spray paint

I apologize in advance for not having a “before” picture. I did this when all the Better Homes and Gardens stuff was happening and I didn’t think about it until after. But imagine in your creative mind that the POST was black. And that a lot of the black coating was peeling off revealing the galvanized metal underneath it. Imagine a once black (now faded gray) plastic mail box that is missing the door. Not too welcoming. Not a great first impression either. I took down the plastic mailbox. Then I sanded down the post to get rid of the flaking paint. Then I wiped it down with a damp cloth.
I used Rustoluem’s Hammered Metal Spray Paint to paint the post. It was an exact match to the new brown metal mailbox! I lucked out with that one. I love that spray paint. I used it on my railing years ago and it has held up great!
I used my Silhouette to cut out our last name and put it on the mailbox. Our old mailbox had our last name in vinyl on it as well. I had ordered it from someone. It was nice to be able to just cut out my own. The vinyl will last for a few years ( or more depending on the quality of the vinyl) outdoors. I am hoping it works on metal as well as it did on the old plastic one. If it starts to peel off in a few years I can just cut out a new one.

I am not a huge fan of the design of the post, but it is what I got and so I rolled with it :) I have to say though, I LOVE it a whole lot more now!

Shabby Chic Cream Side Table

I love things that look old and worn and furniture is no exception. I got this table online for $15.00. I loved the classic lines. It had some water damage and scratches on the top. This before picture actually makes it look better than it really looked.

The places that had water damaged were raised. I needed to sand down the top so it would be smooth.

The next thing I did was prime it. I decided to try Kilz Odorless primer in a spray can. I did NOT like it. It was a weird consistency and it spit out the primer instead of it coming out nice and smooth. I recommend sticking with the original formula in either the can or spray.

I don’t have a picture of it all painted without it sanded down. But I am sure you can use your imagination :)

I used a fine grit sandpaper to distress the table. Either a 150 or 220 grit would work. You are trying to speed up the aging process so think about how it would have naturally been worn down. A flat surface like a table would have worn corners, edges, and legs.