Shopping the house with a little spray paint

February 14, 2009

One of the best yard sales that I hit this past fall was a moving sale.
And this wasn’t just any moving sale,
it was a “I’m leaving on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again” sale.
Every thing had a price tag, including the wife. The hubby wanted it ALL gone and I spent TWO hours there….yes, we’re BFF’s now.

I snagged a box full of spray paints featuring every color of the rainbow plus R.O.Y. G.B.I.V. for only $1.
Read it and weep.
I have had a blast with all this paint, and I have reached deep into every nook and cranny of this oasis to see what needed to be updated.
It has been fun to shop my house because it’s amazing the treasures that have been in front of me for years. I just needed to capture a different perspective – like through the lens of a spray paint cover.
We’ve all seen these glass plates with the fruited plains looking through…

Shopping the house with a little spray paint

There, that’s better. Now you can see the details.
Remember these?
I see them at almost every yard sale for the outrageous sum of one quarter.
I have had some sitting in my cupboards for years.
I love them, but I only have four plates, so they just weren’t very useful for a family of seven. Until I did this….

Oh yes, with $.05 worth of spray paint and a demanding 45 seconds of my time - literally- I did this.
And the effect is gorgeous. I turned it over and spray painted on the side that you would not eat from so that the details boldly jump out.
I repurposed all four plates in minutes.

I am working on a few naked wall areas, and thought some hanging plates would do the trick. Won’t these look fabulous against my green walls?

Or how about with the yellow?

Decisions, decisions….

While I was shopping my house, I literally walked around with the white paint in my hand thinking of what else I should attack.
This was next.
It was a pretty pastel pink purchase that I bought for $2. I thought “family” would be cute in my girls’ room until I saw other potential…..

Next, I found this little candle holder in my cabinet. It was silver…I did leave the green jewels…love when they catch the light.

Then I grabbed this very “country” looking wooden shelf – remember these shiny wood shelves that used to hold our pink and blue little knickknacks (am I the only one:)?
Well, it was going to Good will until this white found its way to the wall…

So here is the finished result from shopping my house with a little spray paint in hand. This tiny wall had been abandoned, and now it’s just….cozy.
(See that cute nest? I actually bought it for the Nester, and was going to give it to her when I saw her, but…oh…it looks perfect right there…shhh – I’ll find her another one.

I still need to find a tiny little something to replace the ugly yellow flowers/vase, but considering that this all came from Jen’s store (aka me) = frugal and free = I LOVE it!

Head out to your closest Walmart.
Go buy $1 spray paint can and see what you can do if just minutes….can’t wait to show you the rest…this was only the start of that hour well spent.

See more here:
NEXT POST on my spray paint rampage is up right here!

********************************

{ 101 comments }

1 HeathahLee February 14, 2009 at 5:40 am: Jen that plate is genius! I have several dishes that I keep hidden away because I’ll never use them but I don’t want to give them up for one reason or another. I can’t believe I never thought to spray clear plates! Doh!

And yes, I had a blue shelf once. Even came with a little heart cut out. Here’s what I did with it. LOVE it now.
2 Megan @ Little Bella Bean February 14, 2009 at 6:47 am: Oh my goodness! Brilliant idea with that plate! That is crazy wonderful!! Your wall looks so cute. Hmm. You’ve got me thinking…but first I must stop being sidetracked and finish getting ready for LaLa’s 1st birthday party in the morning!

