There’s no doubt that we all have those projects that go sour and we’d rather not mention. Am I right? Ya know, the “just-donate-it-to-the-thrift-store-while-in-super-sleuth-mode” kinda project. I will be the first to confess I’ve given away projects I would have rather thrown in a lake. So, for some reason I felt bad for this set found at the thrift store. However, hang with me as I turn them into a fun set of farmhouse kitchen canisters. yahoo!
My first thought upon seeing them was, “Pinterest fail…bwahahaha”. However, that morphed into, “Well, they tried.” Me and my pitying self always loves to help the underdog, so I brought them home. I figured there are others who might want to know how to do this kinda project the right way.
DIY FAIL
Let’s take a closer look. Upon inspection, I found that latex paint was used, and said person didn’t feel the need to paint the inside. Likewise, that green had me curious as to what was underneath. hmmmm…
The bottoms revealed the typical, “Made in China” stamp I expected to see.
The entire set was in good shape with no cracks or chips, just a flubbed-up paint job. What to do? Take it all back to the original, for starters. My littlest wanted to help, so we dove into my utility tub and peeled off the old paint.
Here is what we found…
…not bad, eh? After seeing this I was ready to just let them be as they’re pretty. However, I reminded myself that I only took these on to show you how you can update something that may not suit your style and make it your own. I wasn’t feeling the ivy love, personally, but they are pretty.
DIY TIME
First, to get these looking like farmhouse kitchen canisters we need to give them a light sanding. Nothing major needed, just a scuffing. My sander made it handy to sand in all the odd spaces. You could also use a deglosser too.
Once sanded, wipe down the canisters with rubbing alcohol to remove any leftover debris and grime. I’ve used this same technique with a collection of cast-off glass in this post. Simple and easy.
The next step in turning these into farmhouse kitchen canisters is priming. A favorite product of mine to use is Gripper primer for slick surfaces like this that would receive much use. You can see how I used it on a laminate hutch desk HERE. Just brush on using a quality brush to avoid brush strokes in your finish. However, I’m not kidding when I say your first layer is as important as your last layer.
PAINT FUN
Once cured, it’s time for paint. Fun! My goal in this farmhouse kitchen canisters makeover is to make them resemble old crocks with a brown top and creamy white bottom. To achieve that look, I began by painting a bleached linen color latex in eggshell on the bottom going roughly half way up. No need to be super particular, just watch the brush strokes. Work around the canister rather than vertically.
Paint the bottoms and stand the canisters upside-down to cure for about 2 hours for the time being. After your first coat has cured, add a second and let cure too.
Now that the two creamy white layers have cured, I use my painter’s tape to tape off a section of the canisters approximately half-way up.
For my second color, I applied a brown in latex I custom mixed. Again, two coats letting cure each one for 2 hours. As soon as I apply the second coat, I peel off the tape.
TYPOGRAPHY
Then, to add a little more function and charm to these farmhouse kitchen canisters, I decided to add some text to each one. This is easily done by printing out your text, and rubbing the back with a No. 2 pencil.
Tape the text on with the same low-tack tape, and trace. In addition, I chose to use Flour, Sugar, Salt as my text.
Then, for the next step, I used my artist’s brush and painted in the text with a black acrylic paint. Let the text cure and we’re ready for the last step. Yay! For the canisters, I use this Satin Spar Urethane as a finish.
Notice I started with the bottoms up so I could do two layers with curing in between, and then finished with the tops. It’s all a matter of doing the steps in the right order AND letting each step cure.
THE REVEAL
Finally, let’s take a peek at the finished product, shall we? They got featured in Country Sampler Farmhouse Style – woot!
From hot mess to farmhouse fun, this thrifted set never looked so good. As a result, all these needed was the right steps to get a finished look worth admiring.
And, looky…I even painted the inside! tee hee.
Also, many thanks to my daughter for baking this pumpkin bread so I could drool over it while I staged my canisters. mmm…so good!!
Finally, I hope you’ve enjoyed this make-under turned makeover. In addition, the best part is you can make them to look any way YOU want. All it takes is a willing DIY spirit to make it happen.
ALL DONE
If you’re not into DIY or just would love to own this set, you can find it available in my online store.
I’ve had fun staging these in my kitchen.
In addition, I invite you to pin and share these farmhouse kitchen canisters made new. You just never know who may need to be inspired as these even got featured in the magazine, Country Sampler Farmhouse Style.
Up next, this vintage Dixie dresser is going to get a much-needed facelift. See the after HERE.
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Also, more projects like these DIY farmhouse kitchen canisters:
The difference is like night and day. The canisters look terrific.
