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
Beautiful! And I wish there was room in our master bathroom for a pretty little table like that. Our master bath is smaller than the kids' bath…sigh. And not much bigger than the half bath downstairs…double sigh.
FAB is right! They look great! I love when other people can see the Beauty while it still looks like the beast :)
Absolutely love this and love Rustoleum!! :)
[...] Read all about the spa shelf transformation right here. [...]
[...] This spa shelf was one of my transformations from a few months back where some tacky thrift store brass objects met up with my can of spray paint. Read all about it here. [...]
Could you please tell me the color blue you painted? It is absolutely beautiful!
Thank you.
[...] #14 Goodbye Brass, Hello Class [...]
I am so enjoying your blog. I love all of your transformations, pretty and high class all the way!
Wow that does look Fab! You go girl
You are so amazingly creative! I have enjoyed reading your posts about revamping furniture and thrift store finds.. Thanks for sharing your creativity and inspiring me to try as well!!
Hi there-
I love your site. I’m newly addicted to spray painting so I visit many times a day for reference:) I painted some brass things and the paint keeps chipping…did you use a sealer?
thanks!
Krista walker
kjw_walker@yahoo.com
This is one of my favorite posts! I love it and I love your blog. You really ARE sensational!
Warmly, Michelle
I giggled when I saw this post….before I ever read it–I bought myself the EXACT same candlesticks at a thrift store!! I sprayed them black and used E6000 to adhere a super cute plate to the top–as my little dessert stands!
Someone really got rid of that tarnished mint julep cup! Wow, well great find for yourself! Also, I am really enjoying ;your blog and what you do. Just signed up to follow too! :)
Sometimes you sand before you spray paint and sometimes you don’t? I’m a beginner…can you explain to me if you sanded these items before spray painting or was it not necessary?
Just found your website. :) Its a joy. I am sure I will spend many more hours going through your projects! I am a thrift store, yard sale junkie :) Anyway, great job!
That is really cute! I would have room in the main bathroom for something like that, but I’m sure my 2 boys would just throw a bath towel over the whole thing! Btw, what is a mint julep cup for? It is a cute little cup.