Blessings to you!
Megan
3 Gina February 14, 2009 at 6:56 am: Cute, cute, cute! I am inspired this year to go garage saleing. I haven’t been able to in the past because I have had toddlers in multiples of 1, 2, or 3- not very conducive to garage saleing, ya’ know?
4 Liz February 14, 2009 at 9:01 am: That plate turned out so pretty. I would have never thought to do that. All of your projects are just great!
5 Imperfect February 14, 2009 at 12:54 pm: I love what you did to that plate. Amazing. And now you have a lovely little wall. I really ought to start putting things on my walls. I feel like my house is unfinished… Thanks for sharing the great spray paint projects!
6 Kim... and Her Coffee February 14, 2009 at 1:00 pm: I wish we could shop for these treasures together…. you could hold a shopping class for all of us born without your “eye for the potential”! This is such a great idea. Looks totally different. Love it!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
7 Jo February 14, 2009 at 1:23 pm: Love this post Jen. WOW – what a great idea. Who knew white???? Even the Nester should be so proud.
8 mommy4life February 14, 2009 at 1:26 pm: Gotta go buy some spray paint now…..
9 duchess February 14, 2009 at 1:28 pm: It all looks so fresh & new. Love the plate & the family plaque.
10 laurie @ bargain hunting February 14, 2009 at 1:43 pm: Wow! That glass plate is incredible! I have passed up many of those at sales, but I won’t any more. What a great idea! You’ve done a great job with your can of spray paint! It all looks so pretty. laurie
11 Tricia Anne February 14, 2009 at 2:01 pm: Hi Jen,
What a great idea! Paint glass! I never thought to do that!
Your wall looks wonderful! I am like you, I walk around with either my fabric in hand to recover a pillow or a can of spray paint hunting my next project! ) Just wait until spring. Anyone who reads my blog will be sick of all the painting I am budgeting and planning for (I sell my bread for $4.00 a loaf and that $ goes into my paint fund!) )
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
Ps. I am having a give away next week, please drop by.
12 Lisa February 14, 2009 at 2:17 pm: Adorable. When I go to Goodwill I need to think, “can I paint this”?

Lisa Q
13 Jen r. February 14, 2009 at 2:19 pm: What a great idea! And I love that you stalked your house with the spray paint can!
14 southerninspiration February 14, 2009 at 2:35 pm: CLEV-AH!!! Love it!

Suzanne
15 Sandy Toes February 14, 2009 at 3:18 pm: It is amazing what we can do with a simple can of white paint…love what you did…perfect.
-sandy toe

Happy Heart Day to you!
16 Amanda February 14, 2009 at 3:24 pm: You are a girl after my own heart!! I am always "shopping the house" and spray painting everything & anything- I heart black spray paint & have attacked many things with it. Thanks for sharing! Its good to meet other spray paint sistas! Kimba's one too!
17 Violet February 14, 2009 at 3:54 pm: How timely : ) Yesterday I bought something at an ‘antique/gift boutique/flea market’ type shop, that was marked waaaay down and knew it would be perfect spray painted white! And oh Megan my love – why are you up so late when you have a party in the morning?!?!?! See you soon!
18 becca February 14, 2009 at 5:13 pm: Can you remove the yellow flowers and find some pussy willow or cotton plant? I love cotton plant and actually tried to grow my own tiny little crop of cotton just so I could have some. Still have lots of seed… but no cotton! lol Maybe I’ll try again this year…
19 Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality February 14, 2009 at 5:15 pm: You know it, girl! Me & spray paint go WAY back too. Lucky you to find it at the yardsale. I keep an eye out for stuff like that too, cause it's expensive new. Love what you did with the white fruit plates!
20 The Tripp Family February 14, 2009 at 5:39 pm: what a great idea.. and you can make it match anything!! Oh, I’m SO excited that yard-sale-ing season is almost upon us. I’ll have to scour some blogs and make me a list of things to look for! I am currently agonizing over what to put on my mantle. I just don’t have a feng shui bone in my body!! Keep up the good inspiration
21 Donnetta February 14, 2009 at 7:13 pm: You have inspired me. I am thinking I will be picking up some spray paint and go “shopping” in my own house!
22 Shannon February 14, 2009 at 7:27 pm: Love all those ideas! The little vignette is so cute! I want to hear about everything else you found at that wonderful sale!
23 sarah February 15, 2009 at 1:00 am: I love hearing your frugal tips. I can’t believe you know Karen Screnock! That is so fun.

I put a picture in Facebook that I found with you in it! I don’t know if you can see it or not but I’ll be posting it to my blog soon too.

