Yes, that was a gourd pun. Although I must admit that my all time favorite post title ever was Oh My Gourd (see that post here). Anyway, in case you couldn’t tell, this post is about gourds. I like injecting a little seasonal interest into our home in a few fun and inexpensive ways (think Halloween decor like this and Thanksgiving decor like this). And given my love of all things white and ceramic I couldn’t help myself when we came across these faux gourds at JoAnn Fabrics for 50% off their $2.99 price tag (so I grabbed all five for $7.45).
Then I spray painted the heck out of them with some white glossy paint. Hard to believe, I know. At least I’m consistent with my white object obsession.
Within a few minutes of spraying and a few hours of drying I was left with these babies. Which I’m happy to report not only look like glossy white ceramic creations, but also feel just like them too (they were made of dense foam that was a bit heavier than you’d expect, so the whole result is actually a lot more convincing than I thought it would be).
I like how they look grouped on a ceramic cake stand and definitely plan to work them into this year’s Halloween and Thanksgiving related decorating adventures. Speaking of seasonal decor, what are you guys doing to usher in the temperature change and those upcoming holidays? We had to put the heat on for the first time last night. Brr.
Michelle says
http://www.babble.com/products/mom-products/best-design-blogs-mom-kid-baby-products/
YHL made the babble.com top 50 design blogs for moms! woot!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh no way! We’re amazed. To be among such amazing fellow bloggers in the baby arena is an honor! Thanks for the heads up!
xo,
s
Paige says
I love that both this and http://catalogliving.net/post/1243074273/gary-and-elaine-have-put-away-the-starfish-and showed up in my feed reader on the same day.
I fear I’ll soon become obsessed with white ceramic-y things too. As I will soon be getting engaged and thus will have a ring which I won’t be able to wear while cooking or working, I was looking around for ring holders and happened upon Jonathan Adler’s Squirrel: http://www.whorange.net/photos/uncategorized/2008/05/23/jonathan_adler_squirrel_ring_box_1.jpg Sigh. It must be mine.
Katarina says
I’m obsessed with this Seletti Porcelain Robot.
http://www.whotelsthestore.com/item.asp?curr_item_id=4536&cat_subcat_id=33
Gabie says
Regarding painting real gourds: I definitely recommending priming them first. I just painted four gourds orange and had to use an entire can of paint and still they are not flawless! Would have looked amazing with primer first…
Kara says
Just found your blog & I loooooove it!!!
So, question- I have a large great room (living room, dining room, reading nook, foyer- think circa 1994 condo) & we’ve painted it a light yellow. LOVE the yellow but can’t figure out a couch & main colors to go with it. The couch we have is red & while others think it’s a lot of fun, I feel like I live in romper room. Any suggestions? Know of any pics of yellow living rooms & what people have done with them?
Thanks so much! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Mocha or chocolate sofas look lovely in light yellow rooms (along with charcoal, navy, light gray and other colors that work with yellow). It’s actually a really flexible color. Good luck!
xo,
s
OwningSingle says
I like it! I’m switching out through pillows, putting out some ceramic pumpkins, swithcing my tablescape and sideboard accessories, and decorating my front porch.
Angie says
Love the idea & they turned out really cute! I remember your post on the “old bronze candlestick” and loved the bright color you used…I would paint one of your gourds that same yellow–it would stick out from the cake stand & tie the two together for a nice table arrangement, or maybe even just add a yellow doily underneath.
Tracy Lee says
Love the gourds!
Autumn is my favorite season, so I get WAY too into it =)
Every year the hubsy and I take the kids out to a local farm’s pumpkin patch. This year I decided to be extra adventurous and plant some gourds myself in the backyard… you’ve just reminded me to check on them! I live in wet and constantly rainy Seattle, so I rarely have to go out there to water the plants, Mother Nature does it for me! That’s why I haven’t really checked on the gourds in a while… whoops!
Bethany says
Great idea!
What type of glossy pray paint did you use? And is the same type of spray paint you’d use on other surfaces? Wood, Metal, etc.
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, regular old white glossy spray paint by Rustoleum that you’d use on metal (for wood we’d recommend spray primer first to ensure that it doesn’t bleed).
xo,
s
Laura says
Oh goodness, too cute! Burger better not sit still for long, or you might just have another white animal to add to your collection!
TD says
Love this idea. How did you manage to spray paint those uneven sized pieces so evenly? If I tried this, I can just imagine spraying my hands and arms and other things while I try to hold up the objects straight so I can get all surfaces painted properly.
Thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey TD,
I laid them all on a flat spray paint-able surface (cardboard) and sprayed them that way (as opposed to holding them). Then I gave them enough time to fully dry, and flipped them all over on the cardboard so I could get the other side of them. Worked like a charm. The key is having the patience to wait until they’re fully dry to flip them over.
xo,
s
aliciajuliane says
I can’t wait for your Halloween decoration posts :-)
Vonda says
Those look amazing!
Gina at Temporary Nest says
Hey Youngsters! I made a little mini gourd and bouquet display in my living room that makes me smile every time a look at it. I got the gourds while apple picking with my guy, so theres a story behind them too which makes it even more special.
http://temporary-nest.blogspot.com/2010/09/fall-bouquet-part-2.html
Vonda says
PS – If we weren’t looking for a bit bigger house (we’re in 1800 now), it would be just what we’re looking for in every way!! I think you’ll have a little ‘celebrity’ [I know Sherry, insert ‘blush’ here] going for you and it will sell quickly and hopefully for top dollar!!
Lauren says
I just completed this over the weekend as well (well my mom did it for me since I am 8 months pregnant)! It turned out great. We also did a few pinecones and acorns. Some are white; some we left brown (acorns, etc) and the remainder we painted silver. The whole thing cost $10, much cheaper than the ceramic and mercury glass ones I like! Glad to know I’m not the only one with the obsession!
Jamie M M says
I love them!
I don’t know what decor this season will bring, it’s my first fall with room for real decor, so I’m excited!
And I’m SUPER jealous that you have to turn your heat on. We live in Houston and would be cooked alive if we didn’t have our air conditioning! Luckily today is only in the 70’s – so I guess we’re having our “autumn weather” too.
Jeri says
Well, now I have to run to the nearest craft store so I can copy this. LOVE!
Katie says
Very nice, and definitely matches with your current decor. I guess I just like old-fashioned fall decor – right on down to the oranges and reds and yellows. I would be sad to cover that up with white! To each their own, though. I always love your ideas!
Heather @ The Cozy Cape says
Those do look like ceramic! The one that has the really curved “neck” looks like a swan head and beak from the angle it was shot. It made me chuckle!
They look great!
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite says
Love this! I just put out my Fall decor yesterday but my small collection is really lacking. Thinking I might need to hit the craft store this week to beef it up! Loving your revised blogging format btw!!
Carol N. says
Love your white gourds but I go with the natural ones as those are my favorite colors. I got out the fall pillow covers this weekend, put the acorns and pine cones in the vases and made a huge crock pot of red beans to have red beans, rice and sausage this week. Will also be making homemade vegetable soup as well with a yummy jalepeno/cheese cornbread. No heat yet at our house but we are a lot further south than you guys are (just south of Birmingham, Alabama). I am so excited that it has finally cooled off after the horribly hot/humid summer we had.
And one of the traditions that started when my mom moved here 5 years ago is that I take a day of vacation and she and I have a nice breakfast out somewhere and then wander through the local shops and nurseries. We do the last of our Christmas shopping (yes, we are those people who insist on finishing early) and then look for some fall plants and pumpkins to use for decor. It is just a nice way for us to enjoy the weather, the season and each other.
Noel says
I started reading the post and as I saw the first picture I said to myself, “I bet she spray paints those suckers white” … sure enough … haha!
One of my favorite things about Fall is the great colors, so unfortunately, I am not with you on this one. Not gonna keep me from checking this site multiple times per day, but just thought I would put my two cents in (need to represent that 2% male YHL population).
Looking forward (as always) to seeing what you do next! =)
Alicia says
So I’m guessing y’all aren’t going to be posting at your usual times anymore? I noticed there was a weekend post out of nowhere and now no afternoon post. :(
I hope I make it through the withdrawls. LOL. Just kidding. (Sort of.)
Alicia says
Oh wait, I spoke too soon. What can I say? I love y’all!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Alicia,
We definitely won’t be sticking to those old times anymore. As we recently announced in this post, we’re sticking to real-time posting from here on out, just like we did when this blog baby started. So we’ll post whenever things are going on (whether that’s during the day, the evening, the weekend, etc). We’re crazy like that.
xo,
s
Agent Scully says
FYI: Decorative gourds are now on sale at Trader Joe’s for $.69 each. Go forth and decorate!
YoungHouseLove says
Sweet deal Agent Scully!
xo,
s
p.s. Who knew I’d ever type that sentence?
Kristin says
I like the look of the gourds, but I feel like they almost get lost on that white ceramic stand… I’d for sure have to trade it in for a dark basket, or patterned plate. I can’t wait to see how you integrate them into your fall decor though!
