Goodbye Brass, Hello Class
June 3, 2009
Earlier I hinted at the stash of exceptionally tacky brass objects I picked up at the Goodwill yesterday. I had been looking for the perfect little table to sit next to my master bathtub for keeping soaps, washcloths and other bath products handy. Then I spotted a hideously shiny metal table that I knew I could transform with just a bit of spray paint.
Here are the items before the transformation. They consist of a shiny brass table and candlesticks, rusty planter, tarnished mint julep cup and brassy framed mirror. Total rejects right? Wrong.
Here’s my transformation:
First things first. In order to shout “Be gone, vile brass!” you must arm yourself with spray paint. I have a very prized collection:
I wanted to give the candlesticks an antiqued look, so I sprayed the first layer with an espresso color:
Then I gave the candlesticks a second layer of Rustoleum’s ‘Heirloom White’ (a favorite) and wiped away a bit of paint with moist wipes to expose the brown underneath.
Next, I spray painted the $2 mirror and $1 rusty bucket with the same paint. I wiped away a bit of paint on the frame to expose the beaded trim underneath.
I spray painted the $5 brass metal table with the same Heirloom White paint.
And I cleaned up this silver mint julep cup with a bit of silver polish I have leftover from the 90s. Honestly, this stuff lasts forever.
Now cue the instrumental music. This silver cup is a symbolic to me of how too many people are willing to throw away tarnished goods, when just a bit of TLC and it will glisten again. OK, cut music.
I also picked some flowers from this hydrangea bush going gangbusters next to my front porch. Please ignore the dying annuals I forgot to water.
For my tablescape, I simply added some candles and towels from Kohls, some soaps and hydrangea buds, and now I have my lovely bath side table, equipped for all things relaxing.
Who would throw away this lovely silver mint julep cup? It’s a classic, and I paid $2 for it. I wish I could have found a set! And I simply love the harlequin pattern on the base of this little table.
This $3 set of candlesticks will serve me well for years to come.
The mirror and bucket bring beauty and function, brought together with the cohesive use of white.
This shell dish I purchased on a trip to Hawaii years ago for use in my “dream” master bath. It was so nice to finally pull it out of storage.
Conveniently, the little table also provides a bar for hand towels. These were on sale at Kohl’s for $4 each. They remind me of the Restoration Hardware version that sells for much more.
Notice the black hole in the background? Yep, that’s the master shower, otherwise doing duty as a storage closet for the last three years. But not for long ! I get to order that Oceanside glass tile this week to trim out my next big home improvement project: my dream master shower.
Finally, stay tuned for a HUGE GIVEAWAY courtesy of CSN Stores, coming on Friday. You’re going to want this !
Tags: spray paint, thrift store fin
OMGosh! Love the "after" photos. I'm not sure if I would have seen the potentional like you did. Love the litte bucket with the lotions and such. Thanks for the great idea!
This is GOREOUS! What a fabulous "set" you created. Spray painting things like this always gives me a high, and no, it's not from the paint can fumes! LOL I love the pattern on the table. You have such fantastic vision. Thanks for the insperation.
What a transformation! You could be a retail stylist. Nice eye for collections.
Wow! What a transformation! It's beautiful.
Absolutely amazing!!!! All of it!!!!
Now I have to be on the lookout for tacky brass stuff at Goodwill!
That looks awesome! Great job as always.
Wow! Everything looks great! What a person can do with spray paint never ceases to amaze me!
It is amazing that you can see the potential of all of those things. Together, after all of your touches, they look like they were all made to go together. Beautiful.
I need to go get me some spray paint!
I do not know what I was expecting, except that I knew it would be lovely
) What you did it just gorgeous! I have got to get myself back to the Goodwill store and get me some paint!!!
WOW! I am speechless, It's BEEYOUTIFULL!
Wow- I love them all! I guess I'll have to look more closely for the potential in thrift shop/vintage items. I never knew you could do this! Thanks!
How did you already get all that done when you got the stuff YESTERDAY? I'm beginning to think that in addition to not sleeping, you may have superhuman powers.
That mint julep cup… *swoon*. I'm officially on a mission to find tarnished items to make them look that nice.
Your posts make me feel grossly inadequate. But, I still love them.
