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Cheap and Hip Ceramic Makeover

3 February 2009 5,790 views 5 Comments

by heather

Sarahrae posted this great idea awhile back on Apartment Therapy: paint over cheesy knick knacks to create hip and modern pops of color in your decor. A monochromatic color scheme makes even the junkiest ceramic figurine look like it came from your favorite hipster shopping outlet. I love these ceramic busts of composers painted orange-red. And when you get sick of the color, repaint!

I saw an Abe Lincoln bust at the thrift store just last week. But you don't have to limit yourself to busts of famous dudes, you can check out the ceramic aisle of your local dollar store (and they usually have an ENTIRE aisle devoted to that stuff). Just imagine those ceramic birdies painted over in a pretty cream color like Scatter Sunshine did:

Project Estimate:

Ceramic figurine, $1
Spray paint, $1.88 and up

Total cost: $2.88 (use the spray paint on multiple figurines to bring the cost down)

5 Comments »

katy said:

I love this look. I think it is a brilliant idea. All those kitschy-in-a-yucky-way thrift store things suddenly look hip and stylish. Bitter Betty also did a great post about this.

# 3 February 2009 at 11:34 am

Becky said:

I like it! (And, being a classically trained musician, am totally amused at the first picture. XD )

# 3 February 2009 at 5:20 pm

Frog Riding Bike said:

This is so chic! Next time I see a cheap and ugly ceramic figurine I’m taking it home with me :)

# 4 February 2009 at 8:26 pm

DIY Spraypaint Home Decor Tutorials and Inspiration, Including an Oscar! - said:

[...] Spraypaint Pop Art Busts Tutorial [...]

# 22 February 2009 at 8:21 pm

ladyjanewriter said:

I feel incredibly stupid that I never thought of this! Oooh, this’d look really cool with that speckled-y spraypaint, too. And, I’m guessing acrylics will work in a pinch – spraypaint’s illegal in Chicago, I’d have to go to the burbs to get it. :0)

# 1 March 2009 at 8:45 am