Hello, dear friends! I am hoping to blast right through this huge summer haul, and one of the quickest ways to do that is to knock out six makeovers at once with a round of smalls! I’m calling this round The Yard Sale Edition because all of these items were found at yard sales!
Let’s jump right in!
Not only are these smalls posts a great way to knock out several smaller pieces at once, they are also great for keeping my my booth stocked and fresh, and they are just plain fun to do!
Here is what’s on the menu for today:
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Enjoy!
Mini Makeover #1
Up first is this set of ornate shelves I found at a yard sale last summer for $5:
That was a steal for these very nice shelves, however the wood and black felt very heavy.
Clean
I cleaned everything in today’s bunch, including these shelves, with White Lightning. It comes in both a powder form and a ready-t0-use-spray. I prefer the powder formula, mixing one TBSP into a half gallon of warm water:
White Lightning is a degreaser and deglosser for the best paint prep possible and gloves are recommended. (Not for use on pieces you do not plan to paint.) Be sure to rinse again using clean water to remove any remaining residue.
Paint
I chose to do a wash on these pretty shelves by applying a coat of Cotton:
And then immediately removing it with a clean cloth:
Seal
Once it was dry, I sealed with Rustoleum Clear Satin spray since these shelves had so many details and spraying was just easier!
After:
I love this effect and it is so easy to do!
And as you can see, I did paint the top shelf portion solid white.
Simple, but so much better!
Mini Makeover #2
Next up is this metal basket I also picked up from a yard sale for only $5:
I loved the weight of it!
Paint
Once this one was cleaned, I chose simple Cotton white, and did a dry brush all over to hit it here and there. I sanded lightly all over as well.
Seal
I left this one unsealed. Chalk paint does not require a sealer, but the finish will be flat, which is not a desirable look for most pieces. However, on this basket, it is just fine!
After:
I like doing a finish like this on these wire pieces, so you don’t have to get every single surface, which isn’t easy unless you want to spray paint.
I often stage with plain white towels because they let the piece be the star, but it would be great for towels, or even spare TP in the bathroom, fruit on the counter, shells on a coffee table, or whatever you can imagine.
Mini Makeover #3
Mini Makeover number three is this kind of ugly piece I found at a yard sale for $3:
It reminded me of a tall pumpkin, but I was curious if painting it in a pretty color would do it any favors, so I took a chance on it.
When I cleaned this one, it was giving these intense yellow hues coming from it:
Prime the Metal
So, I decided to give this one a quick prime with Rustoleum Spray Primer:
Then I gave it a coat of Vintage Duck Egg Blue mixed 50/50 with Cotton.
Seal
To seal, I went with Clear Best Dang Wax, brushing it on with the Best Dang Brush, and buffing the excess off with a clean cloth:
(Liquid sealers can cause pink tints to come through metal pieces, so if I plan to seal, I often go with wax instead.)
After:
It made for a cute vase!
Do you think the color helped?
I painted the lid also…
I think the color did wonders for it. I can see it fitting right in on our built-ins in the living room!
Mini Makeover #4
Next up is this picture I picked up at a yard sale last summer for $2:
It was missing the glass, but I can always use a pretty frame!
Paint
After giving this one a good cleaning as well, it got painted in Cotton white. I also painted the picture that was inside:
Seal
Just like the shelves at the beginning, the frame too got a quick spray of Rustoleum Clear Satin spray to seal.
Changing up the artwork with Decoupage Paper
Then, I pulled out this A3 Seascape Melody decoupage paper that includes these three 11.7″ X 16.5″ scenes:
Painting the background white makes the colors really pop.
To apply the decoupage paper, I added a layer of Matte Decoupage Gel using a 2″ Foam brush:
After using my hair dryer on the WARM setting to removed the fold seam down the center, I applied it to the surface and then added another layer of decoupage gel over the top to seal:
To secure it back into the frame, I used my Logan Point Driver:
That makes it super simple!
The After:
I love using decoupage paper to create new artwork!
These papers have almost a fabric like feel, so they look like legit!
I think most would agree it’s better than what was there, and I still have two more designs to use on something else!
Mini Makeover #5
I picked up this next piece at a yard sale this season for only one dollar!
I got this from the same lady who was selling these coastal lamps I redid, and she said that her dad had made this many years ago. I think I would have a difficult time parting with it, but I was happy to take it off her hands!
Paint
After cleaning, I decided I wanted a fun color for this piece and chose Mint Julep to brighten it up:
Next, I covered the painted pieces and freshened up the chalkboard with a fresh coat of Rustoleum Chalkboard Spray:
This is my favorite spray for chalkboards!
I was sure to season it also by applying chalk to the entire surface and wiping it back with a clean cloth:
Seal
The frame was sealed with Clear Best Dang Wax.
After:
What a cute little message board it is now!
Hello, summer!! (Almost..it sure feels like it here this week!!)
It even has a spot for the chalk!
That was one dollar very well spent!
Mini Makeover #6
And finally, this sad wooden bowl set me back $2 at a yard sale this season:
Paint
After cleaning this one, I decided to go with the same Hurricane Gray/Cotton mix I used on this vintage cane chair I recently shared.
After a light sanding, this too was sealed with Clear Best Dang Wax.
After:
I really loved the detail on the sides of this bowl.
But my favorite is the detail around the top!
I added that using FrogTape for Delicate surfaces to mark out the stripes, and then I painted them in using Cotton. The tape was removed as soon as the second coat went on:
I had similar fun with two dough bowls HERE.
