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.
Lindsey says
So glad I am not the only one that feels this way! I will spray paint anything that sits still long enough! Love it!!
Sara R. says
We’re having our second baby in November, so I’m trying to get a LOT of things done off my to-do list. Not sure why I wait until I’m really pregnant to do these things. Ugh! :) This week, I’m working on cleaning out the laundry room, guest bedroom closet, linen closet and closet under the stairs. Only have the closet under the stairs to go! Our house isn’t very big, so I’m trying to get rid of some stuff that we haven’t used for awhile so I can utilize all the “extra” space that I have! Then it’s on to painting the living room, kitchen and ceiling!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, I remember that nesting! It’s when the best cleaning and organizing happens! Congrats on the little one on the way.
xo,
s
Sarah says
Someone take the ORB spray paint away from Sherry! ;) I thought you were almost certifiable when I started reading, but it actually looks really good, and I’m sure Clara’s “so so shiny hoop” will get pinned a million times on Pinterest. I think the best benefit is it won’t show the wear that it would have otherwise; I hate that they make outside toys like that white, because they inevitably get disgusting and look like something you got from the garbage. I also wouldn’t be surprised if ORBing that deck box was your next Dude, Get on That Already Challenge! :)
Joanna says
I’m jealous of your carport! It serves so many purposes: play space, outdoor workshop when you need lots of ventilation, party space, car space for bad weather. Most carports are hideous, but yours just looks like a portico. Love it.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Joanna!
xo
s
Stephanie says
This is seriously awesome, in a cool dork kind of way, of course:) I would have never thought to spray paint little tykes toys. Can you let us know how it holds up over time?
YoungHouseLove says
Will do! I’ll do an update post down the line with a bunch of things I’ve painted and see how they hold up.
xo,
s
Rhonda says
Love Love Love!!! I cannot stand the color of most kid toys. Even when I was a kid I thought the colors were bad ( I was a very opinionated child). It makes me sooo happy to know you can spray paint them.
EngineerMom says
I have to admit, this fell into the category of “why on earth…?”
But I can understand how little things can make living with kids a bit easier – I only keep “real” play kitchen pots and pans for the kids because (the metal ones from IKEA) because I hate the way plastic toys look when strewn about the kitchen.
Out of curiosity, did you paint the whole stem so when you raise it (hopefully soon – she shouldn’t be taller than the basket!), you won’t have a bright blue slash in the middle of your ORB goodness?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup! I made that guy nice and tall so no blue would pop out later!
xo,
s
Brenda says
Sorry Sherri but half way into your post I was thinking you really went overboard with painting the basketball hoop but then I remembered that nobody sees mine because it gets stored in the garage. I’ve also been wanting to do diy the PB version of stainless steel letters so they can match my kitchen…so at the end of the day it’s the same difference.
Amanda says
Oh my God Sherry! This is so hilarious! It’s just so… funny! I scrolled down before I actually started reading and saw the basketball hoop on the cardboard and immediately thought, “nooo way… What?!?!” Cause anytime you see anything on a piece of cardboard on this blog, you know it’s gonna get sprayed. I’m can’t stop giggling over this ORB’d basketball hoop. You like never see this, ever. hahahaha! LOVE IT!
Jocelyn Pascall says
This literally made me laugh out loud, but I TOTALLY get it. One of my good friends, who is also a new Mom, was telling me the other day how much she hates all of the brightly colored plastic that has suddenly appeared in her life. I will send her this link for sure!
Kiki says
This is a brilliant idea! As someone who wants to be a teacher, this will be a great tip for me to keep in mind when finding supplies and decorating the classroom. And as much as I love color, sometimes those primary colors make me shudder. ORB saves the day again!
Vickie L. says
It has NEVER occurred to me to NOT fold my underwear. I guess I learned it from my mother. You may have just won one over to the dark side. And I love Hooper’s new color! I ORB as much as possible. Most recently was flower pots, doorbell cover, front door hardware,and exterior light fixtures. In my neck of the woods ORB is $5.77/can at WalMart and about $8/can @ Home Depot. My habit only affords the cheapest (and much closer) option. Happy ORB’ing to you!
katalina says
I wonder if Orb has figured out that their sales have tripled since your blog…are they a sponsor?? spray painting is really satisfying –no matter what color!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, believe it or not they’re not only not a sponsor but they probably don’t even know what our blog is. Haha.
xo,
s
Angie says
I will admit, I laughed right out loud when I read the word “ORB” I don’t know if I could do it, but I will say it looks really nice, kind of sophisticated! Glad you like it:)
Heather says
Crazy? Yes. But you totally made me laugh!! Love it!
liz says
Now I think you should ORB the storage box. :)
Courtney says
Yikes. It just doesn’t look right anymore!
Jenna at Homeslice says
I love that, definitely a big improvement!
