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. Liz F says

    I’m not going to lie, I kinda want to eat him…mmmm…plums… (in my defense of how crazy that sounded, I’m pregnant right now so just about anything food-wise gives me cravings LOL)

    Reply

  3. JacquiBee says

    Love it as always, I wanted to drop a comment to thank you for a great blog. I love it and I wanted to thank you because with inspiration from you saying you saved for your car I started saving for my next car…. a year or so on and we bought home a great new (to me) car. We bought it with cash and we got a bargin and not debt… and I have got a whole lot better system for managing my money thanks to your example.
    cheers
    Jacqui

    Reply

  4. Mandy says

    I love Jarvis’ color! Also, when you said his name, I was immediately transported back to the first time I ever watched this video (in high school, I think, a long time ago). My friends and I watched it several times and giggled like the school girls we were.

    http://www.rathergood.com/mark

    Long story short, it makes me happy you named him Jarvis!

    P.S. – You are probably the only bloggers on earth with whom I don’t feel self-conscious sharing this story. I love that you guys let your dork (not a negative term by any means in my book!) flags fly and rep for the rest of us design-loving dorks!

    Reply

  5. Caiti says

    Rustoleum’s Aubergine is what I chose to paint an old dresser for my media table. It is an AWESOME COLOR! Keep it, as it will totally grow on you!

    Reply

  6. Carrie says

    I bought a letterpress drawer at a yard sale last fall and it is still sadly sitting in my office/junk room. I’m wanting it to be a fun jewelry organizer that I can hang on the wall (I’ve seen them on Pinterest). I have no idea how to paint it a fun color with all the little boxes it has. I can’t decide if spray paint or regular interior paint would be best.

    Any ideas?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hmm, I’d probably go with a small short handled brush and do it by hand. Spraying any soft of big furniture (especially with flat planes) can look sort of spotted and not perfect but a brush will take a while (but should look awesome)!

      xo,
      s

  7. Katie says

    I was totally skeptical about the idea of a purple (I mean aubergine) rooster until I saw the picture of Jarvis in your kitchen. I think he looks so handsome up against that grellow wall!

    I have a ceramic squirrel I want to spray paint and put in my future baby’s room. I was thinking I’d go with white, but after seeing this I might try something a little more bold :)

    Reply

  8. Megan B says

    I love the color! Do you ever have issues with the paint peeling or getting funky with time once you spray paint these objects? I was talking about how a coat of paint can make such a difference on items you’re sick of in your house (someone was complaining about their brass light fixtures), and a friend said, “Yeah, but spray paint never REALLY works.” I want to argue with her! Give me some material please!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh spray paint is lightyears better these days than it was even a few years ago! I love the Rustoleum Universal stuff best! It has a built-in primer and sticks like glue! No peeling or flaking at all! Even on formerly un-spray-paintable things like plastic lawn chairs. It’s amazing.

      xo,
      s

  9. Jen says

    I would NEVER do that. So, I absolutely love that you did! I have severe hangups when it comes to being gutsy or even having a personal opinion about decorating (perhaps to long in rented housing?) that I love seeing people being themselves and having fun. Thanks for helping me slowly liberate myself from my inhibitions. It is slow though. So keep it coming. :)

    Reply

  10. Ginny @ Goofy Monkeys says

    I must say that I’m generally not a fan of roosters in home decor. They’re a little country-cozy for my taste, but the purply rooster is so great! I’m glad that you took a step away from white for your ceramic animals.

    I tackled a tiny “Dude, Get on That Already” project at our place this afternoon – hanging a picture that’s been sitting around for THREE YEARS! I feel better already!

    http://goofymonkeys.blogspot.com/2012/01/duck-duck-duckduck.html

    Reply

  11. Cara says

    I’m not sure what it says about me that I actually liked the picture of Jarvis with only one coat of paint…probably that I should stay away from the spray paint aisle. And Tuesday Morning.

