Another round of makeover what you have! This vase makeover is simple and is a great example of ways you can update old decor.
Hey friends!
As we are starting to wind down on the renovations (haha…who am I kidding?… we still have quite a bit to do) I thought I would share a few things that I’m giving makeovers to.
Along with installing a brand-new kitchen and flooring, I have decided to update some of my decor.
I’m also giving a couple of our rooms brand new purposes! I can not wait to share them with you.
So along with the new decor, I’m also doing what I do best….making over some of my old decor.
You probably don’t remember this old vase and branches (or whatever these are? or something like that anyway)
Mainly because the vase is mostly hidden behind the basket and the “branches” (I want to call it sea grass, lol) are in the corner.
They are leftover remnants of my “Tuscan-themed” home decor from years ago.
Dark red branches, and red, green, and gold vases. Yep.
Not really my style anymore or the style of my home.
And the grass stuff…..way too dark…and red.
So let’s update old decor!
I wanted to give both the vase and the branches a coastal feel that would go with my decor. (and probably why I want to call it seagrass)
So I hopped on over to the store and picked up 4 varying shades of tan/taupe/beige/cream spray paint to paint the “seagrass”.
There’s 4 in the photo but I only ended up using 3 of those colors.
I chose 4 because I wanted it to have some variation in color like real grasses would have.
The lightest one looked almost white when I sprayed it so decided to skip that one.
And here’s how they turned out…..
Pretty good!
I could have just tossed these or taken them up to the thrift store.
I’m so glad I decided to paint them instead.
Much better than all the red, for sure.
I don’t love the lighter-colored ones as much since they turned a bit “pink” from the red underneath.
The Dark Taupe covered the best and it is actually a really nice color.
I am probably going to hit them with a few more sprays to cover more of the red/pink trying to peek through.
Now for the vase makeover.
I started out by spraying it blue. The spray paint I used is no longer available but this blue spray paint is very similar to what I used here.
Once that was dry, I used some turquoise blue or this teal blue (choose which you like best) to paint just the top section.
I applied it in a “dry brush” method.
You can read (and watch my video) about the dry brushing technique, here >>> How To Dry Brush
I did go a little bit heavier on the curve and then lightly dry brushed down the sides.
I took a cue from the original vase design on this.
I wanted it to have a similar look…just different colors.
And once that was dry…I added gold.
I used an old (really old) jar of Martha Steward gold paint that is no longer available.
You can use any kind of gold craft paint. This one should work similarly.
Don’t you just love turquoise, aqua, and gold together?? I sure do!
I used the same exact technique with the gold as I did with the turquoise.
A little heavier on the curve but this time dry brushing all the way to the bottom.
The bumpy surface of the vase had originally really played nicely with the finished design.
And back together again, but much different…..
You can see the sea grass is a little more pink towards the bottom.
That area was thicker and more heavily covered in dye. I should have sealed them with something like Shellac beforehand but I had no idea they’d bleed like that.
I’m probably going to give them another coat or two of paint so they look more like the top section. (and will spray some Shellac on those lighter pieces first so they hopefully won’t keep bleeding)
But overall, even with a little pink, I’m thrilled with the new look!
Much better fit for my current home decor.
I’m not sure where I’ll use this yet but I think this will add a nice touch of “nature”, warmth, and texture to my decor.
PIN it to save it!
So, just another example of ways you can update old decor for a brand-new look.
And if it’s something you still love, or could potentially love, why not, right?
A little paint can make most things look not only brand new but completely different too!
Plus it’s just fun.
I’ll see you guys back here on Thursday with this!
UPDATE! Turned out to be one of the prettiest centerpieces I’ve done! See it now, here!!
Thank you Lizzy! Yes!! I really was! Dark maroon, golds, wine decor, palm trees, that whole thing! ;) So dark and moody though. Love the light and bright so much more! xo
This is a great makeover. It always amazes me what a little paint can do. Maybe I’ll have to look at some of the decor items I have and consider updating them with paint. You’re such an enabler!
Thanks Ginny! And you and me both! I love to see the transformation of these things. It’s so much fun! And yes, do take a look around, you might be surprised what you can do to update a piece or two. I am a good enabler, I know! ;) xoxo
Hi I just came across your site and can’t put my phone down i love so many of your ideas. I have a 14 yr old daughter who I am starting a project to paint all her furniture one color. I am a single mom and I am between jobs. I started to buy furniture for her room in the hopes to paint it but now with little money I am afraid because it’s all different types two have a veneer glaze top (sleigh bed and make up stand) one is wood and I haven’t yet got her a nightstand I really wanted to try chalk paint…do it myself I started by buying plaster of Paris but as far as paint I’m not sure which would be the best. I wanted to do her furniture starting with a grey or silver with a teal or seafoam color not sure wich one would be the better first coat. Maybe I could get some pointers from you. Thanks seero much!
Hi and thank you Chantel! :)
You can use the Plaster of Paris but I think the Calcium Carbonate (you can find that on Amazon) might be a better fit. (they are similar products though)
Any flat paint will work with either of those. What is the end outcome that you are going for? Teal or gray? It all depends on the look you are after. If you are wanting to sand to reveal color underneath, which one do you want to be the main color? Whichever one that is, make it the top coat. Be sure to use a top seal coat if you go the chalk paint route! Hope that helps, good luck and have fun with it! :) xo
Funny but those branches are what we consider in the philippines as “walis ting-ting”. Its used as a sweeper for leaves outside the home or to get in those crannies.
