Dated Thrift Shop Purchases to Decorative Wall Pockets

March 19, 2017
My first thrift shop makeover is this Early American style wall planter with brass insert.


Sometimes stain will bleed through Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, so I will spray the piece first with Rust-Oleum Zinsser 408 Bulls Eye Clear Shellac Spray 12 oz, or base coat in a satin enamel such as Rust-Oleum 7946730 American Accents 1/2 Pint Latex, Satin Canyon Black  

Here is the wall pocket with two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Country Grey.

I wet distressed the edges of the wall pocket with Dawn Scouring Pads and a cotton rag.  First rub a dampened scouring pad along the edges and wipe with a damp rag until you obtain the desired look.  I also rub the center painted areas with the damp rag to smooth out brush strokes.

After distressing, I added a FolkArt Paper Stencil, 3-Inch Icon Size, 30620 Value Pack  design with black craft paint.  Then I sealed the piece with Varathane 262075 Half Pint Clear Matte Finish Soft Touch Polyurethane.  It's water based, won't yellow and is easy clean up.

These little 8" soft mini fern picks from a local craft shop worked out well as a filler for my wall pocket.  They are a product of Allstate Floral.

Thrift Shop Wall Pocket Upcycle organizedclutter.net
I love how it turned out.  Country Grey is a tan color.  Not really gray at all.  The black base coat peeking through at the edges matches the stencil well.

Thrift Shop Wall Pocket Upcycle organizedclutter.net
No need to add real houseplants when faux look sooooo real.



I have this one hanging on my bedroom wall inside this old frame.


My next upcycle is not really a wall pocket.  I think it's an Early American mail holder.

I painted this piece with DecoArt Americana Decor 16-Oz. Relic Chalky Finish.  I distressed this piece with 220 grit sandpaper after stenciling it with my Deco Art DECADS.26 Americana Decor Stencil Mandala.  I used blue painter's tape to hold the stencil in place and along the bottom edge of the wood piece so the stencil edge would be more crisp.

These floral picks are from MeraVic.  I purchased them at a local floral and gift shop.

Thrift Shop Mail Organizer Upcycle organizedclutter.net
So here is my finished mail organizer also sealed with Varathane Matte water based poly.

Thrift Shop Mail Organizer Upcycle/Repurpose organizedclutter.net
Of course you could still use it as a mail holder, but I like it better as a wall pocket.

Thrift Shop Mail Organizer Upcycle/Repurpose organizedclutter.net
It matches the little desktop wooden bookshelf I found at a midwinter rummage sale.  Stylish decor doesn't have to be expensive, and it may be as close as your local thrift shop!
Thanks for reading my blog, Carlene

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Comments

  1. First, you do such lovely work. I rarely use the word, "lovely." It is a word, to me, to mean pretty/beautiful in a relaxed and/or comfortable experience. Just lovely! Second, are you a teacher? Your instructions are so easy to follow. Enjoying all your beauties. Please keep them coming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No not a teacher. Ex bank officer that now sells furniture part time!

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  2. Beautiful! Learning a lot here! Thank you!

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