Thrift Store Art Makeover with Mod Podge

Use the slider below to see the before!

Supplies Used

• Restor-A-Finish
• Liquid Gold Leaf or Rub'n Buff
• Spray Adhesive
• Clear Matte Spray Sealer
• Rag
• Artist Brush
• Mod Podge

How-To

The first thing that you will want to do is disassemble the print from the frame. I disposed of the glass. Try to keep as many of the staples or small nails in place to reinstall the print at the end.

Clean the frame of all dust, dirt, and grime. Some cleaning wipes usually do the trick.

Restor-A-Finish is the quickest way to help your old wood finish look refreshed and new again. I used it on this ice bucket to turn it into a Christmas Tree stand. Wow, what a difference it made!

Apply it with a rag or brush while wearing rubber gloves. Then you will immediately wipe it off. Please be sure to read the instructions on the can. It is very simple to use. Let the frame completely dry. It dries quickly.

This liquid leaf is one of my favorite products for adding to frames and decor pieces.

I tend to keep inexpensive artist brushes on hand for projects like this. It's easier to toss than have to break out the paint thinner to clean.

Slowly work your way around the frame. I only applied one coat.

Mod Podge Matte is what I use the most when doing a project like this or like with these chinoiserie Christmas ornaments.

Depending on the project and medium, I find that it doesn't always have a true matte finish.

If you have a shiny finish that you are not happy with, we can fix it.

This print is old and fragile so you'll want to work carefully. It's thin paper and not a heavier glossy cardstock like some.

I like to place my Mod Podge projects on top of waxed paper. It releases more easily.

Apply your Mod Podge medium in a relatively haphazard way.

You can see the area that is drying clearly.

Notice how I applied the Mod Podge in different directions per the scenery.

I applied 3 coats. Let it dry completely overnight.

I had an old piece of foam board that had drawing marks on it from an old project from my kids. It was the perfect size to back my print on. I also need a bit of space to add structure to the frame since I was not using the glass.

I am going to show you what I did, but I want you to learn from my mistake and do the opposite.

I used my rotary cutter and cutting mat to trim the piece of foam board to the exact size that I needed.

I then used spray adhesive to mount the print to the foam board.

I do NOT recommend doing it in this manner. Once it gets stuck, you can NOT reposition it or you will tear your print.

Do this instead! Apply spray adhesive to the back of your print. Then apply it to your foam board. Smooth it all out. It's best to apply it like you could a sticker. Apply one side then work your way to the other.

It won't matter if it's straight on the board. If you trim the foam board last, you can just easily trim the excess white off the board.

If your print ends up being too shiny, you can spray matte sealer on it either before or after mounting it to your foam board.

Assemble your print back in the frame minus the glass. The print is now protected to use without glass.

What a difference in the before and after of the frame. It's hard to see with the lighting, but the Mod Podge mimics brush strokes.

The day that we took it to the lake house was cloudy and rainy. I had more natural light in this room to take photos of the finished project. Notice the art to the right? It was a thrift store makeover as well. I used to use it on the screened porch, but it was a nice addition here.

Now it is lightweight and safer for use over a rental bed.

When they bought the house, the mantel was red brick with no mantel. This was one of the recommendations that they followed. It's such a big improvement.

This is the artwork that is normally over the mantel. This was a thrift store find as well that just needed cleaning.

Here it is in its final spot. We just added the new quilt. I'm impressed with its quality. It is also reversible. I am on the lookout for thrift store lamps to replace some of these original ones in old-world style.

Not bad for a $7.99 piece of artwork.

While we were here, we put together this polywood set that we purchased on Prime Day. The original set finally bit the dust. I was not disappointed. My husband put the chairs together at home. I was afraid the table would be too heavy for me to help get up the deck stairs. I was right. It was much easier to carry it up in pieces.

I plan to go up to the lake soon and take new photos of the lake house to put on the Airbnb site. I'll share them here when I do.

More Thrift Store Wall Art Ideas

• Wallpaper for a thrift store art project
• Halloween Wall Art
• Chalkboard Wall Art
• Tips for Thrift Store Wall Art
• European Wall Art
• Wall Art Seating Chart
• Classic Thrift Store Art