I have expressed these frustrations before.. I’ll express them again… It is often difficult to be a person with a dark aesthetic and be able to shop in “normal” stores for home decor. I am fortunate to be someone with a creative eye, and a crafty hand. I’ve learned to take those normal pieces and transform them into something more my style. I know not everyone has that same eye, so this week I wanted to assist with that. Follow along as I transform a shabby chic piece into a Gothic Upholstered Skull Memo Board.
I bought this pin board at Homegoods. I really do love shopping there. It’s a great place for inspiration. But unfortunately, like many home decor stores these days, the amount of off-white, shabby chic, or french farmhouse style pieces can be overwhelming. Here’s the thing about that trend… if you look closely, you’ll often find that many of the design elements found in those styles are really quite appealing if you can get past the color. This board, for example, had such a beautiful baroque style frame. I’ll venture to say that you’re not going to get lucky enough to find a piece like this in all black…. but from the second I laid eyes on it, I knew how amazing it would look in black.
Last year, I transformed an old frame into a Gothic Pin Board, and it turned out beautifully. I made it as part of my office makeover (which is still in the works by the way) and I quickly realized I could use more memo boards. Instead of starting from scratch like last time, I decided to upcycle my Homegoods find.
In many cases a simple coat of black paint can give an ordinary piece a dark edge. I think this piece could have been beautiful even if I had kept the neutral fabric and just painted the frame solid black… but if you’ve gotten to know me, you’ll know that simple is not my DIY style. I decided to have a little fun with the frame and the fabric.
I broke out the Paper Clay, and one of my skull molds, and got to work. On this particular frame, there was actually a perfect spot to add a skull on the corners or on the tops and sides. I tossed around the idea of adding the skulls to all eight places vs the corners vs the tops & sides. Ultimately, I chose to add skulls to the four corners of the frame. I thought it was a bit more subtle, and I liked that element of surprise (not that skulls are ever really that subtle, but you know what I mean). I also liked that I placed them in a way that allows me to use the memo board vertically or horizontally. If you’re feeling a bit more bold, you can of course add more skulls.
Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this project:
- Store bought pin Board – If you want to build your own, this Memo Board DIY provides the full tutorial.
- Skull Silicone Mold
- Corn Starch
- Small Paint Brush
- Paper Clay
- Set of Painting Knives
- Aleene’s Tacky Glue
- Heat Tool (optional)
- Black Paint
- Ruby Rub ‘n Buff
- Fabric
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue
Start by separating the frame from the fabric pad. Mine had a backing that I had to unscrew, and then the fabric pad was glued into the frame. Fabric pads may be secured with staple guns, screws, or adhesive. Do your best to not damage the frame, but don’t worry about the fabric as much since you’ll be recovering it anyway.
Create skulls out of paper clay using the silicone mold. To do this… first brush a bit of cornstarch into the mold cavity.
Firmly press paper clay into the mold and use the painting knifes to level the clay and clean up any clay that may be protruding out of the mold.
Remove the clay from the mold, by bending the mold all around to break the seal around the edge, and slowly roll the mold away from the clay until the clay is free.
Add tacky glue to the back side of the clay casting and gently press to secure it onto the frame.
For more detailed photos on using paper clay and silicone molds, check out these Skull Candle Sconces or this Baroque Vase. Both tutorials will walk you through every step of the process.
Allow the clay to dry. I typically give it 12 hours. Use the heat tool if you need to speed this process up.
Paint the frame and clay black.
The Solid Black frame looks nice, but I think you’ll agree that adding some metallic wax really takes it up a notch.
Once the black paint is dry, use your finger or a cloth to add Ruby Rub ‘n Buff to the raised edges of the frame. A little goes a long way, so use it sparingly.
Remove the original fabric from the pad
Lay the pad face down onto the back side of your new fabric and cut the fabric leaving a 1 1/2 – 2″ allowance on all 4 sides
Heat up your glue gun, and glue one side of the fabric to the back of the pad.
Allow to dry and pull the opposite side taught and glue.
Before repeating on the next 2 sides, it helps to trim the corners to eliminate some of the bulk. I folded the trimmed corners in like I was wrapping a gift, and added a dab of glue to keep in place.
Glue the last 2 sides to the back of the pad.
Insert upholstered pad into the back side of your frame. I used a heavy fabric, so my pad actually fit quite snug into the frame. If yours does not, you can simply repeat whatever method was originally used to attach the pad to the frame… whether it was staples, or screws, or even a line of hot glue.
Add the backing back to the frame (if available)
Hang on your wall and get organized!!
Hope this helps add a bit of inspiration for all of those moments that you’re out shopping and come across that shabby chic piece that makes you say – Damn! If only this came in black! Don’t be afraid of it. Don’t be mad at it! Snatch it up and Goth it Yourself!!
As ever, I Love, love LOVE it! I think I might have to give this a go on my Wedding Memory Box. I’m a bit over the shabby white and neutral fabric. Will have to see if the fabric is easily swapped out! Thanks my lovely x
Thanks Sue!! Good luck with the memory box!!