Wowee! That little table was monstrously ugly…talk about a makeover!
I really love the technique you used on the candlesticks. I might have to try that! 
Another success, and inspiration for those who'd never thought of recycling!! Well done, so pretty!
Yowza, are you kidding me? Brilliant!
Hey! I just sent you a message girlie but this redo is worth more than one comment…you did a great job! I LOVE it…worth the wait…way to go on building the anticipation, BTW…LOL! Love it! Fabulous! Gorgeous! Aaaaaahhhhh…
Dang girl…you have definitely got an eye for transformations. WOW! I would've passed by these shiny brass uglies. You created a beautiful vignette.
Great Job!
That is fantastic! You rawk!
I've never tried the double layer spray paint technique before. Something new to try!
Kimba
Looks like a lovely spa set-up.
Awesome job, it's all beautiful.
Thanks for trick with brown underneath…never knew that!
LOVE it…. yuor blog is so amazing, I get so many ideas!!! Thanks a lot
Gasp! Good eye, Kate. Good eye.
Wow, how fabulous it looks now!!! I love your ideas!
Suzanne
THIS MAKES ME SMILE! AND GIVES ME HOPE!!!! I JUST WORKED ON MY FIRST EVER SPRAY PAINT PROJECTS LAST WEEK! I AM ADDICTED!
I've been on this black spray painting kick now I am loving that white color!
You have vision – and patience! Three years with no master shower? I would go insane using the kids' bath for that long. But Oceanside glass tile may be worth the wait
I love the tile around the tub – so pretty.
spray paint does wonders! Can't wait to see your new master shower.
1. Gorgeous!
2. When do you sleep?
Totally impressive. I guess I just lack vision. It never occurred to me to paint brass things…
Yet again, a truly fantastic transformation! Looks like I really need to get into the habit of goodwill shopping.
Kate another gorgeous transformation…I am in love with American Accents spray paint. I am cheap but I prefer the nice spray paint…the colors are just richer.
This has to be the most awesome transformation I've ever seen! Everything is gorgeous!
What an amazing transformation! I'm an avid Goodwiller and spray painter and even *I* would have walked past most of the items you purchased. (Except for the julep cup *swoon*.) Love the brown paint technique for adding depth!
What an amazing transformation! I honestly don't know if I would have seen the potential of those things right away at a garage sale. You have the best eye! I'm curious where you buy your spray paint? I tried to find the Heirloom White at both Lowes and Home Depot and couldn't find it.
Okay, you won me over. I thought, "there is no way that brass stuff could look remotely good painted." I was wrong! {insert standing ovation here} Kudos to you!
Amy
I love what you've done with everything! I've never thought to rub off around the edges – I'll have to try that! You've got a great little table and accessories now!
This is my first visit here! Love your common sense approach adn the makeover came out great…I appreciated the tutorial, you made it seem simple and I may be willing to give something like this a try!
So nice to meet you–hope you can hop over to my blog for a visit! I'm in NY, between Manhattan and the Hamptons and love to thrift in both!
:0)
Tara
Lovely!
LOVE it!
Unbelievable! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it all!
amazing!!
You never cease to blow my mind. (cue instrumental music) Because of your creativity and style, I feel inspired and confident that I can make my home into a comforting, beautiful refuge on a budget. (cut instrumental music)
My spray painting sister! I love this!! Don't you just love some Goodwill finds that you can make pretty again. What a great feeling
I cannot get over the transformation! I simply love it all. Nicely done.
Anybody can go into a 'regular' store and buy these things. To me the real talent is seeing the possibilities of discarded objects – recycling to the max:) And how so very beautiful they turned out! You remind me of Eddie Ross. I don't know you – but WELL DONE missy!!
Wow! I cannot believe how you turned those tossed-away things into beautiful treasures! I am ready to go get some spray paint and start spraying!
Reduce, reuse, recyle – beautiful results for you and for the planet!
Beautiful, I LOVE the transformations. I have gone through many many cans of Heirloom White in my quest to lighten up my decor. Love that color!
Oooooh love it! It's like your own private spa! All you need are a good book, some chocolate, and some relaxing music! (And a babysitter!)
Kate, you've done it again, another wonderful transformation. Told you I love your blog & projects!
It's gorgeous, you did a great job!