Hello dear friends and welcome back! Today I’m sharing another round of smalls! The smalls are mini makeovers of smaller thrift store finds that by themselves don’t warrant a post of their own, but with several others, they make for a fun post!
My booth is getting very low in the smalls department, so I’m thrilled to to have a few more to drop off!
Here are today’s mini makeover subjects:
Makeover #1
First up is this paper towel holder I picked up for one whole dollar at the barn sale I happened upon a couple of months ago:
For a dollar, I had nothing to lose! It got a coat of one of my favorite custom mixes:
This is 40% The Gulf, 40% Vintage Duck Egg Blue, and 20% Cotton.
I added some Summery stripes in Cotton, sanded all over, and sealed with Clear Coat in Satin using the blue sponge.
Now it’s a fun addition to any Summer kitchen:
A big improvement to the 80’s primitive wood look, right?
Makeover #2
I was drawn to this next piece at the thrift store for some reason.
This cute faux tree was $5, and I decided to bring it home and give it some love:
I gave the base a quick paint job in Cotton and added this metal piece that came in a pack of four from Hobby Lobby:
I used my cheat method to faux distress it a bit, and then I sealed with clear wax.
I also gave all the leaves a good cleaning to remove all the dust that had built up…
And I changed out the dusty green moss for Spanish moss instead. You can see the faux distressing here too:
Not huge changes; I just freshened it up a bit!
Makeover #3
This next one is super simple too! Okay, these are all pretty darned simple.
I found this small tray at the thrift store for only $2.98:
I gave it a couple of coats of Cotton and then added a mini transfer to the bottom:
I sealed it with Clear Wax.
This mini transfer is from a set called Classic Vintage Labels by Re-designed by Prima. There are 26 mini transfers in that set to update all kinds of smalls!
They are so great for these smaller pieces!
Makeover #4
This next one had a couple more steps! I picked up these candlesticks for $9 for the set at the thrift store:
I saw past the colors and knew those pretty details would paint up so nicely!
They got a coat of Sea Glass first, followed by a coat of Clear Wax.
Then I followed that up with black wax:
The Best Dang Brush is awesome for applying wax and can really get into all those details! (I also love this brush for painting things like frames that have a lot of detail.)
Then I went back and wiped away most of the black wax with a clean soft cloth:
I love this combination!
It’s important to clear wax first since the chalk paint really soaks up the wax.
Makeover #5
Next up is this wire basket that I picked up at the thrift store for $2.98:
I’m always drawn to wire baskets like this for some reason. I gave it a quick dry brushing with the brush I used to paint the candlesticks:
I love the effect that Sea Glass has on this basket!
You can see I purposely did not cover the wire completely:
Makeover #6
And finally, this is probably my favorite of the bunch!
I picked up this clock while thrifting for $6.95:
Cotton to the rescue for this one too!
It got three coats and then a little distressing all over with 220 grit sandpaper to shabby it up a little:
I sealed this one with clear wax too. My favorite sealer is the Satin Clear Coat, but it can pool in the crevices of these smaller pieces, so I save that for larger pieces, pieces with less detail, and furniture.
I am still amazed at what a little paint can do!
That’s another round of smalls!
If you missed the last round, here’s what you missed:
See what I did with them all HERE!!
And I get to cross off several more pieces!
Missed any?? See what I’ve transformed so far at at the links below!
Coastal Dresser Makeover
$5 Bulletin Board Makeover
$3 Thrift Store Basket and Lid Repurposed
Summer Basket Wreath from a $3 Thrift Store Find
$7 Thrift Store Mirror Makeover
Vintage Cane Club Chairs Updated
$6 Thrift Store Shelf Makeover with Transfer
Pub Table Makeover
Becky’s Secretary Desk Makeover
Update a Thrift Store Box with Fabric
$5 Buffet Lamps Updated with Decoupage Paper
Mirror Harp Repurposed
Meet me back here Thursday so see the best way to paint a kitchen table and chairs!
UPDATE: You won’t believe what this set looked like before, I promise! See it all HERE now!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Rose Lefebvre says
My favorite is the paper towel holder! Love its new look!
Christy says
Thank you, Rose! When I ask the lady at the barn sale how much, she almost laughed as if she was wondering why on earth I wanted it lol! XOXO
Sharleen Engel says
WOW!! Wow!!
Absolutely amazing. You’ve given me so many ideas . I love how’s you give “new life “ to all the “ smalls”.
I have several similar “ smalls “ I now have plans for
Please continue with all these good ideas
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sharleen! I’m so glad you enjoyed these…I love to do the smalls! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Oh I LOVE all the smalls, so fun! My favorite is the clock also, how pretty that turned out. They are all so great now, amazing transformations. They will all sell quickly in your booth, I know I would buy them if I lived any where near you. Good job!
Christy says
Yay!! Thank you, Mary!! They are always fun for me too! XOXO
Maryellen Webber says
These smalls are looking great! Love the candlesticks and the clock!
Christy says
Thank you, Maryellen! Those are my favorites of this bunch! XOXO
Janice Holt says
I never tire of looking at your post; you could have gone on and on with the smalls. I love all of them. The stripes on the towel holder were so cute. Not sure which was my favorite. Have a great family get-together.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Janice! I really enjoy these smaller pieces too! And looks like good weather this weekend…we are ready for it! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! These are awesome. I used your sea glass/dark wax combo on a lamp and I love it. Thank you for all of your inspiration.
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! And awesome! It is such a great combination! XOXO
Christina says
Fun transformations Christy! My favorite is the basket, so beachy and nautical. I love how you gave all these a new life. I know they won’t last long in your booth. 😉
So exciting to have a family get together. Happy Birthday Brennan!!
