Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Painting A Thrift Store Wood Duck

We’re excited to share our Cincy adventures (we laughed! I cried! we got something confiscated at the airport!) and we’ve already started our Pinterest challenge project along with having a pretty cool before & after that’s almost done (just have to take pics and write that post for ya) so there’s lots going on in our casa – both duck related and beyond! I say duck related because, well… I snagged this odd little wooden duck for $4 at a thrift store here in Richmond (Diversity Thrift). The date? Oh, about a year ago. Yes dudes, I’m about to get on something after twelve solid months of the “thinking about getting on that” stage (you can read more about my weird little Dude, Get On That Already challenges here). So you can file this under fast and *almost* free (thanks to relying entirely on materials that we already had). Or you can just call it fly. Get it? I quack myself up. Ok, I’m stopping now.

Duck 1 Before

It’s hard to tell the duck’s scale in the pic above, but it’s about 8″ long. Here it is with a whole bunch of craft paint that I had on hand from previous projects like this and this. And see how I used masking tape to make stripes on Mallory (she’s a mallard, right? I hope she is, since I picked her name based on that not-substantiated fact). Anyway, those masking tape stripes were because as soon as I saw her in the thrift store I thought it would be fun to stripe her with a bunch of crazy colors. I know that sounds nutty, but to me it felt sort of Jonathan Adler-ish and happy-go-lucky. I mean if you can’t have fun with your wooden duck decor, where can you have fun?

Duck 2 Taped

It’s hard to picture, but I loved the idea of a stripes like this dachshund pillow from here (<– please click that link just to see the name of that site, which made me snort water out of my nose). And this awesome post about actual painted ducks from here definitely fueled the “paint it, paint it, paint it” chant in my head.

Striped Dog Pillow

I’m not gonna lie. About ten minutes into my project I was staring at this hot mess. And I thought this might be one of those “you know we share the good, the bad, and the ugly… and boy do we have an ugly one for you!” posts. The first coat definitely didn’t have great coverage, so it actually took a few of them for it to look not horrendous (hindsight = 20/20, I totally should have spray primed this guy before taping off the stripes).

Duck 3 Paint On

But in the end, after I removed the tape and free-handed the unpainted areas with differently colored stripes, I was left with this dapper little duck-friend. She’s adorable and perfect for a nursery/kids room/playroom, but I wanted to photograph her in the kitchen so you could see that she actually can live in adult spaces too. You know, like how this happy rainbow Jonathan Adler pillow could totally look awesome in not-just-a-kids room. At least for color-lovahs like me. But if it’s too much for you, you could just spray paint your own wooden duck a solid hue like glossy white or lime or navy for a fresh spin. You know, because every house needs at least one wooden duck.

Duck Afterclose

I actually like the added flair of the stripes. I think she’s cute with the spiky yellow vase and colorful art on the top shelf. And of course the fact that she’s neck in neck with a pig cutting board in a race towards the stove cracks me up. Who knows where she’ll end up though. Little items like this tend to move all around the house, so she might be on the kitchen mantel next and then end up on the console in the living room.

Duck 5 Kitchen Full

Goose, there it is.

Ok, I know that one’s a stretch because it’s clearly a duck, but I just had to try. What have you guys been getting on lately? As a side note, I don’t actually suggest getting on a duck. One bit my mom’s hand when we were young so I don’t think they like to be ridden (just to be clear, my mom wasn’t attempting to ride it when the incident occurred).

Comments

  1. Katie Rose says

    Is it weird that we have 3 wooden ducks in our house? Well make that 2 ducks, 1 giant goose. The ducks are painted like yours were originally but the goose is solid cream (and in a sitting position, unlike the plastic-y ones you put outside). They come out for display in the spring. Never thought about painting them – but the little ones might go cream soon to match their mama!

    Reply

  2. Krista says

    I liked it so I put a PIN on it……ok, really I just pinned it to Pinterest, but I’m trying to throw in a song like you guys do. Creative duck-work!!
    ~Krista

    Reply

  3. Anna says

    How cute…no more ugly ducking!