Great to meet you again!
24 kisses and cupcakes February 15, 2009 at 6:08 am: oh my gawd !
i am soooo hitting home depot tomorrow!
you scored and did SUCH cute stuff : )
just found your blog – love it!
seems you balance it just perfectly….
kisses and cupcakes,
amy
*
25 Our really empty nest February 15, 2009 at 1:19 pm: Jen That plate is beautiful, I would never have thought to do that in a million years! You are a very clever gal! And yes, I too had lots of country blue and burgundy ALL over our house, YIKES! LOL Sue
26 Kathy February 15, 2009 at 4:55 pm: I love your blog! Got here by way of The Blessed Nest. I can’t wait to grab a can of spray paint and renew my house! I am storing so many tired, dated shelves and whatnots, hoping they come back in style. Well, now I just need to paint some life into them. Thanks!!!!…Kathy @ alittlepinchofthisandthat.blogspot.com
27 Megan February 15, 2009 at 6:07 pm: Cute idea. Love your blog!
28 The Queen of Fifty Cents February 15, 2009 at 6:11 pm: I think I’d take that can of paint to the flowers and vase as well! I’m for sure going to keep my eye out for paint when I’m shopping driveways this year.
29 stephanie February 15, 2009 at 7:36 pm: Okay,once again you have inspired me. Just returned from Goodwill with some miscellaneous wire items and am heading out to the garage to spray paint them white! I just love your blog…
30 Magic Brush February 15, 2009 at 8:14 pm: Since i own a paint company… YES… I am totally jealous of your great find on all the spray paint! Congratulation! The Magic Brush
31 An Accomplished Woman February 15, 2009 at 8:29 pm: Jen,

You did find a good yard sale. The plate is a great idea. Love your hints.

Cynthia
32 Miss G February 15, 2009 at 11:04 pm: Really great job! I linked to you today! Kelly
33 Miss(es) Canadian Pie February 16, 2009 at 12:11 am: Two thumbs up! You are rockin’ with the spray paint. Until I started blogging I had no idea that that fine mist of paint could be such a transforming thing. Everything looks great.
34 Miss G February 16, 2009 at 1:53 am: Thanks, Jen! The clipping was really fun! The shopping and trying to juggle it all today wasn’t as fun. It was disheartening to realize that some of the coupons really weren’t that good a deal. however many cents off TWELVE cans of fruits/veggies? I don’t even need twelve cans at a time when I already have a bunch of canned goods in my pantry. But on a better note, we did save over $20, mostly by using two $10 off $50 coupons. But we also bought some stuff that we will definitely use but we probably wouldn’t have bought otherwise. Oh well, it’s all a learning process, right? I look forward to many more tips and pointers as I navigate these waters. Oh and my other really good success! 5 cake mixes and a seasoned pork loin roast for $7.57!!! Buy 2 get 3 free ad in the circular I actually looked at for once plus a pork loin for 4.99 as opposed to 7.99 and then a $1 off coupon I’d clipped for it! That felt good! Yippee! Kelly
35 The Scooper February 16, 2009 at 3:00 am: LOVE me some spray paint. I just had a big spray paint party myself trying to redecorate my bedroom. Sprayed some tacky urns cream…lovely.

Have never done clear glass though. Your plate looks fantastic! Oh, the possibilities.
36 Darlene February 16, 2009 at 2:31 pm: oooooooooooooooh. great idea. from blah to awesome!
37 Julia @ Hooked on Houses February 16, 2009 at 2:39 pm: I never would’ve thought to paint a glass plate like that. Love how it turned out. Aren’t you creative?!
38 Curvaliscious February 16, 2009 at 5:34 pm: Good heavens woman you are a genius! Thank you for sharing.
39 Bobbi Jo February 16, 2009 at 5:39 pm: I have never thought of that. Great idea and it looks so awesome. WOW!
Love your blog. Hugs, Bobbi Jo
40 Amy February 16, 2009 at 7:55 pm: What a great idea- I love it! I love the spray paints that make things look like metal. I love to update the tired hardware on our doors and such. The plate looks beautiful! Thanks for the wonderful idea!
41 new every morning February 17, 2009 at 12:44 am: What a smart girl you are!!!
I love that idea. I never thought of spray painting clear glass. you are amazing!
42 Lori February 17, 2009 at 5:08 am: I saw your link on Blissfully Domestic.

Glad you could find some great steals. I love Estate sales when they’re priced well.

