Refurbishing Antique Glass Bottles

I've always wanted to incorporate antique glass bottles into my home decor. Their various styles, shapes, and sizes just can't be found in the glassware section at your typical department store. I wanted that authentic wear-and-tear to add character to the mantel I was designing, not to mention antique shopping is basically Heaven on Earth!! So I ventured out to my local flea market to make that happen ;)

Find old,weathered glass bottles of various heights, sizes, and shapes. Remember - slight cracks, dents, rust spots, and scuffs are a good thing!! This will ensure texture & dimension to the setup. I found all of mine at an epic antique store in town. Each bottle was a steal at $1-$2 dollars.

 I used 2 methods to refurbish these antique bottles:

#1 Accentuating Its Flaws

Some of the bottles had a natural weathered-look that I didn't want to paint over. Remember those slight cracks, dents rust spots, & scuffs we mentioned earlier? I found that I could emphasize them by painting just the inside of the bottle! Simply squeeze dollop of acrylic paint inside the bottle and swirl it around, making sure to coat it completely. Because these are antique items having gone through wear & tear over many years, this method allows that uniqueness & character to come to the forefront without covering it up with paint.

#2 Painting Layers of Colors + Distressing

This method is exactly like the 3rd option in my blog post Distressing: How-to Make Anything Look Antique (link here), but instead of layering 3 similar colors on the outside of the glass, here I applied the first color to the inside of the bottle, then added the second and/or third colors to the outside of the bottle. I finished with sanding.

3 layers of colors (one inside, two outside) + sanding

Inside

1st outside layer

Sporadic 2nd layer

 

2 layers of colors (one inside, one outside) + sanding

Inside Coat

Sporadic Outside Coat

If I had chosen just one re-purposing style - either method #1, method #2, or leaving them be - it would've fallen flat to the eye because they would've been too uniform. Since they are antique and each unique in character, I wanted each bottle to stand out, yet compliment each other. Using different methods accomplished this- the different finishes & textures allowed each bottle to juxtapose one another.

Tutorial on the Rustic Glass Window shown above using Dollar Store Picture Frames HERE!

DIY Wood Flower Trough UNDER $2!

If you feel like there is an area in your home that is missing that little something and you're on a budget, then this is project for you! My kitchen bar has been bare for quiet some time. Since it's such a small, narrow space I have been indecisive as to what to place there. And because it is the divider between the living room and kitchen, I wanted it to compliment the decor & themes of both rooms and to be able to switch it up when the seasons change. I present to you my design solution, which only cost me $2!!!!! I love the warmth & comfort it brings to both my living room and kitchen. The toned-down nature of this piece goes to show you that less truly is more :)

You will need the following materials:

1 - 5/8 in. x 3-1/2 in. x 6 ft Cedar Dog Ear Fence Picket - $1.28 at Lowe's - (Link Here)
hand or power saw
gloves
eye protection
Finishing nails
wood glue
sand paper
floral dry foam

Prop up your wood plank and place whatever you plan on placing in your flower trough up against it, like shown. This will give you an idea of what the dimensions of your box should be. I also measured the width of my bar to determine an ideal width for the box. Once you have determined your dimensions, cut your pieces and nail them together.  I made sure knots were visible to add the the weathered look we are going for.

For this portion of the tutorial, I will guide you through my weathered/distressing painting process. For a more in-depth explanation with pictures, I will link my **Distressing: How-to Make Anything Look Antique** blog here. I highly suggest using a sponge brush for this portion. I find that it helps to soak up any excess paint to ensure a light application.

Feel free to skip this part if you have a paint of your own in mind :)

I used the following paints - all purchased from Michael's:

First, apply 2 coats of the white paint letting it dry in-between each coat.

 On top of the white paint, lightly dab your brush into Oyster Beige. Swipe random strokes of this color onto each side. Take a paper towel and wipe off the excess. Let that dry. Then lightly dab your brush into Parchment and again swipe random strokes of this color onto each side of the box. Again, wipe off the excess & let that dry as well.

As you can see, the subtle layering of different color paints has now given the wood dimension (as oppose to just using one color, which makes it look flat). And, as you sand, there will be even more dimension added - The wood will peak through the white paint, which will peak through Oyster Beige, which will peak through Parchment. This painting and sanding technique is the best way to truly make something look weathered.

