August 29, 2011

Repurposing an Old Window Shutter into a Photo Display Shelf




I have been wanting to display the gorgeous pictures my husband takes in a creative way for a while and haven't gotten around to shopping for shelves yet. I had been painting our bedroom pale yellow, gray and this color I am in love with called "rainwater"-(by Martha Stewart)-a pale, watery aqua and remembered these old shutters we had that were really close to that color.


We bought the set of old shutters originally to use in our garden from this salvage warehouse in our area--a true goldmine for all things cool from old houses. (Whenever I go there I feel like I am exploring the attic of an old mansion--it even has a homey feel with the random cats you will find roaming around).

We had used this shutter as a headboard in the past, but this time I thought some of our photos printed on mat board would look so pretty sitting on it. I love the contrast of the antique shutter and the clean modern lines of the photos.

If you don't have access to a store like ours or old shutters and want to try this without prying them off of someone's house, I bet you could try the distressing techniques I have shown on earlier posts with a newer shutter along with some sandpaper and two different colors of paint.

By the way, this is the first of a few posts I will be doing on our bedroom redo-I can't wait to show you next how to color on your walls with a paint pen. But don't let your kids see you do it...hope you enjoyed this today!




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18 comments:

  1. teresa sAugust 29, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Love this! I have some nice wooden shutters and have been debating how to use them. I'm trying to wait until the kitchen is done before finishing the living room, because I'm afraid I'll put all the cool things in the LR and not know what to do in the kitchen!
    This is a very nice idea! Looks great.
    Also, I only recently learned about 'paint pens'. I want some!!! I like our living room so far, but if I walk out of the room and then back in, sometimes I think to myself "this is just too plain". I really love color and have been thinking of ways to add it and saw some posts about the paint pens~! Can't wait to see whatyou do with them!

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  2. cindyAugust 29, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    this is beautiful. :)

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  3. iheartsnapitAugust 30, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Thanks, Teresa, I think I remember you having displayed wooden shutters on your walls before-I love the idea. Yeah, save some of your cool things for the kitchen! Paint pens are so fun and easier than using a brush and paint. The ones I use are fade proof-I will put the brand in the next post-I did a large mural on my wall-will be posting soon!

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  4. remadesimpleAugust 30, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    Thanks, Cindy-I have loved the idea of a photo shelf because you can switch out pictures so easily and rearrange, and using a shutter makes it so much more elegant and unique. Glad you enjoyed this post!

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  5. remadesimpleAugust 30, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    Thanks, Teresa, I love shutters and there are lots of things you can do with them. Another idea I have tried is placing them upright and slipping pictures in the slots for display-looks great too. Good idea to save some of your cool items for the kitchen-can't wait to see how it is finished! I love working with paint pens-so much smoother than just paint brushes-I did a whole mural on my wall and built in vanity-soon to be posted-I am really happy with the results. Glad you liked this post!

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  6. BluBabesCreateNovember 19, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    Really darling! I love repurposed stuff! Come see what you can do with dated nutcrackers!

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  7. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops}November 21, 2011 at 1:39 AM

    Great idea! Love it!

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  8. JenNovember 21, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Beautiful! I love seeing how people use shutters an windows! SO many creative ways!

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  9. Rachel~Wildflower Photography Studio and Wildflower CreativeNovember 21, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    oh i love this! i love vintage shutters. i have some in my kitchen that i re-purposed as a memo board of sorts using clothes pins. :)

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  10. Kim @ Too Much TimeNovember 21, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    This is AWESOME! I featured you today, come check it out!
    http://kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/2011/11/good-morning-sunshine_21.html

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  11. Kammy's KornerNovember 21, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    Man, I love the look of this!!!! I've bought some old shutters and they've been stashed out in my barn. Sheesh, I need to do something amazing like this! Would LOVE for you to share this over on Kammy's Korner for our Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday party! http://kammyskorner.blogspot.com/2011/11/trash-2-treasure-tuesdays-7.html

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  12. ReDO GalsNovember 22, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    I love this idea of using the shutters horizontal. I hung some shutters about a year a go and hung them vertical. I have extra shutters in the basement. I am so using this idea-LOVE IT.

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  13. Kellie @ My So Called Green LifeNovember 22, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    What a sweet idea! I've seen shutters at our local salvage yard, but couldn't think of what to do with them at the time. I'll have to pick some up next time for sure!

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  14. UnknownNovember 22, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    What an awesome idea! Your newest follower!!

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  15. KelliBNovember 22, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    This is so awesome!! I love the idea of using a shutter this way! Great idea! I would love for you to share it over at Totally Inspired Tuesdays at The Inspired Collection, going on now! I love your blog it is too cute!

    Kelli
    www.theinspiredcollection.blogspot.com

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  16. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2012 at 7:52 PM

    I agree, the rustic look of the shutters contrast nicely with the clean crispness of the photos. Very nice display.

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  17. Sherry @ Thrift My HouseFebruary 23, 2012 at 7:22 PM

    I just saw this and I am soooooo doing this! Great color too!

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    Replies
    1. Kristina @ ReMadeSimpleFebruary 26, 2012 at 11:17 PM

      Thanks, Sherry! So glad you like it! I love the color too-it came that way :)

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