Hello, dear friends! I’ve got another round of smalls to share with you today! I have always redone smaller items for my booth to keep inventory moving in there, but I didn’t always share them here. They were usually such simple makeovers that they didn’t warrant a whole post of their own. But six years ago, I decided why not round up a bunch of these smaller makeovers to share together? (See that first round HERE!) And my Painting the Smalls series was born!
I really enjoy the simplicity sometimes, and I think y’all do too!
As always, I have SIX mini makeovers in this group:
Let’s see what we can do with them!
Mini Makeover #1
First up is this basket I found for $4.99. It was a good size and sturdy, and I thought the pattern might be interesting painted:
The only cleaning I usually do on baskets is a good vacuum with my shop vac.
Paint
I painted this one in Savannah Mist using my Belle Brush:
Once that was dry, I went back and dry brushed it with Cotton to add a bit of texture…
I don’t always seal baskets as the paint will harden and cure in about three weeks and I don’t mind the flat sheen for baskets.
After:
The pattern really is more fun painted!
Mini Makeover #2
Next up is this ceramic box thingy I paid way too much for at $5.99:
I’m just a sucker for a fancy little box.
Paint
I was inspired by this recent shoe shine box makeover to paint it in The Gulf:
I gave it two coats, and then sanded lightly all over with a sanding sponge before spraying it with Rustoleum spray primer to seal:
After:
As you can see, I added gold Gilding Wax to the details as well…
Mini Makeover #3
Mini Makeover number three is this shelf I found for $9.98:
After giving this one a good cleaning, I painted it in three coats of Cotton.
Then, to highlight all those pretty details, I sanded with 220 grit sandpaper…
Luckily the knobs were able to be unscrewed so I could paint more easily.
Those panels I was sanding were metal and because liquid sealers can often pull out pink tones when sealing, I opted instead to seal with Best Dang Wax in clear.
The After
Here is how this shelf looks now!
It’s much less heavy looking now.
The knobs were painted to match…
This simple white paint makeover should yield a quick sale.
Mini Makeover #4
Next up is this stool I found along with this haul, but my intention was to keep it for myself:
I loved how chunky and sturdy it was! I often have to step up onto a chair to get a better height for taking overhead photos, but I really wanted a stool for that purpose and this has worked out wonderfully!
Of course I couldn’t resist giving it a makeover too!
Paint
This stool got just one coat of Fluff:
I let that dry and then sanded heavily all over for a really worn look.
Then, I added some pretty to the top with the Mystic Hydrangea transfer:
I sealed all over with Clear Coat in Satin using the blue sponge.
The After:
This stool was pretty beat up from years of use, so the distressed look really fit this piece.
If you love a ton of distressing, only using one coat of paint is a great way to achieve that look.
Here’s a peek at the top:
This is so pretty sitting in my office!
Mini Makeover #5
Mini Makeover #5 is another shelf I picked up at the thrift store for only $4.98:
Paint
I was able to remove the base from the top to paint this one. And as I do for many metal pieces, I hit the base of this shelf with Sea Glass and a very dry brush:
The top was painted in two coats of Sea Glass, sanded, and sealed with Clear Coat in Satin using the blue sponge.
The After
I love the look that the dry brushing gives these metal parts…
Mini Makeover #6
And finally, I have this petite lamp that I picked up for $4.98:
I removed the shade and taped up any parts I didn’t want to get paint on and gave this lamp three coats of Cotton:
I sanded to distress a bit and then moved onto the shade.
The original shade seemed a bit on the small side for this lamp, so I found this shade that I’ve had laying around for awhile that was a better fit.
It was in good shape except for a small stain on one side. An easy fix for that was to cover right over it with a few pieces from the Salon de Diane transfer:
I’m not pointing to it there, I found it easier to transfer the image by scraping the transfer with the tip of my fingernail rather than the more blunt stick that comes with it. I also have my other hand underneath for support. You can also use a smaller popsicle-type stick instead.
I used this same transfer on this beautiful frame.
The After
What a difference a pretty transfer like this one makes!
