mosaic, mosaic, mosaic . . . .

Hmmm, I guess that would be great, except that what I really need is a PURPOSE for the frame, instead of how to decorate it. You know, like some people use fencing for a headboard, etc. That kind of idea. (I don't need a headboard, tho. LOL)
Thank you for the idea for decorating it.
Cathy

You could hang it by chains to "frame" a view? (Under a raised deck or on a porch)

Paint a piece of plywood with the blackboard paint and use the frame to frame it.

It's fun to take pictures of your family with them holding it and looking through.

Paint or finish the frame as you would like and simply hang it on the wall empty. or use it to frame an existing piece of wall art you have even if it is framed. This approach is very popular at the moment on the designer shows...
or, fill the center with a board and mosiac it and make a table top for your patio.

I have taken old mirror frames added pegboard and hung
things from them. Example one I painted fire engine red and hung red and white kitchen utensils from. I also painted one
green stapled chicken wire on the back side. I hung a
grapevine added grapes and a few grape saucers. It really depends on you decor of what you frame. Lighthouses,frogs,angels,birds,apples,etc. Hope this will
give you some ideas to get started thinking on. Oh and one more thing I took a metal one before spray painted it copper
hung it from chain and now hang my copper goods from it as though it would be a pot rack. Laney Bug

I saw the coolest thing. They used an old frame and put it on a wooden easel they made out of lodge pine. They sat a vase with flowers in the middle sorta a living picture.

Cindee
That sound like a very clever idea to me.

Laney Bug

How about using a foamcore backing and totally COVERING the surface with photos of family/friends, etc.? I love collage looking things and that frame sounds like a great size to work with.

Wow, I can't get over the great ideas you all have for the frame. I'm so glad that I asked. Now I just have to sort out the ones that are usable for my house. I wish I could post a picture but I don't know how. Can you copy and paste on forums?
Anyway, thank you all for inspiring me.
Cathy

I took an old framed mirror from a bureau that was my grandfathers, crackle painted it and put it in my bathroom over my sink. Never fails to get comments.

Joyce

picture of frame.

Wow! That's much prettier than I expected! Can't wait to see what you end up doing with it.

Oh no that is too pretty for what I suggested early!!!!!!!!I don't know your decor, but if it is victorian.Oh I could
see it dry brushed white and then a touch of gold. Then maybe
I would staple a lace panel on the back,add a hand bag,fan,
feather bowes,fancy hats,pearls, gloves,and shoes. Oh Oh it so pretty!!!!
Laney Bug

How about one of those french memo boards inside the frame - pretty fabric over a padded back and ribbons criss-crossed to hold momentos and photos?? I'd leave it the natural wood color although I love white too!

Oh, I really like that idea of the memo board. I also like "framing a view" only there isn't anything really "framable" here.

Laney, my house is anything but Victorian. There isn't even a name for it. Eclectic is too kind even. Our rooms are all helter skelter, nothing is built in- it's a plain old 100 year old house and a housewife with no imagination.
Actually even if I use any of the ideas here, I might not know where to put it. Isn't that sad, but I'm going to try something!!!

I really like the memo board idea. It doesn't have to be victorian. Depends on the material/ribbons you choose. If you used a country print, with buttons at the juncture of the ribbons it would be fairly country looking. If use muted colors and whitewash the frame maybe shabby chic. You could also do the same thing and use it for a headboard too. Just mount it on the wall behind the bed. If it's not wide enough ... add some shutters on either side.

How about a fireplace screen? Decorative only obviously. But you could put a picture behind it ... paint a picture of your own ... or attach some small nails/tacks around the back and wrap copper wire and beads across the opening. You might even be able to attach some votive cups (away from the wood frame for safety), with the copper wire, and beads the light flickering would be gorgeous.

Joyce

Well, that frame is great! I would put a mirror back in it and hang it in the livingroom!

I agree with Kat-Wa. Put a mirrow back in it. It's much too nice for a memo board. BTW, I understand about the helter skelter house too. My DH says our house is done in Early Halloween.

Hahaha, don't people come up with the funniest descriptions for things? My step-son calls our place Sanford and Sons. I DO have a lot of "stuff" (like the mirror LOL).

I have an antique picture frame hanging over my fireplace mantle. With each changing season, I hang a different wreath in the center of it. I have even hung a dozen long-stemmed red roses UP-SIDE-DOWN...stems tied together with a lovely ribbon...in the middle and allowed them to dry. That was striking!

Your frame is large enough to sit right on the mantle. I love it!

It would also be great hanging in a foyer. Replace the mirror and attach a matching shelf to the bottom.

And...if all else fails...I will gladly take it off your hands!

~Sandy~

it looks like it has a flat bottom....how about hanging it upside down and use the flat bottom for a shelf....that would be very Eclectic and put nothing in it...that frame is art in itself and could just show wall covering thru it.. -or- if you have a small window that size it could be put as a frame for the window and use the flat bottom for the shelf....

Ooh, Sandy, I love that idea of hanging wreaths in it. I wish I had a fireplace. I also like the idea of hanging it upside down and using it for a shelf, Two Months (Why "Two Months"?). Great idea!!
Sandy, would you really take it off my hands?

That would also be absolutley awesome with a mirror in it hanging over a vanity in an antiquey bathroom. You know...with an old dresser holding a sink.

How 'bout padding and tufting the middle, bolting it to the wall and using it for the headboard of a twin bed?

Pad the middle and use it for the back to a bench stained to match with padding on the seat.

Hang it on the wall as a frame for a collage of antique family photos...printed in sepia. (Oh gee...that would look great in my living room on my reddish walls!)

Heck...I'd sneak it out of your garage in the middle of the night if you weren't so far away! LOL

~Sandy~

Okay, I gotta know! What did you decide to do with it!? LOL

Haha, what I've done so far is bring it out of the garage and onto the screened-in porch to look at it. I'm trying to decide whether or not to re-finish it. It's just so darned pretty. I like your idea of using it for a photo frame, but I don't have a place that I could put it.

Catsmom- I like your mirror too!! I'm trying to figure out what to do with some old picture frames. I like the idea of using yours for a hallway shelve. Put hooks on the bottom of it to hang stuff on.Maybe paint it too if you don't care for the color. ( or distress it)

I think it is a beautiful oak, finished or not.

I can see it in any room in my eclectis house.

If it were mine, I'd probably refinish it, put a mirror in it,and hang it in either the dining area, or over the sofa, possibly with a few other things of interest to make a 'grouping'.

Additionally, seasonal wreaths could be hung in front of the mirror.

Sue

Hmmm, I was just thinking......maybe I could use an idea from all of these if I cut some of the sides off and put the bottom back on. That way it would be short enough for me to use with my low ceilings. I really hate to cut it, but that's what I'd have to do to use it here. I also was thinking about using it as a fireplace front to use with my fake fireplace logs if I can find a wall where it wouldn't stick out too much.
Maybe I just need a new (old) house to put it in. LOL

I took the mirror out of an old dresser frame and attached the frame to a unfinished bookcase. Refinshed with paint & antique glaze. It is for sale in my antique booth in Woodstock, Georgia.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Why not hang it OVER(on top of)a bathroom mirror? You might need something to hold it down on the bottom, and that's where strips of velcro come in! I've used it to hang large trays, too big for those plate holders, on the side of a kitchen cabinet. ;o)

patty_cakes