Remember this woven ottoman I found at Goodwill for $13?
My plan from the beginning was to paint it something a little less busy, so last week I picked up a can of dark blue spraypaint with primer in one. It was only $4 at my local True Value and since the label said it was tough enough to stand up to outdoor use I figured it would be plenty durable for all the feet and butts I envision this ottoman supporting.
In the midst of all the garden construction on Sunday, I seized the rain-free day and got my spraypaint on. I had Nick take a break from filling the bed with soil to snap a picture of my outfit.
I look ridiculous. Ever since the lead paint scare I’ve taken to wearing a mask while painting. And then there’s the issue that I don’t exactly have any maternity-sized painting clothes. No way am I risking getting paint on my precious maternity jeans (finding a flattering pair is no easy task). So I settled for a pair of elastic-waist pajama pants and a too-small t-shirt, both of which already had paint on them. Also, the irony of wearing a beer t-shirt while pregnant is not lost on me.
Nick was enjoying the break from shoveling soil so much that he stuck around to take a few action shots as I got started spraying, holding the can about 6-12 inches away from the ottoman and keeping it constantly moving.
My strategy was to just keeping circling the ottoman slowly as I sprayed. I didn’t really stop between coats. I just kept a slow and steady pace and let the layers build. Before long the top half was looking pretty good.
I left it to dry outside for a few hours, then flipped it over to spray the bottom.
A few minutes later, ta-da! A blue ottoman. Of course it was still all tacky and fume-y, so I left it outside for another two days. Luckily we didn’t have any more rain.
And just yesterday I brought it inside to live in the front room. I love the way it looks!
I was really impressed with how easy it was to paint. Consider my position on spraypaint officially revised. It is soooo awesome for small-ish and hard to paint items like this. And I can’t believe the can was only $4!
Doesn’t the ottoman look completely different with that dark navy blue? I love how it complements the white sofa and yellow rug. In the background you can see that I’ve been tweaking the mantle a little, as well. I borrowed some hardcover books from my shop and picked up a reportedly hard-to-kill houseplant on sale for $3 (I just popped it into a white ceramic pot I already had with a little bit of leftover soil from our new veggie garden). I wish I’d snapped a closer picture of the mantle so you could see the pretty covers on those books. They’re the first thing I see when I walk in the room and they bring a smile to my face every time.
I feel like this room is getting to be a really comfy place to hang. I still need to get a TV, some shelves and accessories for the pegboard, and a blanket for the back of the sofa, but it’s really coming along quite quickly.
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The room looks great! I love the navy!
Thanks, Sarah! I love it too!
Well even though the circus/beach ball colors were kind of whimsical, I think the navy looks great. The whole room looks comfy and cozy, I was just thinking how it looks neat as a pin now, but once there is an adorable little toddler around there will be all kinds of things scattered around. What fun you will have.
I am so excited! From the beginning I’ve hoped for this to be a comfy and safe play area where I can work nearby.
I am mildly obsessed with the ottoman. Hey there peacock-inspired color scheme!
Hahaha thanks!
How pretty! The room looks very inviting!
Thank you! It’s pretty much my favorite place to hang out these days.
It could be such a fun light too ;.) (that is if you ever get tired of it as an ottoman) good find girl ;.) you’re awesome!
You’re awesome too! I always get a little starstruck when you comment on my blog =). As for the ottomam, when I first bought it I seriously wondered if it was originally some sort of lantern. It would definitely make a cool one!
I am surprised at how great this looks! I kind of liked the beachy colors, but you definitely had the vision here. V. V. nice.
Thanks, Nancy! I’m flattered!
Wow, it looks great, that room has really come a long way and is looking so inviting!