Hey Sweet Friends! I have been busy working in my yard the last week or so and I have really been enjoying being outside. I shared this photo on my Facebook page on Saturday sharing what we were up to:
It felt so good to get everything trimmed and cleaned up after Winter had left it a mess. (See more of my front yard HERE.)
I’ll be back on Thursday sharing another outdoor project I worked on, but today I’ve got a quick makeover for y’all!
I found this plate rack at the Habitat Restore for $8 several months ago:
The thing with already-painted pieces is when you sand them, the color will show through. I always take forever to start on these pieces because it requires an extra step. (So lazy.) And for this one, I didn’t want the green to show through.
First, here is how this ho-hum plate rack turned out:
A few pretty dishes really make a star out of this simple plate rack.
I know I know…I just painted another thing white. BUT I thought this was another great example of how to distress using petroleum jelly! I recently did this planter out of thrift store throw-aways the same way:
Garden Planter {Swap it Like it’s Hot}
I spray painted over the green with satin black:
Then I added petroleum jelly to the edges and here and there and everywhere I wanted to see distressing.
I spray painted two or so coats of the satin white over the petroleum jelly.
As soon as it was dry, I wiped the spots where I applied the jelly, with a clean soft cloth. It takes the top layers of paint right off…
And you only see the black beneath. I love the effect.
You can make it as distressed as you want. I don’t go too crazy with it…
It was a bit dated before, but now I think it’s quite charming! If only I had space in my own kitchen for it.
Here’s the outdoor project I mentioned earlier that I’ll be sharing on Thursday:
It was very much in need of a makeover, and it got it!
UPDATE: See how this bench looks now HERE! 🙂
See ya then!
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Mary Kaiser says
Love it. Look forward to your post every time you have one. You girl are NOT LAZY!!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Mary!! XOXO
Joanne Taggart says
The plate rack does look great in white. Much better than the dated green. Since you spray painted does that cut the need to originally sand? Anyway, I really like it! Can’t wait to see what you do with the outdoor project on Thursday. Thanks!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Joanne! I agree…much better! This didn’t need sanding since it was painted before. I chose spray paint because I didn’t want to paint all those spindles. If I were painting a wood piece with spray paint, I would lightly sand and then spray prime first. 🙂
Suzan Oxenreider says
If it isn’t windy this weekend I am going to try your Vaseline tip. I have the spray paint, the project and some new found knowledge!
Christy K. James says
Oh I hope you do! I just love it. Have fun! 🙂
Sandra@lookingforpotential says
It looks so pretty now, never would of thought to look at something like that in the thrift store but now I will. Love the backyard as well and how its changed in one year. I have to get out myself and do some garden work. Putting all projects aside !! :)) Have a great day Christy!!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Sandra! I just finished spending several days outside in my yard… now it’s back to projects for me. 🙂
cindy diy beautify says
Wow, a fabulous transformation Christy! I haven’t tried the petroleum jelly distressing technique yet…one of these days!! ~ Cindy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cindy! I love the results it gives. 🙂
andi says
I love the little starfish plates. 🙂
xoxo
-andi
Christy K. James says
Me too! 😀
Marianna says
That piece is awesome! I totally want it!! I hardly ever have the luck of
finding things like that,,,but I will definitely be on the look out!!!
I love your emails and blog, so many ideas and so little time!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Marianna! I wish I had a place for it for sure. Thanks for following along with me!! XO
Marcie Lovett says
Lovely! Amazing what a little paint can do!
Christy K. James says
Absolutely! Thanks, Marcie! XO
Kim says
Can’t wait to try this method on a faded wooden horse hanging from our mailbox post – perfect idea!
Christy K. James says
I love this technique…good luck and have fun! 🙂
Marilyn Stein says
Hi Christy,
Can you give any tips for spray painting all those dowels? I tend to avoid pieces like this because I find them so hard to manipulate to get an even paint job. Yours always look so great!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Marilyn! When spray painting, I usually start with piece upside down and spray everything I can reasonably reach. Then I turn it right side up and get what I missed. This usually ensures that I don’t miss any spots. 🙂
Constance Colvin says
I’m still having March Madness withdrawal symptoms! We need more Madness!!! 🙂
Christy K. James says
Aww so sorry, Constance! I should try to ween ya’ll off better next time lol! 🙂
Becky says
Very cute! I’ve never seen a free-standing plate rack like that before. …Maybe I live under a rock though. : )
Now I’m wondering how much practice it takes to get that Vaseline technique down? It seems like it could be veeeery easy to overdo! You always have good taste in that department. : )
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Becky! I don’t think I have ever before this one either! It looks hand-made. I used this technique on a chair a year or so ago and I felt like I overdid it…very easy to do! Now I try to be much more careful! XOXO
Jennie Eilerts says
I really love the chippy finish the petroleum jelly trick leaves behind. It reminds me of a lot of the old furniture that was painted with the old-school high-gloss enamels. My parents’ house had yellow and black paint like that on a couple of doorways in their 150-year-old adobe. It’s since been painted over, but it was really cool and chippy!
Christy K. James says
Oh yes it is reminiscent of enamel painted pieces! That’s a perfect way to describe it. 🙂
Jennie Eilerts says
I really love it! I’m going to have to try this now. I haven’t ever used this technique, but I love the way yours turn out. Some of it looks way overdone. Love that little plate rack, too. It’s adorable. 🙂
Tania says
That plate rack turned out so pretty!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Tania!! XO
Jennie Eilerts says
Rather, some other examples I’ve seen elsewhere look way overdone. YOURS look naturally aged. Foot-in-mouth syndrome. It’s not late here or anything. 😉
Christy K. James says
Ha ha I knew what you meant… yes it is very easy to overdo it! Thanks, Jennie!
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
It isn’t dated anymore and would work in any kitchen – love it, Christy! Thanks so much for the painting tip – this very thing happened to me last week when the sanding block got it down to the original finish. I’m so remembering this trick for next time!
P.S. Re: those pretty dishes, yes please.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Marie! I always hesitate when something is painted already, but I’m glad I bought this…and glad it’s finally out of the garage! XO