Monday, March 25, 2013

Painted Thrift Store Shelf & Mantel Display

Oh my gosh, this weekend went by fast! Can you all believe it's Monday already? 
 
Saturday my Mom and I took the boys to Mystic, Connecticut, for the day and froze!  I wonder when exactly spring will arrive up here in the northeast? 
 
On the way home I took some back roads and stumbled upon a seriously cute consignment store in Colchester. I could have spent forever in there, but for some reason, 9 and 11 years old boys don't want to go antiquing with there mother and grandmother, so there was some pretty substantial complaining going on. And this is despite the fact that my oldest got an owl for his collection and my youngest found a vintage Mickey Mouse bank for his room.


 
Anyway, last week I found this shelf with lots of cubbies at the local thrift store for $4.99.  Actually, I had seen it the day before, didn't get it, thought about until around lunch time the next day, and then went back for it. Believe it or not it was still there. Now that is a good sign!


 
This honestly took me forever to paint!  The original color was this odd yellow/green. It was painted horribly, leaving big splotches unpainted and revealing the even worse original stain job. 

 
 
 I started out with a quick sanding and then painted it first, white (Martha Stewart Picket Fence) and then black (Martha Stewart Silhouette).  It was absolute torture and every time I thought I had finished a coat I would find another bare spot that needed paint.  When I finally had finished, I gave it a good sanding to distress it and a light coat of wax to protect the piece.

 
 
Right now, I have it up on my mantel showing off some pieces of silver that I have collected.  Couldn't you just picture this filled with pumpkins in the fall or vintage ornaments at Christmas? The possibilities are limitless! (Which is why it's staying in my house and not being consigned. HA!)


 
To the mantel, I added in some forsythia twigs from my yard and some moss from Michael's into a little silver creamer.
 
 

 
I also added a maple syrup bucket and some pussy willows. Perfect for spring, when it decides to show up. And, lastly a darling little mercury glass bird ornament from Target I had gotten a couple of years ago.  (Of course, I left my lamp up there as I typically do).



 
All in all, very simple and neutral and I'm pretty thrilled with it right now.  I love how the shelves add some much needed height to the mantel and I was able to display another collection in a neat and orderly manner.
 
Thanks so much for stopping by!
 
 
 









Linking to: 
DIY Show Off Mod Vintage Lifehttp://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2013/02/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no151.htmlthurCozyLittleHousebadge150xhttp://www.cozylittlehouse.com/ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia52 MantelsBeyond The Picket FencePhotobucket A Delightsome Life vif187http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/ Boogieboard Cottage”Fall  http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/


 
Green Willow PondWorking With What You Have link up at emilyaclark.com

22 comments:

  1. What a great piece! Love the makeover and the pretty display!

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  2. Love those little cubbies! And how perfect for your silver collection!

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  3. LOVE it! the paint job looks great and love it with the silver and above the mantle! win win win all around!

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  4. Love the cubbies! Nice job painting it.Did you get it at Saver's? Looks so nice on your mantel. Congratulations! Susan

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  5. That shelf is so gorgeous now! Perfect painting on it, too! And it looks amazing on the mantel.....yep.....never give it up! :o)

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  6. Love the paint job - It looks great!

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  7. What a great shelf! I love the way it looks in black!

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  8. Great re-do! That is a great little shelf.

    Smiles,
    Rachael
    The Joyful Thrifter

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  9. love the shelf redo, ive done a few of these and i always buy them when i see them!!!

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  10. Great paint job - I love the distressed look and like you said, the possibilities are endless!

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  11. Angela, I love the way you painted this and it looks fabulous with your silver pieces. Beautiful!

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  12. I love this piece and the display of your silver. I can imagine this was a pain to paint with all the nooks and cranies. You do so many wonderful things with this piece. Love it!

    Cynthia

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  13. What a great piece! I am sure that painting each little cubby was torture! Life to the full, Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle

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  14. What a great find! I love it painted in black. Looks great on your mantle.

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  15. Great story and great shelf
    I am new follower from the bloghop.
    I hope you will follow me back at http://butterflyintheattic.blogspot.com/2013/03/upcycled-recycled-on-etsy-tang.html

    Have a blessed night
    Colleen

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  16. So pretty Angela! I love it with all of your vintage silver on it!! I need to find a place to show off some of mine!!

    Found you through Be Inspired!
    Have a lovely Friday and weekend!
    Becky

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  17. Love this piece! It would be fun in a kitchen as a spice rack...maybe! The paint job you did looks great. I'm having a link party on my blog and I'd love for you to join!
    http://www.simplydreamandcreate.com/

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  18. Your paint choices and the silver pieces in it turn this piece into a beautiful, unique focal point.

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  19. You lucky duck! I love that little shelf with the arches. It's so perfect in black. Can't wait to see how you change it up over the year. Thank you for sharing it at to What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a lovely week!

    Hugs,
    Deborah

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  20. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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Thank you so much for stopping by Number Fifty-Three! I look forward to your comments.