I’m back with an easy thrift store upgrade. John and I snagged this seen-better-days brass candlestick at Goodwill for $1.99 after I convinced him that a bright and modern color would complement the traditional shape for a clean and current result in about five minutes flat.
So I spray painted that sucker with some glossy yellow paint (Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Gloss spray paint in Sun Yellow)…
… and ended up with a nice new (and super cheap) accessory in a fun and happy color. Here he is accompanied by his three candle friends. Anyone humming Beauty & The Beast yet? Totally reminds us of Lumiere.
Simple? Check. Cheap? Check? Anyone can do it? Check. Plus we’re planning to do a little seasonal decorating and we think this guy will come in handy for all sorts of occasions (Halloween, Thanksgiving, fall in general, etc). So stay tuned to see a few fun arrangements with our new yellow candlestick.
And speaking of quick thrift store makeovers, what have you guys been transforming on the cheap? Any other candlestick projects going on?
Renee says
Im still a bit heavy handed with the spray paint – spray too close or too much and end up with little lumps on it!
I have some pieces to color, but have been too scared to do it in case I mess them up!
Think I might give it a go now, after seeing how awesome the yellow candle stick looks :)
Julie at www.downtimeweblog.com says
Love it. Thrifting and repurposing is always very cheap and chic.
Eric @ flavorspaces says
I never manage to find great finds like this. I’m the worst thriftier ever haha. The yellow makes me happy. I can’t wait to see it different rooms.
Ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says
love it!
-ashley
candace @ thecandace.com says
What perfect timing! I’m still a new DIYer but I was planning on spray painting these ceramic pumpkins THIS weekend! I hope they turn out as great as yours! I’m very much looking forward to your decorating post – your post from last year’s Halloween STILL has me inspired!! :)
Kim at Yellow Brick Home says
Love Beauty and the Beast. One of my all time favorites (along with The Little Mermaid)!
We, too, love a simple spray project:
http://www.yellowbrickhome.com/2010/07/29/hooked/
And we especially enjoying taking something with an obvious use and using it for our needs. Simple, cheap, and effective.
ENM says
just curious if you have any suggestions of spray paint to use when pregnant? I am dying to get crafty with stuff like this but am concerned of fumes etc. Would a white dust mask and good ventilation be enough?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey ENM,
We have yet to find a low or no VOC spray paint but we’re sure they’re working on it. We wouldn’t think a white dust mask would be enough protection, but a true gas mask (they’re only about $30 at Home Depot) would do the trick and you could reuse it a lot for projects in the future. Also do things outside so it’s even more ventilated- just to be safe. Good luck!
xo,
s
Holly says
Love it!
I just scored a great mirror for about $7 at Value Village and am am sprucing it up with a little paint to be a magnetic chalkboard! So stoked. Also found a sweet little child sized wooden rocker (in nearly perfect condition) for about $7 as well. Our sweet little man Cooper is going to have a colorful new rocker very soon! So excited!
Thanks for all the tips! I’d love to be your neighbor! :)
JoDi says
HaHa! Lumiere was the first thing I thought of when I saw that candlestick! Beauty and the Beast is definitely my favorite Disney movie ever! Love it!
Elizabeth says
I love this punch of color! I seem to shy away from paint projects, always forgetting about the magic that is spray paint. Thanks for the never-fail inspiration!
Livi says
Thanks for the tips – I just checked out the Rust O. website and looked at the heat resistant spray paints they offer – I am going to be rid of the brass fireplace insert this weekend – Love your site!
jennifer chase says
So cute! My husband teases me constantly, because I am always wanting to spray paint all sorts of things (or put on new knobs). He says, if you don’t like it as is then don’t buy it, but I say make it your own and then love it! Recently I’ve gotten some old & ornate 16″ x 20″ framed prints from a junk store for only $3 each – add a can of spray paint and I have brand new frames for my poster-sized pictures for cheaper than you could buy anywhere. Next up is a lovely metal cherry blossom branch – it’s currently brass and I am debating whether I want to stick with a metal color (silver to match those frames) or go for something fun & punchy. hmmmm
Thanks for all the great inspiration!
Nicole says
I did the same exact thing back earlier this year when I found some awesome brass candlesticks at some thrift stores by me for .98 cents each. I painted mine white and then used burgundy red candle sticks. I also found an awesome little brass deer and spray painted him white as well and put them all together for a foresty friend little tablescape.
Hannah says
I’m gonna go out on a limb here & predict that this candle holder will not only show up in your Halloween & Fall decor, but if you guys are pulling out the lemon/lime/orange theme for Christmas again, it’ll make yet another appearance! Love it! :)
Janna says
I love it! Its things like this – the “it’s so easy I can’t beleive I didn’t think of doing this” – that keep me reading your blog. You guys rock :)
Now off I go to find me some cheap ugly candlesticks and some yellow spray paint!
Sarah K says
Looks great! I was recently inspired by all your white animals, and gave an old ceramic giraffe a cute glossy white makeover. I just need to practice some patience, so I don’t get so many drips!
Hayley says
That really looks great. I love these kinds of makeovers. I’d love to see it in your living room – it will look fab with your new rug!
foo says
So simple, yet such a big impact. I love it. Love the shape and the color you chose. Makes me smile. =)
gigi says
i just saw an exact candlestick at an antique store for $25! love it, but i wasn’t going to pay that knowing how little you paid for yours! :)
Audrey says
May I also add that it would be a GREAT Halloween decoration if spray-painted black? :-)
Sara at Keeth Ink says
After drooling all over Restoration Hardware’s new catalog, I decided our dining room needs to be more monochromatic in taupe & linen colors (it’s been deep red for 8 years now). I gathered up several random knick-knacks (baskets, picture frames, wire message board thing) and bought four different shades of taupe & gray spray paint. I painted a couple of things with each color (so that it doesn’t look too much like “hey, I painted everything the same!”) The room is still in progress, but I’m digging the way everything is coming together.
MrsPaetz says
Oh how gorgeous and simple! LOVE great thrift store finds!
Jenn says
Maybe this is a silly question, but is there a general rule of thumb for painting projects that are ideal for spray paint vs. regular paint? Is it the size of the project that determines it? Or does it not matter at all?
YoungHouseLove says
We prefer to spray paint metal items (they tend to grab paint really well) and (rough, ideally not very shiny) ceramic items (if they’re shiny we use Kilz spray primer first). We always always always use oil-based primer followed by latex paint applied with a roller or brush when it comes to wood furniture or any larger pieces (not just small accessories) since it’s a much more durable and long lasting effect on large furnishings (while small accessories work really well with a few light and even coats of spray paint). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Amy says
Just wondering how many coats you sprayed on your candlestick. Also have you ever tried the Rustoleum Universal spray paint?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amy,
Yes, we love that spray paint and totally recommend it if you like the color they have (we deviate from that brand if we find a color that we love in another brand, etc). As for the coats, we did three thin and even ones. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jackie says
Hi guys! I’ve only recently stumbled upon your website and I am already in love with it. Such a great way to share your creativity with other like-minded people. Just thought I’d share with you a little makeover I did with my lamp that involved spray painting and an old lamp and shirt of mine. Here’s a link to the photo http://jackies-creations.blogspot.com/p/more.html
Thanks :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh- I love how bling-y it is!
xo,
s
Sara says
Hi! I know this post is almost a year old, but I only just came across it as I read back to learn about your love of spray painting! I’m a new follower, but following more and more in love with your blog each day! I can’t wait to spray paint some things of my own! Thank you for being so wonderful!