Sunday, April 13, 2008

The birdcage makeover

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I love birdcages and I've always wanted a BIG birdcage. It was over a year ago when I wrote about running through the flea market looking for a birdcage I had seen there the previous month.  I was going to pay $100 for it!  What was I thinking!  Anyway, that birdcage was very similar to this one I found at a thrift store recently.
I was so excited when I saw this!  I lugged it up to the cash register and my mind was swirling with ideas of what I could turn it into!  I ended up painting it white (of course) and then antiquing it with some rust color Rub N Buff paint.   I added some silk hydrangeas, roses, ribbons and a little dove on top.

(Click on photos to enlarge)
This is what is looked like before I painted it.  Beau was so curious about this when I brought it home, I put him in there to take the picture.  He doesn't look very happy, does he?
You won't believe what I paid for this...only $9.99!  What a deal!
I thought this would be the perfect cage for a canary so I went to the pet store and bought one.  Beau would not stop barking and the bird kept sticking half his body out trying to escape.  It was a stressful 24 hours.  I ended up taking the canary back.  Luckily they refunded my money and now it will be used for decorative purposes only.

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cindy, that is fantastic!! I LOVE birdcages! That one is huge - what a great deal you got!! My favorite photo is the one with littel Beau in it... that is soooo precious! LOL ... Donna

Anonymous said...

little - oops! I really need to start proofreading before clicking SEND! ... Donna

Debbie Kay said...

Cindy:

Okay girl that is a $90 savings and a beautiful birdcage. I can't believe you only paid $10 for it. I saw one (that I really wanted) at the Ventura Flea Market for $150way too much. Good find and beautiful makeover....

Debbie

Alison Gibbs said...

Oh what a bargain. It looks fabulous now you have worked your magic on it.
Love the pic with Beau inside.
Have a great week
Alison

Donna Lynn said...

Cindy, nice find! You are here by crowned the Queen of Amazing Deals! Missed you this weekend, so happy you posted tonight! Have a great day tomorrow at work, look forward to your posts...
Donna Lynn

Anonymous said...

I love what you did with the birdcage. I'm glad you didn't wait until Monday to show us.

You just may have to start selling your creations.

~elaine~

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Cindy!
What a fabulous find! And what a savings! I love what you did with it. Poor Beau, 1st he's in the cage, then a chirping thing that wants to escape out of the cage to get him! (or so he probably thought) A bird wouldn't last 5 minutes at our house! LOL
Hugs, Sherry

Anonymous said...

I found you by accident. Googled: -Romantic Homes 2008- and arrived here and couldn't leave. I've been reading for an hour! Incredible blog. I'll be back!

~Cami

Unknown said...

Cindy! OH HOW LOVELY! I am now inspired to try this same thing! Thanks! Also thanks for stopping by!
Hugs,
Robyn

Victoria Lynn said...

Cindy,
See, good things DO come to those that wait!! And you saved $90! It looks really pretty with the flowers and the bird would have just messed it up! (Sorry to any bird lovers out there) Have a great week! Blessings, Victoria Lynn

Elzie said...

It sure was a big difference in prizes there!!! A pity you couldn't keep the bird, but nice of them to take it back.
The birdcage is lovely.
Hope you have a great Monday.
Love Elzie

vintage girl at heart said...

Beautiful cage, great deal and even funnier bird story!!!

Anonymous said...

You got quite the deal, and the results are beautiful.

I have an old birdcage in our sunroom, and I love it, too.

Too funny about Beau and the canary.

Fran said...

Wow! It turned out just beautiful! You really have the touch. I have enjoyed your blog.

~ ♥ LISBETH ♥~ said...

What a great deal! I want one too..., but I already own 3, it is enough don`t you think.. but I really have to force myself not to buy when I see one that I like.
Hugs

Anonymous said...

Goode Morning...