And that’s SIX more mini makeovers complete!!
And my to-do list just got a little shorter!
See anything you’ve missed below!
French Buffet Lamps Makeover
Painting Furniture with Silk Mineral Paint (The large and curvy dresser.)
TWICE Painted Plant Stand Makeover
Elegant Flatware Box Makeover
Mini Lane Cedar Chest Makeover
DIY Herringbone Tray
Whitewashed Side Table
Sewing Basket Makeover
Louvered Door Cabinet Makeover
Painting the Smalls #25 (SIX mini makeovers!)
Shoe Shine Box Makeover
Metallic Vintage End Table Makeover
Do you have a favorite from today’s makeovers?
It’s officially spring break in our house, so I will be goofing off with my middle schooler for the rest of the week, but I’ll still be back with a reshare of this cutie:
See you then!
UPDATE: See how sweet this piece is now HERE!
XOXO,
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Cyndi says
I love all of these. It would be hard to pick a favorite, but that lamp is gorgeous! What a difference the paint and transfer made!
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! Right? Just the simplest of tweaks make such a difference! XOXO
Cyndi says
Looking back over them again, I think I’d just have to keep them all for myself, not just the stool. 🙂
Christy says
Ha ha! It’s hard to resist keeping them all sometimes!
Mary Kaiser says
Oh my gosh, I LOVE the smalls! My favorites this round are the foot stool and the lamp! Who knew you could use a transfer on a lamp shade, WOW of course you did! You are amazing, and so inspiring! Have fun goofing off on spring break!
Christy says
Yay! Thank you so much, my friend! The stool is right here in my office and I’m so glad I get to keep that one! We will! Thank you! XOXO
Sandra r mills says
Need a little more instructions on how to put transfers on a shade..did it take a long time..will it hold up?
Christy says
I wrote a post on here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/adding-a-transfer-to-a-lampshade/ They hold up beautifully! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Another set of smalls which I always love. Hard to choose which is my favorite because I love them all but I’m gonna pick the little stool. It’s so cute. Have a great week with your family.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I’m so glad I get to keep that one! XOXO
Geri says
I love seeing what you do with the small items. I have a fetish for stools and love to refinish them.
Thank you for sharing, I’m always inspired by what you do with pieces!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Geri! XOXO
Janice Redden says
These are all so beautiful, Christy! Your Painting the Smalls series is how I found you and I’ve loved every Tuesday and Thursday since then! I love that you redid that sweet stool and rewarded yourself by keeping It!
Christy says
Aww I love that! Thank you, my friend! I’m so glad I get to keep that one! XOXO
Jackie C says
I’m in love with the lamp, the stool and the white shelf!!! I have been looking for a stool for some time. Good ones like yours are hard to find, especially when you want one. A question on the shade, how do the transfers hold up over time? I’m now wondering if a transfer might work on a pillow cover made from a drop cloth. Great post as always! 💕
Christy says
Thank you so much, Jackie! Good stools are hard to find. Transfers really want to adhere to most surfaces, and I got a good idea of how they hold up from a smaller lamp I redid. I had it priced kind of on the high side since I had to take it apart, rewire it and reconfigure it, but I added a transfer to the shade as well. Well the higher price had it sitting in my booth for almost a year. That whole time, I even had it turned on and it did beautifully. Transfers adhere great to drop cloth…it’s just a bit more pressure to get them going. I like to use a smaller popsicle type stick sometimes to help that along. I don’t know about washing them though. Hope that helps! XOXO
Jackie C says
Thank you!
Janice Redden says
Jackie, I’m Janice – one of Christy’s fans! I’ve done two wall hangings using the transfers on drop cloth. I painted it first, then applied the transfers as usual. Then I applied one coat of Clear Coat Satin. I dont know about washing, but with the clear coat all that is needed is a soft damp cloth to wipe away any dust or light stain/dirt. Before painting i hemmed the bottom and two sides and made a rod pocket at top to accommodate a decorative rod; add cording to ends of rods to hang. It may take a little more pressure to apply the transfer but it worked just fine.
Jackie C says
Thank you so much Janice!!
