Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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A Giant Rooster In The Kitchen

Me.

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I’ve actually been hiding this $12 HomeGoods find in our playroom for… oh… five months? So it was about time I attended to him. Yup, this guy’s part of the self-imposed initiative I like to call the “Dude Get On That Already” challenge, since I’ve solemnly vowed to use it or lose it (aka: use it or craigslist/donate it) when it comes to all the things we’ve been hoarding in our full-to-the-brim playroom.

At first glance you might think “he’s a fine looking roughly weathered white & tan rooster” (or “you need ceramic animal rehab” which could also be true) but I thought his distressed white finish was a little more country than my usual crisp & modern ceramic animal tastes, so I decided that giving him a coat of new color would be just the thing. And I wanted to pick a pretty daring color, just because… well, he’s a giant rooster. Don’t want him to take himself too seriously now do I? So after standing in the spray paint aisle for at least ten minutes weighing all the bold and bright options (and singing Jingle Bells to keep the bean entertained), I grabbed Rustoleum’s Painter’s Touch in Aubergine (satin). And I was plum excited to use it. Groan. Sorry, the puns just happen. It’s a gift and a curse.

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If I really wanted to be an overachiever, I would have used some spray primer (that always helps paint “grab on” when you’re spraying slippery things like ceramic) – but because the can said “two times the coverage” I figured I’d try my luck without it and just go back and add a layer of primer if things went haywire. Luckily they didn’t. I just did my usual thin misted coats routine (read more on that here). Check out how crazy things were looking at first. If you’re spray painting lightly and thinly, there’s not good coverage until the third or fourth coat, so the first one had him looking a little… hot pink:

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But after two more thin and even coats, coverage was good. And Jarvis was aubergine. Oh that’s his name. Everything with a face deserves a name, don’t you think?

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He looks pretty fun in front of the light avocado walls in the kitchen.

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Oh and in case the scale wasn’t clear until this photo, he’s giant. Like a foot and a half tall. Who doesn’t want a giant aubergine rooster named Jarvis waiting in the kitchen to greet you in the morning? Cock-a-doodle-do to you too, Jarvis.

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Although if I’m being honest, I’m not 100% sold on the color. It’s fun, but I’m not sure as the kitchen comes together if he won’t get a few more coats of another bright color someday. Say yellow… or slate blue. So I’ll keep you posted. Plum is fun, so who knows – it could totally stay.

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What do you guys collect and stash in a spare corner/room/closet only to look at it months later and feel crappy for just leaving it there? These “Dude Get On That Already” projects are small, but they’re making me feel pretty good for some reason. Maybe it’s the whole “every little bit helps” thing? Or the fact that we’re inching towards clearing out the playroom which means it’ll be a blank canvas for paint and curtains and a rug and furniture and accessories. Wheee. It’s almost like that dream when you find an extra room in your house. Except we’ve always known it was there and have been filling it with weird stuff instead of discovering a secret wall or staircase that leads to it. Am I the only one who has that dream?

Psst- Jarvis is second to none when it comes to giant roosters… except for Beyoncé. If you haven’t read the funniest post on the internet about her yet (salty language warning) check that out here.

Comments

  1. Amanda Hevener says

    I just moved and while unpacking, unearthed a latch-hook rug that I started back when I was in college. This darn thing has moved with me at least 5 times, and, over 13 years later, is still less-than-half finished. This post motivated me to finally (okay, maybe) start working on it again. So, thank you!

    Reply

  3. Janel @ Hating Martha says

    so, I was debating about making a run to GW today. Granted it’s an hour from my house because we live in the middle of the godforsaken woods in the middle of Wisconsin in no-man’s land. Okay, not quite that bad. But…I want a rooster. So, off we go today.
    P.S. That was my long way of saying your rooster rocks! And the color…ugly in a totally trendy, chick :), and awesome way!

    Reply

  4. Jeanette says

    Ah! Is the link to the Beyonce story not working for anyone else? I’ve read it before, but could use a belly laugh this afternoon!

    PS Love Jarvis’ new color with the grellow walls!

