Woodworking: How to make a picture frame

First you should decide whether you want to frame your picture/ image as it is or want to add a border. Borders are useful if your artwork is small or if you want to frame an image in order to create a focal point. Use a mount that complements or contrasts the artwork. You can either buy a suitable ready-cut mount or make your own by cutting piece of  mounting card to the required size and cutting out a window to fit your image. Attach the image to the mount with masking tape..

Panelling

As I wrote in the previous article, wall panelling is back in fashion. You can utilise the traditional tongue and groove wood panels, or the Shaker Style framed panels – but it’s much more interesting to have wall panelling with a modern twist..

Tongue and Groove Alternative

Instead of tongue and groove panels why don’t you try MDF or ply panels. Just cut big sheets (or get them cut) into strips of your chosen width. The sheets don’t have to be thick – 5mm is ideal. Then varnish or paint the panels. The wider the panels the more interesting effect you can create. You can use the panels vertically or horizontally (which is more funky).

Painting panelling

Having attached your wood panelling to the walls as per the previous article, you can then decide whether you want to varnish, limewash or paint it..

To paint panelling

If your panelling is old and the paintwork is peeling or lumpy, you should strip & sand it back to bare wood. Fill holes, splits and blemishes with wood filler then smooth with a fine sandpaper. Wash it with a mild detergent to remove dust and you’re ready to paint or varnish. If the old paintwork is in good condition you can paint over it, but wash the paintwork first and do use an undercoat!

Wall panelling

Wall panelling is back in fashion – not only the country-style painted wood panels but also the wood panelling that defined our interiors in the 70′s. Of course both applications need a modern twist. This article will help you to choose the right panelling for your interior.

Panelling is ideal for walls in poor condition (but don’t use it to cover damp!) and it’s an easy DIY job. The most common type of wall panelling is made of solid wood planks with a tongue along one edge and a groove on the other. These joints allow secret nailing to the wall and for expansion of the wood with temperature change. Some tongue and groove panels have moulded or other decorative surfaces but, in my opinion, it’s best to stick to the simple ones..

Easy DIY:

Putting up a shelf is considered an easy DIY job, yet it’s more difficult than you might think. A badly put up shelf just looks dreadful. So before you attach your self-made or ready-made shelf think about the following issues..

Weight

What are you going to use the shelf for? How heavy will the load be? You must construct or buy a shelf accordingly.

Wall

What sort of wall are you fixing the shelf to – brick, concrete, wood, plasterboard etc? You’ll need to buy the appropriate screws and, if necessary, the right wall-plugs.

Carpentry and wood-working

Under this category we’ll be writing about  interesting wood working projects – until then you’re very welcome to talk about your own project by adding a comment here (just below) or go to our wood working forum to discuss your ideas and problems!