Found an old window in our basement. Glass intact.

Question

Ideas???? What to do with it?  Can I put bolts/hooks on one end, paint glue and throw crushed glass on it for a stained glass effect? I am not a painter, so that's out...also would paint the frame, maybe a pewter? I also like the old wood cut pictures. Maybe a transfer of some type, or stencil?      This is an amazing group of talented people on this page, so may I pick your brains????   Our house was built in 1912.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

That is an amazing window. If you have a large space to hang that in your home I wouldyou the stain glass method.Search pinteerst for ideas of what to paint or google stain glass ideas.

Pjk · Answer

you can also use different color of paint on several of the glass inserts...will
look like stained glass...you can always get the paint off if it isn't the color you had in mind

Michelle Harbee · Answer

Just last weekend I came across a vintage 8 pane window similar to yours. I absolutely love it! I painted mine a bright white, as it'll not only go well with my decor but it'll also help brighten up my kitchen. I plan on getting a boxwood or magnolia wreath to hang in the middle of it. Here within the next few weeks I'm going to use a traditional Christmas wreath. https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=vintage+window+wreath&rs=ac&len=2&term_meta%5B%5D=wreath%7Cautocomplete%7C0 As far as paint, like I said, I used white mainly because I'm all about the neutrals but I think it would look great painted a bold color. Do you have an accent color you use to decorate the room you're putting it in? I was close to painting mine an eggplant color but also think it would look so pretty in dark teal or light yellow. So many choices! You also have to take your wall color into consideration, as you don't want it to clash or become one within your wall. I've also seen people place photographs or scrapbook paper in each pane. Here is a link for a tutorial: http://makezine.com/2007/03/05/vintage_window_photo_display/ You really can't go wrong with whatever you choose to do. These windows are such statement pieces even by themselves. You could always go simple and just paint it or simply leave it as is.

Alvena Cain-Campbell · Answer

i would frame family pictures in it with beautiful paper and quotes.

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Like the stained glass idea, especially since you have an old home.. Had students decorate a bank of huge windows in an old classroom with washable craft paint. They were amazing.

Kathy · Answer

If you have a wall long enough you can hang it lengthwise on the wall and put pictures in it.  My daughter in law did that and changes each section with the season. One time she even hung skeleton keys in a few of the panels

Marlene Murray · Answer

My favorite is the one with pictures and the coat hool, bottom right. I made one like this....super simple and is always the talk of guests.

Karen Holsopple · Answer

They have stain glass paint at Michaels. I'm getting ready to do windows for my two daughters. I'm also going to paint 1 square with chalk paint, one with tiny clothes pins for pictures and the other two squares stain glass. It looks fairly easy to do. I'm painting the frame of the window with unicorn spit in their favorite colors.

Kathy · Answer

I came across an old window with one end rounded. I used the window film called rice paper in each pane. I also taped battery operated mini lights to the back. The lights have a timer so they go on in the evening for 5 hours. That  gives a nice back lighted glow to the window. I placed it over my fireplace  I put a red berry wreath on the front of it for the holidays. I can change what is on it for each season or holiday. The  possibilities are endless. You cold also use a frosted glass spray paint on the glass instead of the window cling. Good luck!

Angela Apintiloaiei · Answer

I took glass dishes of different colors and made flowers on an old window. I found the inspiration on etsy. I used clear premium waterproof silicone (rain ready/sun/freezeproof) to glue the glass to the window. I have also seen mosaic designs on windows.

Marsha Schwarz · Answer

Have some vinyl designed with your favorite saying, thought, quote or Bible verse. Use hooks and wire from the hardware store to hang for constant inspiration.

Terry · Answer

Here is a couple of ideas

RJackson · Answer

I had a window almost identical to the one you have. I painted it an antique white (just not a bright white) and distressed it with my emery board and very fine sandpaper. I then searched online and purchased the black triangles that were used back in the day in photo albums. I placed those on the corners of pictures (all old, and all black and whites) and pasted them to the BACK of the window frame (so the photo would have a glass over it). This involves turning the triangles over, but it's easy enough to figure out. It was beautiful.

Brenda Pippin · Answer

You could put pics of your family in the panes and hang it on the wall..

Tracey · Answer

I love old windows!! You can paint the wood part, distress, you can use to put a large family pick behind, or several picks behind each pane, (I prefer black and white) put fake snow just around edges of glass in a circle motion and put light behind for Christmas, old lace behind glass, etc....

Your options are endless!!

Audrey Trubshaw · Answer

I had 2 old windows. I used one for a fire screen and I put a mirror behind the other one and hung it on the back fence opposite my kitchen window. They are great conversation starters! :-)

Lyn1371374 · Answer

you could inset mirror glass from dollar store frames
glue glass on and make one total mosaic (not 8 separate ones)

Linda Lemiere-Zile · Answer

Here's what I do with some of mine. Some we have wooden gutters on them and some have the plastic ones. Put drainage holes in them and fill up with soil and going plant them!

Linda Lemiere-Zile · Answer

Here's the pic. It didn't copy right for me.I tried posting the pic twice but I can't get it to come up

Robert Cervantes · Answer

I'm with Tracy, placing pictures behind the window or even a landscape that ties together like an ocean view or forest something calm and relaxing would be great. then add cardboard to the back and staple it with a hand stapler. Do you hear that? Sounds like we got a winner. lol good luck.

Sheri N · Answer

Decoupage torn up colored tissue paper on the back of the glass?! It would be transparent enough that the light would come through.

Lance irwin · Answer

I built the rolling bookshelf and a coffee table trunk  and a small greenhouse for our garden out of windows I found.

Marlene · Answer

I put an old vintage tapestry behind mine so it looks like the people in the tapestry are looking thru a window. On each side I put sconces. It all hangs in my hallway and looks great.

Marlene · Answer

Oh you can also turn the window horizontal....

Mac1718663 · Answer

My niece put her wedding pictures in her's as Robert above mention. . Maybe some
Beautiful flower pictures.  My daughter put family pictures in her's.  Just some ideas. 
Would like to see your idea on here when you figure your idea out

Desiree' · Answer

Put dried flowers on there, put beautiful family pictures or create nature scenery that you may have taken a trip on and love the scene that is etched in your mind, there are so many ideas to use it for the windows. I have a beautiful glass door but not sure what to do with it yet. I am hoping to use that for my kitchen someday.

Judy · Answer

I recently saw another blog on here where they put the window or storm door ( they look similar) sideways on the wall with photos in each window..looked very nice and along the bottom edge they hung coat hooks.

Kathy Bitzan · Answer

We made one for my daughter years ago and attached a box across the bottom. She decorates it for every season or holiday.

Skylar · Answer

You could put I pictures and find something to back it with and make it a frame

Gayle · Answer

You could also paint some of the panes with chalkboard paint and write messages on them.  Photos, painted pictures, notes, awards on the other frames.  These large windows make good room dividers too.

Found an old window in our basement. Glass intact.

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Found an old window in our basement. Glass intact.

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