    Reply

  5. Sally @ Exploits of a Military Mama says

    In non-related news, I feel obligated to tell you I subscribed to “follow up” comments to be sent to my email from one of your giveaway posts the other week. I thought that meant that I would only be notified of comments you posted in reply to mine. 2,471 emails later…I’ve learned my lesson ;)

    Reply

  6. Sarah @ w30 says

    Well, Sherry, I must say this “Dude, get on that already” project is totally awesome and I’m glad you guys are finally doing *something* since this morning’s post showed just how truly lazy you are. I mean, a book, a blog, 100+ projects, a toddler, and media-type appearances … is that ALL you are doing? Sheesh. ;)

    Reply

  7. Abby says

    I think one of the best things for our young marriage/ bank accounts is the fact that we lived in a tiny 750 sq. ft. apartment for the first year, and we’ve been living with his parents for about 6 months while we saved up for a down payment on a house this spring. So literally, we had no where to put things if we bought them. Heck, half our wedding presents are still in the original boxes in storage because we didn’t have room for them. But, it’s okay because we’re in the process of buying a 4 bedroom house :)

    Reply

  8. Crystal Woolever says

    I have a big giant rooster just like that, except it was a ceramic that my grandmother painted and then gave to me. Except I don’t care for the colors and I thought of painting it white. But I feel like that might be too tacky. What should I do?

    Reply

  10. -alex says

    I’ve had that dream, but my extra rooms are always off a basement and involve secret passageways and weird house remodels.

    Reply

  11. Amy @ Lovely Nest says

    Totally love that Beyonce story. I read it a while ago and still laugh just thinking about it. I remember trying to tell the story to my husband and he just didn’t get the humor, but that might have been because I could barely tell the story without busting up, so it was probably a jumble of words. Needless to say, I have to agree it’s one of the funniest things I’ve read!

    Reply

  12. Chelsea says

    Would I be able to do this with a regular old ceramic vase? It has a glossy finish on it already. Or am I best just buying a new one?

    Thanks :)

    Chelsea

    Reply

  13. Mary says

    LOL, I was going to make a comment but about The Bloggess but it looks like you already know about her! I found two giant metal chickens at the store this past week. My husband and son, knowing about the chicken story, tried to hide them from me, but failed. We now have to giant metal chickens gracing the top of our kitchen cabinets and they. are. awesome. :)

    And this weekend I’ll be tackling my “get on that” project. Spray painting a lovely metal tray that’s seen better days. Simple enough but I’ve never spray painted anything so we’ll see how that goes.

    Reply

  14. Bethany says

    Cute! The “get on that already challenge” was perfect: I was inspired to clean the heck outta my basement! Not perfect, but at least it doesn’t look like a shot from those hoarders shows anymore!! :O)

    Reply

  16. Nikki says

    Jarvis is awesome! I like the plum color, but I can see why you aren’t totally committing to him just yet. Not b/c of the color, but b/c you may want a different vibe. That is why I can’t get enough spray paint. I have a large vase in my house that I have had for 14 years. I can’t even count the number of times it has been painted, maybe 15 or 20. It’s quite the joke in my family. You know, what color will the vase be the next time we have a family get together?

    Anyway, Javis is great as a purple rooster!

    Reply

  17. Michelle :) says

    I’m absolutely in love with Jarvis’s new color (and name)! Thanks for sharing. I feel inspired to look for pieces that I can also spray paint in bold colors!

    Reply

  19. Nicole says

    Where do you find all of these fabulous colors of spray paint?? I feel like every store I walk into only has the basics… white, black, off-white, and silver. Thank God I can usually find oil-rubbed bronze or I’d have a complete why-can’t-i-be-more-like-Sherry meltdown.

    Reply

  20. Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says

    He have a little rooster in our kitchen (they’re supposed to bring good luck for the house if you keep them in the kitchen), too! Ours is tiny but I really like yours! When we have more counter space, I would definitely love to steal this idea from you!

    Reply

  22. Lauren says

    Hey Sherry!

    Jarvis is looking good! I’m also a big spray painter but I’m worried about spray painting in the winter. Any tips or tricks? P.S. I live in Richmond, too. ( :

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I always read the can and if it’s over 50 degrees it usually says it’s all good (we have had such a mild winter I haven’t even had to wait most days since it’s around 55-65!).

      xo
      s

  23. Julie B. says

    I love the way you use your imagination to transform things you find that are ho-hum. So smart! You would love Lucketts in Northern VA!

    Reply

  25. Ashley says

    I saw the same rooster at Home Goods right before Christmas. Loved him but not the color… I had never thought to paint him…duh me! LOVE IT!!!

    Reply

  26. Megan says

    We have a fun tin rooster named Bronson who lives in in our kitchen. And a giant ceramic Home Goods bull named Stanley who graces our living room hearth!