Lori
http://www.thetowells.com
43 Angie February 17, 2009 at 5:50 am: Fabulous idea! I once saw that idea on a decorating show, but I forgot all about it. Maybe I’ll have to try it sometime!
44 Ashley @ Domestic Fashionista February 17, 2009 at 8:02 am: The plate is gorg! I too am a lover of spray paint…the immediate gratification is a delight! Great ideas! I think I need to go hunting the house now to find more projects to paint! Ashley
45 FromThe Creek February 17, 2009 at 1:05 pm: Great tackle! I never thought about using spray paint…but then I normally leave the painting to the hubby!
46 shopannies February 17, 2009 at 2:02 pm: love your idea and may just use it myself my mother owns a consignment shop and I can often find great things over there.
47 Susie February 17, 2009 at 2:29 pm: Those are some great finds!! Awesome tackle:-)
48 Lolli February 17, 2009 at 4:20 pm: I love the way everything turned out! Visiting from Blissfully Domestic.
49 Jerri - Simply Sweet Home February 17, 2009 at 8:37 pm: This looks very nice!
50 Jeanette "Frogster" February 18, 2009 at 12:34 am: THis is great! I love repurposing things! (and do so often at my craft blog!) You were so creative!
51 itsahumanzoo February 18, 2009 at 2:22 am: Love the plate! It’s amazing what a little spray paint can do!
52 melissa February 19, 2009 at 5:17 am: I would have never thought to spray paint CLEAR glass~you’re genius! I love it, and love that you have 5 kids as well…
Melissa
53 Living with Lindsay February 19, 2009 at 5:21 am: How wonderful! Now I’m going to be going around my house trying to figure out what needs some spray paint!
54 Karol February 19, 2009 at 5:21 am: That is amazing! Great job.

Karol :0)
55 Holly February 19, 2009 at 5:27 am: Ingenious! Looks great.
56 Jessica February 19, 2009 at 5:30 am: Gee’s Jen, you’re scaring me…if I see you coming at me with a can of white spray paint I’ll definitely run. I really do love what you did…best part is all your great second hand finds.
57 Jenny February 19, 2009 at 5:37 am: That looks great! I love the idea of spray paint, but am always too chicken to do it!
58 robinrane February 19, 2009 at 10:54 am: Okay the plate!!! I have several of those, why? I’ve no idea! Then as I kept reading I actually got excited!!! Where’s my spray paint?
This is my kind of fix, INSTANT!
~Robin
All Things Heart and Home
59 Crafty Niche February 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm: It’s amazing how spray paint makes a difference. I LOVE the plate!
60 The Nester February 19, 2009 at 1:11 pm: Mercy girl, you have a zillion comments. took me forever to scroll down.

I can so picture you walking around your house with a can of white spray paint! Love that you painted the plate and it looks so much better!
61 Kimm at Reinvented February 19, 2009 at 1:17 pm: Wow, I had not idea that you could spray paint plates like that! It looks great, and Oh, my, the ideas that are now swirling in my head…
62 Debbie @ Cheaper by the Bakers Dozen February 19, 2009 at 1:38 pm: At the risk of adding to the big head you must be getting, totally deserved I might add!, this is a great post with terrific ideas!

I am a spray paint manica myself AND I own those same fruity plates…which will be white in about 10 minutes from now
63 Teresa February 19, 2009 at 1:45 pm: Oh man, I need to go buy some spray paint- great ideas- and it looks like you had fun too.
Thanks
64 bj February 19, 2009 at 2:09 pm: FABULOUS !! Every single thing looks just perfect and I can’t wait to find some of those glass plates…
GREAT JOB..
bj
65 Sara February 19, 2009 at 3:05 pm: I’m kicking myself for getting rid of those plates when we moved! Why didn’t I think of that!
66 Judy B February 19, 2009 at 3:11 pm: I have always been a true beleiver and in can of paint…Does wonders to boost any look. I love what you did with that plate though!!!
67 The Masked Mommy February 19, 2009 at 3:17 pm: I love seeing awesome things people do with spray paint! I should keep a can in my utility belt…
68 Misti of Studio M Designs February 19, 2009 at 3:25 pm: Ahhhhhhh spray paint does go a long way. Beautiful plates, I am seriously impressed! I say use them on the green wall. You are so funny, I will definitely be coming back for more.
~Misti
69 Rachel February 19, 2009 at 4:24 pm: I love what you did with the plates.
70 Biteofpunkinpie February 19, 2009 at 5:07 pm: $1 for an entire box of spray paint is an amazing deal. I just bought 2 cans at HD for $8… It all looks great, the plate especially was a great idea!
71 Tricia Anne February 19, 2009 at 5:13 pm: You are so resourceful! I am aching for some warmer (consistent) weather to bring back out the spray paint.
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
72 Lazy Mom Leslie February 19, 2009 at 6:47 pm: I can’t believe how great that plate turned out! Fabulous!
73 Amanda February 19, 2009 at 7:09 pm: I’m going to buy a can of spray paint PRONTO! I love what you did – it’s beautiful!
74 ellen February 19, 2009 at 7:16 pm: What great ideas!
75 Deidra February 19, 2009 at 9:59 pm: Oh my goodness! This is just my first visit to this site and I’d stay longer, but I must go get a can of white spray paint!
76 Kim @ Forever Wherever February 19, 2009 at 11:01 pm: You’re so creative! It all looks great and I love the yellow wall!
-Kim
77 Denise February 20, 2009 at 1:28 am: That was quite clever. I’ll have to look at junk more carefully next time I’m thrifting.
78 Remodeling Guy February 20, 2009 at 3:30 am: I’m so impressed with the difference a little spray paint can make! You’re making me want to run out to garage sales looking for stuff to spray. ‘course I’ll probably go with bright orange or something, but still! Great post!
79 Robin @ My Blessed Nest February 20, 2009 at 4:28 am: Great ideas for repurposing and sprucing up items to suit your taste…very clever!
80 jenjen February 20, 2009 at 5:37 am: Whoever invented spray paint couldn’t know the impact it would make in the decorating world! Great transformation!