Without sanding

With sanding

Insert your floral dry foam, place your flowers atop, and you are DONE! Easy-peasy!

Front

Back

Left Side

I love the warmth & comfort it brings to both my living room and kitchen. The toned-down nature of this piece goes to show you that less truly is more :) Crazy to think that in a few weeks I will probably be switching out these hydrangeas for Autumnal decor...WHAT?! But that's another aspect of this piece that I love - it is so customizable!! I don't have to just stick with flowers - I could put jars, candles, fillers, add knobs...the possibilities are endless :)

Distressing - 4 Ways: How-to Make Anything Look Antique

I love distressing because it is a simple yet very effective way to change, revive, and re-purpose your home decor. Distressing is a technique used to achieve that antique finish that's very on-trend right now. In today's tutorial I show you 4 easy & inexpensive ways to achieve this. Let get started!

#1 Jewelry Box

I've had this ever since I was 10 years old. Lets do something about that horrid cherry oak finish, shall we?

Before

You will need the following materials:

Small sponge brush applicator

One sheet paper towel

Using your sponge applicator, apply 2-3 coats of Thunder Gray, allowing at least an hour drying time between each coat. Next, lightly dab your sponge into the white paint and start creating random strokes, as shown in the images below. After each stroke, wipe away the excess with a paper towel.

It should look something like this. The white is pleasing to the eye in the way that it doesn't take away from the gray.

Next, take your 150 grit sand paper & scuff away!

I toned down the harshness of the white strokes I made by sanding them down to appear softer. The gray, white, & Cherry oak peaking through adds dimension and that vintage-feel we were going for.

Put it on a stained, distressed shelf & you are done!

#2 Vanity Storage

How about we spice up that makeup vanity of yours?

You will need the following materials:

Small sponge brush applicator, white acrylic paint, rubbing alcohol, cotton ball, 3 mason jars - preferably different sizes

 Clean your mason jars with soap and water - wipe them down to dry. Then, take your cotton ball & rub alcohol on the outside of each jar. This will ensure that all dirt and oils have been wiped away so that the paint will adhere to the glass surface. When the alcohol has dried, apply 2 coats of your white paint.

One coat

Two coats

Distress with sandpaper, add some twine, and you are done!

Placing it next to your antique jewelry box really ties the look together ;)

Before | After

#3 Antique Mason Jar
I know what you're saying - "Didn't you just show us this with your vanity storage!" BUT!! >> this goes a step beyond the typical mason jar painting tutorials that you see everywhere on Pinterest. **This is different in the way that we layer 3 different paints to add texture, dimension, and that "antique authenticity".

Using your sponge applicator, apply the following paints in this order allowing each coat to dry (should only take about an hour):
1). 2 coats of Oyster Beige

2). 2 coats of Thunder Gray

3). As with the technique used with painting the jewelry box, lightly dab your sponge into the white paint and start creating random strokes. After each stroke, wipe away the excess with a paper towel.

When everything is dry & you have applied enough white paint strokes to your liking, begin sanding. **As you sand, you will begin to see Oyster Beige peak through Thunder Gray. This in combination with the white blended throughout is what gives it dimension (as oppose to just using one color, which makes it look flat). I find that this method is the best way to truly make something look antique.

#4 Cottage-Inspired Distressing
I was looking at my shelf at the bottom of my staircase & there was something about it that was no longer pleasing to my eye - things were clashing instead of complimenting each other. Here's a before pic:

The silver bucket & birdcage took away from the light I was trying to bring into the room. If you find that something is off with the color of your decor - paint it! It's the easiest & cheapest solution. I liked the birdcage & didn't want to paint it. So I moved it to my bedroom where more brown/beige hues fit the primary color scheme of the room. I replaced it with this:

Apply Oyster Beige, Thunder Gray, with hints of White in exactly the same way described in the Antique Mason Jar tutorial above. Then distress with sandpaper.

Next is the bucket. If you are interested in how I arranged the foliage & flowers, you can find that in my previous tutorial here >> http://jessicarosehomedecor.blogspot.com/2015/04/easy-cheap-cottage-inspired-diy-lilac-flower-pot.html

For this, all you need to do is apply two coats of your white paint, distress, replace your lilacs with babies breath, and done!

Soft & Bright

I hope you guys liked all 4 of these tutorials! Please leave your questions, comments, and your antique DIY's below! :)