Please sing this to the tune of The Brady Bunch Theme Song.
Here’s the story… of two cheap black framies…
… found at Target and then spray painted bright white…
… then they both looked pretty sleek… like twin brothers…
… they make me want to twirl.
Okay, that little jingle was a stretch, but here’s the real story: I picked up two inexpensive black frames at Target (they didn’t come in white and were about $21 each). I used my go-to spray paint with built-in primer—Rustoleum Universal in Satin White—sprayed them, let them dry, and then framed a couple of prints that had been staring at me from a pile for ages.
For anyone curious about how I mounted the prints: I simply flipped the paper backing that came with the frame so it was white, centered the print on that, secured each corner with small loops of tape, and put the glass back in place. Professionals recommend using mats so artwork doesn’t touch the glass, which can cause problems over time. That said, for inexpensive prints we’ve been framing this way for years without issue. If you’re framing something valuable or hanging art in a humid room, go with a proper mat and archival methods instead of this quick faux-mat trick.
This is the other print. I didn’t get many close-ups because reflections kept showing up in the glass, but the print itself is beautiful. We bought the 17 x 23″ print for $26 and used a frame with a 22 x 28″ opening so it floats nicely in the center.
Both prints happen to be animal-themed—yes, I admit it, I’m a bit of an animal-lover. My collection ranges from cats to narwhals, eagles, bears and manatees. It’s a little menagerie, and I’m not complaining.
I love how the new framed prints coordinate with a lively HomeGoods pillow on the sofa and the quirky “seven” on the wall (which is actually an L from a Dollar Tree sign we found secondhand). These small, mismatched treasures add character and tie the vignette together.
And for anyone wondering where the bee painting I got for John ended up: it finally has a permanent spot. Hooray. It now hangs alongside a playful portrait of Burger that my friend Lesli gave me for my birthday. The two paintings look great together on the wall instead of leaning casually on the mantel.
The bee painting and the Burger portrait make a cheerful pairing—two birthday gifts reunited. I realized yet again that my home is filling up with animal art, painted and ceramic. It’s becoming a theme, and I’m low-key loving it.
This whole project felt like one of those “Dude, Get On That Already” challenges—small things I’ve been meaning to finish for months (or, in the case of the bee painting, years). Mission accomplished. Now I’ve got a hundred other small projects waiting, but I’ll get to them eventually and I’ll share the results when I do.
What about you? Any long-overdue tasks you’ve finally tackled—spray-painting frames, hanging art, or rearranging a gallery wall? Do you notice a repeating theme among the art you collect? Tell me I’m not the only one with a houseful of animal portraits.
Psst — Speaking of updates set to music, check out Clara dancing her heart out. I may have been the best dancer in the house once, but she’s definitely giving me a run for my money.