Flickr Find: Decorating With Window Panes

The spot above the fridge is often times a tricky place to decorate. Unless there are cupboards already in place, the area is wide open for interpretation. If you're like us, your microwave hangs out above the fridge but we really like Liz's salvaged window pane as a backdrop for the space...

We also find it interesting that instead of propping the window pane against the wall, Liz hangs it right underneath the wall's trim. The extra effort unifies the space along with a vintage fan and cookie tin bringing a bit of color to the mix. If you're going for this look at home you can easily "antique" a newer window pane by following these simple techniques.

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(Image: Mabel's House)

Comments (18)

I have a bust of Thomas Jefferson sitting on top of my fridge. He watches over me as I prepare meals.

posted by CallDoctorBison on May 26th 2009 at 12:41pm
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By evnthespian, shot with Canon PowerShot A610 at 2009-05-26

My husband and I did the same thing with our old window. It's really a great piece.

posted by laineyn on May 26th 2009 at 1:14pm
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I was lucky enough to find a whole stack of old windows on the curb one night, and I went a little crazy with them in the office of my second to last apartment. here I've since pared it down to just a couple on the wall over my desk. They're great to put a rotating collection of little papers in, kind of like a decorative bulletin board/ picture frame.

posted by PhoebeArt on May 26th 2009 at 1:16pm
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I am not a fan of this look.

posted by leadingedge on May 26th 2009 at 1:28pm
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"I am not a fan of this look."

I agree - just more airbourne grease/dustcatchers.

posted by bepsf on May 26th 2009 at 2:11pm
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I think the look in the photo could be great, but the window would look 100x better if it were hung forward from the wall a few inches. It's getting lost and it looks akward flush against the wall like that.

posted by splatgirl on May 26th 2009 at 2:21pm
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Agreed with leadingedge and bespf

posted by ChrisGal on May 26th 2009 at 2:29pm
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Years ago I went to an antique art festival where a lady painted magnificent country scenes on these windows. Those were wonderful....not so sure about the plain panes.

posted by baileyb on May 26th 2009 at 2:56pm
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I don't see what makes this so decorative. The rustic country things seem at odds with the steel fridge and the chipped paint contrasts oddly with the nicely done trim. And the window's too small for the space.

posted by FantasticMrFaux on May 26th 2009 at 4:14pm
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I'm with the "non-fan" group.

posted by ponytailed_informant on May 26th 2009 at 8:12pm
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I am a fan.

posted by rosenatti on May 27th 2009 at 8:24am
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Its not a bad idea. The window placement is throwing me off because it looks like a akwardly placed window.

posted by pollymagoo on May 27th 2009 at 9:14am
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I took a quick look at the photo and thought this post was a "what to do with this awkward space over the fridge" post. It looks accidental for lack of better word. It needs a plant or a basket or some cookbooks to make it look deliberate, IMHO.

posted by beachboomer on May 27th 2009 at 10:14am
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The fridge is too big for the space.

posted by Seaside on May 27th 2009 at 10:39am
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Hmm, let me plug in this fan and blow some lead paint flakes all over the kitchen...

posted by BonivaGScott on May 27th 2009 at 10:50pm
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That fan is at least 40 years old and has cloth wiring. It seems like the major electrical fire that would ensue would be a bigger problem than the trace amounts of lead present in the paint, that is, if the fan even rotates anymore.

posted by kswiss on June 2nd 2009 at 10:24am
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I love decorating with old windows. The best ones are always at construction auctions and Habitat for Humanity ReStore! http://www.habitat.org/env/restores.aspx

posted by StephPic on June 16th 2009 at 3:34pm
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This seems like a good way to use old windows and still make your home look nice. Thanks for sharing this article.
frosted window film

posted by frosted window film on August 21st 2009 at 12:08pm
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