Sunday, April 3, 2011

DIY weathered basket

I LOOOOVE grey baskets. They are all around the house, holding toys, books, pillows, even bottles. And not so long ago I was asked if I painted them to look like that. I hadn't, but it got me thinking "why shouldn't I?". The baskets weren't expensive but old baskets are one of the cheapest and easiest things to find in thrift stores so I decided to try my hand at one. Starting small, of course.


I picked out this cute little basket for $1.50 because I thought the wire was a nice touch. Like something I would go collect my fresh eggs in, from my imaginary chicken coupe should I ever feel inclined to actually house farm animals.


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5 minutes of spraying some light grey paint made a big transformation. Photobucket


Like most woods, wicker doesn't naturally look so even and uniform after being stained. So I took a small paint brush and dipped it in really really watered down cream paint then wiped the basket down. Which gives a little variation in tone as you can see on the top portion here that had been done.

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A few more strokes and it was good to go! The size of the basket is perfect for holding mail and keys at the front door, but small baskets have tons of uses so I am sure you will see it cycling through the house.


It looks a little white-er here thanks to our sky-light, but it is the perfect old-grey now, and all for $1.50! Photobucket


And no, our stairs are not done yet, don't judge! I've been too busy painting baskets to get to that... Photobucket

12 comments:

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Looks good! Love that dresser too~Cheers Kim

Mandy said...

Love the wire on the basket! Looks fabulous spray painted.

Have a great weekend.

Mandy

Krystal Wight Armstrong said...

Cute basket. Didn't even notice the stairs! Have you told us what kind of fern is in this photo? It's really pretty, I'd like to look into them myself. Thanks!

Swirls of Happy said...

Fantastic! Paint is the best way to transform anything!!

laxsupermom said...

The basket looks terrific! I love how you acheived the weathered look by layering the paint. Thanks for sharing.

Kim - Commander-in-Chic said...

I picked up a cute chair of craigslist yesterday and in my reaction to the glossy black paint, my first thought was to paint it "Holly Gray"...lol...who knew gray could make a basket cute, too.

Kim

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

That is a really cute basket and perfect in gray!

a' la mode said...

I never thought to do the gray and then brush in the light cream. I always went for the white and then didnt always love the all over color. thanks! xoxo Shelli

corners of my life said...

Good luck with that imaginary chicken coupe. Will you still need an alarm or will the roosters wake you up?

Alena: Oh, Its Just Perfect! said...

What a perfect little basket! Looks so beautiful in white and the price...love it!

Tammy said...

I came across some baskets while cleaning out the house this weekend and thought of doing the same thing, but didn't know what kind of paint to use ... What type of spray paint did you use?

Lovely Little Nest said...

Love it! Simple and chic.

Have a fabulous week! :)

 
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