Monday, August 18, 2008

A Picnic Basket Project

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Remember my thrift store picnic basket I found for $5.00? I painted it this weekend and I'm so happy with how it turned out!

First I spray painted it green using Rust-Oleum American Accents paint in Seaside Green.
Then I diluted a creamy white craft paint with a little water and brushed it on it small sections and wiped it off with a rag to give it a whitewashed look.
You can see in the photo above the three stages. The left is just the dry green paint, the middle section has the diluted white paint applied and the right has the white paint that has been wiped off.
I love how this turned out and now I have a beautiful picnic basket for less than $10.00.
I recently found this outdoor fabric to make pillows for the patio. I just have it wrapped around the pillow for now but Beau doesn't seem to mind!
Have you seen the cover of the September issue of Country Living? OH MY GOSH! I LOVE IT!!! I'm seeing a lot more blue lately in the magazines! You know that makes me happy!

I also made a laundry basket using this same painting technique as above but with a different color. I'll show you that tomorrow.

70 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great job on the basket! I love how it looks with your china.

Debbie V.

Virginia said...

Your basket turn so nice, love the color you chose. Very soft and pretty. I love seeing all the new life you give to all your finds.
Have a lovely and Bless day, Virginia

Unknown said...

What a fabulous basket...and I love how you have painted in multiple coats...gorgeous and inspiring!

Beau is adorable there ;)

Cottagecheap said...

GORGEOUS! I may have to go back to the 'stuff store' and get the basket I saw today. Hmmmmmmm...

Love Beau sleeping there on the pillow ....makes me smile!

Joanne Kennedy said...

That came out great. I love old picnic baskets but I never go on picnics and have no place to store them.

I adore your puppy picture. He is so sweet all curled up and sleeping.

Hugs,
Joanne

Joanne Kennedy said...

That came out great. I love old picnic baskets but I never go on picnics and have no place to store them.

I adore your puppy picture. He is so sweet all curled up and sleeping.

Hugs,
Joanne

Kathleen Grace said...

Gorgeous paint job on the basket and I love that fabric you got for your patio!

Anonymous said...

Love the picnic basket! It turned out great. Can't wait to see the laundry basket.

Lisa
www.palepinkandroses.com

BittersweetPunkin said...

I love the new color of the basket...very lovely!! I saw a lil wicker nightstand at Thrift the other day...after I got home I kicked myself for not buying it...oh well.
Have a great day!!
hugs,
robin

Anonymous said...

Oh Cindy, you know just how to make it special! I would never have thought to do that paint technique! So pretty and useful too! I'm having a Where Bloggers Create tour starting next Sun. Aug. 24. Badge is on my blog. Please come join us. I would love to see "where you create" as I'm always so curious about your surroundings, and if they evoke your magical touch.
Brenda

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

The basket turned out fantastic Cindy. Like the fabric and the cute doggie !

Unknown said...

Oh, your basket is great! That Country Living cover is SO you!

Anonymous said...

Your picnic basket turned out beautiful! It is so much prettier painted than in its natural state.

I think I see a little trend here...you are adding some touches of green (in your DR chair fabric, this pretty pillow fabric and the picnic basket). I love green and liberally use it throughout my home, like you use blue. In fact, just 2 days ago, I also painted a basket green and it's now holding decorating magazines but I didn't whitewash it. After seeing your basket, I just might have to haul it back outside and try that technique on it! Once again, thanks for the great inspiration.

Stacy said...

Ha ha! So funny because I immediately thought of you when I saw the Country Living cover! LOL.

Great basket!

~Stacy

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Cindy,
I too just recently spray painted two old dark baskets I had setting in the garage. We even used the same color, but I did not white wash them. Great idea to white wash. I have mine sitting on the top of my kitchen cabinets. Have a good day.

Jan~Feather Your Nest Antiques said...

I picked up the new Country Living while I was on vacation and I was just like you. I loved it! Blue has always been my favorite color, so keeping it in my house just makes sense.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful job on your picnic basket and it sets your china off perfectly. I love your ideas and plan on trying some of them out in my home. I am also lucky enough to have several Marshall & TJ Maxx stores to shop at also. Thanks.