And that’s SIX more mini makeovers, all from yard sales, complete!!
It still amazes me at what paint alone can do!
That’s a bunch more crossed off the list!
See what’s been completed so far below:
Vintage Cane Chair Makeover
Dated Coastal Lamps
Home Interiors Shelf Makeover
How to Change the Bottom of a Dresser
$3 Yard Sale Wall Shelf Makeover
Plant Stand Makeover
Freebie French Chair
Oak Pedestal Table
I’d love to hear what your favorite from this round was!
I’ll be back on Thursday with this drop-leaf side table:
UPDATE: Lucky you! You can see how the simplest of makeovers did wonders for this table HERE now!
Have a lovely week!
XOXO,
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Janice Redden says
Christy, I’ve also picked up some “sad, “interesting” pieces here and there – I might have passed on some of these but once again you put your magic to work. I’m still not sure what that “tall pumpkin” was but the paint color did wonders. My favorite is the bowl – I agree – the detail on the outside is unique and the white paint is the perfect color! These will be a great addition to your shop, but won’t be there long!
OMG, I’m in the process of painting a very similar table that you have for Thursday..cant wait to see what you do with yours.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I am still continually amazed at what paint alone can do! I do love having several pieces to fluff my booth! See ya Thursday, my friend! XOXO
Linda says
Really like that you preview next week’s item as a teaser. Your makeovers make my day. I especially like the picture, yes it pops if you’re doing coastal, how pretty. I plan to keep my eye out for pedestal bowls, love those you redid.
Christy says
Thank you, Linda! It’s kind of like your favorite TV show…I love to see what’s coming in the next episode ha ha. This was a summery bunch! XOXO
Cecilia says
My favorite is the little chalkboard…how sweet is that? And ha,ha, when I first looked at the before pic of all the pieces, I was like what are those things ( the shelves)? I couldn’t figure out what they were. ???? Great makeovers!
????Cecilia
Christy says
Isn’t that so sweet? I love the fact that it was handmade! Funny about the shelves…they’ve been hanging around since last summer, so I am happy to have those done! Thank you, my friend! XOXO
Jackie C says
amazing what a little paint can do. I’m just shocked that someone could get rid of that chalkboard their dad made. That’s almost sinful lol. I guess everyone isn’t as sentimental as I am. hard to pick a favorite, they all look great. Have a great week. Christy!
Christy says
Right? Paint is amazing! And I agree…I would have had a hard time getting rid of the chalkboard and for only a dollar? Maybe her dad made tons of things and she has kept others. Thank you, Jackie!! XOXO
Cyndi says
Another fun group of smalls! I love these! I think I have to say my favorite is that little chalkboard (I’ll bet when the woman you got it from sees it painted she’ll want it back!)
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! That little chalkboard is sweet…I love that it was handmade! XOXO
Charleen says
Loved the frame and the white made all the blues pop. The funny jar that you changed into a thing of beauty,what a wonderful color . Loved all the smalls.The little chalkboard was charming. Have a lovely week and look forward to the table. Take care.
Christy says
Thank you, Charleen! It’s amazing what a little paint can do! See ya Thursday! XOXO
Lizzy says
They are all so sweet & pretty. I’m a big fan of your “painting the smalls.”
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoy them, Lizzy, thank you! I love that I get six makeovers to fluff my booth with! XOXO
Michele M. says
CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE!!!!!
Everything was made so darling now – the magic of your great imagination and awesome paint colors!!! And I love your nails matching that metal lidded vase now. I think that was the biggest surprise in the bunch. Funny in its “before” state all I could see was a watermelon haha.
Well done, Christy!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! I think that vase thingy was the star this time because it was so ugly before ha ha! And yes, a watermelon is the perfect way to describe it! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Oh so fun and beautiful they all turned out!! I think my favorite is the bowl, love the stripes around the top edge. I love the shells in the bowl, looks so costal! I love the chalk board, and the color on it. That is so cool that it has a place to store the chalk!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Mary! Not too many people mentioned the bowl, but that one is my favorite also! Maybe because it is coastal with the shells lol. And that little chalkboard was such a fun find! Have a great week! XOXO
Carolyn Huffman says
I too couldn’t figure out what the shelves were in the “before” image. I thought they looked like some exotic shoes from the Far East! Also must tell you, my hubs wanted to know what I was looking at. I replied “Confessions of a Serial DIYer” and he said, “Oh, the gray and white stripe lady.” LOL Looking forward to seeing what you do to the Pembroke table on Thursday.
Christy says
Ha ha! I can see how it may have been hard to tell what the shelves were looking back. Those would have been some very exotic shoes lol. And that is so funny! You should have shown him the bowl…gray and white stripes ha ha!! See ya tomorrow! XOXO
Mary Bodie says
They are all charming. My two favorites are the wooden bowl and the metal basket. The biggest transformation was the pumpkin vase thing. It wasn’t very pretty to start with. The chalkboard was adorable.
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I think the wooden bowl is my favorite also, but they all feel like big wins! That vase thingy was the winner for best do over for sure lol. XOXO
Catherine says
What a transformation that picture frame was!! Beautiful in white with the blue surf! That is my favorite…and also love the basket, chalkboard and bowl!
Christy says
Thank you, Catherine! That sad frame never knew it would shine so bright again lol! This was a fun round! XOXO