Shabby Chic Picture Frame Shadow Box DIY Project

Shabby chic Picture Frame Shadow Boxes are a super easy and affordable way to incorporate your love of all things vintage. Creating Shabby Chic Picture Frame Shadow Boxes is an easy project that can be accomplished in one weekend. Best of all you can hang them in any room in your home to display all of your small vintage treasures and family photos.

To start this Shabby Chic Picture Frame Shadow Box Paint Technique project you will need to spend at least one weekend, but maybe a little more time.

Any cheap plain wood Picture Frame Shadow Box is perfect for this Shabby Chic Paint Technique.

Here is a list of supplies you will need to start making this Shabby Chic Picture Frame Shadow Box:

Primer
Paint (2 colors: white and either sand or tan)
Roller paint brushes
a variety of 2", 3", or 4" paintbrushes
Wood stain
Glaze
Sandpaper
Drop clothes
Pre made unfinished wood Picture Frame Shadow Box

Use a pre made shadow box frame that is made form unfinished wood. You can sand off any shine on the finish of other shadow boxes.

Now, start sanding the surface of your plain Picture Frame Shadow Box. Once you have the surface lightly sanded, you should wipe off the dust with a clean dry clothe. An old white t-shirt will work perfectly here.

Now, you are ready to put a coat of primer. If you are using a cheap fake wood Picture Frame Shadow Box this is a very important step. Your Shabby Chic Paint Technique will not stick to your Picture Frame Shadow Box surface if you don't sand and then prime your surface.

If you want a rough more rustic Shabby Chic Picture Frame Shadow Box try putting the primer on with one of the 4" brushes. This will give texture and create the look of real wood. If you prefer the smoother look you can roll the paint on with any type of paint roller. A foam roller will create the smoothest surface.

Allow your primer to dry completely.

Put on a coat of your base paint. This is either a sand color or tan color. You could do a yellowish tan. This paint should not be the actual color you want your desk to end up, but the color you want to show through when you finish the Shabby Chic Picture Frame Shadow Box.