Thrift Store Rooster Makeover


Hi Cottage Friends,

I've been wanting a rooster for my kitchen for a while now. But not just any rooster. I wanted one with a French Country vibe. After watching one of my favorite Youtubers transform a tacky thrift store ceramic figurine into a fabulous French Country piece with chalk paint and white wax, I wondered if I could find a rooster to redo. Fortunately, I found one for $2.99 at Goodwill. A very gaudy rooster that prior to witnessing the ceramic makeover on Youtube I would have passed over without a second thought.

The only before photo I have of the rooster is this one.


I had already begun the painting process on most of the rooster when I realized I hadn't snapped a before photo. This photo doesn't give a true picture of just how gaudy and awful this rooster was. The clerk at the Goodwill checkout called it "the dalmatian rooster". Well, yeah, what with the smattering of all those polka dots.

It took several coats of Waverly chalk paint in Steel to cover all that ugliness. I then tinted some Waverly clear wax with White Waverly chalk paint and brushed it over the whole piece, concentrating on the crevices and places I wanted to highlight, until  I got the look I wanted.


Now it sits on the windowsill above my kitchen sink, along with a French Soda bottle and a vintage transferware vase (both thrift store finds), and a scented candle. (And, yes, I need to paint the windowsill. It's on the To-do List.)


Have I inspired you to look at ugly thrift store items in a new way?

Hugs,


 

12 comments

  1. that looks fabulous! Wish I'd thought of that before I gave my overly coloured rooster to the thrift shop!! Have a wonderful week :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! That was one ugly rooster, only a mother could love. But your remake is mah-ve-lous darling!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! Yup. Only a mother could have loved that horrific rooster. Thanks, Carla.

      Delete
  3. No doubt the original paint on that rooster would have made my eyes
    water! It certainly did not represent a live chicken of any kind. So I
    think you took kindly to it by offering it a home and a cleaning up.
    Now you have a fun rooster for company in the kitchen. Hopefully he
    is not too loud at dawn. Lynn and Precious XX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't help but wonder what in the world the originator of that rooster was thinking when they decided to give it that look. Yikes! However, their bad idea became something much better. I'm sure if the rooster could talk he'd say, "thank you."

      Delete
  4. Lots of work but so worth it. Looks fabulous. Have a great Sunday. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for sharing your idea, Nancy. I have a resin rooster that is very unattractive and will give it a try! Keep those thrifting ideas coming, they are great. Be safe and well.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes you have inspired me! I do get various pots and cans for outside plants, and usually spray paint them white or pink or teal.. those are my "outdoor" colors! Never thought of doing that for some not so pretty items! Love your rooster! And Nancy, thank you so much for your last comment to me, in reply to my comment on your blog. I really appreciated your insight! Hugs... Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
  7. He now looks like a cement rooster! So great, Nancy!

    ReplyDelete
  8. That is amazing! I see those roosters all the time, but I pass them up because, like you said, they're gaudy!! Now I'm going to be on the hunt. Of course, I won't find one since I'm looking! ;) Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  9. A great makeover! Who wouldn't want a rooster for their kitchen?
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete

Your comments bring me joy! Thanks for stopping by.