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Painted Black Window Frames

by 70 Comments

Let’s talk about painted black window frames again (like we did here).

I know I’m getting ahead of myself. You haven’t seen my completed dining area yet, but I finally finished the painted back window frames in the kitchen/dining area and had to share.

I owe you a tour of the completed dining area, and I promise I’ll share that next time, but you would have had to peek at the windows so I just thought we’d check them out first.

This is what we started with…

Looking for an easy and inexpensive way to add custom storage and a farmhouse look to your kitchen? Install reclaimed wood shelving for under $50. | Chatfield Court

Our house was built in 1946 and it had metal casement windows throughout. Most have been replaced but we still have 3 on the main floor. Two big ones in the kitchen/dining area and one in the “castle” bedroom (our nickname for the one guest bedroom).

I love these windows and they are one of the things that sold me on this house when we looked at it. Besides letting in tons of light, they add so much character to the space.

They were freshly painted white before we bought the house but I wanted to paint them black from the moment we moved in. My dear hubs wasn’t buying my vision…at all…but after talking about it for months, I finally did what any woman would do when she has her mind made up.

I went for it (and got that look because he just couldn’t grasp my vision).

I knew it wouldn’t be a quick project but I didn’t expect it to be as tough as it was. It wasn’t really hard, it was just time consuming. Four coats of paint, lots of scraping and several rounds of touch-ups to transform these beauties.

Although it took a lot of time, it was a very inexpensive project. I had a quart of paint and didn’t even use half of it for both windows. So, if you want a big change and a lot of bang for your buck, this a the perfect project.

Painted Black Window Frames | Chatfield Court

I tried to use painter’s tape on the first window but it was a bust. While I carefully tried to remove it (after I scored it), it pulled the paint off. Not good when you spend so much time painting.  I ended up having to repaint the outer frame again, with lots of touch-ups to the windowsill afterwards.

It’s all good in the end because they look great.

Painted Black Window Frames | Chatfield Court

There’s 70 years worth of paint on these windows which means lots of old drips and plenty of layers. They are old and it shows. The ideal thing to do would be to strip the old paint off and start fresh but that isn’t on my to-do list.

Change up the look in any room with painted black window frames. An easy and inexpensive DIY project. | Chatfield Court

Change up the look in the dining room with painted black window frames. An easy and inexpensive DIY project. | Chatfield Court

I did the dining area window first and then moved on to the beast, the kitchen window.

Besides the fact that it’s bigger, it’s over the sink so it was harder to reach comfortably.

Change up the look in the kitchen with painted black window frames. An easy and inexpensive DIY project. | Chatfield Court

Change up the look in the kitchen and dining room with painted black window frames. An easy and inexpensive DIY project. | Chatfield Court

Here is the first appearance of the new addition to our family. Leo, the fiddle leaf fig. 🙂  I’m able to have him because of all that light shining through the windows. Is it weird or do you name your plants too?

Change up the look in any room of your house with painted black window frames. An easy and inexpensive DIY project. | Chatfield Court

I’m in love with the way the windows look!

The black really brings out the character of the windows. It just adds so much to this room. I’m so glad I went with my instincts.

Oh, and hubs…

He loves them too! I knew he would even if he didn’t.  😉

Transform any room of your house with painted black window frames. An easy and inexpensive DIY project to change the look of your white trim window. | Chatfield Court

Transform any room of your house with painted black window frames. An easy and inexpensive DIY project to change the look of your white trim window to give it a vintage, European look. | Chatfield Court

Transform your kitchen with painted black window frames. An easy and inexpensive DIY project to change the look of your white trim window to give it a vintage, European look. | Chatfield Court

I do love them but I’m glad that they aren’t through the whole house. It would take forever to paint them all.

How about you? Could you see black window frames in your own home?

Change up the look in any room of your house with painted black window frames. An easy and inexpensive DIY project to change the look of your boring white trim window. | Chatfield Court

 

Check out more DIY projects we’ve done in the kitchen…

Open Shelving in the Kitchen for Under $50

Easy Kitchen Island Makeover


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hi I found this post via pinterest when I was looking for inspiration and direction for DIY black windows. Your windows look beautiful! However I was going to buy the same products you used and I am seeing two different Rust-oleum paints listed. One is the Protective Enamel in gloss black listed under you ‘My Amazon Picks’…. the other is Ultra Cover in Semi-gloss pictured on a window sill with tape and brushes. Did you try both? Which did you ultimately go with? I’m just not sure whether I want gloss or semi-gloss. Its one window in my kitchen. Its not a very beautiful window but I’m hoping this project will improve its overall appearance!

