Saturday, April 10, 2010

Skeleton Key Kitchen Project

 I want to thank all my new friends thanks to the Marvelous Maria at DREAMY WHITES! I love NEW people and can't wait to check out everyone's blogs.

Yesterday I showed you a little hint of a project I was going to do for the kitchen. I know there are TONS of knock-offs  of the Restoration Hardware's Skeleton Key  frame that cost $199.00.  Since we've done our budget kitchen reno, I wanted to figure out something I could put under the cabinet in the only available under cabinet wall space I have. I saw the knock offs and knew that would be perfect! Here's my version!  While running errands on Thursday with my delightful friend Stephanie, we got a bit of bleached burlap then ran to my favorite junk/antique store (link below) to get a few skeleton keys he had waiting for me. They were 2 dollars a piece!  I SWEAR that man has almost anything I ask for when I call!  LOVE THAT!

Let me explain why I do NOT have a lot of tutorial photos (this is an easy project so you really don't need them anyway!). My father stopped by just as I was starting this project. All of whatever skills I have with tools and wood and rigging a project, I got from my Dad. He had a router in my hand when I was 13! Now he acts like I can't do anything because of my back issues. Plus he likes a project just as much as I do!

Originally this frame was a BRILLIANT LIME GREEN, if you look really closely, you can see a smidgen of it on the back. My father grabbed the frame and spray painted it before I had a chance to give you a photo. The frame came from my friends supply warehouse for her occasionl sale and tent sale so it would have been painted Heirloom White anyway. It came with this piece of blue mat board taped to the inside of it. As I was taking the tape off so I could wrap it in the burlap, my father FREAKED out and insisted that I NOT wrap it in burlap and use it as is. It is pretty cool looking as it is. I used gorilla glue on the skeleton keys (from my friend Bob's antique store). Do NOT use Gorilla glue because it dries white and it expands...first mistake. I put the mat board back into the frame and glue it in on the
back with the gorilla glue, the expanding was actually a plus for that! Lastly, I clipped two grey chiffon flowers to each other (they are from Joanns) and then glued that to the bottom corner of the mat board. VIOLA'. ALL DONE! Sorry for the poor photo, it was night time and I used the dreaded flash for the photo...it really doesn't have a yellow cast.

No I have a 3rd of a yard of burlap I need to find a project for! Any ideas? Let me know what you think of this bargain version of the project ;-)


Posted by PicasaLINKING this to the fun finds at  THE DIY SHOW OFF! SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY  , beyond the picket fence , The Shabby Chic Cottage and over at Kimba's DIY DAY Go check out everyone's goodness! The Girl Creative

26 comments:

Flaviana said...

Hello Robyn
thanks for your kind words! I love your blog and your photos!!
Actually I was planning to go through your past posts during the weekend so I get to know you better.
P.s. the dogs you saw in the photo are boxers!
Enjoy your weekend!
Flaviana

Anonymous said...

I love old keys and love your artwork idea. Thanks so much for sharing it. Come by for a visit.

Jan @ BellaCasa

Legacy of Love said...

Great post! I just finished a swap project where I took an overnight case and lined the inside with burlap. You could line just about anything with burlap (basket, box,etc.)I have my o/n case on my blog showing the lining.

I really love your articles and photos. I am an avid photo hobbiest and like you don't always take posed pictures. I love taking pics of the most ordinary things.

I will pray for healing for your back. My cousin is a Rolfe therapist. It's a massage therapy thing. He had severe back issues and this helped him so much he now is making it his line of work to help others. If you have not heard of it you might want to just check it out, just in case. Not sure it would be appropriate therapy for your situation but who knows? Let me know if you would like the link to his website. My heart goes out to you as my mom had severe back problems and I know what that kind of pain can do to ya but she like you was very upbeat and positive.

Hope you have a blessed weekend and good luck with all!

Hugs, julie

Deb said...

