Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Weathered Baskets

My dad got these baskets as part of a Grey Goose gift set and was planning on giving them away, but I knew I could make something out of them with a little spray paint.


I decided to go ahead and paint them espresso to match my wicker chairs, but I recently decided to put them in my (beachy) room instead.


The dark brown just wasn't gonna cut it, so I figured I would attempt to make them look weathered.

I started by dry brushing a coat of beige paint on the baskets. I should probably note that I didn't look for any inspirational pictures and I decided to just wing it, but looking back, I wish I had some inspirational pictures to make the process easier.


Next, I tried dry brushing on some tan paint.


Still not the look I was going for. I also tried some watered down white paint and that wasn't cutting it either. I finally realized I needed to paint it a little bit lighter than the original brown so there wasn't so much contrast and this is what I ended up with.


I'm thinking of using more of the light brown to cover up some of the light spots - what do you think? Leave it or paint more?






Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special
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23 comments:

  1. cindySeptember 9, 2010 at 8:07 AM

    I think they look beachy and rustic and beautiful! But, maybe you need to see them in the room you're gonna put 'em in to be sure. I have a few wicker baskets like that myself that I'm tempted to rustic-ify myself, and will use these pics for MY inspiration :)

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  2. JodzSeptember 9, 2010 at 1:20 PM

    I think they look FAB. I must remember that I paint things before I give/throw them away.

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  3. {NiceGirlNotes}September 9, 2010 at 6:48 PM

    You know.. I like all the versions. Maybe the last one best.

    Gorgeous baskets.

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  4. thebluemuse, phdSeptember 10, 2010 at 10:17 AM

    MAN I wish I could see the world through your eyes. I love how you turn "junk" into treasure. The baskets are fabulous!

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  5. LindySeptember 10, 2010 at 9:59 PM

    Oh, I like them just the way they are now...good work. Thanks for your visit and your nice comments - I'm a new follower....

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  6. shannon i olsonSeptember 11, 2010 at 3:53 AM

    They look great, big improvement.

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  7. ChristieSeptember 11, 2010 at 5:12 AM

    I love this idea...how many baskets do I have that need a weathered look! I think the layers of paint acheived the perfect weathered look...it looks great! Coming over from SNS! threepixielane.blogspot.com

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  8. Christa @ Stories of a HouseSeptember 11, 2010 at 8:32 AM

    Those are so neat! I personally like the white in the mix.

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  9. TriciaSeptember 11, 2010 at 8:52 AM

    I like them the way they are. They turned out great :)

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  10. Tracy's Trinkets and TreasuresSeptember 11, 2010 at 8:57 AM

    Leave it. I love them. I noticed them right away on SNS.

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  11. Tracy's Trinkets and TreasuresSeptember 11, 2010 at 8:57 AM

    Leave it. I love them. I noticed them right away on SNS.

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  12. Korrie@RedHenHomeSeptember 11, 2010 at 10:01 AM

    Wow, I had no idea they could look that good! Great work.

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  13. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastalSeptember 11, 2010 at 3:55 PM

    I have one of those baskets and should try this! What shade did you end up using? I think they look great. Oh, did you just tape over the strap?

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  14. Ann @ makethebestofthingsSeptember 12, 2010 at 9:35 AM

    Love every step of this process, and your perseverance getting to the perfect end made me smile. I do that, too; keep going til things match the idea in my head. Kudos! I have one of these baskets, I'll be doing this soon.

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  15. JenSeptember 12, 2010 at 11:09 AM

    These baskets look fabulous!!!
    Great job!

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  16. MarianneSeptember 13, 2010 at 2:05 AM

    Leave it! I think they look great as they are.

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  17. AmandaSeptember 14, 2010 at 4:58 AM

    I think they look perfect Ali, featured you this morning http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/diy-weathered-baskets/

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  18. Cassie BustamanteSeptember 14, 2010 at 8:39 AM

    ali- these look great! i actually got some baskets at the auction that came in a lot i won and i think i might try this. they're perfect!

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  19. KimMalkSeptember 14, 2010 at 4:54 PM

    They look good in the photos to me. Maybe if you just let them sit for awhile... I've found that helps me with some of my projects.

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  20. CindySeptember 20, 2010 at 5:05 AM

    thanks for visiting my blog, ali.....

    i have the same picnic basket but hated the color....i contemplated painting it heirloom white but i love the look you gave yours!!!

    i might have to try your technique on mine.....

    thanks for the inspiration.

    cindy

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  21. Patti's Artful DesignOctober 7, 2010 at 9:28 AM

    I think they look perfect.....great job! The color is beautiful.

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  22. Sarah @ Modern Country StyleOctober 9, 2010 at 1:24 AM

    These look beautifully weathered. A million miles away from what you started with.

    I find that if I've aged something then it's hard not to have the original in my mind's eye that's just been daubed with paint!!

    These honestly look as though you've bought them like that- or, even better, found some fabulous vintage ones somewhere.

    Well done.!.

    Sarahx

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  23. DeborahOctober 9, 2010 at 1:16 PM

    Hi Ali!
    Love the look of these baskets..great job!
    Im your newest follower (purehunnybee)
    Come and visit :)

    Deborah

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I truly appreciate all comments and read every single one. I also try and visit as many of you guys as I can, but we all know how crazy life can be. Thanks for understanding!