    Reply

  2. Holy Cow! Love these! Okay so I painted my window trim white because when we ordered new windows for kitchen and dining room they were beige. And, I had the same convo with my husband and just went for it, but after trying a brush for like 4 minutes I went back to Depot and bought gloss white spray and just used a razor to clean the windows. Would love for you Kristi to see mine. I think i have an image in my sidebar!

    How do the black windows work with your non black trim windows? Hm…..PS the spray worked great on the crank with my windows. love it! laura

    Reply

    • I love our windows painted black too, Laura! I’m so glad that I did it. As for it working with our non black windows…
      I was worried about that but the two windows I painted are in the same room, with no other “like” windows in sight so I don’t think it’s an issue. Not with me anyway. 😉 Hope that makes sense.

      I saw your windows and they look awesome! What a great way to transform your oops. So smart!

      Thanks so much for stopping in, introducing yourself and taking a tour of my blog.

      Reply

  4. I love it! I’m in the middle of kitchen makeover and this really caught my eye. The window really pulled the room together. I’m featuring you on social media this week. Come bye and visit some time @ Home Cooking.

    Reply

  6. It looks great! It really works well in the room! I like my white though, so probably wouldn’t repaint mine, but never say never. 😉

    Reply

  9. These look great! I’ve always wanted to try black trim throughout the house but not sure that’ll ever happen 🙁 Anyways, I’d be pleased if you could visit my blog and perhaps share some of your DIY’s in my new linky party, Support Your Fellow Crafter on Monday’s? Thank you so much!

    Reply

  13. Kristi I am totally in love with the black…. You did an amazing job and I am sure that you are also fearless! have been wanting to do that to some windows, but wonder if it’l be weird that other windows are still white.

    Great job!

    Reply

    • Thanks so much Christine, I appreciate it. I love how the windows turned out. I worried about the difference but it hasn’t bothered me at all. I guess I feel that the new black windows are part of the decor of the kitchen/dining room, just like a wall color or shelves. 🙂

      Reply

  14. I am using that same paint on our exterior front doors and shutters . . . I have to agree with you, a little goes a LONG way. I feel like that little quart is magical, because it never seems to empty! Our house was built in 1928 and we have the same issues that you do painting over old drips and cracks. I actually love the way it looks ~ gives the place the worn and loved look I am (am learning to) appreciate! I think your windows look AMAZING and I’m so glad your husband finally saw the light . . . or, er, the dark, as the case may be!

    Reply

    • Thanks Margaret. I love the paint too and, you are right, it is magical. 😉 It took me a while to warm up to the look of the old drips and cracks, but the overall look won me over. I think that it was such a big change that I just had to get used to it. All’s good now. I’m so glad that I made the change.

      Good luck with your painting project. Hope you have a great week!

      Reply

  16. Funny, I was walking past a home today and noticed that it had black painted window frames and thought to myself, “wow, that looks great.” And, then today I see this post! Maybe someone is trying to tell me something?

    Reply

  17. I love the black window frames and I knew your husband would too!!! Wish I could paint mine black but they are new vinyl windows. Oh well. At least I have the black interior doors!!!

    Reply

    • Oooo, good for you Debra! I love black doors too. I don’t think they would look good in our small space but I may get a bug and try them one day. 😉

      Reply

  18. Oh, yes. The windows in black are stunning. I love this look so much, and agree with a previous commenter that they look “European”. If I had a home like yours, I’d definitely think about doing something like this. Glad Hubs is on board now. xo

    Reply

    • Thanks Nancy. I do love them and I’m glad that I listened to my gut. Once I knew they were going to look good, I knew Hubs would like them too. 😉

      Reply

  26. I absolutely love the black window frames and would certainly do mine except my windows are newer and have the crossbars in between the layers of glass and they are white, so I would lose the effect.
    I know how hard it must have been to paint the window over the sink. I myself have spent time sitting in the sink when decorating around an above the sink window – removing wallpaper, caulking a cold air leaking window, washing the window on the inside, etc. Such a window is a good idea until you have to get to it to do something.
    You did a great job and must have had a ton of patience. The result is well worth it, so enjoy.

