Asked on Nov 19, 2015
Found an old window in our basement. Glass intact.
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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.
50 answers
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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.
Janet Pizaro
on Nov 19, 2015
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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
Pjk
on Nov 19, 2015
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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.
Michelle Harbee
on Nov 20, 2015
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i would frame family pictures in it with beautiful paper and quotes.
Alvena Cain-Campbell
on Nov 20, 2015
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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.
Marion Nesbitt
on Nov 20, 2015
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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
Kathy
on Nov 20, 2015
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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.
Marlene Murray
on Nov 20, 2015
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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.
Karen Holsopple
on Nov 20, 2015
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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!
Kathy
on Nov 20, 2015
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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.
Angela Apintiloaiei
on Nov 20, 2015
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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.
Marsha Schwarz
on Nov 20, 2015
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Here is a couple of ideas
Terry
on Nov 20, 2015
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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.
RJackson
on Nov 20, 2015
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You could put pics of your family in the panes and hang it on the wall..
Brenda Pippin
on Nov 20, 2015
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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!!
Tracey
on Nov 20, 2015
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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! :-)
Audrey Trubshaw
on Nov 20, 2015
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you could inset mirror glass from dollar store frames glue glass on and make one total mosaic (not 8 separate ones)
Lyn1371374
on Nov 20, 2015
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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
on Nov 20, 2015
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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
Linda Lemiere-Zile
on Nov 20, 2015
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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.
Robert Cervantes
on Nov 20, 2015
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Decoupage torn up colored tissue paper on the back of the glass?! It would be transparent enough that the light would come through.
Sheri N
on Nov 20, 2015
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I built the rolling bookshelf and a coffee table trunk and a small greenhouse for our garden out of windows I found.
Lance irwin
on Nov 20, 2015
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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
on Nov 20, 2015
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Oh you can also turn the window horizontal....
Marlene
on Nov 20, 2015
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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
Mac1718663
on Nov 20, 2015
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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.
Desiree'
on Nov 20, 2015
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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.
Judy
on Nov 20, 2015
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We made one for my daughter years ago and attached a box across the bottom. She decorates it for every season or holiday.
Kathy Bitzan
on Nov 20, 2015
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You could put I pictures and find something to back it with and make it a frame
Skylar
on Nov 20, 2015
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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.
Gayle
on Nov 20, 2015
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Turn it on it's side and add coat hooks. You could paint it, leave it, add photos behind each of the windows, or just hang it as is by a door or in a mudroom. That's an awesome window!
Shar Scrapendipity Hoff
on Nov 20, 2015
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glad i could help.......love the vintage look! don't forget....yu can turn the window horizontal. it is a nice big window!
Marlene
on Nov 20, 2015
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My husband took out the window panes and replaced them with mirrors. He had them cut at a glass shop, and I painted the frame a color that would match my decoration. You can hang it anyway you want it, long way or upright.
Carol Harris
on Nov 20, 2015
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Build a "box" with shelves, use the window for a door, voila, closed curio or bookcase! If you use louver door or shutters for the sides, it gives it a beachy or shabby chic look, depending on how you finish it.
Kathi Mureen
on Nov 20, 2015
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Like some other artist, you can use it as a message board. Get a can of chalk board paint and paint some Payne's and use the others as a photo frame. Place photo of people or places you've been or want to go. Or make it a dream board and hang it in a room that will accommodate / remind you. Have fun however you choose to use it.
Sarah
on Nov 20, 2015
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Build a box (no bottom) and attach it to the top with hinges. Install it in a sunny location. Instant cold frame!
Mary Jaeger
on Nov 20, 2015
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They sell mirror paint at home depot you spray on one side and it makes a great mirror. I have done this came out great looks great too
David Ogden
on Nov 20, 2015
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Here're some things I've done with flat marble's.
Sherre M
on Nov 20, 2015
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I like Sherre's idea for painting. You can get books with designs at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. Another idea would be to use as part of a garden room outside. Build a trellis with the window in the middle. Then grow ivy or some other vine on the trellis. You could put this in a planter box to add some privacy to your deck or in the ground next to your fence to look like it separates (or does) your yard from the next.
Sandy
on Nov 21, 2015
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Use it as a multi-picture frame hung sideways makes a great wall statement.
Debbie Fulkerson
on Nov 21, 2015
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Yes family pictures!! you can tape the photos to the back with the glass in front, and change them out from time to time.. sort of a centerpiece of photos for an entryway or any room.. Hang it lengthwise (4 panes on top 4 on bottom)... Great way to bring photos together.
Buster Evans
on Nov 21, 2015
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photos, photos, photos.... and more photos.
Judi
on Nov 21, 2015
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I have tried several times to upload it and it finally worked!
Linda Lemiere-Zile
on Nov 22, 2015
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Oops!! Well we do not have to go Christmas..LOL! I love the size of your window. Again you could take pics. from your family and put behind it. It would be a nice hallway piece, or even with it being that large set up in a corner. I like to go to Walgreens and scan the pics. and change to black and white. The window would also look great just painted (outside) and placed somewhere. last thing...hehe! I have also seen where people take vintage lace, doilies and put behind the panes.
Tracey
on Nov 22, 2015
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instead of length wise hang it horizontally. You can do photos or paint a design or both. Glue little burlap or silk flowers in the center of one of the panes, ideas are endless
Barbara Spangler
on Nov 22, 2015
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Not me sorry
David Ogden
on Nov 22, 2015
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I'm sorry, sweetie. That was years ago and I don't have it any longer. I married and moved and the window just didn't make the trip.
RJackson
on Nov 23, 2015
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I saw on that was with a picture of her grandchildren sitting on a rock wall and she took a picture if them from the back, had it made into a poster and and use the old window as the frame.
Lou Whitcomb
on Nov 23, 2015
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Sorry for the delay but here are some pictures.
Angela Apintiloaiei
on Nov 25, 2015
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A little mixed egg white acts like glue, is see thru --- put dried flowers in each pane, not too many. Egg white will hold them. Change with the seasons -- inside use only, for this idea.
Georgia Lyman
on Dec 04, 2015
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