Hoop, there it is. File this under my weirdest “Dude, Get On That Already” challenge to date. Much like many of our other DGOTA adventures, this mini update involves something that sat around bugging me way too long + a trusty ol’ can of spray paint. But this time it’s not an animal. I know. Total shocker.
John actually laughed at me for this little tweak (and I’m fully expecting you guys to as well), but they say it’s the little things that make ya happy… and seeing a bright red and blue plastic hoop against the back wall of our carport every. single. time. we pulled into the driveway (it was so bright you could see it from the curb) did not a happy momma make. And I know it’s dumb, but I worried the neighbors may have thought it was junky and tacky to have a big colorful hoop in plain sight 24/7 (they all do such a nice job to keep their yards looking nice, and many have kids but their toys are tucked away by evening). So because I’m what my dad likes to call “a strange bird” (seriously, I’ve been weird since before it was cool – wait, it’s still not cool?), I’ll share my odd little DIYed hoop-redeeming solution. Just promise not to compare me to Monica from Friends (I don’t fold my underwear, I swear).
First of all, this basketball hoop is super important.
Why? Because it makes Clara a happy girl. And a happy girl = a happy momma. So I devised a way to:
- keep the hoop right there in the carport (after trying several locations it’s the best spot for it)
- keep it just as functional (don’t need to explain this one, right?)
- make it simmah-down-now from the curb (in the slightly altered words of Jay-Z: we got 99 bright toys I love, but this hoop ain’t one)
That plan? A can of ORB spray paint. I mean, would you expect anything less from me at this point? I’m definitely not one of those people who thinks all kids toys should be neutral or white or should match the living room. Clara has a ton of brightly colored toys and I’m even the gal who painted her hand-me-down highchair bright yellow, made her a happy little dollhouse with cheerful furniture to match, and painted her formerly neutral wooden crayon truck sky blue…
… but after four months of rounding the block and seeing that red ring of fury on that bright blue stem, I realized there had to be a solution that worked for Clara, the hoop, and the mom. I love that bright colors help with development, but I just decided that one item out of many (this girl’s got toys for days!) that’s not a bright color is OK since I’ve never sprayed anything else of hers a muted color (and have actually added color to muted things, like her high chair and her crayon truck… so hopefully it all balances out). And come to think of it, her very favorite “toys” are rocks and sticks, so ORB fits right into that color scheme.
Sadly I didn’t get a good shot of the basketball hoop in all of it’s primary color glory before my paint-fest (bad blogger, no Oreos for you) but I actually made this photoshopped rendering for ya. How nuts am I? Wait, don’t answer that.
In the “real photo” category, you can actually see it peering around the back of the table in this post. See, it’s even brighter in real life than the one in the rendering. Haha.
And you can see how he looked all naked and ready for a new suit in the back yard (I removed the net part for the spraying phase so it wouldn’t get all gunked up).
The thing was visible from space, I tell ya… and then it wasn’t.
Thank you ORB. For those wondering what I used or if it works on plastic, Rustoleum Universal All-Surface spray paint is made to work on plastic and hold up outdoors – it even has a built-in primer for a better hold (I used the oil-rubbed bronze color of course). Total cost: $0, since I already had half of a can leftover from another ORB adventure. And in the time department, it took under twenty minutes to knock this baby out. Fast and free. Why didn’t I do this four months ago?
Just as I suspected, Hooper is a total looker with his new finish. As for why I went with oil-rubbed bronze spray paint, it ties into the carport light and a few other dark accents around the outside of our house and hides more dirt than something lighter/brighter might. No more “Loook! I’m a little plastic hoop! Check me out!” – just chill aloofness and that “I’m cool enough to fall back and do mah thing without demanding everyone’s attention” vibe. And the contrasting white net makes it easy for Clara to slam dunk (it’s not all flat and dark, so she can still clearly see the basket).