    Reply

    • Thanks Pat! I have the same windows that you have throughout the rest of the house so I wouldn’t be able to do it to any more. I’m not sure I would want to do anymore anyway, at least not right now. They were tough. 😉

      You’re so right about having a window over the sink. I really love it until we have to clean it or paint it. As a matter of fact, I’m still waiting for the hubs to clean the outside. It really needs it.

      Hope you have a great week! 🙂

      Reply

  28. I love the black frames….much better then the white. It complements your white tiles and black grouted floor in the kitchen and I love the pop of wood in the matchstick blinds and counter top.Nice deep windowsills too. I use to have metal casement windows in our old 1952 home here and they were a royal pain to paint so I can sympathize with you. I love the strong contrast of black with white myself.

    Your whole style really is visually appealing to me and I could easily live in your home. The clean lines, monotones and simple decorations are perfect. Heck, I’m the same age as your home so I guess I would work well there too…lol I just don’t clean up as well. 😉

    Keep up the good work, I love watching what you come up with next.

    A old gal from Chicago

    Reply

    • Thanks so much, Susan! I appreciate your sweet comment. You’re so right, they were a royal pain to paint. 😉 I’m not sure I would have done it if I’d known. I’m glad they’re done and I love how they look so I guess it was worth it.

      I’m almost positive the island was custom made, onsite. There’s no other way they could have gotten it in. I had to negotiate hard for it but I really love it.

      Thanks for reading. Hope your week is great!

      Reply

  29. Kristi, Great instinct girl, you were so correct, these windows are perfect now painted black!! (and yes, that kitchen window must have been really tough on your back!) I love the contrast against the white room, both windows look like art pieces now because of their strong presence in the space. Awesome job!
    Congratulations to Renee!

    Reply

    • Thanks so much, Kaycee, for your sweet comment! I love the contrast too. They just draw you in as you walk into the room. I’m so glad I did it.

      Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great week! 🙂

      Reply

  30. Love it, but I am a black and white fanatic! I may or may not have asked you, I just keep stalking for this one particular item, that black and white stripped pitcher! I have the one from the dollar spot at Target. I also have a yellow and white and red and white stripped larger pitcher. So if yours is not from Target, where did you get it? I’ve looked on line at the manufacturer of my other ones, but to no avail. The ones I have came from Home Goods. Any help,is greatly appreciated! Love all,your ideas! So inspiring! Keep sharing!

    Reply

    • Thanks Joanne! I’m loving black and white right now too.

      The striped pitcher is indeed from the Dollar Spot at Target. I’ve occasionally looked around for others, but have never seen any striped pitchers anywhere else. If I ever do, I’ll be happy to let you know. 🙂

      Thanks for stopping in and I hope you have a great week!

      Reply

  31. OK I confess I couldn’t see it either, but in my defense I thought you were painting the wood work too. This is perfect. It shows off the window and gives them much character. Kudos to you. Would I paint mine, no, I do not have enough patience. LOL Looking forward to the next reveal.

    Reply

    • I wondered if you would doubt it Debbie (LOL), but that’s ok. This look isn’t for everyone. We gotta do what we love for our own homes, right?

      You’re right about having patience though, this was a true test. I couldn’t have done more than the two in this room.

      Hope you are well. Have a great week. 🙂

      Reply

  33. Love the finished look. Black was definitely the way to honor those beautiful Windows! Looking to put roll-up blind like yours in our kitchen. Any helpful hints on how you hung it so perfectly inside your trim? Thanks, can’t wait for your next project.

    Reply

    • Thanks so much Kare. I agree, the black really highlights the windows. 🙂

      As for the blind, I just made sure I measured accurately. It was actually very easy to install to the top of the window molding, not the sides. Most made to order blinds have a slot where the mounting screw comes down and there is plenty of room for adjustment. Hope this makes sense. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to email me.

      Reply

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