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! Funny how a one minute dry brushing really changes up the look of that basket! And thank you for the Bday wishes…we are really looking forward to having everyone over! XOXO
Amanda says
These all turned out so cute!! I’m amazed how you see past the ugly and have a vision for making them beautiful! Thanks for sharing what you do! I love to follow along. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you so much, Amanda! I appreciate you following along with me! XOXO
Betty Bilnoski says
I love when you do the Smalls!
Christy says
I’m so glad you love them, Betty! They are fun for me too! XOXO
Ashley Walter says
My favorite is the clock! I have the same clock and am inspired to paint mine now!
Christy says
Oh awesome! Paint really made a difference! XOXO
Cecilia from way down in SW Georgia! says
Christy! You are amazing! Love all the projects and like the candleholders with the black wax. A friend told me I need to get away from painting so much white for my booth:( She said the trend is going away. I do have a lot of white smalls, some with transfers, and they are not selling as much as in the past. I love the white and aqua and don’t know what I’ll do if I have to change! What are your thoughts on this? We are landlocked so maybe I need to come up with a new color scheme. But have no idea what direction to go in. Maybe some of your readers can give me ideas. Love reading all the comments and feedback. XOXO
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Cecilia! White is still working for me at the moment. I wonder if you tried mixing in some more ivory tones instead of bright whites? Maybe a couple pieces in drop cloth and see how they go? XOXO
Sue Cox says
Your “simple” make-overs include a hefty dollop of talent and experience as well as a little paint! As always, a pleasure to see your transformations.
Christy says
Aww you are so kind, Sue! Thank you!! XOXO
Denise Cox says
My favorite is the set of candlesticks!! You know how ‘coastal’ I am… 😝! They are lovely… AND…. I want them…. 🤭!!!! I like the basket as well. Funny how a few brushstrokes of paint change an item…
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Denise! Paint sure can work some magic! XOXO
Sharon L Austin says
I love love love those candlesticks. More decorations for my cottage!! LOL
Christy says
Thank you, Sharon! They would be perfect in a beach cottage! XOXO
Bev says
I loved every one of those. You are always so inspiring to me. Thank you
Christy says
Thank you so much, Bev! I’m so glad you enjoyed them! XOXO
Brenda says
I look forward to your posts and find them inspirational. However, are you aware that the clock face is now upside down? oops! Made me smile.
Brenda
Christy says
Thank you so much, Brenda! Oops LOL! That’s me trying to put the clock face back in without my glasses ha ha! XOXO
Rebecca Payne says
Awesome job!
Christy says
Thank you, Rebecca! XOXO
Addie says
You’re a visionary!!! All great redos!!! That paper towel holder looked hopeless…NOT now!!!! Good job…keep up the good work!!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Addie! Give me all your hopeless decor ha ha! XOXO
Constance Colvin says
Oh Christy you are just so GOOD at this! You NEVER miss! 😀
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Connie! Thank you!! XOXO
Connie says
OMG the smalls! Love them all. Once again you have done it my Rehab Queen!!!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Connie! I love that title LOL! XOXO
Stacey says
You just poured “awesome sauce” all over everything!! You never fail to inspire!! Love them all, especially that beautiful little clock and those candlesticks…. but, then there was the wire basket, and the paper towel holder, and the……. Oh, just loved them all!!!💖 Well done, Christy!!
Christy says
Ha ha thank you so much, Stacey! I’m so glad you enjoyed them! XOXO
Karen H says
I always love the smalls! They ere all great, but I especially adore those beautiful blue candlesticks! I copied your french linen/white wax candlesticks (except I used a pair of small lamps). Now I’m going to have to copy the black wax on some candlesticks! In fact, the original candlesticks you did in this post are very similar to the original candlesticks you painted french linen. Those must have been pretty popular back in the day. 🙂
Btw… the flowers in the picture with the candlesticks. Are those real or faux? If faux, do you remember where you got them? I’m partial to white flowers and very picky about my faux flowers. My husband always buys me white roses… I have some on my island right now! But I really want to find a white hydrangea bush! xo
Christy says
Yay! Thank you, Karen! Oh yeah… These candlesticks are very similar to the other ones! I loved that color combination also! The hydrangeas in that photo are faux, and I bought them from Joann fabrics of all places. I bought them last year, but I did see that they still have them on their website this year, so you can probably still buy them. They are a very pale green, but so pretty! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
You did it again, Christy! Uninspiring or downright unattractive (talking about you, wood-shop-project paper towel holder that only a mother could love), no one stands a chance against your paintbrush. Each time I think there’s no hope for redemption (ahem, paper towel holder) you create something to admire. Smalls ARE fun!
Christy says
Ha ha! Thank you so much, Marcie! Yes…that paper towel holder totally looks like a high school wood shop project! The lady who was selling it even gave me a look like what on earth are you going to do with that? Ha ha! Paint is magic, my friend! Thanks for the laugh! XOXO
Karen says
LOL!!! Ha! Marcie Lovett, Your kiddo must have taken the same shop class that mine did! I love that crooked on the stand, little ol’ wood grain, paper towel holder, (and how hard she worked on it, in 7th grade), but if I can improve on it without hurting her feelings, I’m in!
Frances says
Do you sell on your Etsy site other than paint? Love your clock in the small section.
Great job with the mirriors.
Christy says
Hi Frances! Thank you! The clock has sold, but I don’t usually list my makeovers on Etsy because the shipping is just so crazy. Occasionally, I will make an exception if it fits in a flat rate box and someone reaches out. So sorry about that! Hope you are enjoying the season! XOXO