Sandra

Anonymous said...

Very inspiring! You and paint do some great things! Denise

Mary said...

I just got the new issue of Country Living today. Your picnic basket looks wonderful! What a pretty picture with your beautiful china. Love the outdoor fabric, and Beau is so cute!
xoxo,
Mary

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

Hi Cindy,
Your basket turned out so pretty, makes me want to paint mine now!
Hugs~Kelly

Anonymous said...

Love your basket and how you painted it. It looks terrific and I'll anxiously await your laundry basket makeover.

Gretchen
birdnestcottage.typepad.com

Pink Slippers said...

The picnic basket looks lovely. The white wash idea was very creative. I love the way it came out. Your liitle pup looks like he enjoys his home very much.
Wendy.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

That's such a pretty color, Cindy! I'm loving aqua now & have that color in mind for a guestroom redo.

Rhoda

Missy Wertz said...

It is beautiful! I am going on a hunt for a picnic basket! I now have many many ideas to transform other baskets (like the one I keep my parrot's cage cover in) where it looks as nice as the beautiful cage cover.
I need to photograph that cage cover and post it on my blog. It is not typical.

Anonymous said...

LOVE the way it turned out, absolutely gorgeous, great job!!! Hugs, Jannet

Alison Gibbs said...

The basket looks fabulous
Alison

Rosemary said...

I love it Cindy, you did a great job as usual!!
I have seen the new Country Living, and it's great!
Rosemary

Kelly said...

very pretty!!

KarenB said...

Your basket is beautiful. Very, very pretty. Do you have your first picnic scheduled? Or is it going to just be for pretty? Yes, I'm glad we're seeing more blue. I never gave up on it actually. In or out of style, I love blue.

Judy said...

I love the basket. I've been looking for one but haven't found one that said Take me home yet. You did a fantastic job as usual.

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I love what you did with the picnic basket. I have a couple that are tired and in need of "waking up". I'm inspired to paint them!

That's why I love reading blogs like yours. I get great inspiration and ideas.

Bo said...

The basket is so fresh looking and I adore the dishes with it. You could be a photo stylist for magazines no doubt!...always lovely.
;-) Brown-Eyes

Anonymous said...

Your basket looks so pretty! I love the colour of it :) Looking forward to seeing your laundry basket because I've been wanting to paint mine but need some inspiration.

Linda aka yellowroseli said...

Great basket. Where do you find the time to do all that you do, lol
Yes, I love blue also. Glad to see it being shown more.

Tanya said...

That looks so nice. I love blue too! Great blog!

Jojo said...

Cindy, The sea green color is absolutely beautiful! I love colors but somehow when I get in the paint store, I manage to be paralyzed by the choices.

It was interesting to see that you noticed the cover of CL. The Paris Hotel Boutique Journal had posted the cover last week. The painting on the cover is from her shop. I just love how everything is somehow connected...thanks to blog world!

Anonymous said...

Hi there. Wow i love the look of your new basket!! Wonderful job, especially with that white wash job you did with it! I did notice that beautiful material on the pillow in the background as well. Gorgeous!! It will look great at your new gorgeous home!

Free Art Printables said...

Cindy. that is so pretty and romantic! Great job! Jen r

Tara said...

Cindy

So simple--I could do this! It looks so cozy here as always--lucky doggie!

Anonymous said...

I love the whitewashed effect on the basket. It gives it so much more dimension. I'll have to remember to add a second color when I paint a basket or paint wicker furniture.

That pic of Beau is so sweet!

~elaine~

bj said...

I love that basket ! I have a fabulous vintage picnic basket that need painting...thanks so much for sharing the color of yours.
bj

said...

That shade of green is fantastic.

Unknown said...

Cindy, that picnic basket looks gorgeous! What a wonderful technique and i love the color!! Great job! I have been wanting a picnic basket for hubby and I for awhile now. Yous is beautiful!

Beau is just too cute curled up on the pilloe :) Love the fabric!

Hugs,
Amy

Unknown said...

