Hello lovelies! It’s the final push towards the big holiday around here, but I’ve got a super simple and quick makeover to share with you today!
I picked up this dated wall art at the thrift store for $15:
That is way more than I would normally spend, but I thought it was something I could easily update to stick in my booth.
Prep
To prep this piece, I vacuumed the center part with my shop vac and brush attachment to remove any dust that had built up there. Then I just gave it a quick wipe down with a damp cloth.
Paint
I started the transformation of this wall art with a quick spray of Rustoleum spray primer:
It’s just an easy way to get a quick first coat on. Priming is not necessary with chalk paint in most cases.
I much prefer the finish you get with chalk paint verses spray paint, so I followed up with Dixie Belle’s Cotton white.
Would you believe I got some weird pink bleed-through in a few spots?
No worries though! I just Bossed those few areas with white BOSS and let it dry overnight. Problem solved!
I gave it another coat of Cotton the next day.
Then I sanded all over to add some distressing, but I wasn’t done yet!
Adding some contrast
To add a little more contrast, I painted a portion of this piece with Baja Gray from the Silk paint line:
I absolutely love this soft, neutral color!
Seal
Silk paint needs no sealer since it has a built-in topcoat, but I sealed the white parts with Best Dang Wax in clear using my Best Dang Brush to apply it and a soft cloth to remove and buff in any excess wax.
Updated Thrift Store Wall Art
Here is how this thrift store wall art looks now!
This is quite a large piece, especially above my staging dresser, but it would be fantastic above a fireplace or bed, maybe?
I love the two-tone look and it would fit perfectly in our home if I only had a spot for it!
$15 doesn’t sound too bad now, right?
I used my Best Dang Brush to paint the center section, but I had to go back with a small artist rush and get down into all of those crevices. The primer didn’t cover down in there well at all for some reason.
Distressing makes those pretty details pop!
A wreath would be great hanging right in the center too!
This one was quick and simple just like I promised!
I’m still working towards finishing off this haul, and that is one more done!
I started with 42 pieces, and I only have eight left!! Here’s what I’ve shared so far:
Painting the Smalls #19
Picture Turned Chalkboard with Transfer
Serpentine Dresser Makeover
Mirror Makeover with Transfer
Flatware Box Upcycled for Christmas
Upcycled Picnic Basket with a No Sew Liner
Painted Empire Dresser
Neutral Rocker Makeover
Pink Painted Night Table
Mass-Produced Shelf Makeover
Repurposed Cabinet Door
Oak Drop-Leaf Table Makeover
Child’s Rocker Makeover
Vintage Banker’s Chair Makeover
Terra Clay Paint Case Makeover
Tea Kettle Makeover
Tray Update with Stencils
Painting the Smalls #18
How to Turn a Spindle Bed into a Bench
Dated Shelf Makeover
80’s Clock Repurposed
Stenciled Demilune Table
DIY Fabric Lamp Shades & $5 Thrift Store Lamps
Thrift Store Dresser Makeover
If you enjoyed that, you might like what I did with this thrift store wall decor too!
See what I did with it HERE!
I’ll be back on Thursday with this padded bench that I gave new life to:
UPDATE: See how it looks now HERE!
Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to stop by. I truly appreciate each and every one of you!
XOXO,
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Janice Holt says
When I saw the 1st pic I thought, surely she didn’t give $15 for this because it looked so small but when you finished with it, it looked 3 times as big and then I could see you giving that much for it. Not just the size of course but after painting it looked so much better. You have such a good vision. I should have known not to doubt you (ha). It’s almost Christmas and enjoy all your holidays.
Christy says
Oh ha ha! That is funny! Yep, it is quite large. Thank you, my friend! Merry Christmas! XOXO
Jan says
Welp! Here I am. Lusting again! If I lived near you, I am pretty sure I could spend the hubby and myself right into a luxury refrigerator box!
Translation: this is gorgeous. You rock. Merry Christmas. ❤️
Christy says
You are so funny, Jan! Ha ha! Thank you and Merry Christmas to you as well! XOXO
Leah says
I absolutely love this piece! It is so much bigger than it looks in the first picture. I also appreciate your instruction about cleaning and detailing the intricate scroll work!
A blessed Christmas to you!
Christy says
Thank you, Leah! Yes, it is quite large lol! Merry Christmas! XOXO
Cecilia says
Oh that piece is way bigger than I first thought! The two tone look is very pretty. I can just see it above someone’s fireplace with a wreath. Nice!
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
🎄 Cecilia
Christy says
Ha ha that’s what others have said also. I guess you can’t really tell how large it is by itself lol. Thank you, Cecilia! Enjoy your Christmas as well!! XOXO
Cyndi says
Oh, that’s beautiful! That contrasting gray really shows off those lines. Love it! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cyndi! Merry Christmas! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
From dark and scary to light and airy. Beautiful! At least it didn’t have faux flowers like mine did today. haha!
Christy says
Thank you, Larissa! Ha ha yes! Scary to airy for sure! Your project turned out so cute! XOXO
Amanda says
I love how this turned out! All those pretty details were just hidden before it got your touch! Beautiful!!
Christy says
Thank you, Amanda! Yes, the paint really highlighted all the pretty! XOXO
Niki says
That turned out well, I bet it took some time to get into all the crevasses of the detailed area. As others have stated I like the two tone, it sets off the scrolled section and makes it stand out quite nicely.
Christy says
Thanks, Niki! It did for real ha ha. A small brush saved the day! XOXO
Mary King says
It came out great! I feel pieces like this are so versatile. Hang on the wall, lean on a dresser or console or use like the other reader said on top of a mantle. It would make a great backdrop for a beautiful vignette! Beautiful job as always!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! Absolutely! Hope you are healing well! XOXO
Rose E Lefebvre says
Love it!
Christy says
Thank you, Rose! XOXO
Lizzy says
It’s really pretty and I love the whole vignette. It’s perfect.
Christy says
Thank you, Lizzy! XOXO
Hannah Reyor says
How did you frame it? The framing mat makes it! Did you do that yourself?
Happy Holiday to you and the family. Thank you for being here twice a week to make my days better.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Hannah! It is all one piece, actually; the paint just makes it appear to be framed. I hope you have a wonderful holiday as well! XOXO
Robin says
Boy, that sure was one UGLY brown piece. It is soooo much better now!
Merry Christmas.
Christy says
Ha ha right? Thank you, Robin, and Merry Christmas to you as well, my friend! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Oh it turned out so beautiful. Love the colors you used. It didn’t look that big in the picture. I love that you can use like it is, and then add a wreath for spring or the Christmas season. Great job as usual. Have a very Merry Christmas with your family!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! Ha ha I didn’t realize it looked so much smaller in the before picture! And it is very versatile for sure! Merry Christmas, my friend! XOXO
Carin Marie says
Omg! What a wonderful piece … and you improved it beautifully. Clever you.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Carin! XOXO
Bonnie Hipps says
Beautiful as always. Got your village up this year? Merry Christmas my friend and enjoy your family.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Bonnie! I waited for Jack to come home since we usually build it together, so we got it up last weekend! Merry Christmas!! XOXO
Tawn Deavers says
I did something that looked “similar” I took ceiling medallions, painted them, attached them to plain backing. I then took a stretched canvas from Hobby Lobby, removed the canvas, painted the frame portion. Nailed the finished backing, and hung them on our wall. I was very pleased with the results.
Christy says
I bet that looked amazing! XO