Hi Robyn, congrats on your feature at Dreamy Whites and the giveaway win! Can't wait to see your new duvet! I love this project and also made two similar ones for my bathroom...so easy and inexpensive! I am now a follower too! Deb

Athena Wunderlich (Left Coast Luxe) said...

I love that idea, Robyn!!!! Thanks so much for the inspirations, I always enjoy your blog :)

leftcoastluxe.blogspot.com

Ana said...

Wonderful blog, I´m a follower now!!!
Blessings from Costa Rica,
Ana

Vintage Remixed said...

Those truly are a piece of art and you have them displayed so pretty. Love your blog.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

This turned out great! I recently bought several old keys and I want to do a similar project. I Love the flower you added.

Allison Shops said...

The piece looks really nice. I've framed old keys too - from my family's furniture store. The store has been closed for many many years, but seeing them daily makes me remember all those afternoons spent there with three generations of family.

Allison

Creamy White said...

Hi Robyn,
I just found you through Cappuccino Cottage and I'm stopping by to say Hello! I'm your nwe follower and looking forward to visit you more!
By the way, my picture on the Followers is diferent then this one. I'm hugging two Westies!!! :Love Dogs too!
Happy week,
Hugs,
Li

Brittany said...

in love with that project, my grandmother used to have skelton keys, i really wish i still had them!

Kelee said...

A great idea.... very nostalgic and charming!

Grannys Attic said...

Love the keys and what you did with them. Might have to borrow this idea if its OK. Blessings,
Vicky

The Tattered Cottage said...

I love me an easy,simple and beautiful project. I have some keys that I have been wanting to do something with.
Toni

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

You did a outstanding job with this cute project...come by and show it off at my PAR-TAY...hope to see you there:)

Blessings,
Linda

I’m having a GIVEAWAY…come by and check it out…I think you will like it!

Lana Kim White Austin said...

Oooh....great job with those keys/the frame, etc.!

Hugs, L

My Cottage Charm said...

Howdy girlfriend! :-) I had to get on and read your last few posts..I've been so busy lately I've been out of it! LOL I love love love love love your skeleton key pic...great knock-off! Kudos to you! I am so excited that you won the duvet...lucky you (and lucky me for winning yours!!) :)
Come over and see my laminate to lovely project...I love it!
Hope you have great week!
Hugs

Melissa

Unknown said...

Hello Robyn, what a lovely "painting"you made!!!

I have this "problem".....I have put your blog on mine.....but it shows up at the bottom of the line, saying you posted last 2 years ago?!?!?!??!??!?! Do yoy have ANY idea what I did wrong??I dont want to mis your posts, please help?:)

Greetings
Lynda

Wendy @ Ramblings from the Sunshine State said...

love it! i am a sucker for those keys!

vignette design said...

I just discovered your blog and I love it! I love what you did with these old skeleton keys. I love tying them with twine around candles. Started collecting them years ago....
Hey, hope your back is better. My daughter broke her back at L3 and 4, so I'm a little familiar with all this stuff, ie. surgery, fusion, hardware, etc. Take care....

Angie Holden said...

Gorgeous keys!!!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hey, Robyn, thanks for joining the party! I love your skeleton keys, never find them that cheap. And what a cute, cute project with them. Love it!

Unknown said...

Hi Robyn, I love you skeleton key project and I love sound of the shop where you bought yuour keys! I found your blog through Maria at dreamy whites. Congratulations on your win! I am looking forward to reading more and getting to know you better. xx

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

wow, I love it! It looks great. I love those keys!
thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment on my giant faux clock.
gail

razzberri said...

What a great idea! I can't believe that site is charging 200 bucks for their sterile-looking version. YIPES! The "shabby chic" version you made is SO much nicer!

I found this project at just the right time, too. We found a huge zip-lock bag FULL of skeleton keys when we moved into this house, and they've been wasting away in a drawer. Now I've got something to do with them, and may make up a bunch to sell at the flea market or craft sale since I am definitely going to make a few to hang in my sunroom after we redecorate it :)

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

Mmm, I just love skeleton keys--so much history behind them. Thanks for linking up!