Diana Kosmoski says
All cute but the little lamp is my favorite. And, of course, it is the shade that gives it the edge.
Christy says
Thank you, Diana! What a difference a couple pieces of pretty transfer make! XOXO
SUE JOHNSON says
Very nice collection!
Christy says
Thank you, Sue! XOXO
Diane says
Hi, Christy! Fun, as always! I love seeing the smalls get new life. Just a thought on #5, the shelf. I don’t know how deep it is, but I could see making it even more functional by screwing cup hooks to the bottom of the shelf or hanging a bar between the side brackets. Just gotta get that tiny bit of extra storage! Thanks for all you do!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Diane! Ooh yes I love the idea to add cup hooks to the bottom! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
You got a great deal on these, Christy. Of course, they’re unrecognizable now! My favorite has to be the basket, I’m always amazed how you transform them with paint. I think the little box is actually a candle holder, the light would come through the cutouts – it’s awfully cute now. As always, you take things I would walk right past and transform them.
Christy says
I did! And yes!! Nobody has mentioned the basket yet, but that is my favorite too! Maybe it’s because the before and after are so night and day? And good thinking on the box…I bet that is exactly what it is! Thank you, Marcie!! XOXO
Debbie in TX says
Ok, I’m favoring the little blue box and that beautiful lamp. I would have never thought to put that beige shade on a white lamp base, but it works wonderfully. Those transfers are the chef’s kiss! And the blue box would work almost anywhere as a decorative object. A candle inside or some fairy lights would add a nice glow. Thanks for sharing these great makeovers!
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Debbie! Thank you! I always enjoy hearing y’all’s favorites. Someone else did mention the blue box was likely a votive holder, and I think y’all are right. I didn’t even think of that! I always enjoy the lamps! Have a great week! XOXO
Charleen says
Love the “smalls”.I love the stool.,I believe you are entitled to keep something every now and then!!Love the lampshade and lamp. But the little box you painted in gulf,I really like that. I think it is a candle holder as well. Wouldn’t a battery powered candle work well in it? Love all the beautiful work you do. Take care and enjoy your break.
Christy says
Thank you, Charleen! I think so too ha ha, and it is just hard resist keeping some things! I never even thought the blue box holding a votive until someone else mentioned, but I’m sure you ladies are correct…now I wish I would have staged it with some fairy lights…I have some around here somewhere lol. And thank you…we will! XOXO
Donna says
Thank you so much for absolutely everything you post. I love every single thing you do and look forward to your latest projects every Tuesday and Thursday. You are so artistic and imaginative. I hope you never stop.
Christy says
Aww I love this SO much, Donna, thank you!! I hope to keep going for a long time! XOXO
Hannah Reyor says
All are so cute! I adore the white towel holder!!! Great job kiddo!
Hannah
Christy says
Thanks so much, Hannah!! XOXO
Olivia says
My favorite was the wood stool. The paint and transfers really changed it. I always think wood stools like that might of been a young boy’s project in wood shop. Of course that would make it even more special.
Christy says
I love that one too! And yes, I always imagine the same thing. It definitely appears to be and built…super special! XOXO
Laurie says
I absolutely love every single one of your makeovers but they are all so extremely feminine. If I were a single girl, or a teenager, all of your makeover items would fit perfectly into my decor. But I am a grown married woman and my decor is more grown up. I would love to see some makeovers that are a little more gender neutral. My husband, and I have to admit I, I’m not Into frilly feminine decor. I would love to see some makeovers that would fit into almost any decore style.
Christy says
Thank you, Laurie! I do tend to create what I personally love as that is what makes this still fun for me after 12 years, but I appreciate the feedback! XOXO
p says
You are Right – The smalls are always so much fun !!
They all came out great. Guess my fav’s are the stool of course, and the metal shelf. The details painted are so cute.
I’m always amazed how quickly you go thru your hauls.
You don’t ever run out of creative ideas !!
Thanks.
Christy says
Aww thank you, P! I’m so glad you enjoyed this bunch! This haul does seem to be flying by! XOXO