Upcycled Shutter, Floating Frame
- By Joan
- February 2, 2017
- 3 Comments
A couple of months ago, I’m sitting in Carrabba’s, contemplating what I’m going to order… I was going to do it this time…order something other than my usual, my old standby, mouth watering delicious, Chicken Bryan. It’s described on their website as …Wood-grilled and topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, basil and lemon butter sauce, and I must say it is absolutely delicious with their garlic mashed potatoes.
But this time I was going to venture into the unknown and order something completely different. I was just making up my mind, should I go for the sampler special or the Fettuccine Weesie… when my husband asks me if I was going to order my usual chicken again. Pause…yes, I have to, it’s calling my name. I really have no willpower. Oh, and Brian is my husband’s name…it really is fate.
Right now you’re asking what does my lack of willpower have to do with a floating frame? I’m glad you asked, because right next to our table was this shutter frame and for a girl who is on the lookout for something to do with my stash of shutters, this would make a perfect project.
I was going to use glass from some old frames for my floating frame but after a couple of test holes and my corners breaking off, that wasn’t going to happen. Plan B was now in effect. Plan B was using pieces of plexiglass instead of glass. A couple test holes later and I knew this was the way to go.
So now these are my supplies to make two floating shutter frames…an old shutter, scrap wood, 8, 2″ bolts, 8 nuts and washers, a piece of plastic tubing that the bolts can fit inside and 4 sheets of plexiglass. 2, 11×14 sheets and 2 8×10, though you can actually use glass for the smaller sheets of plexiglass since you won’t be drilling holes in them. You can get plexiglass sheets at Amazon here SIBE-R PLASTIC SUPPLY – CLEAR ACRYLIC SHEET FOR PICTURE-POSTER FRAME, 11″x14″ (.060″) or at home improvement or craft store.
Cutting the shutter in half doesn’t quite make 2 even sides. I had to cut enough off the shutter on the left and attach it to the shutter on the right to make the same sized border.
This is the bottom of the shutter on the right with its newly added extension screwed and glued on. The gap has a coat of wood filler that is drying and waiting to be sanded.
Black chalk paint, painted on sparingly, hides the extension.
For the two larger 11×14 sheets of plexiglass drill holes in the corners the same size as your bolts.
Cut two pieces of 1×6 to 8 inches in length and paint them black. These will elevate your photo.
This tubing was from the plumbing section of the hardware store. The tubing was large enough that the bolts can fit through.
Cut 8 pieces, one end with an angle of 15 degrees or whatever angle your slats are. The total length of these tube pieces will be about 1 1/4″.
I painted these pieces black then used some Rub-n-buff, gold leaf you rub on with your finger, to give a little shine. I’ve used this for four projects already and I’ve barely dented the tube, a little goes a long way.
Hold the large plexiglass up to the shutter, mark and drill holes into the shutter.
Ready to start layering. Shutter…black painted 1×6 (nailed on from the back)….a dab of builders adhesive to hold the 8×10 glass or plexiglass…
… a couple of photo adhesive dots to hold the photo on the glass, followed by the photo…
…and the larger, 11×14 sheets of plexiglass. Use the bolts, nuts and washers to hold everything in place.
Don’t have a Carrabba’s nearby? You can make this great copycat Chicken Bryan recipe. I have made it at home and it is superb but I do like when somebody makes it for me with no cleanup.
Well now I’m craving Chicken Bryan, I may just need to make this recipe myself.
Have a great weekend.
Shared at Diy Salvaged Junk Projects,
Talk of the Town, Wow us Wednesdays,
Wow, these look fantastic! And I’m pinning the Chicken Bryan recipe. Sounds soooo good!
Thanks so much for all of your inspiration.
Thanks for pinning Colleen and I did make Chicken Bryan this week, so yummy.
I love this idea Joan! Have a few shutters laying around, so thank you for the inspiration!