Recently, Jeff and I decided to make a change in our living room: we removed the television. I still enjoy unwinding with a show after work, but the screen had become an eyesore—especially when I wanted to redecorate. We moved it upstairs, and that small shift allowed me to refresh the main living area and finally reveal the new look.
To complete the transformation I worked with Mpix to print and frame a selection of our travel photos and a few images from styling projects. High-quality framed art brought much-needed color and warmth into the room and turned the entire space around. I also have a giveaway for a $150 Mpix gift card at the end of this post.
As usual, I worked in a DIY project: leather-covered frames. At first the idea felt a little out there—leather frames?—but once I experimented, I couldn’t stop. The leather ties in with the sofa and other natural textures in the room and adds a refined, tactile touch. Below I’ll walk through the materials and steps for two simple options so you can try this yourself.
DIY Leather Frames
Materials:
– framed or mounted artwork (I used Mpix standouts and framed prints)
– leather strips matching the frame width (I used 1½” for standouts and 2″ for framed prints)
– heavy-duty scissors or a sharp blade
– hot glue gun
– pen or pencil for marking
How To:
I used two frame types for this project. The first method is quicker; the second requires a bit more precision to get clean corner joints.
For the standout (block-style) frames: Start at the top edge. Place the leather strip flush against the frame edge and mark where the opposite side of the frame lands on the leather. Ensure the leather lies flat along the frame profile so your measurement is accurate.
Cut the leather at your mark and attach it using several beads of hot glue, pressing firmly so the leather adheres evenly. Repeat the same process on the bottom edge, then add leather to the sides—remember to allow extra length where the side pieces meet the top and bottom strips. This approach is fast and gives a bold, wrapped finish.
For standard framed prints: These require angled cuts to create neat corner joints. Measure the leather strips the same way, but mark and cut the ends on an angle so each corner comes together crisply. To get that look, line a leather piece flush with the edge, mark the inner corner point on the leather, draw a line from that point to the leather’s end, and cut on that line. Repeat around the frame and glue each strip in place. Precise cutting yields professional-looking corners.
These frames already looked great out of the box, so the leather treatment is optional; it’s an extra layer that echoes other materials in the room and adds cohesion. I’ve only covered some of the frames so far, but the subtle change makes a meaningful impact.
With Mpix, there are many framing and print options—16 different frame styles, several paper types, coatings, mounting choices, matting, and glass options (including a no-glass choice). I chose non-glare glass for all framed pieces. It’s excellent for photography and eliminates reflections—perfect for taking photos without glare.
Mpix also offers standouts, canvas, metal prints, and more. The print quality and framing craftsmanship are very high, and the finished pieces look polished and substantial.
Below are side-by-side comparisons showing the room before and after the refresh. While I didn’t have exact recent photos of the previous layout, these images convey the overall change and the difference art and texture can make.
Now for the giveaway: we’re offering one U.S. resident a $150 Mpix gift card to help them order framed art or other home products. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and ends on September 29th at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be announced shortly after the close date.
Photography by Amelia Tatnall
Styling and before photos by Brittni Mehlhoff
Will you try this DIY? What do you think of our living room reveal?