I’m so glad you think so, Debra. Thank you!
wow, what a tranformation! didn’t realize that ceramic could be painted over with just a few steps!
You betcha! So easy and fun because the options are limitless. 🙂
You stopped me at brown. When I got to that word I was like “yuck” but the results floored me. Gorgeous farmhouse look! Looks terrific in the setting you made for it. So very farmhouse homey! Well done!
haha!! That’s what I first said when I mixed the color. Wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but it worked. Thank you!!
The canisters are amazing. Just love the transformation, Larissa!
Woot, woot! That’s so awesome to hear. Thank you!!
The canisters look great, Larissa. The stripped down originals reminded me of my Mom, she had the same ones once upon a time. While reading this post and seeing the lovely open shelving and those amazing wood counters, I wondered “hey wait a minute, she hasn’t shown us the reveal yet!” Yay, so excited that it’s in the works 🙂
They were so pretty and I really debated on painting. But…the challenge won. haha. Hugs to you sweet friends! Kitchen reveal as soon as we finish the nitty gritties. Our family room needing done before winter set us off track.
Too cute! I’m saving these instructions for future projects. Also, could you share your pumpkin bread recipe? If its as good as your muffins and bread recipes, I’m in heaven.
Also, I spy a peek at your kitchen!!! Those counters are to die for sweetheart!!! LOVE them!!
Thanks! My daughter got it off of the back of a bag of pecans at Aldi. We love it! As for the kitchen…yes!! We are so close to reveal. Hoping by the end of the month.
Really cute!! Is it food safe? Or are they to be used just for decorating?
Thanks!
Thanks! Yes, as I didn’t paint the interior of the canister, just under the lid. 😉
Larissa, These canisters look perfectly farm house styled now, what a difference! And your kitchen. . . . . . . WOW, it is looking amazing and your daughters bread looks delish! Now, I’m hungry, lol
Sweet to hear on both accounts. Thank you!! We are so excited to be done, but also trying to wrap up our family room. Soon!
Wow! I really love those ! Since you painted the insides, can you put food in them?
Thanks! I didn’t paint the inside of the canister, just the lid, so they are still food safe. 🙂
I just love what you did with these! I thought at first you were leaving them with the vines… which would have been better than you found them but you made them amazing!
Almost…but had to complete my self-appointed challenge to do a makeover the right way. hee hee!
That’s an amazing make-over, Larissa! At first glance I wasn’t sure I liked the white on the bottom and the brown on the top. Somehow, they looked top-heavy. But the more I looked at them the more I began to like the way you did them. I gotta go find some canisters to re-do now!
I have a question too. I noticed the backsplashes in your kitchen and I wondered what type of material the “tiles” are made of and where you found them. I have been wanting something similar for my bathroom behind my sink and counter. Also, I saw the brick on your kitchen wall and I wondered if it was faux or real or wall paper or ??? It looks really nice. I can’t wait to see your kitchen reveal!
You’re too fun! The brown on top is reminiscent of my antique crocks that are done in the same way. Kinda fun to try to see if I can replicate it. Thank you for the kitchen love. I’m hoping to reveal in the next couple of weeks, but is totally dependent on my husband not having to work 6 days a week. Sigh… 🙂 You can see my brick tutorial HERE.
The before looks like one of my fails…haha. You did an amazing makeover! They’re now unique farmhouse beauties. The pumpkin bread looks delish and the peek of your kitchen makes me excited to see the final reveal.
ahahaha!!! So funny! I wish I could give you a hug. Thank you!
What a great find and I love the makeover.
Thank you so much, Vanessa. 🙂
Larissa… these are SO pretty! You did a wonderful job! Came over to see via Andrea’s feature on Thrifty Makeovers! Pinned (love your new profile pic!)
Thank you so much, Julie. Fun to do! 😀
Wow! What a transformation! I LOVE the end result! Thank you for sharing the products you used. And that pumpkin bread…drool!
You are so fun, Sandi. Thank you!
Did you use anything to create a seal for the lid to the base? I have a set of my mother’s old canisters that I love but the flour and sugar don’t last as there is not a seal between lid and base.
No, but in my own kitchen, I line old canisters with a plastic bag and seal that way.
Almost didn’t follow this one to the end. I was not expecting much from those ugly canisters. You truly have vision. And.. you knocked it out of the park with the result!! Thank you for the sharing and inspiring. I’ll not pass old canisters again without imagining possibilities.
tee hee! They were so bad at first, but definitely potential. Thanks so much, Dee!
Love them! Did you spray the inside of the canister that is painted with the urethane as well?
Also, may I get the color of your cabinets? So pretty!
Thanks! I only did the edge as my poly is not food-safe, but you could use one that is. The color of the cabinets is Slate Green.