Personal Displays
Without Hanging Stuff
Creating a personalized Living Room in a rented space can be really tricky. This dilemma is compounded if you are not allowed to hang anything on the walls. A rule like that forces you to put your Knickknacks and photos on any flat surface that doesn't move, taking you from the feeling of a hotel room, to that of either a Frat house, or Grandma’s house. There needs to be a compromise.
How about putting your chotchke inside the tables? The idea here is basically a shadow box turned on its side.
MATERIALS:
Fancy oil painting frame: $5 from Good Will
Spray Paint: $7 per can (optional)
Legs: $4 each for 16” legs
Plexiglass: about 5 cents per square inch
Construction Lumber 1x4: 25 cents per running foot
Drill
Small drill bit
Sand Paper
1” finishing nails
1/8” wood paneling: 50 cents per square foot
Full size Utility Knife with blade: $5
1/8 inch thick Plexiglass Blade:$2
1/2x1/2" corner braces: 50 cents each
ASSEMBLY:
A frame made for oil paintings has a kind of channeled box inside of it to accept the wood stretchers on a canvas. This same set-up is ideal for our project, as it works to make a great lid for our box. Measure the outside dimensions of that frame box, and have the hardware or home improvement store cut your 1x4 lumber to that size (perhaps a little larger to allow you to lift the box off and on with little friction). Pre-drill your nail holes, then nail the box together. Have the hardware store also cut your paneling to fit the dimensions of that box as well. If you buy the paneling in a bulk piece instead, you can score and cut it yourself using a utility knife with a standard blade. Again, pre-drill nail holes, and attach the paneling to the bottom of the box. Sand all rough edges. Attach the legs to the bottom of the box using the included hardware.
Now that all of your wood pieces are assembled, it would be a good time to tie them all together, either with the same wood stain, or the same paint color. Spray paint would work well with this project.
After your finishing work is completed, measure the inside of the oil painting frame box. Take that measurement to the hardware store, and have them cut out a piece of Plexiglass for your frame. If you buy the plexiglass in bulk instead, you can score and cut it yourself with a plexiglass blade in your utility knife. Again cut the plexiglass a little smaller than your dimensions. Place the plexiglass on the inside of the frame box, and secure with the corner braces .Use at least 2 to 3 braces on each side. Secure with very shallow screws (1/4 or 3/8”). Note: If this table is going to support a lamp or anything heavy, consider having the hardware store cut a piece of glass for you instead. Use common sense when handling glass (and don’t put boulders on your coffee table, for Pete’s sake).
Now your shadow box table is complete. Fill it with whatever is sentimental to you. How about papering a map of a vacation destination inside with photos and souvenirs? Or you can display your favorite collection of salt and pepper shakers, or shot glasses, or the fossils you found on your last archeological dig. The possibilities are endless. And now your table tops can be used for holding beverages, or magazines, or that all important remote.
Portable Artwork
If you have a large poster or painting you really want to display, but you can’t hang anything on the walls, how about hanging it from a garment rack? A portable garment rack is really wide, and made to hold the weight of your clothing. Hang a couple of links of chain from the support bar and attach it to the clips on the back of your frame, either with more chain, or hanging wire. This will allow you to move the artwork quite easily around the room, until you find the right spot for it. And if the garment rack doesn't go with your decor, you can always cover it with a nice drapery or curtain, and frame your artwork at the same time.