Small personal projects like these are my favorite. They might seem completely crazy to someone else (or maybe everyone else, haha) but they really have the power to make your day. It’s kind of like how I’m a terrible baker and you probably couldn’t pay me to attempt a three layer cake but my BFF does that stuff FOR FUN (really?! for fun?!). To each his own (picture me raising a can of spray paint as if to say “cheers”).
So in summary: Mommy likes. And happily, Clara and Daddy like it too. See how he’s hardly visible from halfway down the driveway now? Life is good.
Way better than this, right? And there are still dozens of bright toys in our midst (seriously, you should see our living room right now).
The cutest part is that Clara apparently has a thing for ORB like her momma. She has even taken to calling it her “so so shiny hoop.” Love that girl. And of course she has a whole bunch of multicolored balls that go with it (they tuck away into that storage container next to it) so it’s not a sad little drab thing when it’s in action. Everybody wins.
Except for Burger. He can’t play basketball. Poor guy.
What small-slash-quirky-but-somehow-woefully-overdue updates have you guys been tackling (or planning to tackle)? Do you all think I’m crazy? Anyone else painting something outside? Or do you have a dog who plays basketball? That would be the most impressive of all.
Elisa @ What the Vita says
This!! I am definitely going to show this to my husband! I told him a while ago I would probably spraypaint some bright outdoor kids stuff and he looked at me like I was crazy. Finally, some visual proof that it can turn out really well! :-)
Megan says
Love these little projects. I plan on tackling a bunch of little things over the long weekend that have been bothering me FOREVER! Paint touch ups, yard stuff, and a ton of organizing. I am far too excited about organizing my linen closet and pantry than any person should be.
Sarah says
Love it! You’re so inspiring, Petersiks!
Erin {Home Everyday} says
This is funny, and I know my husband would think I was crazy too. However, there are little things like that which bother me too. Regarding kids toys, I keep all the outside toys in HUGE outside storage bin, and for inside toys, I hide all the ugly plastic toys in bins, and display their pretty wooden and Melissa and Doug toys :)
Cady says
I love the new color and it blends so much better. I was actually thinking this morning about spray painting our balcony deck and chairs. They are a cheap plastic green set but spray paint woudl definitely make them look more inviting and more expensive. And now you’ve solved my “do they make spray paint for that” question. Thanks! Now I just have to hope Home Depot or AC Moore has this in stock.
Suzie says
Because I know you love a good play on words – You’re ORBsessed! :)
(And I don’t mean that in a bad/mean way. I love how this basketball goal turned out)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahhaa, ORBsessed = hilarious and true. I love it.
xo,
s
Caitlin says
This is by far my favorite post yet since following this blog!!!! You are amazing, and not crazy, I would do the same thing!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Caitlin!
xo
s
Kelly says
Ok, first, L.O.V.E. the new hoop.
But a couple of other questions…
1) I have 2 boys, and we have that same little basketball hoop. It sits outside in all its brightness, right in the driveway. Is it really junky looking…ie should I get rid of it or paint it?
and 2) I fold my underwear (and my husband’s as well). Am I a weirdo???
Love you guys!
YoungHouseLove says
1. I would take cues from your neighbors. If they all have kid stuff out I’d leave it proudly. I just started feeling weird since all of our neighbors have kids but their toys are tucked away every night. In all honesty, I did this for me though- because maybe they didn’t notice but it drove me crazy! Haha.
2. You’re a weirdo in the most awesome way. I’m jealous of your discipline.
xo,
s
Bethany says
I’m a really organized person and I don’t fold my underwear. I have plenty of space in my dresser so I just throw all the undies into one drawer. Doesn’t bother me one bit!
Ally says
I’ve heard they do the exact same thing in prison exercise yards…so as to not ‘over-stimulate’ the occupants…
J/K! :)
Looks great, $herdog…Nothin’ but Net! :)
xox
Laura says
Giggle….it is all about balance. It’s not like you painted ALL of her toys a neutral tone or have banned primary colors from her toy box.
