Ever scroll through your camera roll and think, “Wow, I never actually look at these”? Same here. That’s why I love photo holders. They’re small, easy to switch up, and a fun way to keep special moments front and center. Plus, they can double as seasonal decor or thoughtful gifts. This time, I went all out and made a photo holder shaped like a house, complete with little windows for candles. It turned out both cozy and sentimental—perfect for my dad, who’s all about family and the idea of home.
Here’s how you can make one too—and yes, I’ll spill the details on what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently next time!
Why This Project Is Special
Okay, quick backstory: My family has this tradition where we give photo holders instead of cards on special occasions. They’re personalized, and you can add a photo or a memory that means something. For my dad’s gift, I wanted to go big—something symbolic. A house felt perfect because, let’s face it, “home” is where all our best memories are made. I also wanted it to have a touch of elegance to match his classic-style decor. Enter: cement and gold leaf.
But let me warn you upfront—cement projects are messy, and I definitely made a few mistakes along the way. (More on that later.)
What You’ll Need
- White cement and white sand: You can find these at most hardware stores.
- Cardboard: Sturdy stuff, like from an IKEA box, works great.
- Hot glue gun: This thing’s your best friend for making the mold.
- Foam or packing material: For shaping windows and the chimney.
- Gold leaf and PVA glue: Adds that luxe touch.
- Wire: I used aluminum for the photo holders.
- Basic tools: Scissors, a utility knife, and a sponge.
How To Make A House-Shaped Mold
I spent way too much time on Pinterest looking at house shapes. Here’s the takeaway: simple is better. I went with a rectangular base, a slanted roof, and three windows—two square ones and a round one on the roof. Oh, and a chimney, because the photo holder wires would stick out from there like “smoke.” (I loved this detail—it makes the whole thing feel whimsical.) I sketched my design, printed it out, and used it as a template to cut the shapes from cardboard. If you want the roof to overhang, make the side pieces slightly longer. Trust me, it looks way more polished.
This part is where I got a little ambitious. I cut strips of cardboard about 15 cm wide to create the walls of the mold and hot-glued them around the house’s base shape. Don’t worry about perfection—cement is forgiving—but make sure everything’s sealed, or you’ll have leaks. For the windows, I used foam blocks and a toilet paper roll for the round one. Just stuff the foam inside the cardboard cutouts. A tip: brace the outside of the mold with extra cardboard pieces to prevent the walls from bowing when you pour in the cement.
Here’s where the real fun (and mess) starts. I mixed 1:1 white cement with white sand in a big bucket until it was the consistency of thick pancake batter. No exact science here—just aim for something that won’t run all over the place.
Pour the cement into the mold, tapping the sides gently to release air bubbles. (If you skip this, you might end up with weird holes in your house.) Before it sets, stick two aluminum wires into the chimney for the photo holders. Let it cure for about 24 hours. Don’t rush it—cement needs time to do its thing.
Here’s where I messed up. I left the mold on for 30 hours, and the cardboard stuck to the cement like glue. If I’d taken it off at 15–24 hours, it probably would’ve peeled right off.
Instead, I had to wrestle with it and ask my husband to sand down all the bumps with a power sander. Once the house was smooth, I washed off the dust and let it dry completely.
Decorating Concrete With Golden Leaf
This step is my favorite. Gold leaf just elevates everything. I dabbed PVA glue onto the house with a kitchen sponge, focusing on the edges, corners, and any little cracks. Then I gently pressed on the gold leaf and smoothed it with a dry sponge. Don’t worry if it looks imperfect—that’s kind of the charm.
Once it dried, I brushed off the excess with a soft paintbrush.
The wires coming out of the chimney got twisted into spirals to hold photos and cards. I popped in some tealight candles behind the windows, and boom—instant cozy vibes. On the back of the house, each family member wrote a little note for my dad. It turned out so personal and heartfelt.
Here is how it looks like a part of a Christmas Village arrangement.
Why You Should Try This
This project is more than just decor—it’s a conversation piece. You can customize it for any occasion: Christmas, birthdays, or just because. Swap out the photos and cards to match the season, or make a whole village by creating a few houses in different sizes. Add some cement trees (yes, we made them too) and ornaments, and you’ve got a mini winter wonderland.
A Few Lessons Learned
- Don’t overfill the mold, or it’ll spill everywhere. (Guess how I know.)
- Peel off the mold sooner rather than later—it’s way easier. But sure, not too soon…
- Gold leaf hides a multitude of sins. If your cement cracks or looks uneven, just slap some gold on it!
- If you’ve got a handheld massager lying around, gently press it against the mold after pouring the cement. The vibrations help bring all those sneaky air bubbles to the surface. It’s a game-changer for smooth, professional-looking results.
I hope this inspires you to get creative with cement crafts. They’re not as hard as they look, and the results are totally worth it. Btw, you can pair your house with faux greenery, fairy lights, and candles for a stunning table display.