Jen says
No worries Sherry! I looooove organizing, but I also pick my battles and avoid folding my undies. :)
Love that you spray painted the hoop! Sometimes kids toys are just not attractive, and paint doesn’t change the functionality, just allows us to love the toys as much as the kiddos do! Kudos mama!
xo,
Jen
Koliti says
Have you seen that United States Postal Service commercial with the family that wants to ship back the “evil clown” and the nice postman tells them about flat rate return boxes? The hoop’s before colors are the SAME colors as the evil clown!! I can imagine how the “evil hoop” greeted you in the carport every day!! (Cue scary movie theme music.)
Nice clean update with the ORB.
Maybe it’s different on your can of ORB, but on my can of Rust-Oleum Universal Advanced Formula Metallic Paint & Primer In One, Any Surface Any Angle – there’s a disclaimer on the back that is specifically addressing Little Tikes. Of course it’s all in tiny type, but in the first section in red letters it says – “TIP: Some plastics made of polyethylene such as Little Tikes children’s products are manufactured in a way that may hinder maximum paint adhesion. Test paint on a hidden area first.”
Maybe it’s different if ORB is not considered a “metallic”,
or maybe it depends on what color you choose – either way always good to read the TINY TYPE.
If it turns out that this is on your ORB can, then maybe other people may want to wait for an update to this post to see how your project holds up.
YoungHouseLove says
So interesting! Will have to check my can and do an update post in a while to share how it wears! It did seem to adhere well off the bat (no flaking or bubbling or beading) but you never know!
xo,
s
Amy @ a new old house says
I SWORE we’d never own bright, plastic climbers & such- that was BEFORE we had kids! Now we have plenty.
This really has me thinking about painting a hand-me-down plastic playhouse currently blighting the back yard… hmmm….
Angie says
What, it isn’t normal to fold your underwear? What about catagorizing it by style/ fit? It looks so pretty in the drawer that way! I guess that’s my ORB’d hoop!
The little things that bring a smile (or take away a groan) are so worth it!
Annette says
I love you, Sher, and I’m usually on board with everything you do, but this is just bonkers. I do have a disdain for plastic crap toys, but my solution is not to buy them.
YoungHouseLove says
What if you get it as a gift and your kiddo falls in love and you just use what you have to “save” it? Still bad?
xo,
s
Annette says
Okay, you got me there.
Jennifer says
I love you. I really do!! I have one of these and I HAAATE it! It is so hideously ugly…as you already know! :) I wouldnt have thought of painting it.
Eileen says
It looks great! I wish I had thought of that years ago… clever girl! I think you should spray the storage container next to it the same as the hoop.
heyruthie says
hilarious. i thought for sure you were going to pull a “see how we painted our electic meter AND our basketball hoop at the same time–with brick red paint!” type idea. the ORB looks better than i envisioned it in “barn red.” ha!
Sara says
Biggest house peeve? The previous homeowners put down this awful tile in the kitchen and entryway (takes up about half of the downstairs.) It’s gray and always looks dirty (even though it isn’t.) They did it themselves and it is uneven. Thankfully, we have a buffet in place and you can’t tell. BUT, so many of the tiles have cracked. (Think big, thin ceramic tiles that crack easily.) And when our dog was a puppy, she ate a lot of the grout (I know.) Anyway, it’s a huge mess and it will be so expensive to replace it. We had someone quote us for putting flooring on top, but if we do that, we’ll never be able to get our dishwasher out if we replace it or our stove without screwing up the floor. Huge mess. We have not dealt with it yet, except to put the broken tiles back in place and put rugs over the worst ones. Another house peeve is that the previous owners installed French doors and they did a horrible job. It’s just awful. So we removed the doors but they really messed up the door frame. When we bought the house, the carpet was a nightmare (we replaced ALL of it. Wish we had money for hardwood or laminate but we didn’t at the time) and they had big scratches on the walls going up the stairs and the rooms were all painted the same white or blue color and one room had one wall that was blue and the rest were white. Then in an upstairs bedroom they painted the molding navy blue. It was really hard to get that white again. But we did it. Whew. Anyway …
torrie says
could you give me any more reasons to LOVE your family?!?! i’ve been playing basketball since middle school and still play in an adult women’s league now. feel even more “connected” with clara knowing she’s a “baller”! haha ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s one of her favorite things to do outside besides play with rocks and sticks! Haha.
xo,
s
Kristin ~ Bien Living Design says
I registered for baby items with our living room decor in mind – I don’t think this is strange AT ALL! :)
Lindsay says
This is especially funny considering clara’s going to grow out of that toy in about 5 minutes.