It’s like when you drive down the road and see a few toys in the yard and smile about the family that lives there. Then you drive by the house that looks like a toy junk yard and shudder and pray that’s not what your house looks like. Which of course it doesn’t!!
selena says
Sherry, you’re offering a good solution here. Some homeowners’ associations in subdivisions don’t allow brightly painted plastic playhouses, slides, etc. While I don’t mind the bright colors in some areas of the yard, it bugs me in others. It’s good to know there’s a paint that will work for this use.
selena says
Oh, and I thought I had to fold our underwear. Never thought about it. Kinda relieved to know I can leave that off :)
Wendy says
Love the change up. Sherry” I’m wondering if you have a total tally of how many items you have ORB’d to date. Thanks to YHL, I have only gone through one can but I am always looking for other items to rub down.
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, that’s a good question! Maybe ten? I love white spray paint too – and have done green chairs, a yellow high chair, and even a purple rooster! Haha.
xo,
s
Katie V. says
I love it and think it’s a great idea! Our neighborhood has a few yards full of large plastic toys and some of the yards look really tacky. I admit we have one plastic slide but we keep it tucked next to the deck. You could totally orb the storage chest, too!
Jessi says
Your posts about ORBing stuff that most people wouldn’t consider has got me totally inspired – especially this one, and the one about ORBing your dining room chairs. So I have a question – our house came with a totally beat up wooden patio table & chairs set that is very weathered from many many years of sitting outside in rain, snow, sun, etc. It even has some little green lichen stuff growing on it. But it’s big and solid, and it’s not in the budget to buy a new one right now. What do you think about spray painting it? Is that crazy? Would you sand it first?
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, I’d sand it a bunch and get it all smooth and ready. Then you could stain it or spray paint it (just pick something formulated for outside and for wood with built-in primer, like Rustoleum Universal). Good luck!
xo,
s
Jessi says
one more question – the table & chairs are slatted (is that the right word) – like your deck table) will spray paint get in there between the slats?
thanks again!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, I would just mist it very lightly and it should fall into those cracks. Try to keep it light so it doesn’t get drippy in there. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Nicole Y. says
I was totally skeptical that it would look weird and flat, but it looks great!!! However I totally thought you were going to keep the hoop red for some reason. :)
Jamie D says
I’m just going to say it. How do you fold thongs?
GREAT POST!!!
Aimee says
I fold my underwear and all the family members’ underwear. I’ve never thought not to. haha
Wrenaria says
I think it looks great! It’s not like the rest of your house is lacking color to make up for it.
All the underwear folding comments are cracking me up. I don’t fold mine, but I do try to separate them by color within the drawer so it’s easier to grab pieces that match. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, the best thing about this post = underwear chatter! Hahah.
xo,
s
Lucy says
Is “simmah-down-now” a reference to Mos Def’s song Quiet Dog? If so, mad props. If not, you must get this song on your rotation! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkThHiRt0mI
YoungHouseLove says
Love me some Mos Def. Thanks for the link! Haven’t heard that in a long time!
xo
s
Johanna says
Thanks for the morning laugh :) A great update to the hoop, i would totally do the same thing!
Anna says
I totally love that! It looks SO much better. I showed my husband so that he could see that I’m not crazy and there are other people out there spray painting random things. Thank you! I’ve been meaning to post and tell you that all the way out here in Oregon I found the same horse head bookends (the ones you painted yellow) at my Goodwill! These were swirly gray and I spray painted them white. Thanks for the inspiration. One last thing. Do you know if there are any eco friendly spray paints? I’m feeling guilty!
