Monday, January 24, 2011

Rags to Riches...Well, Ugly to Better!


     When our area upscale furniture store had their tent sale a few months ago, I picked up these two very sad topiaries for $5 each. As you can see, they really had been neglected or at least well used as store displays. I didn't know what I would do with them, but I did see the potential.


The moss was missing in several places.


     The bases had a few chips and the paint was dirty looking. Last week, armed with a can of Rust-oleum American Accents Stone spray paint, and 14 vined picks that I bought for 97 cents each, I got busy. I wrapped the cone shapes in newspaper and sprayed the bases. After they were dry, using a glue gun I attached some moss I had at home to the bare spots. Each vine pick had several "branches" and I cut them apart. Starting at the bottom of the cone, using the glue gun, I attached the vine. Working in a circle all the way to the top of the cone.


I was pleasantly surprised at the result!


The paint gave the base a cleaner look. I had planned to "age"
them a bit, but I thought they looked better for my house like this.


I didn't have anything for Valentine's Day out
at my house, so I added a bit of red ribbon for a pop of color.


I placed the pair on a library table (which was my grandmother's
 many years ago) with a Valentine vignette between them.


     The vintage postcards and keys I pulled from last week's tablescape. The sterling tray belonged to my parents as wells as the silver bowl with the tulips in it. A sweet vintage tea towel and candle finish the look.

This week I am joining:


Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday
Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday
Linda @ Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style for her Boring to Better Party Wednesday

Make sure you visit our wonderful hostesses this week!





24 comments:

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

They look amazing, Sue! I love the whole table set up! Great job.

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Morning Sue,
Love what you did to the topiaries, they came out great! the whole table top looks wonderful,
a nice Valentines touch. Don't you just love topiaries.

and summers in Key West were fun!!
Have a great monday hon,
Blessings, Nellie

Unknown said...

Awesome, Sue! You have that magic touch! Your table is so bright & inviting ...

Pop over for our Valentine's Giveaway

Have a beautiful week ~
TTFN ~
Hugs, Marydon

dee dee said...

Sue,
I love that you were able to take something that had seen better days and create something so wonderful from it! Your valentines display on the table is bright and cheery!
Dee Dee

Glenda/MidSouth said...

They look great and at a nice price. You did good. :)
Have a great week.

Donnie said...

They came out really nice. I love the pretty Valentines display you made.

Patrice said...

Wow...you did a great job!

Relyn Lawson said...

Oh! You ARE good. That looks wonderful.

xinex said...

What a great transformation, Sue. Love it!...Christine

Kathleen said...

Great job and I love your vignette!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Sue -- You did a splendid job of bringing those topiaries back to life -- they look wonderful on your table.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Sue,
How clever you are!
And the valentine vignette is so pretty!
Have a great week my friend,
Cindy

Angie said...

Those look lovely! It's always fun to watch your craftiness at work :)

La said...

They turned out beautifully. I love your Valentine's Day vignette. Very pretty! La

Anonymous said...

Wonderful topiary makeover Sue!

Entertaining Women said...

I've always been taken with the topiary form. You've done a wonderful job on these....they are lovely! If the topiaries lift out, I can envision many uses for your urns. They are a great shape and size. You're so on target with the polka dot ribbon...a little bit of ribbon can take us a long way when designing. Aren't family treasures just the very best...it means that your setting is an original...and beautiful! The harp leg table...the silver pieces...it couldn't be better. Thank you for sharing your lovely Valentine vignette and for stopping by my post. Cherry Kay

LindyLouMac said...

Great bargains, you have done a great job on them.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love your topiary transformation. Gorgoeus and you try for Valentines's is perfect. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

bj said...

O gosh, Suz.....you did a great job. These are beautiful.
You have such a pretty house. :)
xo bj

The Charm of Home said...

Sue,
You did a fantastic job on that. They look wonderful. I love the texture in that spray paint, it was just right for the makeover.
Sherry

Barb said...

Hi Sue, wow, they look fabulous! You are a miracle worker.....talented too!

Happy Wednesday!

Barb ♥

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Sue, that is so pretty and I love the clean look of the urns. What a deal you got on those. Thanks so much for joining the party.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Good job, Sue!

XO,

Sheila :-)

BrightenedBoy said...

This is really quite innovative.

As always you prove yourself to be resourceful.