Old Chippy Window Vignette

I have a small wall in my dining room between the living room and the hall.  It sat almost bare for quite a while.  It looked like this:

I knew I wanted a charming, cottage look vignette, but wasn't sure just what.  Then, I found these old, chippy windows and they fit perfectly in this space. 

I added some pictures of the grandkids and little accessories.  The one on the left has the number "554" on an old book page.  The number is significant because I have 5 children, 5 grand-children, and 4 great-grand-children!

The one on the right has more pictures and a book page heart that simply says "family".

Next, I wanted something that the grand-kids could do to add some whimsy to this space.  I had them each color with crayon on a piece of card stock and then paint over it with water colors.

Next, I used a heart-shaped cookie cutter as a template to cut out heart shapes.

I then put up some chicken wire to attach the hearts to.  I found some cute mini clothes pins at JoAnn's Fabrics to clip them on with.  Then I added some decorative wood trim.

I was going to paint the wood trim turquoise and then paint some red on top and distress it to let the turquoise show through, but when I painted it turquoise I loved it so much that I just left it as is.  I may go back at some point and paint the red on top, but for now I'm just going to enjoy it this way!

As my younger grand-kids get old enough to make a heart, I can just add one on.  I imagine this filled with hearts some day - each as unique as the creators!

Old Chippy Window Score!

I found a couple of chunky, chippy, old windows by the curb and had to have them.  I love them.  I have a short little wall in my dining room between my living room and hall that was perfect for them.  Here is what the wall looked like originally.

It was empty and boring.  I have known that I wanted to do SOMEthing for quite a while, but I was waiting for the RIGHT something, ya know?  Well, the windows were definitely IT!  I filled them with photos of my grand-kids mostly.

The number "554" in the top left of the left window represents my 5 children, 5 grand-children and 4 great-grand-children.  The little heart in the bottom right says "family" - both are made from book pages which I also love.

I already have big plans for the bottom half of the wall.  Here's a hint - it involves big chunky wood and chicken wire!  Stay tuned.

Have you fallen in love with old windows?