YoungHouseLove says
I wish! I hear whispers that it’s coming and I can’t wait! They just need to hold out to nail down a formula that’s durable, since it’s less eco to use something eco but then have it crack and peel so you send things off to a dumpster! So for now I try to use the most durable solution so I only have to do it once and it lasts. Oh man, but how awesome would no-VOC spray paint be? I have dreams about it.
xo,
s
Bella says
I wish I had an outside to paint haha :)
I live in a rental building and the yard is grown over with weed and they wouldn’t even let me plant anything pretty in there.
However a lot of indoor projects coming up with my pending move :)
finding everything I need 2nd hand: check
making a floor plan: check
upcoming: painting the place, putting up fabric on the back of a cupboard and so on ^^
Jan says
This is too cute of a post!
Jan @ door251.com
~abi~ says
i read your blog every single day, but i honestly don’t know if i’ve ever commented before {sorry}. but i just have to say that i LOVE this!! i am not ocd at all, but i am fashion-conscious, and this is totally something i would do. you managed to make a child’s outdoor plastic hoop look sleek and hip. amazing! :)
Lydia says
The colors of this thing are what has stopped me from picking one up from the curb in our neighborhood! Seriously, that and those playskool picnic tables – I can’t handle all the bright plastic-y-ness. I’ve seen people leave both on the curb and I just had to keep going. Now I know better! Thanks for the inspiration!
Sammy says
I may not have a dog that plays basketball, but he certainly does a little dance when he has paint on his paws, hehe. We wanted to frame his paw print a few months ago when he was still a tiny puppy, but never got round to it. And the other day was just hilarious trying to get him to step on the piece of paper while staring at his paw in a “WHAT have you done to me?!!!” fashion.
I’m gladly surprised there is a way to spray paint plastic, we have and old plastic laundry bin we want to spice up!! Thanks for sharing.
PS. It is really strange I fold my underwear?
xx
YoungHouseLove says
hahah! I totally did a paw painting with Burger and he pranced around – it was hilarious! And as for folding underwear, apparently you’re in great company! I love all the underwear chatter today. It’s hilarious!
xo,
s
Katy says
This is really funny….I never thought a plastic basketball hoop could look so chic! :) My next-door neighbors have a bench press station in their front yard. I’m really tempted to run over there with a can of camo spray paint so that it doesn’t look so much like, well, a bench press station in their front yard. Oh well. To each their own!
Lynn @ Our Useful Hands says
I grew up watching far too many episodes of Americas Most Wanted and my mom was so paranoid of any of us getting kidnapped that she never let us leave our toys out front so no one would know kids lived at the house (really mom? You had 5 of us. Eeeeeverybody knew kids lived there!) and now other than our front tire swing there are no toys allowed left out front. But when others leave them out, I love seeing signs of young life at a home like a little tykes multi-colored something or another in the carport. It’s great Clara still loves it but I have to say I’m a big fan of the bright colors for the symphony that is childhood. It came out nice so I aint mad at ya. :o)
My best, Lynn
Kristen says
We just love you. Seriously!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Kristen. I love you right back.
xo,
s
Briel K. says
You are too funny. It does look so much better though! I doubt many people have ORBed out their kids tiny basketball hoops but I wouldn’t be surprised if it caught on now. haha :)
Amy says
I LOVE this idea!!! it’s incredibly ironic that you postd this today becuse literally just yesterday I turned on to my block to be confronted with one of those huge yellow, orange, blue and white Playskool castles with the slide in the front yard of the house on the corner. Talk about eyesore!! I actually thought to myself that they should start making those things more neutral or that there needs to be a way to make it that way yourself. Thanks for this tip- I’m filing it away for when we have kiddos!!!
susan says
LOVE it!
If there had been plastic-covering ORB spray paint back in the 1980s when my twins were lil tykes, I would have done the same thing!
BTW, there is NO need to fold underwear when you have these:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60192633/
We love these, and you don’t have to fold. Totally worth outfitting all the drawers with ’em-then it helps everyone else keep their stuff straight.
