DIY Frame Repair and Painted Mat Tutorial

From Alley Find to Elegant Art: DIY Frame Repair and Painted Mat

See how I transformed a broken alley find — a vintage beagle print in a damaged frame — into a stunning DIY dining room art piece with easy repair tips!

From Curbside to Conversation Starter: My Upcycled Foxhunt Frame Makeover

Have you ever been driving along, minding your own business, when BAM!—there it is. A roadside treasure practically calling your name? That’s exactly what happened with today’s project. My husband came home one afternoon with a giant grin and said, “It’s broken, but I figured you could do something with it.”

And oh boy, could I ever.

Today, I’m taking you along on one of my favorite types of adventures—a DIY wall art makeover from a broken alley find to a dining room showstopper. This large-scale foxhunt scene was destined for the dump, but with a little creativity, black chalk paint, and one of my favorite DIY secret weapons, it’s now one of my favorite pieces in our home.

And bonus: This post is part of the Do It Over Designers Blog Hop, hosted by Ann—don’t forget to check out all the inspiring transformations from fellow creatives at the bottom of this post!

The Background: From Trash to Treasure

Every year, our neighborhood holds a massive community yard sale. Apparently, someone had tried to sell this picture for a whopping $2 before deciding it wasn’t worth taking back inside. The sticker was still attached when my husband spotted it in the alley, sitting there like an abandoned puppy. A large foxhunt print, framed in ornate but broken wood, and sealed behind scratched plexiglass.

I had always dreamed of owning a classic beagle or foxhunt scene—they remind me of traditional English country homes. And now one had quite literally landed in my lap.

But let me be honest: it was in rough shape. The frame was cracked  in two pieces, at the top and bottom. The mat was a deep burgundy that screamed late 1990s (not my style). The gold-toned detailing on the frame didn’t do the print any favors, and the scratched plexiglass made it look cheap. 

But underneath all that? 

Potential.

I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do with it right away. It sat in our basement for months. Every time I walked by on laundry day, I’d look at it and think, “What are you going to be?”

When Inspiration Strikes (Thanks to the Beagles)

Inspiration can be a funny thing—it often hits when I’m not looking for it. I had just finished a smaller beagle-themed frame update and suddenly, the idea for this piece clicked. The timing, the materials, the vision—it all came together like puzzle pieces.

I considered a few options:

• Cutting the frame down and turning it into one or two new frames

• Removing the print and putting it in a different frame I have that is smaller in scale

• Painting the mat and frame to better match our style

Ultimately, I decided to preserve the original structure, but give it a full-on “Cara-style” makeover. Let’s walk through the transformation.

DIY Frame Repair and Painted Mat Tutorial

Materials Used:

• Broken frame with print

• Titebond Wood glue

• Clamps

• Wood filler (or air-dry clay)

• Black chalk paint

• Antique gold Rub ‘n Buff

• Mod Podge

• Chip brush

• Small detail brush

• Piece of paper (for mat protection)

Step-by-Step: How I Transformed a Broken Frame into a Statement Piece

1. Remove the Plexiglass
First things first—out came the plexiglass. It was scratched and cloudy, so I set it aside for another project (don’t throw yours away, I have ideas coming soon).

2. Repair the Frame
Using wood glue and clamps, I glued the broken joints together and left them clamped overnight. Once dry, I used air-dry clay to fill in the visible cracks. If you have wood filler on hand, that works great too—but clay worked surprisingly well and accepted paint beautifully.

3. Paint the Frame and Mat
I painted both the frame and the mat in black chalk paint. For the mat, I used a small brush and carefully tucked paper underneath the mat to avoid getting paint on the print itself. The dark color instantly made everything look more current and gave the whole piece a dramatic elegance.

4. Rub ‘n Buff Magic
Next came my favorite part—adding a bit of antique gold Rub ‘n Buff to the raised areas of the frame and the inner edge of the mat. I apply it using my finger (yes, really!) for better control and a more polished look. The inner edge of the mat was applied with a very small detail brush, while also keeping that piece of paper in place.

5. Brush on Mod Podge
Here’s the fun twist: I painted Mod Podge directly over the print. This gave it a hand-painted, canvas-like texture and muted the print’s shine, making it feel more like a vintage painting than a mass-produced print. Pinterest inspired this trick, and I have to say, it’s one I’ll be using again.

6. Hang and Admire
Once everything was dry and finished, we hung it up in our dining room—and wow. This wall had been waiting for something special, and this was it.

DIY Tips and Takeaways

Paint Your Mats
If you've never tried painting a mat, consider this your sign. It completely changed the look of this piece, and allowed me to ditch the dated burgundy for a timeless black and gold combo. If you mess up? No big deal—mat boards are inexpensive to replace, and in my case, the whole thing was free!

Use Mod Podge for That “Painted” Look
I was nervous to try this at first, especially on a print I loved. But the result surprised me in the best way. The brush strokes give depth and a handmade feel to an otherwise flat print.

Don’t Be Afraid to Use Clay
When your wood filler is all dried up (oops), clay can be a great stand-in. I smoothed it into the cracks and didn’t need to sand much, which was ideal for the frame’s delicate detailing. Once painted, you’d never know the difference.

Rub ‘n Buff Is a DIY Miracle
Seriously. If I could write a love letter to this product, I would. I use it on mirrors, picture frames, even our outdoor gate. It instantly adds an upscale touch to just about anything.

Why I’ll Keep Picking Up “Trash”

This project took a few days to complete, but every minute was worth it. Not only did I save something from the landfill, I also added a personalized, meaningful piece to our home. I even discovered the print originally came from Art.com, and let’s just say—those prices aren’t exactly budget-friendly. I like to think our version has more charm and character anyway.

So next time you pass by an alley or roadside find, ask yourself: Could this be your next showstopper?

My Thoughts

I used to think restoring broken frames was above my skill level, but now? I can’t wait to find another one. This project reminded me that I can do it! Sometimes you just need to do the things to find out you can. Seeing potential in the discarded has become my jam, I simply love recreating items most do not see the potential in.

Once it was on the wall, I added a set of three vintage wooden shoe forms just beneath the frame to finish off the space. They’ve been waiting for the right spot, and I love how they add that extra layer of character—unexpected, but totally me.

Each pair is a different size so it made it difficult hanging them

And now, I want to hear from you:

Would you rescue a broken frame from the alley? Or leave it behind?
Let me know in the comments—I’m team "rescue and reinvent" all the way.

Want More Upcycled Decor Ideas?

Looking for budget-friendly DIYs, vintage-style home décor, and clever upcycling projects? I recently transformed our dining room without spending a cent! Join the newsletter so you never miss a thrifty tip, creative idea, or vintage-inspired makeover. 

And don’t forget to hop over to the other talented designers in this month’s Do It Over Designers Blog Hop below. You’re sure to leave with a list of new weekend projects!

Purple Hues and Me
Sum of Their Stories
Birdz of a Feather
Vintage Style Gal
The Apple Street Cottage
Pandora’s Box
Little Vintage Cottage

If you would like to see more of our zero dollar dining room makeover ideas, click the photos below. 

Ciao,

Cara