Jen
81 kari and kijsa February 20, 2009 at 5:56 am: This is such a great post…we loved it…"shopping your house"…you rock!

Have a blessed and wonderful day!

smiles, kari & kijsa
82 Jodi February 20, 2009 at 3:29 pm: great job – love it!
83 Melissa @ The Inspired Room February 20, 2009 at 4:15 pm: I am really looking forward to spring and heading out to garage sales again! I swore them off while I was at my old house because I just had too much stuff. Now that I am in a new place, I am looking forward to filling it up again.

Fun stuff you found!
84 Miss Sandy February 20, 2009 at 6:10 pm: I love the ten minute redo, so very clever! The plates are more striking after being painted. Thanks for sharing your quick tip!
85 honeysuckle February 20, 2009 at 8:58 pm: What a great idea. I never would have thought to spray apint a glass plate! I have painted wooden things but not glass. Thanks for the ideas!
86 koehmstedt February 20, 2009 at 10:25 pm: OMG how clever is that plate! I Love It!
87 Rona's Home Page February 21, 2009 at 12:44 am: I’ll have to stop by my neighborhood Walmart and see what terrific finds are just waiting to be discovered.
Thanks for the tip.
88 Kim February 22, 2009 at 5:45 am: Love those plates! They turned out GORGEOUS!
89 Cary February 22, 2009 at 10:35 pm: Pure genius! I have a plate just like that- and I’ve purchased three cans of spray paint this week! I’m preparing to attack a lot of items in my home this week!
90 Trudi February 22, 2009 at 11:18 pm: The spray paint really brought out the details of the plate. I’ve seen wonders with spray paint and this is one of them.
91 Michelle February 23, 2009 at 1:44 am: wow. What a transformation of that plate! That’s really interesting!

Michelle
http://www.everydaycelebrating.com
92 Jen r. February 25, 2009 at 2:05 pm: I still love that plate project! Thanks for joining in on the party! Jen
93 Rue February 25, 2009 at 2:32 pm: Hi Jen

Great transformations! I love that little family sign

I just bought a whole thing of spray paint and have been doing the same thing LOL

rue
94 Erica February 25, 2009 at 3:29 pm: I love your idea to paint a glass plate. your accessories are very nice. great work
95 Beth at Aunties February 25, 2009 at 7:01 pm: Thanks for the wonderful idea….I am headed for my spray paint!

♥♥♥
96 bec4 February 25, 2009 at 9:00 pm: I love these–what a great and easy and quick makeover. I have done some items in black, but now I am really digging the white!
97 Cher February 25, 2009 at 11:56 pm: WOOHOO! I’m gonna shop my house with spray paint! Great post!

The Texas Woman
98 vintagewindow February 26, 2009 at 4:21 am: Love the plates. So, chic

Kris
99 thedomesticfringe February 26, 2009 at 5:22 pm: I paint everything white too! LOVE white. You did an awesome job.

-FringeGirl
100 Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick March 24, 2009 at 1:34 am: Someone else did glass too and I have NEVER done that! It turned out amazing!!
101 Susan April 27, 2009 at 6:27 pm: Never would have dreamed to paint the glass plate and I L-O-V-E it! Happy Monday!