Paris Inspired Entry

I am SO excited to F-I-N-A-L-L-Y be able to start sharing some DIY and redecorating projects with you! Seems like it’s been “all work” and “no play” up to this point.

This first project is one that I have had in my head for months. Do you have projects like that? You get a really good deal on something, and dream about ways you can use it? Well MONTHS ago I picked up these beauties at a Boy Scout sale close to our home.  I saw ONE of these windows out of the crate and asked the gentleman there how much it was.  He pointed to the crate and said “how about $5?”  I said, “for the whole crate???”  He said, “sure, does that seem fair?”  Well, fair for who??????  It certainly was “fair” for me, but I think they lost out on the deal!!!  I could hardly whip out $5 fast enough.  There were FOUR windows in the crate!!!  That means each window was only $1.25 each!!!  WAHOO!!!  My only regret is that I didn’t buy the other crate!!!!  (The picture of the windows in the crate looks a little weird because it was raining and the paper between was wet.)  Once I got the windows out to start working with them I figured out why someone had donated them.  Evidently the seal was broken and moisture had gotten between the panes of glass, leaving them a little foggy.  Obviously I wouldn’t want them “installed” in my home, but I knew they would be just fine for my purposes.
Sooooooo, after much thought about how I wanted to use them, I came up with the following project.  This is the window itself.  I decided that I was going to use three windows together and knew I wanted to put a frame around them.  I went to Lowes and selected some molding that would work as a frame.  I painted the wood then had my hubby cut them to the correct sizes.  I then gathered all my supplies.  My staple gun, clamps, and my favorite glue “E-6000”.  (I know a lot of people love Gorilla glue, but I have found that this works best for me.) 

 

 

I put a dab of glue on the corner, then secured the corner with a couple of staples. I then placed a clamp on each corner to hold it in place until the glue was completely dry. (I left it to dry for 24 hours.)

 

 

 

The next day I ran a bead of glue around the edge of the window and clamped the completed frame to the window.  Again, I let it dry for 24 hours.  Here’s the frame, and then the frame around the window.  Already looking better!

I felt that the frame needed to have an aged look to it, so I proceeded to lightly distress it and then used my Ralph Lauren glaze over it.  

  

Now for the fun part!!!!  I wanted it to appear that you were looking through the windows at one scene.  I started searching for just the right picture for the area.  I had determined that I was going to use these windows above the ledge in my entry, along with my antique bicycle.  I searched for a picture I could use and came across a painting of a scene in Paris.  The picture is actually entitled "Post office building, Paris, France, 1886"  PERFECT!!!!!!

This is where my graphic design experience comes into play… I enlarged the photo to a size that would stretch across all three windows, printed out the pieces on 12 x 18 card stock, trimmed the paper, and then taped everything together.  It took 4 sheets for each window. (Here are the four pieces for one window.)  I repeated this process for each window until I had the entire scene completed.  Oh baby… I was getting excited!!!!! 

 

   

 Only ONE little problem… I had not quite figured out how to hang these things. They were very heavy, and there was not very much wood on the edge of the windows, so we had to come up with a different solution. The solution was to use two small “L” brackets and screw them together (like this)…

Before we screwed them together we measured the space, determined placement, put mollies in the wall, and secured one side of the “L” bracket to the wall.  Once it was screwed in the other “L” bracket was attached with a small screw and nut.  It provided the perfect “holder” for the window. 

Now for the BIG REVEAL… are you ready??

I added my 1896 bicycle (that was restored by my dear hubby... I used to ride in parades in full costume), an antique picnic basked, my Victorian hat, a pair of antique binoculars, a pedestal with an arrangement that I already had, and a basket of greenery.  Oh, and while we're talking about the hubs… do you see that small ledge?  Poor guy had to stand out on the ledge and do all the installation of those windows.  Needless to say, I was glad when he was safely back on the other side of the banister.  Don’t you just LOVE the antique picture with the scene from Paris?  I think it’s PERFECT with the antique bike.  I'm not "loving" the greenery on top of the windows - still need to fix that, but I wanted to cover up the brackets holding the windows.  Here’s several other views, including a couple of views from downstairs looking up. 

 

 

 

 

 

One idea that I have for the windows is to change out the picture with the different seasons.  Wouldn’t it look beautiful to have a winter scene, or a spring garden behind the window.  I can’t say that hubby is very enthusiastic about that idea, but maybe by the time I want to change it out he will have forgotten what a pain it was to hang those things!!!!  LOL!!!!

Little bit added on here.  I just came across some pictures last night.  I decided that as long as I was highlighting my bike, I might as well include a few pictures of me and my family in my costume.  We used to ride in parades years ago... it's been a while since we've done that.

This first picture is of me in my costume along with my restored bicycle.  My Mom made this beautiful costume from an actual antique pattern.  Let me just say, that the cream-colored outfit, along with my cream-colored bicycle was quite eye-catching!!!

This is a picture of the hat that I wear. It was an antique hat to begin with, but my Mom took it and made it into a real thing of beauty!  Guess you can see where I get all my "crafting" ability can't you!!!!???!!! 

 The pictures just don't do this outfit justice!  The collar and slim portion of the sleeves, along with the buttons, are all covered with lace.

 This is my hubby and son in costume too.  My hubby rides a large high-wheel bicycle, and at that time my son rode a small high wheel. 

Golly Miss Molly - those were the days!!!

I'm linking up to:

                  

    

 

I’m really anxious to hear what you think about this project, so be sure to leave me a comment - I LOVE reading every single one!!!