Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit with that title. I mean, don’t paint your dog to look like concrete or something crazy. Ha!
Buuuut if you have a bunch of decor items lying around that maybe could use a modern refresh or just a fun craft idea that is simple to do (because this girl right here is so not crafty), I’ve discovered my new favorite thing, concrete craft paint.
The other week I found these simple ceramic magnolia figurines at the thrift store for a dollar each, and I just couldn’t leave them because hellooooo, magnolias! (Joanna Gaines, it’s all your fault.)
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They were chipped and dusty but I wondered how cute they would look as concrete statuettes. I love finding little accent pieces like these to put on top of book stacks or on a tray or wherever a small something pretty could fit in as a finishing touch.
And then I found this craft paint kit for creating a textured concrete effect. I really wasn’t going to post about this one, but sometimes the quick and simple projects are my favorite. And you could use this stuff on soooo many things you typically find at the thrift store.
Supplies Used:
- Medium sized craft brush
- FolkArt Painted Finishes Concrete Set
- Plastic drop cloth or a rag to protect your surface
It was literally just 2 steps. (Former English teacher me takes the word “literally” very seriously, just so you know.)
1. Using a medium sized craft brush, paint your piece all over with the light colored paint first in a dabbing motion. The paint has this gritty consistency to make it have texture.
2. While the light paint color is still wet, dab on the dark paint color in places where you want more depth or just randomly dab to subtly blend for an uneven concrete look.
Done!
There are so many ceramic and metal accents I see all the time at the thrift store that could look totally new and different using this stuff. So I thought I’d pass it along, if you’re like me and love concrete everything.
I ended up putting one of these little guys on our foyer chest where I’ve been working almost all weekend to hang our gallery wall. And we finally have some progress in the dining room I’ll be sharing tomorrow! Woo to the hoo! (And the outside of our house is halfway finished with the limewashed brick. I can’t even stand how amazing it’s going to look.) Big things are a-comin’.
Until then, friends!
Mary says
November 13, 2017 at 10:18 amReally nice look, very modern!
Lauren says
November 13, 2017 at 2:00 pmThanks, Mary!
Gwen says
November 13, 2017 at 11:31 amYou have such amazingtalents for giving creativity to big things and even small things. This is a neat idea. Your foyer looks very hmm I need a Word. Classy. Elegant. Yet in a natural unfussy manner. It looks great.
Lauren says
November 13, 2017 at 1:59 pmAw thank you, Gwen! The goal in this house is definitely much more classic, less trendy.
Lorree says
November 13, 2017 at 12:33 pmHow cute! I’m already thinking of all the knick-knacks I can transform all over the house, lol!
Lauren says
November 13, 2017 at 1:58 pmConcrete all the things!!! Haha
Kristi Bell says
November 13, 2017 at 1:53 pmAny opinion on using this on a tile countertop (I can’t do a real concrete countertop makeover like you did, as I don’t own the home), but you got my creativeness flowing!!
Lauren says
November 13, 2017 at 1:58 pmHmmm… I don’t think I would since I don’t think it would hold up well to all of the scraping and food messes that would come with that. Maybe if you applied an epoxy on top afterwards? But I would test it out first on a couple of scrap tiles to see first. That would be even riskier if it became an unrepairable mess and you don’t own the home.
Linda says
November 13, 2017 at 2:12 pmJust when I think I’ve seen it all…SERIOUSLY!?! That is the neatest thing I’ve ever seen! Wow. Thanks for passing it on to your readers – I’ll be trying it soon.
Heather says
November 13, 2017 at 2:31 pmAt first I almost didn’t click on this because I didn’t like these, but voila, they look fantastic!!! I am always amazed at how you turn everything into something so neat!! I am not going to doubt you again:)
Rhonda McSweeney says
November 13, 2017 at 4:51 pmBrilliant!! Thanks for posting!
Tiffany says
November 14, 2017 at 9:24 amLOVE this idea!! I have a bunch of random things that jumped in my hands while at thrift stores and never knew what I would do with them and this is perfect! Also good for things I once loved but don’t fit my style anymore! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kendall says
November 14, 2017 at 10:13 amI really love that ! And you are right, for us um…less gifted than yourself…quick and easy projects are greatness!!
Carol says
November 14, 2017 at 9:22 pmI have to ask about that lamp! Where did you find it!?
Lauren says
November 15, 2017 at 4:47 pmArhaus sent it to me a couple of months ago. 🙂 Love it! The crystal base bounces the light around so beautifully.
Darlene @ Castle Revival says
January 6, 2018 at 10:29 pmHi Lauren. I love your inspiring blog. If you see someone nosing around, its just me. Haha! This post has really got me thinking about painting many of the out of date items that I love the shape of – but the colour dates them. Thanks for sharing this great idea! Have a great week 🙂