Wanted to take a moment to leave a comment since I am always lurking about. You are very inspirational to me in many ways. Keep up the blogging to lift many spirits.
Lovvvvvvvvve the bird cage, I use them alot around the cottage. In the Summer I put candles in them & hang from trees for luminaries.
Will visit you often. Blessings 2 you, Pamela
Be sure to visit both blog, I have a give-away going on, drawing is tomorrow...

Tara said...

Cindy

Again, I am in awe...what a great additioon to your room, you crafy lady! And it looks like a million dollars not 9.99!

Mary said...

I have to admit I burst out laughing when I saw the picture of Beau in the birdcage. He looked so forlorn. What a terrific find, and you have decorated it so beautifully!
xoxo,
Mary

Anonymous said...

I laughed out loud at that cute little Beau.....
Love the bird cage..... very pretty
HUgs
Linda

Adrienne said...

Poor Beau! I wouldn't be happy being put in a cage, either.

Your birdcage was a wonderful find! I love what you did with it. Perfect. You've given me some inspiration for my wicker birdcage that has nothing on it or in it yet.
~Adrienne~

Sondra said...

Ha!!!! What a great story and what a great birdcage!!! Please, please tell us where you got.

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy,
9.99!!!! What a deal!!! Beau was adorable in there but I don't think he liked it too much. It turned out so pretty, but I would expect nothing else from you.

Hugs,
LeAnn :)

Essential Oil Premier University said...

Cindy, you are just too darn good. Your vision, creativity, bargain hunting ability. You should have your own HGTV show!! And I'm not kidding!!

Blessings,

Sher

Anonymous said...

What a great find! I really need to start checking out thrift stores. Love the way you painted it and aged it. Then the crowning touch with the hydrangeas and dove. Very beautiful indeed.

I'm glad you were able to return the canary. It was probably stressful for the bird as well as Beau.

Anonymous said...

lol @ Beau in a birdcage. Why didn't you take pictures of the bird before returning it? You know as proof that Beau didn't eat it.
$9.99? What a steal.

The Liberty Belle said...

Simply lovely! You really do come up with some amazing things.

diana said...

Beau was excited about your find ! Another great bargain... and great re-do. You need your own "Trash to Treasure" segment on Decorating Cents !

Marilyn said...

Cindy,

What a great deal, and I love how you dressed it up. It looks perfect in your home.

Sugarplum Cottage said...

Cindy, I love the birdcage. I've visit your blog often and have you listed on my desktop as a favorite, but this is the first time I've commented. You have a wonderful blog and home. Thanks for sharing. RoseMarie

JoAnne said...

Cindy, I just have to tell you that I found your blog last week and it has QUICKLY become my favorite. You are very talented. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us! JoAnne

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

WOW! What a great find! It's so large and beautifuuly shaped. I love the picture of your Beau sitting in it. I have a "Bo" too... a big fluffy cat!

Hugs, Pat

Rosie's Whimsy said...

That is a wonderful BIG cage.....and a funny story....guess some things weren't meant to be!

:-) Rosie

joyh82 said...

what an awesome job you did! I can't believe your little dog
fits into it...lol

Devonia said...

Gorgeous~! again....

Sharon said...

Love the look of the birdcage and what you did with it. I have seen a few here and there but after seeing your I will have to go bird cage shopping..........

Unknown said...

That is just fantastic, we would never find one that cheap here! Beau looks like he has done something wrong,and been put in the naughty cage! I love the look, but I loved it before as well.
Sue

Simply Me Art said...

Are you Kidding Me? Only 9.99, I see them at the local Flea Markets all the time and cant tell you how much they cost. Looks beautiful. My pups would have done the same thing as yours did. Lovely.

Free Art Printables said...

Cindy, I love this! What a great find! and a great make over!
Jen R

Joy Jones said...

Hi Cindy! Oooooh I want one too! What a great idea...sooooo beautiful. You did a wonderful job. Too bad the singing bird did not work out...maybe you could teach your pup to sing.. haha.. putting your dog in the cage looks JUST like something I would do to Barkley! Excuse me, but I am off to find a bird cage and a bird.....have a great week sweetie! xoxo ~ Joy J.