    I’ve got a couple fish that need a face lift…you got me thinking!
    Perhaps stripes…and a little sparkle, too!
    Over the top is how I roll – haha.

    Thanks for the inspiration!
    :) Anna

    Reply

  4. Megan says

    That is really fun!! My grandpa had a ton of these, and I want to keep one to remember him, but want it to fit in with my house too – thanks for the idea!

    Reply

  6. Katy says

    Love the duck! She is so bright and cheery. And I like it in the kitchen, but I have to be honest, I was a little confused when you said you were going to shoot it in the kitchen. Why would you want to shoot the duck? Is that part of the design? Then I realized you meant shoot as in camera not shoot as in gun. I’m a little slow today!

    Reply

  7. Michelle says

    Very cute idea, but I’m so sad you painted over such a beautiful decoy! He would’ve looked awesome in his $4 glory in my house! Bummer for me I didn’t pick him up!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      So sorry Michelle! On the upside, there were tons more! In the last year I’ve probably seen about ten in thrift stores or secondhand stores – even at Salvation Army!

      xo
      s

    • Michelle says

      Just reading comments and I’m honestly so surprised how many of your readers don’t realize how valuable their hand-me-down decoys from their grandfathers are! Antiques Roadshow, anyone? Ebay??? I’m your in your “in-your-30’s” reader and I guess I’m showing my age, but Save The Ducks!!

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I think some might be worth more than others (maybe signed ones or special edition ones?). I see so many thrift store ones (and even some for cheap in antiques stores) so I think the antique vendors would be savvy about not pricing them under $5 if they’re worth more. Maybe the rule should be “no painting ducks worth over $8”? Haha!

      xo
      s

  10. Barbara says

    Have you two seen the write up about you in the latest Country Living magazine yet? Just recieved mine yesterday.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks Barbara! We added that to our press page but didn’t write it up or anything. We’re shy about that stuff usually unless we have a particularly funny story or behind the scenes pics to share.

      xo
      s

  11. Angie @ Bug Meets World says

    I like the idea of the stripes but this isn’t one of my favorite projects of yours. It kind of looks like something I would have done in girl scouts. I agree with a previous poster that maybe a glossy top coat would help.

    Reply

  13. Renee says

    Yeah, that is a guy mallard (has green head), called a drake. Maybe his/her full name can be Mallory Drake. I’m continually amazed by your creativity and ways to stay on trend in unexpected ways!

    Reply

  14. Diane says

    Your line in Cincy was crazy long! We couldn’t stay long enough to make it through to the end, but I hope you had fun here.

    Reply

  17. Elizabeth Smith says

    OMG This post had me cracking up! Especially that last paragraph. (side note: drinking hot chocolate while laughing can be dangerous) This is why I keep coming back and reading the blog every day… you guys are awesome, love the duck, this just made my day.

    Reply

  18. Wendy says

    I spent the morning working on a cloth tiger, but stopped when I realized the fog had lifted and there was snow on the mountains.

    You see, our view went from pure white to one that was shriek inducing and left my husband wondering if the doctor was wrong last night, and there might be a need to run to the hospital to welcome our little girl. (Um, no… just beautiful mountains.)

    Thankfully the good man detoured to the Botanical Gardens (our best and closest shooting spot) for the following…

    http://wasatchwendy.blogspot.com/2012/10/first-snow-in-wasatch.html

    I cannot say that I don’t miss Virginia, but days like this make me revel in the new surroundings!

    Reply

  20. Emily @ A Can Do Attitude says

    First ceramic animals not painted ones. :) Did you want to be a vet growing up. Love the duck and the fun colors.

