DIY | Easy Record Album Art
Bright, graphic wall art seems to be popping up at all of my favorite home goods stores across the web. Not willing to spend our decorating budget on brand-new art, I thought I would make my own bold artwork for the walls of our home, using inexpensive supplies I had on hand, plus some cheap scrapbook/memory frames and thrifted record albums.
I always like to browse records while at the thrift store, on the off chance I’ll find an artist I enjoy, or even find design inspiration from a record’s cover art. My last shopping trip didn’t result in any good listening material, but I did find some record albums whose covers really spoke to me. They said, “paint me!”
S U P P L I E S :
- record album covers (browse the thrift store for the best looking covers)
- 12 inch by 12 inch frame (found mine for $5 at the craft store)
- gesso (white canvas primer)
- acrylic paints (I used Folk Art brand)
- paint brush
- razor blade
- steel ruler
- cutting surface
1.) Remove the insert from your 12×12 frame and trim around your album cover, using the insert as your guide. 2.) Decide what shape you want to paint, and start layering on the gesso with your paint brush. I used the trimmed edges of my album cover as guidelines, but didn’t tape off the edges, because I wanted a more imperfect appearance. 3.) Once your gesso is completely dry, cover it with your acrylic paint, doing as many coats as you like. I found two coats sufficiently covered the gesso for my standards.
Once your newly painted album cover has dried and cured, pop it into your frame and find somewhere in your home to hang it! I think three of these would look smashing hung vertically in a small hallway, or hung horizontally in a long hallway. Where would you put them in your home?
Love these! Clever girl! Can’t wait to see them IRL in a few weeks!
Yeah! I’ll have to hang them first. As you can see (maybe?), these photos were taken at Matt’s house. We’re hoping to paint our hallway, but I don’t know if that will happen before you get here. We’ll see!
such a simple and cute idea, mandi! i think i’m going to give this one a try ;)
Love! And that sectional is to die for! I used to have album covers hanging in my son’s room until I had to switch the theme to match his new car covered bedding. :)
what a wonderful idea! i see so many covers i fall in love with and collect them more for design reference, but i like this use as well!
This is such a good idea. I’ve bought totally awful records in the past just for the covers! x
Such a great idea!! I love how you made them ART! :)
These are so pretty! I often hang old records on the wall – aren’t they the greatest!
x
Lost in the Haze: a Fashion Photography Blog
aaaah, these are beautiful!
I love this! Definitely going to add this to the ‘must-try’ list for my apartment decor in the fall! Yay!
Loving your new blog look – and what a fab idea! thanks
Doing it.
fantastic idea!
I am inspired.. I’m pinning it in my “make it” folder!
Anna
I love this idea! And trust me, I have a huge record collection from my folks!
That’s fabulous! My husband would love this.
And that couch is A-MAZing. Oh my goodness.
oh man I can’t wait to do this!!! Thanks for the idea :)
I love this! It doesn’t seem necessary to trim them though – was that just so they fit into the frame better?
Your new blog looks great :)
Yep, I had to trim them so they would fit into the 12×12 frames. I only trimmed about a quarter of an inch total, though.
Cool! Can’t wait to try this :) Definitely need to fill up some empty wall space, and lord knows I have plenty of records to choose from.
What a fantastic idea!!
wow!awesome!great idea!!
ahh! Just so so fantastic! LOVE it!! :)
Thanks for sharing!
xo Jenny
Hey- a Dorothy Donegan album! She’s a fave in our house!