    Reply

  12. SushiMama says

    This is going to sound odd… I actually really like the color you chose, I just feel like it’s a little girly for a boy chicken. For that reason I’d love to see him in a blue or green. Totally a weird thing on my part:)

    Reply

  13. Emily says

    I also have a giant rooster residing in my kitchen. I haven’t come up with a name for him yet, but for the moment let’s call him Fred :-) My hubby isn’t a big fan of Fred, but he sits atop the fridge anyway. Jarvis is a great name. I love the color!

    Reply

  14. Sandra T says

    Omygosh, he’s beautiful! When I saw the paint can top, I went “Really??”, but you made him crow(?). Sorry, the punnies do keep coming don’t they? I’ve got a wicker loveseat that I’m trying to get the nerve up to paint (make sense? not much) and I have no idea what color she should be. Yes, aren’t all “loveseats” she? How do you guys pick a color for a piece of furniture? She’s in my bedroom, so pick a color out of my quilt? or match furniture tones? or contrast furniture tones? Oh yeah, Jarvis rocks!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hahaha, made him crow. Funny. As for picking a color, plucking it from fabric or furniture is a great idea! Or you could do something complementary to the walls (ex: green walls + purple rooster = fun). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  16. Jeanine says

    I LOVE it!!! I’ve actually been on the hunt for a rooster for my kitchen. We’re going for a country-ish with a modern twist theme and I really want a rooster. haha
    Growing up my dad bought a really ugly patchwork ceramic rooster. He thought my mom would like it. She didn’t. So he ended up spray painting it silver and my mom finally came around and accepted the rooster. It lived in our kitchen for years! Hopefully Jarvis will have a long kitchen life too!

    Reply

  19. BrassyDel says

    Not only have I had that dream, but I’ve then woken up disappointed once I remember my house isn’t really like that! I don’t mean to brag (okay, I do), but I have dreamt some seriously awesome (architecturally) houses.

    Reply

  22. Jen says

    I think he’s great! I love the colour. And am now kicking myself for not grabbing the same rooster at our own HG, because I really need something fun for the mantle and he would likely fit the bill!

    Reply

  23. Melissa M says

    What do I have stashed away? Two kind rolls of twine I got for cheap at Goodwill that I have yet to devise a project for, two 18 by 24 canvases I’m too wimpy to paint on yet, two black-framed red prints I’m envisioning for our living room that I have yet to hang (also from Goodwill, when a hotel redecorated)…

    P.S. I also thought of Beyonce when I read the title of this post!

    P.P.S. Have you seen the newest West Elm catalogue? There is a pillow (a fabric print, really) that is a sister to your inspirational napkin!!! I’ll try to find it online to send a pic.

    Reply

  24. Gina @ Temporary Nest says

    omg…. we have this weird thing in our “family” that has to do with large ceramic poultry…..

    one xmas my boyfriends twin brother got an ugly ceramic rooster from his gf’s mom and it found its home in my boyfriend and his kitchen as a joke. Then it caught on… My boyfriends sister bought one for said gf for her birthday. And every birthday since, everyone has gotten a ceramic Kitchen Chicken we have affectionately named it. So, long story short, we have 5 of these puppies in our home. Ours arent cute and painted so theyre these randomly ugly birds displayed in our homes but it gives us all a giggle when we see them. :)

    I hope you get a giggle out of yours too! Maybe you should pass on the ceramic animal fad and start giving them as gifts too!? :)

    Reply

  25. Kelly says

    I just snagged two 1 and 1/2 foot silver reindeers statues from Wal-Mart’s Christmas clearance section two weeks ago for $2.50 each! I plan to paint them white and place them on opposite sides of a small Christmas tree for Christmas. But AFTER I buy a house, soon, of course. So now I’m just waiting for Christmas to roll around so I can finally display get to it.

    Reply

  29. Wrenaria says

    The moment I saw your post title I thought, “The Bloggess. Duh. ”

    Jarvis is lovely. I’m a long time fan of aubergine, as both a word and a color.