    I was catching up on Magazine reading last night and spied you guys in both Redbook and Country Living (I realized it was you two from the picture). You guys are super fancy celebrities, thankfully I know you will never forget us. :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, I loved animals – still do! I even wrote in to the Humane Society and they published my letter. I told them I did a candy bar drive around the neighborhood and was sending them the money for their sick dogs and cats and signed it “a caring kid named Sherry” – when it was published I was so embarrassed by my signature for some reason. I kept wishing I had just signed it “sincerely, Sherry.” The things we remember!

      xo
      s

  21. Gina says

    Ha! I clicked on the link…what a name! I have always had Doxies in my life so I love the striped one. Your duck came out looking pretty good!

    Reply

  23. Jessica says

    I got bit on both butt cheeks by a duck when I was just a wee little girl. lol. My grandma took me to Busch Gardens and we bought duck food to feed the quackers. One came after me and bit my bum and my gram threw her food down and left me there to fend for myself…lol. This, in turn, caused me to get bit on the other side of my bum by another duck. Sad story….it hurt. haha! And gram felt bad….but I guess she was scared the duck might get her too!

    Reply

  24. Tracy says

    I really love this. I would have never thought about painted a wooden animal like that…so cute. And I must say, I clicked on the link and realized that is exactly where I needed to go for a christmas present for my sister-in-law. She loves her dog and I can’t wait to pick something out from their site! So thanks!

    Reply

  26. Beth says

    This is so inspiring for me because we had a family member stray from our wedding registry and get us a very expensive, handmade, wooden duck lamp (complete with swampy reeds shooting up from behind, and duck caller hanging from the shade) and since we don’t live in a hunting lodge, it has spent almost 5 years hiding in our basement. I might try to jazz him up with some festive stripes and see if he can’t find a more prominent place in our house. We’ll see how fast rustic hunting lodge becomes eclectic fun!

    Reply

  27. Johanna L says

    Child of a Ducks Unlimited member here! Sad to say that Mallory’s original paint job wasn’t a very good Mallard representation (they have green heads – wasn’t Mallory’s black?). It most closely resembles a wood duck, to me… but the body shape and feathering are a match for a mallard. But with a new paint job and that body shape, Mallory can be whatever you want!

    And a male duck is called a drake. :)

    Reply

  28. Amber says

    Ok, now I am going to be looking for ducks everytime I go to the thrift store. I am in love with the ones that you linked to on designsponge with the gold accents. So cute!Such a good idea!

    Reply

  29. Jen @ Domesticated Nomad says

    “As a side note, I don’t actually suggest getting on a duck. One bit my mom’s hand when we were young so I don’t think they like to be ridden (just to be clear, my mom wasn’t attempting to ride it when the incident occurred)”

    Um, this may be awkward, but I totally love you for that little bit. Each line just got better and better there. :)

    Reply

  30. Kenz @ Interiors By Kenz says

    Pet my weiner, lol. Who thinks up stuff like that? I love witty people.

    I love this fun little project. I know my thrift store has all sorts of weird crap floating around waiting to get their stripes slapped silly.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  31. Alicia says

    The duck is great and all, but I love the pig cutting board! We saw boards like that at Home Goods last year, but hesitated to pull the trigger and when we went back, of course, they weren’t there anymore. Happily, there’s a woodworker at Eastern Market in DC who makes cutting boards and his are locally made, ten times nicer and bigger (he also sells online at http://www.treetoart.com/). We got the pig. Then, in October, we went to see him for our 5th anniversary and bought the cow. We love them.

    Reply

  32. Karen F says

    ok, I will admit I was totally skeptical after seeing the before and during pictures, but it actually came out really cute! nice one, Sherry!

