This DIY cathedral window frame costs less than anything I’ve found elsewhere and is super easy to turn into a beautiful piece for your home! It’s “sort of” DIY because I didn’t actually build the frame, but you can cut your own with a jigsaw if you like! I simply ordered the frame unfinished and finished it myself in a rustic, fixer upper-inspired way.
I think my cathedral window turned out perfectly for my mantel, and I topped it off with a classic Magnolia Market signature magnolia wreath. (Find similar wreaths HERE, HERE and HERE.)
I’ve wanted a magnolia wreath forever and even looked into making one. But I kept coming back to the Magnolia Market version because it looks so natural even though it isn’t real. (It is hand painted, though.) I just LOVE it!
Anyway, back to the cathedral window. I love the look of a window in a home, and I’ve used an old window in my decor for the past 5 years. I often use it on the mantel as a large backdrop. (You can see an example of it here in my fall mantel.) But I wanted to change things up a bit, and I’ve always loved the arched window look from the Fixer Upper shows.
Here’s an example of how beautiful it looks as a headboard…
At Home | joanna’s blog
Honestly, it all started when I spotted this cathedral window decor in the Magnolia Home collection at Nordstrom’s. I was sure I had to have it! (Click here to shop.) But when I went to buy it, it was sold out. (It seems to go in and out of stock constantly.)
Cathedral Window | Magnolia Home via Nordstrom
I had my heart so set on it that I searched everywhere for it. I finally found one, but it cost double the already steep price, so there was no way I was buying that!
Then I did some digging and found that you can buy window frame cutouts on Etsy for less than anywhere else. The only catch is that you don’t get quite the same gorgeous, rustic finish, or the fancy Magnolia Home tag on the front. Most come either finished in a single-color stain or unfinished.
No problem! I bought an unfinished window for less than the price of the real Magnolia Market version and planned to finish it in my own rustic style.
While I tried to copy the antique, aged look of the Magnolia Home version, it’s definitely not an exact replica. Ha! Honestly, I treat projects like this as an art piece. I like to make them my own and play with different paint techniques until I find something I love.
Mine looks totally different from the store-bought version, but I love it because it’s mine. Embrace your own version when you DIY!
Here’s how I made mine, step by step!
Supplies You’ll Need for the DIY Cathedral Window Frame:
- Unfinished Window Frame – I found mine HERE.
- Stain of Your Choice – I used Provincial by Minwax
- Clear Wax for Finishing
- Crisp White Paint
- Craft Foam Brush – I buy mine in bulk HERE.
- An Old Rag
Step 1. Take your unfinished window frame and stain it the color you like. I used Provincial by Minwax because it’s a medium to dark brown stain. I *kind of* wish I’d gone a little lighter, but this is what I had, so I used it. Test the back of the frame or a scrap board first to be sure it’s the right color. I wipe the stain on with a small craft brush, then wipe it all off with an old rag.
Step 2. Mix a little white paint into clear finishing wax, like this wax from Miss Mustard Seed (click here), and start wiping it onto the frame. Rub it in really well, and it creates a whitewash effect over the wood.
I added more paint in some areas to give it an antique-like finish. In a few spots I used a dry brush technique. If you’re not familiar with it, dip your brush in a little paint, wipe most of it off, and then paint your piece so the brush is very dry.
Step 3. Let it dry and hang it up! How easy is that?
Oh, and then add a pretty magnolia wreath for a finishing touch!
What do you think of it?
RELATED: Magnolia Wreath Mantel Decor for Christmas
You can get a glimpse of the foundation for my Christmas mantel. More to come on that front very soon!
More Posts You’ll Love:
