I Wondered Why I Bought This Piece of Junk-
Shabby chic makeover of a Hollywood Regency trash can cover should have you wondering. I bought this piece of vintage Hollywood Regency junk at a thrift store. It was one of those dry days when I couldn’t find a darn thing, and it’s been sitting in the basement staring at me ever since. I don’t often see vintage Hollywood Regency trash can covers. Personally, I don’t see the point of it. My practical side says, “let’s just have a trash can and be done with it.” Apparently these were the thing in the 50’s, so here we are with this.
And it was GROSS-
And if it looks grody, it was. Rusty and ugly. It was covering someone’s trash can—a large brown Tupperware canister without a lid. It looked so supremely UGLY, I wondered later why I bought it.
How could I give this an attractive makeover?
How about making it into a floor lamp? The cover could hold a light bulb and it would throw interesting patterns through the filigree sides. Nah, I ruled that out. Trash can covers have no top or bottom. It is open at both ends, so I would have to build a support for the light mechanism. Didn’t feel like doing that. Besides, I don’t need another floor lamp. I have about 4 in storage and 3-4 in use. My personal rule is whatever I make over has to be something I can use or resell in my Etsy shop, vintagesouthernpicks.etsy.com, since I don’t have a booth. What next?
Repainting? Obvious. Something to cover rust. White spray paint to the rescue. Etsy didn’t have anything like this for sale already. They were all gold.
A while back a friend was having a garage sale, and I bought all her spray paint cans. Mistake!!!
Duh Tip of the Day: Never buy spray paint cans from a yard sale, especially when you don’t know how old they are.
So four full paint cans later, I finally found one that would spray. All the others quit after very little spraying. Gripes me to throw away practically full cans of paint, but after a youtube video on how to unclog them, and attempting to blow them out with an air compressor, I knew what I had to do.
A coat of fresh white paint made a world of difference.
A vision started coming together. Decorate this baby with flowers! I know. Not exactly the hot farmhouse look, but I’m a shabby chic girl. Since I can’t even draw a stick figure, it would have to be an image transfer. Here’s a word about image transfers….
Image Transfer Method:
(or what the experts say to do)
(I’ve read lots of tutorials on how to do image transfers.) The recommendations:
- Use a laser image.
- Use Mod Podge Image Transfer Medium
- Put a thick 1/16″ layer of transfer medium over the image to the point that you don’t see any of the colored image showing through
- Place the image over the item
- Wait 24 hours
- Wet the image and start rubbing the paper off gently
My Image Transfer Method:
- Find an inkjet image
- Wait 12 hours before you try to do anything with the image. (If you don’t wait, the colors will bleed.)
- Use regular Mod Podge
- Put a layer over the image. Don’t worry about a 1/16″ layer
- Place the image over the item
- Wait 24 hours
- Wet the image and start rubbing the paper off gently
But remember the practical side? What do you DO with it??
It’s a vase! Ta-da! A vase cover actually. I just happened to have a tall glass vase that fit nicely inside of it, and it doesn’t show in the open bottom or top. The pretty paper covering the flowers looks nice lining the cover too.
Now I’m liking this! And my hubby loves it! A shabby chic makeover of a Hollywood Regency trash can cover sitting in a thrift store silverplate tray with a thrift store cherub and small thrift store birdcage in the background. So after we’ve enjoyed it for a while, into the Etsy shop it goes! What do y’all think?
Linking up to these fabulous parties~
Snickerdoodle Make Bake Create
Oh My Heartsie Girl Friday Features Linky Party
PLEASE PIN!
Florence
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Ellen says
Very clever and well done! I should give you more of the things I have sitting around here collecting dust and let you sell them or repurpose them.
Florence says
Thanks Ellen! Ha! Well, bring it on! Sometimes it takes a bit to be inspired.
Kim says
This is adorable. I love the simple transformation.
Florence says
Thanks Kim! Appreciate your comment!
Sharon@BlueWillowHouse says
Love the makeover. The rose image was a wonderful choice. It is oh so perfectly shabby!
Florence says
Thanks Sharon! That’s what I was going for…to feed my shabby chic side.
Sharon@BlueWillowHouse says
Thank you for sharing your shabby chic makeover at the Snickerdoodle Create~Bake~Make link party! I am featuring it this Saturday. Pinning and tweeting.
Florence says
Thank you so much Sharon! I’m honored & thrilled to be chosen for a feature!!
TavinsChoice says
I would have never thought of this! Very clever! Pretty!
Florence says
Thank you Tavin! I can’t believe I thought of it either! LOL
Terri says
So cute!
Florence says
Thanks Terri!
Pam says
The white paint made all the difference. Even if it did take you 4 cans to get one that worked. (wink… wink)
Florence says
Haha, you’re so right Pam! All those worthless paint cans…
leanne with divaofdiy.com says
I love the new bright look! Great update!
Florence says
Thank you Leanne!
Maria says
I love the transformation, so me! It would look great in my guest bathroom.
Maria
Florence says
Thank you Maria! So glad you like it! Keeping fingers crossed that I can resell it on Etsy when the time comes.
Mary-the boondocks blog says
Florence that is super creative. I love the way it looks and the flowers are bursting out of it as if having a party! This was definitely a great save.
Florence says
Thanks Mary! I impressed myself…it all sort of came together.
Carol, The Red Painted Cottage says
Beautiful, Florence! A great transformation!
Florence says
Thank you Carol!
Debrashoppeno5 says
What a difference you made to this trash can cover. It looks wonderful. And the rose transfer is the best touch.
Florence says
Thanks Debra! I really enjoyed this project & how it all cam together.
Brenda Cornett says
You have lots of creative talent. You are great to recycle people’s throw aways …Plus make money on it!
Florence says
Thank you Brenda! THanks for coming by to check out my blog!
Kathryn Griffin says
Florence, this turned out nicely! Much better in the crisp white. Thank you for sharing and your tips! Also, thank you for the visit and sweet comment at The Dedicated House. It means the world! Feel free to share this at my Make it Pretty party which is still live. Here’s the link so you can check it out: http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2017/02/make-pretty-monday-week-208.html . Hope to see you at the bash! Have a lovely weekend! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Florence says
Thank you Kathryn, for the invitation to join the party! I just did. Love the linkies & happy weekend to you! Hope you are out enjoying the beautiful weather!
Karren Haller says
Yep this is a flash back, I had one of those, wish I still did. Your makeover turned out great, I love the rose, perfect.
Thanks for sharing on Friday Features!!! Have a great weekend!
Florence says
Thank you Karen! Glad to know you liked your previous trash can cover. That tells me I might have a chance of re-selling it successfully.
Stacey says
Love this, Florence. 🙂
Pinning and sharing.
Florence says
Thank you Stacey! I was pleased & so glad you like the makeover!!
Jann Olson says
Clever repurpose. I love how it turned out! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Florence says
Thank you Jann!
Diana says
What a transformation, Florence! She’s a beauty now–just perfect with the flowers. You had me giggling today 🙂 Thanks for linking up your makeover with us at Vintage Charm–
Florence says
Thank you Diana! Now I wonder what got you giggling???
Keri says
Florence, I love what you did with this trash can cover! It looks wonderful as a vase cover. The flower transfer you added gives this just the right touch.
Florence says
Thank you Keri!
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
Oh wow what an amazing transformation! I love how it turned out. Paint and the image transfer made a world of difference from the grody trash can cover that you purchased.
Florence says
Thanks Linda! Yes, it did turn out great! I was thrilled beyond my expectations for that piece.
Carol says
I love this – it’s so cute! You are so creative!
Florence says
Thank you Carol! So sweet of you to come by!
Kathy A says
I remember these; I don’t know if they were sets or you could buy the trash can, hairspray can cover, mirrored dresser tray, and tissue box cover individually! i have never done this transfer method and would like to try it. I thought you were decoupaging the picture on, but you are laying the image face down onto the project, right? Pink roses are my favorite and I love how it turned out!
Florence says
I wish I had more pieces to those sets. I didn’t know there was a hairspray can cover, but I’ve sold many tissue box covers in Hollywood Regency. No, I wasn’t decoupaging it, as you figured out. I was doing an image transfer. It turned out to be fairly simple, but I wasn’t sure if it would work or not. It did turn out well, I thought. Not everyone likes shabby chic, but leaving this as I found it…ugh. It definitely needed a makeover, LOL.
Wanda says
You surprised me with it being a vase! I thought it was much bigger. Looks great!
Florence says
Well, it’s actually a trash can cover, but it’s hiding a tall vase. It amazed me how well it accomplished that. Thanks for the sweet comment Wanda.
Christina Makri says
I love so much what you did Florence! Once more we see that a little paint can make miracles!
Florence says
Thank you Christina! It sure did work one on it that’s for sure!