    Reply

  34. Lesley@ChaoticallyCreative says

    Sherry, So I’ve told you before that we must have a DIY/Decor kismet connection, first the rock box, then the Beatle’s art and now this. Long story short my MIL just moved a bunch of her stuff to my house then took a bunch back. Last night (swear to goodness) I was looking through what she has left to us and I kid you not a pulled out two wooden ducks. Mine are solid wood. I immediately hatched a plan to re-do these suckers. Rainbow stripes didn’t come to mind but I love it. I’ll let you know what my pair end up looking like. Lesley

    Reply

  36. Michelle O says

    That reminds me of a story… Apparently when I was 5 or 6, my mom nad grandma took me to a craft show. There was a man there that was selling duck decoys. Like real ones costing $100s… I wanted one really badly and threw a fit. needless to say, I did not get it. The grandmother who went all over trying to find me a Cabbage Patch Kid, would not spend so much money on a duck decoy for a little kid. :)

    Reply

  37. Kathryn says

    He is Quack-tastic!!
    Have you thought of spraying him with a high gloss finish so he’s shiny like the rest of your cool trinkets? Although, I do love him just the way he is…or is it a she…how can you even tell on a duck? haha

    Reply

  38. Mallory M says

    love this duck! the colors are amaze-balls and who doesn’t love the name mallory — not that i’m biased or anything, *ahem* — but it works perfectly! :)

    Reply

  39. Amanda says

    Super cute!!!

    If you bring Clara to Boston, you will have to take her to the Public Gardens and have her sit on the Make Way for Ducklings statues!

    Reply

  40. Sara says

    that is Quacktabulous! I can totally see Mallory in my daughter’s (she’s 2) room and fitting in well-

    I just love your creativity! Thank you for sharing–you guys always inspire! (you’ve inspired me to paint our paneled family room along with our dark red (cough, 70’s)fireplace–just need to get on it! Best of luck with the book tour! Come to Milwaukee~!

    Sara

    Reply

  42. Lesley says

    I am in the early stages of redoing both kids’ rooms, after 5 years the same colours and decorations they could use some sprucing. Besides, we decorated them originally before either kid had any personal style; now they have favourite colours and strong preferences about their surroundings.

    You have totally opened me up to not just seeing decor items, but looking at things that I would have previously said were great but wouldn’t work in the space. I have a sample pot and a spray can of coordinating colours for each kid, and will be painting whatever we love to make it work in their space. We have reached the point where THEY ask to take a quick browse through thrift shops when we are out!

    Maybe there is a duck in our future too!!!

    Reply

  44. Audrey says

    Just looking at your kitchen counter”scape”. Which size is that you have of the ZGallerie clamshell fruit bowl? Large or Extra Large?

    Reply

  46. Heather says

    So cute! My husband hunts ducks ( poor babies! I have no part in that activity at all) but I think it’s time to find a wooden duck! I’m sure he wouldn’t be opposed to it!

    Reply

  47. Rachel says

    Quack question (ha): All of the little projects you do are so cute, and the artwork you create for your frame wall is so awesome, etc. so how do you decide when it’s time for something to get the boot? If everything you have is either 1) beautiful, 2) useful, or 3) meaningful (or a combo), when do you decide something needs a new home? And if the answer is never, how do you keep from overflowing into grandma-knickknacks everywhere mode (or is that inevitable and I should just reconcile myself to that fact)? Guess this question wasn’t so quick after all…

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      First of all, quack question = awesome. As for how I know when it’s time, I just go by instinct. If I’m in love with four things on the shelf and sort of over something else it might leave (yard sale, donate pile, etc). I generally don’t get “over” something truly meaningful (ex: framed keys from our first homes, favorite photos, etc) but pretty things like vases and cute animal friends can get rotated in and out (and I don’t always get rid of anything, I might just tuck them into the cabinet where I keep “stuff to rotate in when I get bored” so things tend to pop up in a bunch of places).

      xo
      s

  49. Beth A. says

    I’m definitely inspired to paint something stripey!
    Now I just have to decide what….
    And the website cracked me up – very clever:)

    Reply

  50. Kerry H says

    Looks great!

    But unfortunately Mallory is actually a boy – the beautiful green headed mallards are male while the brown mallards are the females one. Seems a little silly to give the men all the color, but I guess Mother Nature knows what she’s doing!

    Reply

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