Before our recent home renovation, I had my back staircase and game room filled with collections of framed family photographs.

For our new look, I decided to simplify and use framed photos going only up the staircase, so … John and I had to edit!! We selected about 20 frames portraying our kids, my parents as children, and even a 1927 wedding portrait of John’s Italian family (named Segreto!)!

After plastering the back staircase in a soft white and installing a more contemporary carpet from the Great Rug Company, I felt the framing should be consistent.

But the carvings, the gold, the different mats and finishes in this collection in NO way reflected the sleeker aesthetic that our renovation sought to create! I think in the past I was distracted looking at my sweet kids, but now I see just how outdated these frames are! I softly mentioned to John that these treasured images needed all new custom frames. Remembering what we initially paid to have them all framed, hubby loudly responded that is not in the budget!

Undaunted, I headed off to Michael’s in search of high gloss spray paint. Funny story: the aerosol sprays are locked up in a case like expensive jewelry! I found out that minors use the aerosol to get high (yikes!!). I never found anyone to unlock the case, so off I went to Home Depot — where I found a primer and paint in one can in a gray (Dark Gray Gloss)!

I taped paper to the glass to protect it, making sure I was spray painting only the frames. These gold and gold/black frames are about to be a unified gray! Spray one coat. Let it dry. Spray again.

Here’s a before and after of a gilded one!!  This transformation is so amazing to me — just the right step toward a consistent, cleaner aesthetic!!

Look at the difference! I think the color makes the carving less prevalent and makes the photos stand out better!!

The last step was to unify the mats!!  Most were white, which worked well, but a few were cream. So I did have my good friends at Framecrafters, Inc. here in Houston replace them.

I was so happy with the results — a whole new look for such familiar faces!

Segreto’s field manager, Isai (on the stairs) is not only fabulous at his job, but also has a knack for hanging art with precision!!  He created this wall in about 30 minutes, whereas, it would have taken me hours!! Thank you, Isai!

This is just the look I wanted and John is thrilled that I didn’t spend much!! The first guests who saw the new installation were his brother and sweet wife visiting from California; they who arrived the day after the pictures were hung!! Perfect!

PS. I also spray painted more old family photo frames in a high gloss white and Isai was there to hang them in our exercise room! However, the painterly perfectionist in me thinks the white needs to contrast a little more with the walls — maybe a fun pop color…. I will let you know what I decide!!

What’s New at the Segreto Boutique & Gallery!!

In addition to new jewelry, we have these captivating coral and quartz pieces!

These porcelain pomegranates are actually vases!! How cool would they look filled with herbs and used for you next dinner party, either at each plate or running down the middle of the table as a collection?! We also love the wire trays and baskets from Aidan Gray — endless possibilities!

Kirsten McLean’s 50×50″ Along the Horizon is among our many new art pieces. They are perfect to add a contemporary twist to any room’s décor!! For information on any pieces in the Segreto Boutique & Gallery, please email Cynthia@segretofinishes.com.

A big heartfelt favor!! Thank you all who have ordered the Segreto books!! It would be such a wonderful favor to me if you could review them on Goodreads and on Amazon.(It is a huge help for me in marketing them!!)  Thanks again, and I hope you all have a wonderful week!!!