Hi Cindy,
That's the exact color I used to paint my wicker on my screened porch. But I didn't know about the white paint! I love the effect. I may have to copy you!
diane

Donna, The Decorated House said...

Fabulous looking basket Cindy!
This would have been quite expensive in a trendy little shop. It turned out so pretty!
Donna

Picket said...

That basket turned out great...I love that soft shade of green and the whitewash effect just really makes it beautiful..you little Beau would make any fabric look good! Hope you have a great week Cindy!

Rattlebridge Farm said...

Cindy, the basket is just gorgeous. The white-wash made all the difference--I've never thought to try that. The step-by-step is great, too. And I am in love with your teacups!

Charmingdesigns said...

oh my goodness, I just came across your blog, how fun. Love what ou did with the basket! I'll be back, have to see what you did with the laundry basket laurie

Jenni said...

I love what you did with your picnic basket! The color of green is so perfect, and what a pretty picture of the basket with the china!

I'll be back to see your laundry basket for sure! :)

Anonymous said...

Beau love the new pillow too! I love the basket re-do. So pretty,I know I have some in the attic just waiting to be redone. Thanks for the detailed instructions. Mary

Sharon~heartsongs said...

Your basket turned out great! You need to open a little shop.

Beneath the Eaves said...

Cindy, I have had company-it is horse racing season here so being on the computer is catch up affair. Your blog is always sooo beautiful. I love the basket-it would be beautiful for a breakfast at the track or tailgate dinner at the polo game. (Even the ballet gala in the park for that matter) I love the puppy picture-adorable! Hope you win the dream house too. We would be able to see some fabulous blogs while you made that structure an enchanted home. My prayers are with you! Debra

Suzann said...

Love the basket! Great idea. You are so creative and crafty. I have that magazine too and it is quite enjoyable. I purchased several magazines lately and there is much blue on the horizon.

A Romantic Porch said...

Cindy, Your basket is beautiful. xo rachel

Rhondi said...

Hi Cindy
Another great project. The picnic basket ruened out great. I saw the new Country Living too. Love that blue. I actually did a post on blue today.
Hugs, Rhondi

Carrie said...

Oh, it looks beautiful! And I LOVE the tea cups. So pretty.

I'm going to have to go get the September issue on CL soon!

Kari :)

Unknown said...

Pretty picture of your basket...
Love the fabric on the pillow ...errh under the puppy! : )

~~Liz~~

Twice as Nice said...

The basket turned out wonderful. I would of never of thought of using that color!! Makes ya want to pack up a picnic lunch and spread a blanket :o)

Bridget said...

I do remember your basket. What a spectacular transformation!

Alberta said...

I love how your picnic basket turned out...just so happens I have a rather plain and uninspiring basket of my own...now what colour would I like???? Thanks for the wonderful idea and the great photos!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your painting technique! That looks great, although I have to say I was kind of expecting you to paint it all white. :)

I love the sea green color!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your painting technique! That looks great, although I have to say I was kind of expecting you to paint it all white. :)

I love the sea green color!

Lisa said...

I love the look you have created with the basket, the color is great, but even better with the white wash technique. Thanks for sharing.

Lisa said...

I love the look you have created with the basket, the color is great, but even better with the white wash technique. Thanks for sharing.

w00ts up said...

Love , love, love the green picnic basket! Your pooch is too cute!

Blogger said...

I love your basket...and all of your china is gorgeous, too. I have a picnic basket, you are giving me ideas!!!

Bella
PS: I love blues, too...my master bedroom is aqua blue, we just redid it in July, we love it...it's on my blog page :)

Life on the Edge said...

Oh my gosh, this turned out just incredible! I love that shade of green and will have to keep it in mind! You just have such a wonderful way of transforming the simplest things and making them spectacular!

Kady

Anonymous said...

I am going to go right out and copy your basket.... absolutely tootly love it !!!!

w00ts up said...

Finally got the Country Living issue. Lots of blue and white! It was definitely your issue!

Anonymous said...

Love your basket! What a great idea! You are so creative, as always..... Patti