I too Shall Learn How to Spraypaint!

I only popped into a thrift store briefly this weekend, and the pickings were meager (although my better half got himself another pair of downhill skis, so for once HE was happy I dragged him inside).

Anyway, I picked up these three pieces with the sole intention of trying my ways at spraypainting.  I love how several crafty and up-cycling bloggers seem to work so much magic just by spraypainting their rescues.  I too shall now attempt to make three swans out of three 99 cent ugly ducklings!

So, what do you think - should I spraypaint them all white or try some different colors?

 Large metal candle holder

 

 



 Carved wood design organizer

Man tray just waiting to show its softer side.

 

 

I figure since I put the pictures up on my blog, I will actually commit to go through with my spraypainting plans.  Also, I got some inspiration from my son who painstakingly painted his little Pinewood Derby car this weekend, and then went on to win 2nd place in his pack!  Like son, like mother...

 

 

How often to you paint your finds?  Is it generally worth your time?  Any tips?

(Linking up with A Living Space and Young Heart)

Booth Renovation

So, after a couple of weeks debating whether I should actually do something about my brown-paneled booth that acted as camouflage for all my brown and other dark items, I went ahead and bought the paint and set to work.  Let me tell you right now - if I had known what a time-consuming pain it is to paint old brown panel in an antique booth with your stuff still there, I would not have done it have procrastinated a couple of weeks more.  Anyway, I finished up today - meaning I still have more walls and shelves to paint if I choose to, but I am at an acceptable stopping point.  Also, I am almost out of paint (those walls were thirsty), and, oh, did I mention that I left my paint supplies in the car overnight and this morning when I set about to finish up, the paint was completely frozen?!?!.  Anyway, one wall and shelf is totally covered in new aqua paint, one wall is painted, but the shelves stayed natural wood, and one wall still has brown paneling and natural wood shelves.  Also, the owners of the place were totally cool with me spreading paint fumes across the store and hammering away.  I really am lucky with my store owners - always encouraging and nice.  Can't say that about all the antique malls.

Anyway, here are some pictures.  I love how much brighter the space is!  And still quite retro.

Previous owner's booth:

 

A recent photo of my booth.  Way too crowded with toys.





 

A few pictures of the freshly painted booth. 

(Should have shot one in the same angle for true comparison, but kept getting interrupted by browsing customers.  That is a good thing, of course. Of course.)

 



 

I have aqua walls. I have aqua walls! And yes, the (aqua) typewriter is still there.  I have purposely priced it too high just so it can stay put. I know, I know...

 

 

Everything stands out.  Even my brown items!

 

Yes, my browns are showing even in the corner.

New addition to the booth: hand-painted metal TV-trays.  The wall actually makes the aqua flowers in the trays stand out. I can just imagine how drab they would have looked against brown paneling.

 

My booth sign also looks good against the new wall.  The owners had to put a NFS sticker (Not for Sale) on the frame since several customers have tried to buy it.  Maybe I should make some for sale?

 



 

Top shelf kitsch prices.  Vintage poodle planters and a GE hairdryer in a round white case.

 

Rackets, fish knocker and a x-stitch picture on my new aqua wall.  This picture actually looks a bit too bright, must have hit auto-correct, ugh.



Even my previously very dark corner is brighter! 

 

So, should I paint the rest? Wait, don't answer that...

Sneak Peek

So, I have been itching to do something with my booth since the brown paneling and grungy walls were getting on my nerves.  There was just too much brown going on, and as much I like brown (in fact, it is among my favorite colors), it made my actual brown items disappear.  So, last week I went and got some sandpaper, primer, paint color, brush and rollers.  I figured if I bought it, I would actually use it.  And on Friday, I had two and a half hours to spare and decided to tackle a small corner and give it a test run.  Here it is - my new light aqua space!  I am getting used to it, and notice how the top shelf, which is still brown, is dark in the corners whereas the newly painted shelf is lighter.  The contrast with my brown and teak things is so much better. 




Turning away from the dark side I am

 

 

Now, the paint was about 98% dry, which is why I did not stage the painted shelf better and I did not put up any pictures yet on the wall below.  But I really am excited to see such lighter space!  I think I will keep some of the shelves brown on the opposite wall for lighter items.  However, considering how long it took me to prep (move stuff out of the way), clean the wall and shelf, prime and paint, I think this project will stretch over a couple of weeks.  Never mind how much I wanted this project to be an HGTV 1/2 hour before-and-after experience...

 

What do you think? Any advice going forward?



To paint or not to paint?

I went by my booth today for some major clean-up and to get rid of the last Christmas leftovers.  I spent about an hour tinkering around, putting in new stuff and rearranging the old.  And as much as I love puttering about in my little space (no kids, no work, no phones, no nothing - pure bliss), I am getting increasingly annoyed with the horrible walls in my booth.  The brown paneling is getting on my nerves and the white back wall is grungy and full of old nail holes.  I checked with the owner today, and she said I could paint anything whatever I wanted and that the next couple of weeks are usually slow.

Dreary background, but my colorful toy section is spreading - and my sales have increased.

So, what to do?  Should I attempt to paint my space even though it is full of stuff?  Should I do it in sections?  Or pack up everything, do a fab paint job, let it dry, and then stage it all from scratch?  Have you ever done a drastic paint job AFTER you moved into your booth?  Any advice?

Finally, what do you all think about a light aqua color? Perhaps with white shelves?  Would love to hear what you have (or have not) done, and if it helped your business.