The Magic of Spray Paint

I have decided that there really is magic in taking something you already own that is old or out-dated and turning it into something (almost) brand new. Spray paint is often the key.

Project 1:

When my parents died, I ended up with a magazine rack that they had used for years. It was in excellent condition and I didn't want to get rid of it, but it didn't really fit in with the my decorating scheme. I didn't take a "before" photo, but here is a picture of one that is similar in shape and wood tone:

I was in the process of redecorating one of our bedrooms and was working with grays and yellows. A few coats of spray paint later, the magazine caddie was transformed from something a little bit tired into something bright and cheerful to hold bedside reading for our guests:

Project 2:

I like to hang a wreath or other seasonal objects on my front door for major holidays. My autumn wreath looked tired and worn out; it was multi-colored, papery baubles on vines. The colors were faded and some of the baubles were beginning to crack. When I found another one to replace it, I planned to throw the old one out. But as I put it on the "to donate" pile in my garage, I happened to glance up at the paint shelf and was inspired to try to transform it into an Easter wreath.

The original plan was to go white. I untwisted a wire hanger and hung the wreath from a tree branch. This made it easy to cover the wreath from all sides:

I let it dry and was pleased with the results. The faded colors were transformed by the white paint, and the cracked baubles now looked a bit like opening blossoms. But when I hung it on the door, I was disappointed. The white seemed gray against my black door.

So I went back to the paint shelf and grabbed the same yellow can that I had used on the magazine rack. And. . . . here it is:

Those of you who are less boring than I am could add ribbon, flowers, eggs, etc., to make it even more interesting.

Basically, for the cost of a single can of paint (well, two if you count the white mistake), I got two fun and functional items. So grab a can in your favorite color, find something a bit tired and worn out, and make something old new again.