Monday, February 21, 2011

Vintage Ceiling Tiles


Whew I am glad to finally have this project done!!  I started this project about a month ago, and for some reason it's just taken me a while to get done!

It started with these fabulous vintage ceiling tiles I found for 40% off $40 plus an additional 20% off!  Total cost $19!  I thought that was a steal (please don't burst my bubble if you've found them cheaper).


Yes, they started out as a rusty, nasty, mess, but the detail on them is ah-mazing  I started by spraying them with Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer.  I wanted a brown primer so it would show through when I sanded them.




Tip: If you find vintage ceiling tiles already painted, spray them with a coat of polyurethane to keep them from chipping since they may have been painted with lead paint.

My hubby bought me this really cool spray gun!  These took a while to paint, and this definitely saved my finger!


After the primer had dried completely I spray painted them with Rustoleum Heirloom White.  It actually took about 4 coats.  I sanded them down so the brown would show through and have a rustic look.


My wonderful hubby cut them in half for me using a 4.5 inch grinder with a cut off wheel.  What a great guy.  :)

I hung them up on the wall and immediately realized that they needed something else.  They looked a little dinky.


NOT loving them....

Then I stumbled across this post from House of Smith's and thought....  *light bulb* .... I'll just make frames for them!!



Was that an adventure.  I will leave that one up to Shelley to tell you how to do it. After much TLC they did turn out fabulous and I'll know exactly what to do when I tackle this project in the future!


One thing I've learned - sometimes design just happens.  Totally unintentional, projects go wrong, measurements go awry, nails don't quite fit right, and the project quickly goes in a different direction.

Originally the ceiling tiles were going to be mounted to the back of the frame.  I won't take you through that painstaking process, but it just didn't work out!



Thank goodness!! I like this so much better!!


What do you think??



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19 comments:

  1. KayeFebruary 21, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    So cute! Love this idea!

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  2. MeriFebruary 22, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    Very cute!! Love this idea :)

    ~meri

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  3. MandyFebruary 22, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    OH, LOVE!!
    What a great idea...simple, but makes such a statement against that dark paint!

    Great job!

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  4. UnknownFebruary 22, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    fantastic! I'm a new follower and I already just love your blog :) Saw your link on Giggles, Glitz and Glam! Great stuff. Can't wait to keep reading.

    ReplyDelete
  5. JanaFebruary 22, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Turned out great! Thanks for linking up over at Giggles, Glitz & Glam!

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  6. RebeccaFebruary 22, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Beautiful! I like how the tiles are off center of the frames.

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  7. JenniferFebruary 22, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Great idea...I just love vintage ceiling tiles. Still makes my heart flutter abit when I walk in a place and see those beautiful babies up on the ceiling!

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  8. the nichols' family February 23, 2011 at 4:37 AM

    I know you're already received it, but I'm awarding you the Stylish Blog Award! I just recently started following your blog and LOVE all your cute ideas! I'm planning on making the recipe card holder for my Mom for Mother's Day!

    ReplyDelete
  9. the cape on the cornerFebruary 23, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    looks great, and i love the dark color in your room!

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  10. LoriFebruary 23, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    I'm a new follower, please follow me back.
    Blessings, Lori
    lorisstorys.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jamie @ DIY Home Sweet HomeFebruary 24, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    That looks great.

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  12. RachaelFebruary 24, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Looks great!! I love the detail on the tiles!

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  13. SachikoFebruary 24, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    Very interesting! The whole thing came together nicely.

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  14. JillFebruary 28, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Gorgeous! I'm featuring this over at womenwhodoitall.blogspot.com

    Jill

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  15. AnonymousFebruary 28, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    Love tin ceiling tiles- in fact we are looking for some to actually use on the ceiling of our old home.

    Great job!

    bee blessed
    mary

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  16. maleahblissMarch 2, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    I featured you this week!!! LittleEme.blogspot.com
    Come check it out and grab your featured button! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Bella @ Bella before and afterMarch 2, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Hey Maggie, you did such an awesome job with those tiles. I love how they turned out, and love the frames, and how the tiles are not placed in the frame completely. It looks really cool.

    I loved it so much......

    I just HAD to FEATURE YOU, come grab a button and display it proudly!!

    Thanks for linking up to Bella Before and After **AMAZE ME AUGUST** party, I LOVE having you.

    Hugs,

    Bella :)

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  18. Bella @ Bella before and afterMarch 2, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    Hey STACI,,, don't mind me calling you Maggie, sorry girl, I was looking at another name right before this, and it stick with me, ooops.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Gina JohnsonAugust 24, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    fantastic!!! great thinking "out of the box" ;)

    ReplyDelete

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