{oc cottage} said...

It turned out beautifully. Another HGTV-worthy project! That picture of Beau is hilarious!

M

nwalker said...

Cindy,
I have enjoyed looking at all of your projects. I am interested in upholstering small pieces of furniture such as a vanity stool. Do you have any suggestions as far as books or websites that self teach? Also, if you have any suggestions or instructions on this please let me know. I noticed in one of your blogs you spoke of upholstering a chair but I didn't see where you gave instructions on that project. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Such a great find Cindy. I have been looking for a birdcage like this for a while now but it would seem that folk have caught on to how many peeps are looking and have whacked the prices up!

Lots of love
Cherry xoxox

Lisa said...

Oh my, Beau could be a twin to my daughter's dog Gidget! Too cute. Maybe I should find a cage such as this just for her, HA!
I love bird houses, cages, etc and this one is great. Especially with that price tag and a little paint. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Cindy, your talent at turning ordinary things into beautiful accessories is amazing. I love your home and all the special touches that make it your own. Ksarra

Angie on Prairie said...

Hi Cindy! I am right there with ya! Love birdies and cages. I have five or six cages myself, however, I have never tried to paint one. I have a couple that I would like to paint now that I have seen yours. Thanks for the ideas!!
P.S. Your pooch cracks me up. What a funny, little man.

Gayla said...

What a pretty cage. Poor little Beau... He looks like the pup that ate the canary.... I love stories about him. I can just picture that 24 hours with the bird. What a hoot. Poor little bird was probably REALLY relieved to get back to the shop away from that GIANT (to him) dog. Aw.... Yeah, most of my best things are way artificial... except old Sal... she would have LOVED the bird, too... haha...

Cathy said...

Cindy, YOU GO GIRL!
I adore the price and the look of that fabu birdcage. I have been picking them up here and there for $10 and under too. I'm waiting for warmer weather to sell a few on my website, if I can part with any of them.

xoxo
Cathy

A Thrifty Mrs said...

You have done a wonderful job with that.
Fab makeover.

Tutti Chic said...

I can't even believe the tag on that birdcage read 9.99! You did an incredible job on it-FABULOUS! :) chris

Secondhandrose said...

Wow, what a great deal, and I like how you fixed it up. The pic with beau in it is so sweet. Come for a visit.
Karen

Classics and Country said...

How glamourous! I love your style.

Anonymous said...

I love love love it !!

Julie said...

I have a huge bird cage fetish! I think I own 5 of them...shhh don't tell!

Please stop by my blog and read about a creative contest I am holding with a great prize. If you are not interested - please forward it onto as many people as you can. Thank you!

Southern Lady's Vintage said...

Love the birdcase and I cannot believe that price! Wow! What a gorgeous find!

Southern Lady's Vintage said...

Love the birdcase and I cannot believe that price! Wow! What a gorgeous find!

Rosemary730 said...

I love that birdcage. What is in the little holders inside? What else is in there? You are amazing.
Rosemary

Cindy said...

There are little holders for the bird food cups and I put nests in there with little faux eggs. I also put moss on the bottom ot the cage. You can click on the photos to see better.

Jan said...

Cindy, I love what you did with this birdcage! It's adorable. I found a large birdcage at the thrift store a few months ago, but I only had $10 to last til the end of the month and the birdcage was $7, so I didn't buy it. Later, when I had money, I went back to see whether it was still there (fat chance!) and of course it wasn't. I'm so upset with myself, that from now on I'll live on bread and water before I pass up something great again!

Anonymous said...

wow, thank God you brought back the bird. Poor thing must have been scared to death, forced into a freshly painted (read: TOXIC) old cage with a barking dog next to him???
Do you know nothing about birds???

Look, I don't want to make you angry. But please think twice when you buy a Pet. Pets are NOT decorations.