    Reply

  27. Amber says

    Oh my goodness. I was tired just reading the post this morning about what is keeping you guys busy lately. To start a “Dude, get on that already” challange on top of all that you are already doing makes me want to nap.

    Kudos to you guys. I want to bottle some of your energy!

    Reply

  30. Emily says

    Now that is one sexy looking Rooster! I love the fun pop of color he brings. I totally agree with you that anything with a face should have a name. As usual, great work! :)

    Reply

  32. Elisabeth says

    Hi Sherry! You guys love tangents, right? Fancy this one. I’m working off your dreams of secret walls or stairways…

    I live in a Richmond Fan house built in 1908, and the fridge in my house is nestled in what I thought was a closet. Some sleuthing later and I discovered there is a hidden staircase in my house! Previous owners turned my back stairway into a nook for the fridge downstairs and a linen closet upstairs, leaving these phantom stairs in the middle that are creepy and exciting at once. Y’all should come housecrash sometime. I’m the queen of DIY disasters, but somehow it’s coming together. Lotso stories.

    And in the vein of tangents and TMI, I’m a wannabe fiction author and loved your post this morning about your book. Sounds like so much work – but sooo much fun! Can’t wait to pick it up.

    Reply

  34. cec says

    my house is super tiny, so we hoard our crap in the garage. but we’ve been making progress clearing it out! it does feel good. i discovered all sorts of goodies i forgot we had.

    Reply

  35. Amy says

    I love it! I just found a giant fat chicken at Goodwill for $2.50 a couple weeks ago. I was going to paint it a fun color, but my mother convinced me not to – now I’m going to go for it! I love your blog and projects. Thank you for the great ideas and inspiration!

    Reply

  36. Sarah says

    I never have the dream where I find a different room, but I do have dreams where I’m in a different house. Never anything extravagant, usually it’s similar to the house I’m in now…weird nonetheless.

    Reply

  37. Darcy says

    I am typically not a rooster person, but you have made me want to go to HG on my lunch break to find a needy ceramic animal to love of my very own! Love that color in your kitchen! When you said/I read Aubergine, I cringed, but as usual, you know best — its GORG! and I DIE! Off to lunch and HG….I’ll let you know how I make out!

    Reply

  38. Maria says

    Its sad to say, but I have stacks of photo frames and wedding photos that I need to hang. I love my wedding photos, I just hate hanging frames and putting holes in our rented apartment walls. It stressed me out!

    Also, I don’t want to have an entire wall filled with just my husband’s and my faces. How many wedding photos do you currently have on display? How much is too much in your opinion?

    By the way, I think Jarvis looks great in aubergine. It works for him.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      One trick we used to sneak in more wedding photos (without having our mugs on every wall) was to hang photos of some of the details – like a close up pic of the food or the tablesetting – so that they kind of look “art” and less like wedding pictures. But in the end it’s really personal preference!

      -John

  39. Alyson says

    It’s true he’s no Beyonce, but that aubergine color is the PERFECT complement to the grellow walls, I think you hit that choice out of the park. If you ever change it I’m going to stop reading the blog! <—haha just kidding, I'll totally still read ;)

    Reply

  41. Andrea says

    Okay, so I totally imposed a ‘Dude Get On That Already’ challenge to myself at work today. I’m a receptionist (by day) and my desk is chaotic…mostly because I (and everyone else in this crazy place) needs about 34,877* things within reach on a daily basis…but I’m determined to re-organize and ‘pretty’ it up a bit. Oh, and my budget…$0. So far I’ve emptied my desk and filled the recycling bin…twice. (I guess I was holding onto about 1,293* extra things I actually didn’t need within reach afterall.) Any advice for this budget minded project? It’s greatly appreciated! =)

    (*May or may not be slightly exaggerated.)

    Reply

  43. MeShelly says

    OMGee I ab-soul-loot-lee LOVE it! (my best lil Einsteins voice). I have a rooster or two that could use a new coat.
    Thanks for the great idea!

    Reply

  44. Kim says

    i love the colour!

    i have loads and loads of frames that either need to be hung, or filled! i just can’t decide where to hang them so i can’t really fill up the empty ones yet… vicious cycle.

    Reply

  48. Donna Jean says

    i love the color – super cute! also, isn’t that one of the colors from sue? i think it makes is all the more perfect! maybe jarvis will find a home on your new floating shelves.

    Reply

  49. Adrienne says

    I have multiple great used pieces of furniture that I bought and have yet to refinish and paint fun colors. Oh I have some lamps too. Crap! I have GOT to get started!

    Reply

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