Displaying a Handmade Peruvian Poncho: DIY Acrylic Frame and Playroom Hooks

This handmade Peruvian poncho, a gift from my sister-in-law Ali, has been a favorite since Clara could wear it. We used it constantly for years, and it even appeared on the cover of a local magazine because its colors were perfect for the holiday spread. As Clara grew, the poncho became a bit small, so I devised a way to preserve it while keeping it on display — a simple, attractive framing idea that would keep the poncho in the room as a lasting keepsake.

We found the perfect vessel in an acrylic photo frame that used to belong to John’s mom. It had been sitting in our playroom for over a year, holding a piece of John’s grade-school artwork. When she passed the frame to us — and John jokingly declared he never wanted to see that painting on the wall again — I realized the frame would be ideal for showcasing Clara’s poncho.

Before framing the poncho we took a moment to admire John’s childhood art (a landscape titled “The Sunrise Flower”), but then I removed the acrylic front and examined the back of the frame. The faded charcoal construction paper that was on the back became my background choice. Its dark, neutral tone complemented the poncho without competing with its vibrant colors and tied in nicely with other dark neutrals in the room.

The frame is essentially an acrylic box with a white cardboard insert that slides into the back; small holes in the cardboard allow it to hang easily on the wall. The plastic had some scuffs from years of use, so I wrapped the edges with white duct tape to give the piece a clean, fresh look and hide the wear. That simple fix made the frame feel new again without altering its lightweight, hangable design.

Next I laid the charcoal paper inside the frame and positioned the poncho at the center. The acrylic front slips back onto the box snugly, so there was no need to secure the fabric with tape. When replacing the acrylic, I learned to do it slowly: pushing the top down too quickly caused the poncho’s fringe to flare up and look uneven. Taking it slowly, smoothing the fringe with my fingers, and then reseating the acrylic resulted in a neat, even display.

Success — the poncho looked preserved and vibrant behind the acrylic, with the charcoal background letting its colors shine. For now the framed poncho hangs above Clara’s play kitchen, near a wall of postcard shelves. Sometimes it reads as a standalone piece; other times it might look small on that wall, so we may add complementary art later. Update: we added another piece that pairs nicely with the poncho and makes the arrangement feel more playful and cohesive.

Photos taken through acrylic often catch reflections, so the close-up pictures don’t do the poncho justice — it’s more vivid in person. The colors play nicely with nearby decor, including flash cards on nearby shelves and a floral print on the opposite wall, creating a coordinated look across the room.

While the poncho project solved how to display a treasured textile, we also added some playful and practical hooks on a nearby sliver of wall to the right of the closet door. These hooks add storage and whimsy to Clara’s room.

The hooks are ceramic animal designs we received from friends Jesse and Rick during a book tour stop in Cincinnati. I loved the elephant and giraffe immediately, and Clara took to them too — she named them “Manna” and “Bamma.” The bottom hook is installed within Clara’s reach so she can hang up and retrieve items herself, which encourages tidying and play. The top hook is slightly out of reach for now, perfect for holding items we’d rather keep out of daily reach, such as a collection of necklaces or other small accessories.

Right now the hooks hold a mix of playful items — paint chips, stretchy necklaces, ribbons with hair bows — and they’re both functional and decorative. I still plan to add a small piece of handmade art above the hooks to balance the wall composition with the frame collage on the other side of the closet.

We also have a few other projects on the room to-do list — new sheets, crown molding, refinishing or painting the dresser, and maybe painting the ceiling once the crown is up. Little by little we’ll get there and share the results. In the meantime, if you have a cherished fabric item, an old acrylic frame, or a few fun hooks, try this simple way of preserving and celebrating those pieces in a child’s room — it’s sentimental, space-saving, and instantly personal.