Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Another Project

Pin It Now!

I found this sconce at the thrift store for $3. It was ugly, ugly, ugly. I was trying to explain it to a friend and I said, "it's gold plastic, very ornate with crystals hanging down" She raised one eyebrow and said "Plastic with crystals? hmmm sounds interesting" but her facial expression said "how tacky can you get?" Once I painted it white put some silver Rub N Buff on it, it now looks like it's carved wood not plastic.


I put it up in my dining room but I'm not liking it next to the little cabinet my dad made. My plan is to get a china cabinet or hutch which will be just to the right of this cabinet and then this cabinet will be moved somewhere else in the house.

If you noticed something silver behind the sconce, it's an old telephone jack. Remember when telephones used to be on the wall? I need to paint it yellow so it blends in with the wall a little better. I wish I could just rip it out but then I would have to learn how to patch sheetrock.

32 comments:

Terri Steffes said...

Adorable. I need to go shopping with you so I can learn how to identify potential!

Adrienne said...

What a wonderful candle sconce! You did a great job. You do a nice job with whatever you find. Wish I lived closer so I could shop with you and get help with some of my unfinished projects! ~Adrienne~

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

I just saw two plastic candle holders kinda like your scones at the thrift shop last thursady they were the same ugle gold DARN!! I will have to go back and see if they are still there. They are beautiful white.

Anonymous said...

Oh, what a difference some paint makes! You are the queen of transforming "drab" fo "fab"!
mary
mrcarroll@optonline.net

Priscilla said...

Hi Cindy,
You know I find it amazing how a piece can look so different with some paint and care, I really enjoy seeing your before and after shots.

I also wanted to say I tagged you in the 'name game' come by and have a look what its all about.

Priscilla x

http://priscillascottage.blogspot.com/

Cathy said...

Hi Cindy, I couldn't wait another minute to let everyone know about the Country Victorian article.

Thank you so very much for all your encouragement. Before, during and after the project. You are the best.

Shabby in Pink Boutique said...

What a great idea, I find them all the time treasure hunting. It came out beautiful, who would know that it's plastic..lol I love your blog, very pretty. I love to find a ugly treasure and make it beautiful! Best Wishes
Stephanie Smith
Shabby in Pink Boutique

a pink-bee said...

Wow! You made that into a beautiful sconce! You find the best things at Goodwill!
Just got back from an out of town goodwill, and found a few fun things to play with. :)
crystal

Michelle E. ~ Vintage Pastiche' said...

Looks beautiful Cindy :) I love those gold plastic things, I turned some wall "vases" into bird feeders. I love the idea of covering the phone jack, I have one of those I need to cover. Hmmmm......

*muah*

Michelle

Anonymous said...

Cindy, you have such a talent for re-making objects! I could see you owning a store where you sell all those fabulous things you find and make-over. The sconce looks just gorgeous!

Manuela

Jean Martha said...

thanks for stopping by my blog! i love what you did with that plastic sconce - great job! tackle the sheetrock patch...it'll be totally easy and you'll be happier to have it flat.

Julie said...

Right before I finished reading your post I was thinking how much better it would look if it was higher...now I know why it is where it is though!

You have an amazing eye for transformations Cindy! I am always impressed with your creations.

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

I love "before and afters" too! That looks wonderful, as your transformations always do!
We have an wall phone jack we no longer use too..... I keep it covered also!

:)

Anonymous said...

I love this, Cindy. I went to a thrift store today and also bought a sconce (and this, before even seeing yours!! lol). I need to put MY touch to it, tho, and then I'll send you a pic. Yours looks beautiful where you have it. I like that you put it low......
bj

Rosemary said...

Cindy,
Isn't it amazing what a little paint can do?
Looks great!
Rosemary

Lisa said...

That is very pretty! I love that paint can transform ordinary to extraordinary! Where do you get the rub n buff? :) Lisa

Susie Q said...

Only someone as creative as you would see such amazing potential! What a treasure it is now!

S pretty and what an ingenious way of covering up an otherwise eye sore!

Your home is stunning!

Hugs,
Sue

Essential Oil Premier University said...

A great find and a wonderful transformation job you did to it. Who knew something so ugly would turn out so beautiful!!

P.S. I LOVE your new blog layout and pictures. I'm still new at this blogging stuff so I'm updating and changing my blog a little bit at a time. (Still trying to figure out how to take and edit pictures so I can do fancy do stuff around the edges like all of you pros!!!)

Blessings!

Cottage Contessa said...

Once again you've created something lovely from nothing much. I really like it, I wish I could see what you see when I'm out shopping!

Amanda and Tim said...

whoo what a lot of thrifting you've been doing and such gorgeous finds too!!

Gayla said...

What a great update to that little piece.... Oh, and ye who rewires chandeliers can EASILY patch sheet rock.... But it's a dusty little hassle. I prefer handing something overtop as you have done. Stay cool. Your projects are fabulous.

Dawn-Hydrangea Home said...

Cindy - that sconce looks great - you wouldn't even know it was plastic! You can do so much with paint!

Nunnie's Attic said...

You amaze me. I love how you take the ugliest thing and make down right beautiful. Can you come to my house?
Julie

Liz Harrell said...

Your projects are so inspiring! I've started looking at things in a whole new light after seeing all the things you've transformed with paint. Gold will no longer stand in my way! :)

ღ Cindy ღ said...

Hi Cindy! I think you did a good job! It just simply transformed to a beautiful sconce! You're very artistic!

Heather said...

I am always amazed at what a little paint can do - this was a real transformation!
Heather

Catherine said...

Wow...That is quite a transformation...Never know it was plastic now!! Great job AGAIN!
Thanks for sharing,
Catherine

cammy said...

You amaze me!!

Lallee said...

That's a beautiful piece. Those plastic pieces make great makeovers. I have two single candle plastic sconces that I repainted in my dining room. I love yours!

Anonymous said...

I had a little trouble finding that Howard Citrus Shield Paste Wax you recommended for the painted furniture but I finally located some and it works great! Now I'm going to have to try the Rub-n-Buff stuff on my white sconces I told you I wasn't so crazy about and see if that perks them up. Thanks for yet another great idea!

Also...I saw my sister use a very simple patch kit she bought on the paint aisle in Home Depot or Lowes. It's made for patching small holes like light switch/light plug holes and it would probably also work great to repair your phone jack hole. The kit contains a very stiff mesh material that you just slap over the hole (kind of like putting a band-aide over it) and then you spackle over the mesh, feathering the edges of your spackle into your existing wall. Absolutely NO drywall/sheet rock knowledge required. Really neat! It literally took her just a couple minutes to do and after she was finished, you would have never known there had ever been a hole there! My "handyman" husband didn't even know about this patch kit and was very impressed how quick and simple it was. If you want to check it out and have trouble locating it, let me know and I'll see if I can get a specific product name for you.

Mrs. Jones said...

It is quite beautiful now. Isn't it nice to be able to spot a diamond-in-the-rough like that!

Elle Jay Bee said...

Fabulous, as usual!!

Linda