I have visited a gazillion blog sites in the same basic theme as yours, but honestly, yours is the one I keep coming back to. I finished my own vase makeover using your dry brush technique yesterday–and, even though it didn’t turn out as beautifully as yours, it’s still gorgeous. I am totally stoked! Thank you for all of these inspirations! I’m on to my next transformative project—using the things I already have! Love, love love!
Wow, thank you so much, Lisa! So humbled to hear that! And so happy you have been inspired and are transforming the things you have!! How fun!! :) xoxo
Hi Nancy – in this post you used “my favorite blue spray paint” and “Provence Chalk Paint.” The favorite blue link shows many colors with no really nice blue and the link for the chalk paint is no longer valid. Could you please suggest comparable colors that are available today – I love the blues you used.
Thanks,
Sheila
I absolutely love the finished look of your vase! It would 100% fit in any room in my house. I think the only thing I personally would have changed, would be to cut the seagrass a couple of feet shorter. I am definitely no artist, but I am tempted to try this with one of my vases that I have as a floor decoration in the corner of my bedroom. I only hope it turns out half as nice as yours. ;)
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Beautiful job as always Nancy! Love the vase and I would have not thought to spray paint sea grass! Brilliant!!
Aw thanks Christina! :) xoxo
I love this! I have an old vase that will look so much better painted like this. I was actually thinking about gettin rid it. Thank you!
Oh yay! Thanks Michele!! And yes, go paint it! xo
“GENIA” Nancy!!!!!
Thank you! :) xo
Beautiful, and so much better. I’m surprised you were ever into Tuscan decor!
Thank you Lizzy! Yes!! I really was! Dark maroon, golds, wine decor, palm trees, that whole thing! ;) So dark and moody though. Love the light and bright so much more! xo
This is a great makeover. It always amazes me what a little paint can do. Maybe I’ll have to look at some of the decor items I have and consider updating them with paint. You’re such an enabler!
Thanks Ginny! And you and me both! I love to see the transformation of these things. It’s so much fun! And yes, do take a look around, you might be surprised what you can do to update a piece or two. I am a good enabler, I know! ;) xoxo
LOVE THIS! Pinned to my DIY Dreams board! I hope I get a chance to use these colors and technique, soon! ;-)
Aw thanks Julie! :) xoxo
Love the new color of vase
Thank you Donna! I’m really happy with how it turned out, too! :) xo
Hi I just came across your site and can’t put my phone down i love so many of your ideas. I have a 14 yr old daughter who I am starting a project to paint all her furniture one color. I am a single mom and I am between jobs. I started to buy furniture for her room in the hopes to paint it but now with little money I am afraid because it’s all different types two have a veneer glaze top (sleigh bed and make up stand) one is wood and I haven’t yet got her a nightstand I really wanted to try chalk paint…do it myself I started by buying plaster of Paris but as far as paint I’m not sure which would be the best. I wanted to do her furniture starting with a grey or silver with a teal or seafoam color not sure wich one would be the better first coat. Maybe I could get some pointers from you. Thanks seero much!
Hi and thank you Chantel! :)
You can use the Plaster of Paris but I think the Calcium Carbonate (you can find that on Amazon) might be a better fit. (they are similar products though)
Any flat paint will work with either of those. What is the end outcome that you are going for? Teal or gray? It all depends on the look you are after. If you are wanting to sand to reveal color underneath, which one do you want to be the main color? Whichever one that is, make it the top coat. Be sure to use a top seal coat if you go the chalk paint route! Hope that helps, good luck and have fun with it! :) xo
Funny but those branches are what we consider in the philippines as “walis ting-ting”. Its used as a sweeper for leaves outside the home or to get in those crannies.
Oh that’s so funny! And yes, I can totally see that as a use for these! ;) xo
I have visited a gazillion blog sites in the same basic theme as yours, but honestly, yours is the one I keep coming back to. I finished my own vase makeover using your dry brush technique yesterday–and, even though it didn’t turn out as beautifully as yours, it’s still gorgeous. I am totally stoked! Thank you for all of these inspirations! I’m on to my next transformative project—using the things I already have! Love, love love!
Wow, thank you so much, Lisa! So humbled to hear that! And so happy you have been inspired and are transforming the things you have!! How fun!! :) xoxo
Ty so much for this awesome project, it came out lovely!!
Hi Nancy – in this post you used “my favorite blue spray paint” and “Provence Chalk Paint.” The favorite blue link shows many colors with no really nice blue and the link for the chalk paint is no longer valid. Could you please suggest comparable colors that are available today – I love the blues you used.
Thanks,
Sheila
Hey Sheila! I have updated the post to show the closest matches I could find. Plus several options for you! Hope that helps! :)
Thank you, Nancy.
I absolutely love the finished look of your vase! It would 100% fit in any room in my house. I think the only thing I personally would have changed, would be to cut the seagrass a couple of feet shorter. I am definitely no artist, but I am tempted to try this with one of my vases that I have as a floor decoration in the corner of my bedroom. I only hope it turns out half as nice as yours. ;)
Thanks, Laurie! Yes, that might look good. Maybe I will give it a try, I still have this! :) (and yes, do it!!) xoxo