    Reply

  31. Audrey says

    i had a big white ceramic rooster just like that… until a few days ago.

    one of the cats jumped up on the counter and somehow knocked it down!!!

    i’m still crying on the inside… and even more now that i’ve seen how freakin AWESOME yours looks….

    stupid cat…..

    Reply

  32. Logann says

    The purple looks great!!!! Orange would also look awesome against that magnificent back drop! The slate blue would be sweet beans too! You always pick awesome colors! (too many !!!!!!’s)

    Reply

  35. Dan says

    Makes me what to rush out and buy the ceramic horse’s head I found at Target recently, pick up some spray and see what happens. I am waiting for two ceramic arbor tree sculptures from Target to arrive at my home. Leave them white or colorize them???

    Reply

  36. Doss says

    I have about 20 pieces of furniture stored in the attic, closets, and back catch-all room. I feel bad about hording this areas mid-century modern/scandinavian/danish furniture supply, but we love it too much not to.

    Reply

  37. Joelle says

    You have inspired me to “dude get on that too.” or donate and get rid of things…i hate clutter, and it’s a great time of year to go through those things in the house that you don’t want anymore.
    i don’t know about the color either…but i’m not hating it. i think it will look kind of cool!

    Reply

  38. Sydney Bea says

    Ah! I’m so glad you linked to Beyonce! She’s immediately what I thought of when I saw a giant purple rooster.

    Reply

  39. Dusa says

    Beyonce’s story is a running joke between my office mate and me. “That’s like, $200 worth of chicken for free” and “That chicken has a shiv”.

    Jarvis is coolio, but secretly I would break into your house (in a totally non-threatening, non-stalker like way) to kidnap him if you painted him egg-yolk yellow. Or silver.

    And did you see ZGallerie’s ad (white ceramic giraffe head/neck) right next to your post? Co-inky-dink? I think not.

    Reply

  40. Kristi W. says

    So Jarvis Cocker is a musician… other readers might remember his band Pulp… the single “Common People”… And a cock is a rooster… Please tell me this isn’t a coincidence. Am I the only one who remember ’90s Brit pop?! Oh no! Regardless, that is a great name choice. :) And I personally love the plum color you picked. I hope you keep it.

    Reply

  41. Lisa says

    Oh my god. I never took the time to read the Beyonce post before, but it completely, utterly, and totally just made my night. Picturing those towels in their bathroom – knock knock * – (and her husband’s reaction every time he sees them) is priceless. Ha!

    Reply

  43. Lucy says

    Thank you so much for the link to Beyonce the chicken, I hadn’t read it and it is one of my new favorite things on the internet. I laughed so hard I cried, at least three times.

    Reply

  44. Melanie says

    I totally had that dream last night! It was creepy though and included starving animals inside… yuck. :-(

    I like the playroom mystery posts! Yes!

    Reply

  45. Tiffany T. says

    I wish I had yalls energy! What is it? Coffee? 5 hr energy, energy drinks, sugar?? Just pure will power??? I’m exhausted just reading about it all..and this is coming from someone who once had 3 jobs and went to school full time..whew. You guys make it seem as though you have a secret elixir that keeps you up and adam! Adam? Crap..Is the saying “up and adam”..don’t worry about replying I know you got a lot on your plate but one day…when you have more time please share any energy secrets~

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha- it’s a mixture of adrenaline, caffeine (usually in the form of dark chocolate- haha), and sheer annoyingly-constant enthusiasm. Haha. We must have high fived fifty times in the last day. Done with a project? High five! Fixed the server issue? High five! Remembered to eat lunch? High five!

      xo,
      s

  46. Lauren L says

    I LOVE the secret spare room dream! It’s recurring and it always involves either my parents’ house or one of my grandma’s houses. I always wake up bummed that they’re not true.

    Reply

  48. Melissa N. says

    I love your obsession with ceramic animals, Sherry! When you painted them in the past, do you usually use spray paint like you did for the rooster?

    Reply

  50. Erin R says

    Not sure if this has been mentioned, but it looks like the same color of the paint swatch that you matched up with Sue The Napkin. Love it :) Keep up the strong work Team Petersik!

    Reply

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