I’m glad Burger is a neutral color…just sayin’ LOL
YoungHouseLove says
Yay bins! I totally have an underwear bin. And they all live happily in there in a messy little pile. Haha.
xo,
s
Care says
No! You’re not crazy! It looks nice :)
Wait, ….how many categories of towels do you have? Lol!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahah! Just two. Beach/picnic/river towels and body towels. Do I pass?
xo,
s
Care says
Totally pass! Anything less than Monica’s – what was it? 9? 11? – is a pass! Ha!
YoungHouseLove says
Whew!
xo
s
jennifer knight says
not crazy… genius!
Rachel says
I don’t know any basketball playing dogs, but I work at a science museum in Columbus, Ohio and we have basketball playing rats!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Um. That’s even better. SO EXCITING!!! I need video evidence.
xo,
s
Annie says
I can attest to the awesomeness of COSI’s basketball playing rats. So cute!
Rachel says
Rats playing basketball
good-times.webshots.com/video/3013527050101930453MtAOYu
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love it!
xo
s
Rachel Schultz says
where’d you get your fish pitcher? i’ve been looking for a whale one :)
rach
YoungHouseLove says
I think it was from amazon.com!
xo,
s
Alli says
As another mom who is dealing with the overwhelming amount of plasticy toys, this is amazing.
Well done, lady.
katalina says
could be why I spray painted the ugly flat round rusty water meters flat gray
in the grass strips in front of my house. next week had a rust assignment photo challenge in my camera club! I found out rust could be beautiful…but not when I have to look at it!
In unrelated day old posts…..I was going through old magazines– sherry you have to see the may 2012 better Homes and Gardens on page 104–called Narrow escape!!!
small deck like yours between 2 walls! They did a neat pergola, a cool screening device at the end with a cutout… I will even mail it to you. I think a wooden very narrow depth closet with the meter built in would be cool–could put a broom in there and pillows etc.
YoungHouseLove says
I remember that one! I loved it! The funny part is that it’s right here in Richmond! We all must have homes with alleys like that! Haha.
xo,
s
Monica says
I love it so much that I would spray the storage container as well!
Melissa says
Great idea! I definitely have a project or two that I’m thinking of doing that might be a little “weird” but maybe I’ll go ahead with them. Your blog is great for inspiring me to get beyond my sometimes should-I-paint-that? paralysis. This hoop looks great!
Oh, and since it seems to be in about half the comments, I should also say that I fold my underwear too. :) Reader survey time?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I totally need to add a poll or something!
xo,
s
Kim says
You are a genius. GENIUS, I tell you. Where were you when I had a toddler? Oh how I hate all those day-glo outdoor plastic thingys.
Martina says
Hey, why not? Great idea!
Susan says
Just for support…I don’t fold my underwear either! Who has the time?
PS. Isn’t it funny/weird that your post on a basketball hoop has a ton of comments about underwear? :)
YoungHouseLove says
I LOVE IT! Everyone is cracking me up over here.
xo,
s
Kellie R says
We have the exact same basketball hoop and I think of how tacky it looks every single time I see it. This is a great idea. Why haven’t I thought of this before?
Meg says
The only underwear I ever folded was my maternity underwear and that was just because the sheer size of it was overwhelming! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahahhahaha, funniest underwear comment so far. Yes, I’m keeping track.
xo,
s
Jerri says
I love it! I agree with Clara that it is a “So, so shiny hoop.” That’s what I noticed first and I loved it! And, no, you are not crazy.
Ana says
Thank you. xo Your Neighbors
(just kidding!not your neighbors but a non-underwear folding reader that thinks along the same lines as you and can appreciate that you would think and act on doing this…)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahaha!
xo
s
Courtney says
I thought I remember reading on a can of spray paint recently that it worked on plastics except Little Tikes type plastic. Is that only certain spray paints?
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I didn’t see anything about that and it stuck really well (no sanding or priming, I just used the can with the built-in primer). Such a funny disclaimer. Anyone know what line that is?
xo,
s