Erica says
I love this idea! I too am obsessed with white ceramic objects. I am particularly fond of white teapots and plates.
Amber says
Sherry, you and your white paint lol. I actually see things different now because of you. I think, wow that could really look clean and crisp with a lil’ paint :)
Leah says
Hmmm… I just can’t get into these.
TD says
Thanks Sherry for the tip! I bought a few decorative gourds last wkend. I will try painting one of them this week. Waiting for more holiday related posts. xo.
Carrye says
Love it! I swung by JoAnn’s and they had some left so I grabbed some. Can’t wait to get them painted. I love that I’ll be able to reuse them next year too.
Monica says
Oh my word, that looks so fabulous! What a great idea!
Heidi H. says
Great idea! This is why y’alls site is the best. Much love.
nikki says
I really really like it…I was a little apprehensive, and then I scrolled down and so loved it! I’m one of those skeptics that has to see it to believe it. So, now, I love painted gourds!
Roberta says
Great idea. I have some old, fake fruit in my attic and a white ceramic tray that i’m using as a centerpiece – i think painting the fruit white would be an excellent idea. what type of spray paint did you use?
Kenia says
Oooooh this is so pretty, I love how simple they look now, I can definitely appreciate their shape…very artistic….I love it!
Megan S. says
Thanks to your clever direction, I spray painted a large pumpkin with two coats of chalkboard paint. I drew (with chalk) a jack-o-lantern face on one side and “Happy Halloween” on the other. No matter where you walk in the dining room/great room, you have a spooky view. Plus, I can gently wash the chalk off and change the message if I so choose- this weekend it became “Scary Movie Sunday” to mark our weekly tradition. Lots of fun!
Jemma Craig says
Awful, horrible, just plain yuck
Jennifer says
I LOVE me some spray paint! It might just be the best invention ever!!!
Taylor @ thehouseonpennylane says
I did this exact thing with REAL gourds last year for Thanksgiving! Faux would have been much easier to work with, though, as I had to first dry out the gourds, then paint, then repaint when the paint started to stay due to the nature of real gourds.
Here’s a link to my post about my gourds incorporated into my Thanksgiving tablescape (my first ever)!
http://thehouseonpennylane.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/rob-takes-a-night-off/
Ali says
So cute! I have a total autumn theme, color wise, in my house so this time of year is decorating heaven. I bought the real deal cute bumpy gourds for a steal this year – .69 cents at Trader Joes, and so awesome grouped in a bowl in my kitchen. Love them!
Alyson says
What paint do you use? I did this last week actually, but the paint didn’t stick very well…any advice?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Alyson,
We used a few thin and even coats of Rustoleum gloss white spray paint, but if you’re spraying something more glossy or shiny (like ceramic items or even glossy real gourds) you might want to use a spray primer like Kilz first to help it stick. And thin and even really is the key- loading on too much paint with the nozzle too close (you want to be 8-10″ away) will cause drips and a bad end result. Good luck!
xo,
s
jeune fille says
I LOVE me some spray paint!
Shannah says
Hi YHLers!
While I’m not into ceramic animals, I do love the way you’re fearless with using paint to bring out the texture and shape of objects, while neutralizing the color palette.
I linked to you today here: http://shannahhayley.blogspot.com/2010/10/from-eeeck-to-chic.html
I really appreciate the way you show your successes, failures and failures-turned-back-into successes. Thanks!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Shannah!
We’re sure we’ll fail at something any day now so we’ll have more of those to report soon!
xo,
s
Kim says
While I think it is a clever idea to spray paint the gourds, I must admit that I much prefer to display them in all their colorful, autumnal glory. The one that is all dented in just looks weird painted white…I’d discard that one.
Susan says
I love all the white stuff, BUT i feel like it’s fall, ya gotta live it up! I think the natural gourd colors would have looked better on the white cake stand. But just one opinion. Craft on- great job on inspiring us!
Lisa says
I’m really NOT loving this, which is crazy because I usually love everything you guys do. I also have a tiny obsession with the white ceramic stuff so I do get why you did it..
The round one in the front looks like a drippy carmel apple. The one of the left is WAY too phallic for me…
This is just weird, y’all
Katherine @ Dexter & Dinah says
I just spray painted a lamp white, and now I know what to do with the rest of the spray paint! Thanks for the great idea!
Natalie says
They look fabulous! I was actually thinking of doing something similar. Now that I see how great it looks, I’m definitely going to try it for myself! :)