How to Re-Paint Dated DecorWant to know How to Repaint Dated Decor?

Raise your hand if you are a thrift shopper? No, what about yard sales? Have you ever seen any ugly ceramic decor items that shouldn’t have survived the 70’s or 80’s? Nodding your head YES? I thought so. Today I’m going to show you How to Repaint Decor. Those dated monstrosities can look like something you bought from Ballard Design or Pottery Barn! Don’t believe me, well check out this groovy pair (emphasis on pear. LOL.)

Would you believe this is the same fruit duo?

Yup! I scored them both for $5.

Now, have you seen these deliciously rustic pears from Ballard Designs? Yes? Did you happen to catch the price tags? $49 each!

Umm, no thank you, I’ll stick with my $2.50 fruit—Thank you very much. Let me show you how you can paint any ceramic, pottery, or china decor item to give it a new updated look. You’ll need a few things first.

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Optional: Rustoleum Comfort Spray Paint Handle (saves your fingers from cramping!)

Instructions:

Clean your decor item with soap and water. Dry thoroughly.

Lightly sand the surface to give a little roughness.


Lay your decor item(s) on paper and spray with several thin coats of spray primer. Allow the primer to dry.


Spray several light coats of Rustoleum’s Heirloom White spray paint. Allow to dry.


If you want, you can leave the base color white. But, if you want to color your item, mix a base color with the acrylic craft paints. Using the fan brush use a “cross-hatch” pattern to apply the paint onto your item. (This gives more depth and interest than painting on a thick coat of paint.)

Next mix your glaze by combining acrylic paint (Mix raw sienna (dark brown), burnt sienna (red brown) and yellow ochre until you have a nice golden brown antiquing color.) Pour a small circle of glaze material onto your plate. Dip the fan brush into the glaze medium and then into the mixed acrylic paint. Dab off some paint onto the paper plate (you don’t want your brush to be saturated.) Brush the glaze onto the item and use the fan brush to blend the glaze around. Feel free to use the same cross-hatch pattern you did earlier.

Work in small areas and brush the glaze around until your brush doesn’t have any more glaze on it.
Then use a rag to dab around the decor item until you are happy with the results.

Paint any features onto your decor item (stems, branches, faces, etc.) To paint the pear’s leaf, try a dark brown (raw sienna) and a yellow ochre for the highlights. Acrylic paint is really forgiving. If you don’t like it you can paint over it.


I couldn’t be happier with the results of my repainted home decor! I saved myself about $95 for two decor items!
This fruit decor is perfect for any season . . .

But, I like to bring them out in the fall.


Happy thrifting y’all! Never leave cheap dated decor behind again.

Did you see that ladder above? It is the other half of this ladder and I added shelves to create my own ladder display shelves!

Ladder Shelves

74 replies
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  1. Debbie
    Debbie says:

    How cool and very clever. You did a great job, without that hefty ballard price tag. Thanks for your opinion on my hairy situation lol!

    Reply
  2. Stephanie at Buttermilk Hill
    Stephanie at Buttermilk Hill says:

    Wow, great job! I think I like them better than the one from the catalog, and the price is fantastic! 🙂 Thanks for the dose of inspiration. ~Stephanie at Buttermilk Hill

    Reply
  3. marty (A Stroll Thru Life)
    marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says:

    They look fabulous. I really like them. Your colors and antiqueing are perfect. Good for you. Very creative. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  4. Stephanie
    Stephanie says:

    I can not even tell the difference of which one is yours and which one is Ballards! Darn girlfriend, you are talented. Why do they think people want to spend that kind of money on an accessory? Blows my mind. Great job.

    Reply
  5. kathie
    kathie says:

    They are adorable! I saw the ballard ones, and with the price thought that they would be huge… but they're not, just the price is huge 🙂 Love yours!

    Reply
  6. Katie @ Not Just Decorating
    Katie @ Not Just Decorating says:

    Those are so cute. I love frugal projects that look expensive!

    I just repurposed an old window into a menu board on my blog if you want to check it out.

    Ps- I'm your newest follower.

    Reply

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