This handmade Peruvian poncho was a thoughtful gift from my sister-in-law a few years ago (thanks, Ali!). I waited until Clara was big enough to wear it, and she enjoyed it for years—so much so that it even appeared on the cover of a local magazine for a holiday feature. But kids grow fast, and the poncho has become a bit small. Instead of tucking it away, we decided to preserve it in a creative and sentimental way: a framed display that keeps it visible and protected.
We repurposed an acrylic photo frame that came to us from John’s mom when she was sorting through old things. It had housed one of John’s grade school paintings for years, but the simple acrylic box design made it perfect for a textile display. The frame is lightweight and has a removable acrylic front, which made inserting the poncho easy.
We considered several background options before settling on the faded charcoal construction paper that was already behind the original artwork. The neutral tone complements the poncho’s colors without competing with them and ties into the navy curtains and other dark accents in Clara’s room. If that paper hadn’t worked, I’d have used a large piece of decorative paper or fabric, but the subtle texture here gave the poncho center stage.
The frame itself is essentially a white cardboard box that slides into the acrylic front and has small holes in the back for hanging. The sides showed wear from years of use, so I wrapped the edges with white duct tape for a clean, refreshed look that still stays lightweight for easy mounting.
Once the background was in place, I laid the poncho gently on top, centering it carefully so the shape and fringe read well in the frame. The acrylic front slides back on snugly and holds the textile in place without any additional fasteners, which keeps the display tidy and reversible in case we want to rotate items in the future.
The final step required patience: lowering the acrylic front slowly so the poncho’s fringe would lay naturally. A quick push caused the fringe to flare up and look untidy, so I removed the front, smoothed the threads by hand, and reseated the acrylic very gradually. The result was a neat, preserved display that still feels lively and dimensional.
Success.
We hung the frame above Clara’s play kitchen, next to the postcard shelves. Sometimes it feels a bit small on that wall, and other times its simplicity is exactly what the space needs. We’ll likely experiment with placement or add another small piece nearby to balance the arrangement.
The acrylic surface can be reflective, so photos don’t always capture the true vibrancy of the poncho. In person, the colors read richer and coordinate nicely with other hues in the room like the green in the flash cards and the artwork across the room.
Alongside the framed poncho we added a playful and functional detail: a pair of ceramic animal hooks. These Anthropologie hooks were gifted to us during a book tour stop and instantly felt right for the room. The elephant and giraffe hooks are charming and sturdy, making them perfect for holding small items that Clara can reach and interact with.
Clara fell in love with them right away and even named them. “Manna” holds stretchy necklaces, belts, and a paint deck she likes, while “Bamma” keeps her hair bows clipped to a ribbon. We installed one hook at her reach so she can use and return items independently, and placed the other slightly higher for items we want to keep out of daily reach.
There’s still more to do in Clara’s room—new sheets, finishing the dresser, crown molding, maybe a painted ceiling—but small updates like framing the poncho and adding these hooks make the space feel personal and playful. We’ll keep tweaking the layout and share more updates as the room evolves.
Have you ever preserved a favorite garment or used acrylic display boxes for keepsakes? It’s a simple way to hold onto memories while keeping them on display for everyday enjoyment.