I blogged about this frame earlier and how I loved its shape and design but hated the picture. I had plans for it the first time I saw it. I decided to order a Hawaiian pin-up print to do the frame justice. As you can see from the original picture the frame was solid green and to me it needed a little sprucing up. I dressed up the frame by sanding the edges and front lip to show the natural wood. Then I turned my attention to the original matte. I had thought of trying this technique for a while to create the appearance of leaves. The first step was to paint the matte a solid brown color. Then I went out into the yard and picked some long leaves off of a Lilly plant. I then took the leaves and laid them across the matte and sprayed over them with green paint giving it the final look. I think it turned out well.
Here is this ugly thing before I got my hands on it.
The edge looked old and dirty and did nothing for the frame.
Here is the edge all dressed up.
Here is a close up of the finished matte.
She looks great. I think the matte dresses it up as well.
Hepcats Haven 
Wow! Beautiful transformation – what a creative person you are…. I am in awe at every post! I love the leaf idea. And your eye for things like the detail of the frame is impeccable. The picture of the pin-up just pulls it all together perfectly. And is that your new furniture with a cushion I spy in the background? Have a great day!
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Thanks Sherry. I am soo happy you are enjoying our site. I love the picture and I am soo happy with how it turned out. No, that isn’t our new furniture. You did spot some of the fabric for it though. I will blog about it once the upholstery is done. The cushions are currently at the shop being recovered.
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