Let me show you the amazing before and after of my thrift store pedestal bowl makeover so you can get inspiration to paint your own!
It’s amazing how you can transform an unwanted thrift store find and end up with a totally different look. I actually painted my pedestal bowl two years ago and I’m just now getting it posted to share!
I spot mid-century wooden bowls quite often at thrift stores like I used for this DIY project. Right now, I have more bowls in different styles waiting for me to makeover that are stashed on my thrifting shelves.
THRIFT STORE PEDESTAL BOWL MAKEOVER
I wanted the wooden pedestal bowl to have a bold and whimsical look that I could use year round as a candy dish.
For Easter, you can see from my main photo that I made a bed of Easter grass to “nest” my mints.
For other holidays like Valentine’s Day I use red chocolate Kisses and St. Patrick’s Day I use gold Rolos. During Christmas, I filled my wood bowl with miniature red ornaments with some pine greenery.
I think another bold color, like pink, would also look good with my design and paint colors.
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SUPPLIES NEEDED:
- wooden thrift store pedestal bowl
- palm sander and/or sandpaper
- white spray paint
- white craft paint
- green, black, and metallic craft paint
- foam paint brush
- variety of artist brush sizes
- new pencil for dotting
STEPS FOR THE WOODEN BOWL MAKEOVER
STEP 1: CLEAN AND SAND THE PEDESTAL BOWL
Your thrift store bowl will likely need to be cleaned. I typically just use a disinfecting cleaner like Pine Sol, but you may need a heavier duty product such as Krud Kutter.
I used both sandpaper and an orbital sander to prepare the surface for painting. My current sander isn’t the best for small projects, so I’m thinking I need to get this multi-purpose sander which is good for detail work.
STEP 2: PAINT A BASE COAT ON THE BOWL
After sanding, I used white spray paint I had on hand to begin base coating. Two coats were needed. For future wood projects, this spray white primer might be a better option.
I erred on the side of caution, since dark wood can bleed through white paint, and also painted two coats of white craft paint using a foam paint brush.
STEP 3: PLAN YOUR DESIGN AND PAINT COLORS
I did a paper sketch first to figure out what design would look best and also colored the design. Unfortunately, I threw it away before taking a photo to show you as an example. I would advise not skipping this step.
STEP 4: SKETCH THE HARLEQUIN DESIGN WITH A PENCIL
STEP 5: BEGIN PAINTING THE PEDESTAL BOWL
I used a variety of artist paint brushes that had different size brush heads.
Paint your main colors of green and black.
Use a gold metallic paint for all the accent areas.
Make all the dots using the end of a pencil eraser.
You’re ready to head to the thrift stores and search for a pedestal bowl and then have fun and get creative!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE THESE THRIFT STORE MAKEOVERS:
HOW TO MAKEOVER A WOODEN BOX WITH A RETRO DESIGN
STEP STOOL MAKEOVER USING STENCIL AND STAIN
THRIFTED CANDLE HOLDER FLIP FOR VALENTINE’S DAY DECOR
I’ve joined a group of creative designers this month to share our upcycles and makeovers with all of our readers. We take something old and/or unused and ‘do it over’ into something new. Our items can be found in closets, barns, garages, yard sales, thrift stores, you name it! Be sure to click their project links at the end of my post to see what they’re sharing. Don’t miss out!
NOW, SEE EIGHT MORE “DO IT OVER” PROJECTS!
Southern Sunflowers (that’s me)
Sharing my thrift store makeover at these fabulous blogs!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
AllysonAllyson is the founder and content creator of Southern Sunflowers, which shares tutorials for DIY crafts and decor on a budget.
This is such a fabulous transformation! I’m so impressed with your painting skills! Using a pencil eraser for the dots is genius! Love it! Pinning now!
Donna, thank you for the compliments and thanks for pinning!
This is so cute Allyson! It looks like a MacKenzie-Childs knock off, I love it!
Glad you love my pedestal bowl design, Jenna! I’m a MC fan, also.
Allyson, that looks absolutely amazing! Great vision!
Thanks for the compliments, Rita! 🙂
Such a charming makeover Allyson. I would have stopped at just spray painting it because I would not have thought of such a clever paint makeover. Thanks for sharing something to inspire me to try something different next time. Pinned. Love it.
Donna, thank you! Glad I could inspire you. Thanks for helping me to get Pinterest like me again ~ lol!
What a transformation! That’s so unique now and I’m impressed with your line work.
Thanks so much, Rachel. Glad you dropped by!
Oh what a fun makeover!! I love the shape of the bowl and your paint technique really takes advantage of its great lines. Now I want to find a bowl just like it!
Thank you, Kim! Whimsical designs are always fun to paint.
What a sweet makeover, Allyson! You definitely achieved a whimsical look I wish I could find a pedestal bowl around here, or maybe I’ll just come visit you and we’ll go thrifting together!
Yes, Ann, let’s go thrifting together. Fun, fun, fun! 🙂
Well THAT couldn’t look more different if it tried!
I was wondering what a pedestal bowl was when I saw your title, I wondered if it was a bathroom sink. If it’s not attached to a vanity unit we call them a pedestal, I’m not sure if you do the same over there?
Anyway, this is so cute, very different. You really saw the potential in this rather dull item and jazzed it up no end.
Julie, we have pedestal sinks, also. I actually had to look up what to call this kind of bowl. I saw places online that are selling them for $12 to $20.
This is a cool makeover! I never see those kinds of bowls at the thrift store but I would totally snatch one up too!
Tania
Thanks, Tania! When I go thrifting in more than one town, I usually always see at least one. They were made in different styles and a variety of matching decor.
Love the painterly look of this! It reminds me of MacKenzie-Childs style and is a wonderful transformation. Well done Allyson!
Thanks, Sara! There’s an upscale catalog that also does this whimsical look occasionally.
What an amazing transformation, Allyson! You really outdid yourself creating this lovely pedestal bowl! Love the whimsical harlequin design! Perfect to use in any season!
Thanks, Gail! I need to add the other holiday pictures…eventually.