Waste not, want not. That’s pretty much my attitude every time I walk into my neighborhood thrift store, which is pretty often.
Which also means I get into trouble a lot. And trouble is usually in the form of a pile of unfinished projects that have incredible transformations…in my head.
Too bad great ideas without execution don’t usually end up as blog posts, huh?
But this one executed exactly how I imagined! Don’t you just love it when that happens?
Today, I’m joining in with four other super talented blogging friends for a series called Trash to Treasure Transformations. Every 2nd Tuesday of the month, we’ll be transforming an item we found from a thrift store or yard sale. A.K.A. stuff we love doing anyway!
My victim to kick off the transformation fun was this guy:
To be fair, this hamper/trash can/pet food container, whatever you see it as really wasn’t all that hideous. It was pretty cute to begin with. But if you’ve followed this blog for longer than a day, you probably already know that I can never leave well enough alone.
This thing was a little rough on top, but it was nothing a coat of paint couldn’t fix.
I gave it two coats of Annie Sloan Coco, but typical me had to take it a step further and get all industrial style with a stencil.
I used these letter stencils I found in the hardware aisle and some black craft paint to trick it out.
I gave the original knob hole a quick spackling patch and sanding.
After the paint was dry, I swiped on one coat of Annie Sloan Dark Wax. I worked in small sections and left just enough of the wax behind to make it look a bit like wood.
I found this really cool pipe looking handle at Hobby Lobby for 50% off the other week while looking for our bathroom cabinet knobs.
Ta da! I’m so happy how it turned out! I had to take advantage of my new shiplap backdrop for a minute with this one.
Our master bathroom desperately needed a hamper, and this one fits right in. We were just tossing dirty clothes right in the floor beside our cabinet before, and it was not a pretty sight.
It works great with our rustic ladder towel rack too.
What do you think? Does it work? Can you believe this thing was only $9? Using the paint and wax I already had and the stencils and handle I bought, it ended up being about $20 total.
Be sure to stop in to check out all of the other thrifty transformations in the series today too! These gals are so creative; you’ll love the magic they can do.
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Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
August 11, 2015 at 10:25 amAwesomely executed, Lauren! It’s rustic, functional, and stylish…and perfect! Pinning and sharing… 😀
Lauren says
August 12, 2015 at 1:11 pmThanks, Larissa! I LOVE how your sconces turned out too! I’m ready to dive into my in-laws’ old barn to see if I can scrounge up some old farm tools like you found.
Katie @ Little House of Four says
August 11, 2015 at 11:36 amSuch a great transformation! The addition of the stencil and pipe handle definitely make the piece.
Lauren says
August 12, 2015 at 1:10 pmThanks, Katie! Totally agree. Those two little things made a big statement on this one.
christy @ Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
August 11, 2015 at 12:18 pmThis is a fabulous makeover, Lauren!! It fits perfectly in your beautiful bathroom! XO
Lauren says
August 12, 2015 at 1:09 pmThank you, Christy! Your bathroom shelf turned out beautifully too!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
August 11, 2015 at 12:33 pmLove it! That handle is perfect! Great makeover 🙂
Nancy
Lauren says
August 12, 2015 at 1:09 pmThanks, Nancy! I loved your lamp makeover too! It makes me kind of sad that summer is leaving us.
Mary-In the boondocks says
August 11, 2015 at 12:34 pmIt looks so nice next to the lovely rustic ladder!
Lauren says
August 12, 2015 at 1:08 pmThanks, Mary! It’s almost like that spot was meant for that hamper all along.
Lanita Anderson says
August 11, 2015 at 5:50 pmHey Lauren,
I LOVE how you transformed the piece and it looks great in your Master Bath!! I’m always seeing pieces of furniture at the thrift stores and needing inspiration of what to do with them, so I’m looking forward to this series. Thanks for sharing….
Blessings,
Lanita
Lauren says
August 12, 2015 at 1:06 pmThanks, Lanita! I know what you mean. A lot of times the hardest part on a makeover is deciding what direction you’ll take it in.
Samantha says
August 11, 2015 at 6:39 pmWow, love it! I especially love that it looks like weathered wood! I need to try that paint/wax combo! It looks awesome and I love how well it goes with your rustic ladder!
Lauren says
August 12, 2015 at 1:06 pmThanks, Samantha! I’m officially hooked on this paint/wax combo! It’s really easy to do too.
ardith says
August 11, 2015 at 7:20 pmThis is hands down the coolest clothes hamper I have ever seen. Well done you. Cheers, Ardith
Lauren says
August 12, 2015 at 1:05 pmHaha Thanks, Ardith! I’d been on the lookout for a really cute one that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. Paint and cool hardware always seem to save the day.
Passionately Grounded says
August 11, 2015 at 7:41 pmYou have fab ideas Lauren! Love it!
Lauren says
August 12, 2015 at 1:04 pmThank you!!!
Sherry Fram says
August 12, 2015 at 1:23 amLove the color and the stenciling!
Lauren says
August 12, 2015 at 1:03 pmThanks, Sherry!
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
August 13, 2015 at 4:07 amAmazing transformation, Lauren! I have yet to try Coco… now I want to. 😉
I really love the stenciled letters and the new industrial handle – and it looks perfect in your bathroom!
Lauren says
August 13, 2015 at 12:53 pmThanks, Jen! I wasn’t as big of a fan of Coco all by itself, but with the dark wax it’s soooo gorgeous.
Melanie says
August 16, 2015 at 8:42 pmThis turned out so cute! I love the color, and the stencils you chose. Thank you for linking up over at The Creative Corner!
Lauren says
August 17, 2015 at 7:43 pmThanks, Melanie!
Pam @ The Birch Cottage says
August 27, 2015 at 8:44 pmI think it turned out fantastic! So, does your family give you that funny look and ask, “So, why are you going to paint it?” I get that all the time! Thanks for the inspiration!
Lauren says
September 2, 2015 at 1:37 pmHaha! My family has learned to just go with it now. Or maybe they think it and just don’t say anything anymore because there’s no point in arguing with a crazy DIY girl on a mission. 😉
Sara says
January 21, 2017 at 11:43 pmWe’ve always had those horrible fabric-with- spiral-wire hampers. I’ve never thought of trying to make something good-looking to keep dirty laundry in. Now I’ll be on the lookout for something to transform into a pretty laundry bin. I might just end up building one. Great idea! Thanks for sharing:)
Lauren says
January 22, 2017 at 9:40 amYay! We have the spiral wire hampers too, but I like that I can hide all of the dirty clothes with this one and they don’t come spilling out of the top. Always good to hide our crazy. 😉