YoungHouseLove says
It actually extends to six feet tall!
xo,
s
Lauren says
I love it! Clara’s enjoying it, it looks oh so shiny, you’re happier…win win WIN!!
vel says
I love the black, and it suits your need to have it “disappear”, but for me, I would paint it a metallic color – gold or silver perhaps, but then you have the hazard of someone actually thinking it’s not your ordinary hoop and snatch it from you:-)
Seriously Sassy Mama says
You crack me up with your ORB. I have the same feeling towards my turquoise spray paint.
Diane Taylor says
Well, my dad always said to us….”If mama ain’t happy, then nobody’s happy!”. Sherry, if you lurve it and you are happy, then everyone in the house is happy – right?
But please – don’t paint Burger, ok? I love that little guy…..lol
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, he doesn’t stay still long enough!
xo,
s
Andrew says
Sherdog, you’re too funny in a completely neurotic sort of way that I adore. In college, I took the black & white decor theme to the extreme. Spray paint was my best friend (much to the chagrin of my roommate). He insisted on an Xmas tree, so I told him that I would take care of it. I spray painted an artificial tree black, decorated it with white lights, and white ornaments. It was truly beautiful in theory. In reality, the spray paint dust after the holiday was a nightmare!
Annie says
I have been a closeted underwear folder for years. This post has given me the courage to come out and be proud. At least I’m not one of those weird underwear iron-ers… They need help.
The hoop looks about a billion times better, BTW. :)
cindy says
Great idea! We had one of those for 14 years (Bought it for the first kid and it was still going strong wehn we got rid of it after 4 kids were over it. It was adorable in its primary colors for the first year then like you I kept trying to figure out where to put it so that it didn’t look like I was running a daycare. Between the hoop, the cozy coupe, the sandbox turtle, the big wheel trikes, bikes, wagons, etc. I always felt like our yard was messy looking. Wonder how Clara would like a Little Tykes Cozy Coupe spray painted to match your car? I love y’all.
Alicia says
I LOL reading your post…but I always say “if mama ain’t happy…ain’t nobody happy!” So get your spray paint on!
I purposely made sure my boys’ kiddie table and chairs matched my living room…I fold my underwear so what do you expect!?
Tracey says
I have to admit… At first I was siding with the haters, but once I saw the sheen glowing and Clara jamming, it was on. And I totally get why you did it. Our house has a pond (swamp) behind it and when we go for walks around the neighborhood, you can see the back of our house from the other side. All you see is green, green, green and then BAM! bright yellow, blue and red slide. It’s mortifying to me. Painting it never dawned on me, but now you got me thinking…
Jen M. says
LOVE THIS!!! I don’t care what all those nay-sayers say, this is awesome and perfect! I have NEVER understood why kids toys, plastic bright loud, are allowed to take over a house — uh, the kid isn’t the one paying the mortgage, right?!? Bright colors for development can be represented in books, puzzles, toys, and things that can be in “their rooms” or put away in bins/baskets. I just LOVE this solution for those items that are too big to be “put away” so that giant plastic toys don’t disrupt the home. Love love LOVE!
Melissa D. says
I am totally an underwear folder! I even fold my husband’s boxers.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome. Seriously I’m amazed! You guys are cracking me up.
xo,
s
Sherry F says
Okay, the basketball hoop is now super chic, so I’m down with it. But what I’m really enjoying is reading all the comments above about folding underwear. You guys are frickin hilarious.
Abby says
Love it!!!
Curious to know how it holds up. Would be afraid that with time, use, weather, etc, the spary paint would get scratched.
YoungHouseLove says
I’ll do an update post with pics in a while! I sprayed an outdoor table with the same stuff last year and it still looks great!
xo,
s
Danielle says
Folders Unite!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, this is the best comment convo ever. Hilarious how many folders are out there!
xo,
s
Leanne says
The basketball hoop looks great! I never would have thought of doing that!
Last weekend I ORB’d our outdoor light fixtures; a job I’ve been meaning to get to for 2 years! What a difference. They look like new. Cost? $0 since I had the can of spray paint from another project!
Paola says
I was actually wondering why you have not done it before…..:)
Ashley says
Wait, so folding underwear is bad? Guess I’m more type A than I thought. Also, I’m glad I’m not the only one who looks at primary-colored-plastic-crap and thinks “why won’t they make these in classy colors”-I’d been thinking of spray painting them for a while, but thought that might be a bridge too far-thanks, Sherry for crossing the bridge before me so I can say “What? Sherry did it first!”
hill says
My border collie max jumps into the air and hits the basketball with his nose, he’s a better athlete than i am in every way
YoungHouseLove says
Amazing! We need a YHL let talent show stat!
xo
s
Sam M. | Atkinson Drive says
8-O Must. Try. Maybe I’ll paint ours red to match our shutters…!
Kelley says
I LOVE IT TIMES 10! This is the most awesome use of spray paint ever! hahaha! Swanky hoops for the Bean!