Furniture makeover: trash can

Chronicle Books sent over a copy of the brand spankin new Furniture Makeovers by Barb Blair and it couldn’t have come at a better time for me as I’ve been doing lots of furniture makeovers of my own, but completely winging it. Meaning, I have no idea what I’m doing, I just kind of go for it. I’ve been devouring it ever since so I can learn the proper techniques. There’s nothing worse than finding a beautiful piece of furniture and then not knowing how to fit it into your decor so you just pass it up. (Ok, there are FAR worse things–just petty first world problems I like bringing to your attention.)

While I was at my parent’s house in California the last two weeks, I noticed that the hordes of crepe paper rolls that my mom had on hand for the millions of flowers she made for my sister’s wedding, sat in the box they came in. Wouldn’t they fit snuggly in a plain-o trash can? And look a bit better and out of our way? So, I made it over. And then added some pom poms for extra good measure. Because who doesn’t care for a little pom?

Materials: super cheap aluminum trash, spray paint for metal, yarn to decorate, pom pom maker if you’re the type, spray paint primer for metal

Step 1: Prep your trash can by giving it a good scrubbing.

Step 2: Prime your trash can. I used one whole can.

Step 3: After waiting for the primer to dry (I waited 1/2 hour), spray it with your color choice. I chose a lovely faded mint that looks a lot better in real life. Blast my amateur photography skills.

Step 4: Add another layer.

Donzo.

To add pom poms: Surprisingly, this was my FIRST TIME EVER making pom poms. Are you shocked? Ok, not my first time. It’s my first successful time. And only because my mom had some pom pom makers on hand. I made a variety of sizes and then added a braid around the bin with some yarn that had pom pom garlands built in (from Michael’s).