to salvage! This is a great idea, I'd love to to stain some of them instead of just painting like I originally planned!
PS How long start to finish did you take to for the 3 frames?
Well, it's sort of hard to say. I'd say hands-on time was maybe an hour for the larger frames. But that was spread out over a day, because I did it here and there.
The small frame was faster because there was no old finish to remove-all I had to do was brush on the stain!
We just bought a vintage dresser. I'd stain that.
My kitchen cabinets! They are really old and made of a real solid wood. I think at one time, they were stained, but they've been painted many times in the last 60 years. I hate the way they look painted and love the look of stained wood.
I love to stain projects! Shelves, picture frames, and basically anything with wood!
I love, love the menu idea so I think I would do that along with creating some frames for my daughter's art work and adding to the art wall that we have created in our house! Fingers crossed!
I would actually paint some frames, too!:)
I like your ideas for frames. I would find several different frames and use the same color stain to make a group.
I'm super short on frames right now, so I'd love to up cycle some from Goodwill like you did! Thanks for a great tutorial.
I have an old tv stand that looks so eighties or early nineties. I think this product sounds perfect for updating it. I love repurposing a good piece of furniture and making it look new again. The expresso would be great. Can't wait to try Cabots.
What a neat project! I had no idea you could spray directly on the glass! I wonder if I could do our kitchen table. It's solid wood, an antique but it can use an update.
The dresser in my kids' room, and their rocking chair.
Menu board would be my project, however, if black screen were added to the inside of a freshly stained frame I would have a handy earring holder.
Wow, I have some ideas to try... the bathroom and/or kitchen cabinet doors. I love your chalkboards. I may even do the edges of our woodstove hearth that never got finished. Never realized stain came in so many fun colors.
My daughter wants her room re-done, so this will help make great accessories!
It would be so great to win this!
I'd stain an old bookcase we have in my kids' room. It's covered in drawing and writing from various children but would be beautiful with a bit of stain.
Enjoyed your posts re: painting furniture and the blackboard frames! My first time to see your blog.
I would love to stain my younger son's bedroom furniture. It was hand me down and is a very light wood. He just had a room makeover and the espresso brown would go super well. 🙂 Thanks again for your awesome tutorial!
Beautiful! I love the recycling idea. I love saving money and recycling.
I would immediately sand and stain the tops of my hand-me-down end tables that are in the tv room. they have water stains and wear and tear that accumulated over the time my cousin had them. I just moved to FL after years away from my hometown, and brought only what could fit in my car. I have some free time on my hands right now and would love to do some crafting
I love the menu idea. My best friend does this and I am really trying very hard to do the menu planning thing. Thanks for the chance.
Well, picture frames, of course! 🙂
We had a flood in our basement so painted before putting in new carpet. The walls are bare so I would like some cuteness.
I would stain some wood wall shelves I have that are painted and could use a refresher.
My Daughter has some wooden hanging shelves that we purchased at an antique/thrift store /- yay! We haven't been sure of what to do with them, and her room is blue and brown, and LOTS of OWLS, I mean OWLS everywhere 🙂
I have an old cabinet that I rescued from a school (built in the early 1900s) that was going to be torn down. It is in terrible shape at the moment but I can see the potential in it and I think it will be beautiful after some sanding and staining. I would love to try this stain on it! Thank you so much for reviewing this product. I will probably give it a try even if I don't win 🙂
I am so doing this! Goodwill here I come. I think a menu board is an awesome idea and no one can ask "what's for dinner?"
Chalkboards for the kids rooms and one for the kitchen would be my projects. My husband and I work shift work so the chalkboards would help us remind the kids of events and school things.
I really need to strip and stain my dining room table, but I'm feeling rather overwhelmed at the prospect!
How fun! I'm just beginning to dabble in DIY projects, and this looks like a great way to start! 🙂
I have 2 projects going on. 1- staining my raised garden beds. I wanted to use a red stain….how brave I am! 2- My husband is building me an Adirondack Chair. I've always wanted one, isn't he a doll! Might use something in a green shade.
I just picked up some old frames at a garage sale. This is the perfect thing to do with them!
I have a pine dresser that's become our "school/craft supplies" storage that would be fun to pick up! 🙂
I would stain the adorable night table. I just bought it at a bargain barn in miami, the top especially, is in need of tlc.
I have a small bedside table/stand that I would love to finally finish (it's bare wood at the moment!).
I would stain the shelf next to my bed!
Oh my gosh! We are moving into our new house and I have soooo many projects - I could use this stain in a billion different ways! Frames, dressers, and trim are just a few!
Love the work you do...and love the fact that the Cabot stain is an easy clean up! I just started getting into this whole refinishing thing, and I love it. With a few spare parts, I think you, me, or anyone else for that matter, could turn a frame into a beautiful clock...or what about a serving tray. I think that's what I would like to try!
My grandparent's old kitchen table is just dying to be freshened up, and it'd be nice to have a table to eat at again.
I have several older frames just crying out for a fresh, new stain; and I really like that chalkboard idea! Thanks. (:
That stain looks amazing! I need to refinish a coffee table -- at some point in time someone used it as a place to put their plants and there are water stains all over it. I would also love to find some frames to refinish for some of our artwork.
I would love to re-finish an old end table of my grandparents.
I just painted my bathroom blue. I would love to stain a frame blue to give some contrast. I think it would make the butterfly really stand out in the farm, rather than the brown that it is now!
I have a book shelf that matches nothing in any of our rooms...that unfinished tan wood. I would love to stain it to match something!!! Anything!!!
I would revamp some photo frames for my daughter's room. 🙂
We just moved last week, sho I have a tio on of projects to do. I love your chalkboard projects, and we could use a meal board here too. It might encourage me to start menu planning again.
We have some chairs that need refinishing, might use it for that. Is it for indoor use only?
My breakfast nook table top desperately needs to be redone! It's oak and is a lovely shade of orangish-yellow from age.
I would use it on a ottoman tray
I would use it to make a nice organizer for my office wall at the church. The color would look great and it would refresh a tired looking space and be something functional that many people would benefit from.
My "desk" in our family room that originally was our 2 person kitchen table when we were first married is desperately needing a fresh staining. I was planning to do it a dark chocolate brown to go with all of our dark furniture, but I love the colorful stains - and my favorite color is turquoise. I think I'm going to have to embrace color!!