Giant fork and spoon decor makeover

May 16, 2011

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A quick spray paint transformation using a fun Goodwill find! I took this giant utensil decor from blah to pretty art. 

I’ve had this metal fork and spoon set in the basement foreva:

huge fork and spoon wall decor

Serious – I think it’s been more than a year. I can’t even remember where I got them, but I'm pretty sure it was Goodwill. I’ve had a plan for them for all that time, and I finally finished it up.

They were OK in black, but really, who wants to use (giant) black utensils? Not me. And the black finish was in bad shape, so they needed a new coat of paint.

Because I wanted them to look like real (ginormous) silverware, I picked up a can of silver spray paint. I did one quick coat of grey primer first, just to make sure the surface was uniform and ready for the paint.

It took about three coats, but they turned out JUST how I envisioned:

metal fork and spoon decor

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I hung them above our pantry door, and I just think they are the cauuutest (monster) utensils I ever did see!:

fork and spoon set

I hung them with these adhesive plate hangers -- they're great for awkward art like this. 

I shared some spray paint tips back on this post, but here are a few of my top tips:

1. Prep well – you don’t have to sand, but at the very least, clean the item. I don’t use primer every time – it depends on what I’m spraying. Sometimes with metal I find it covers better with primer, but as long as you’ve got a few good coats of paint on the item, it should hold up fine.

2. Speaking of coats -- use a light hand when spray painting! Don’t get too trigger happy. ;) You’ll do much better with four or five light coats (use short sprays, back and forth across the item) than with soaking the item with one or two coats.

3. If you get drips, wipe them when wet and spray over. If needed you can sand them down after and repaint. If you get crackle, it usually means you didn’t prep well enough, but it could also be due the temperature. When I get the dreaded crackle, I know it’s because I didn’t clean the item well,  didn’t sand and should have, or I’m spraying in really high temps. You can get rid of the crackle by sanding well after it dries and spraying again.

4. Spray paint is stinky and not exactly good for you – it’s best to wear a mask when spraying. You never know which direction the wind will take the paint. Believe me. :)

I am constantly amazed at the power of spray paint! It is truly the DIYer’s BFF. ;)

And now I have a mongo fork and spoon to toss my next salad:

pantry with fork and spoon

(Just kidding – don’t eat off of spray painted items.)

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May 16, 2011

Comments

  1. Lettered CottageMay 16, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    That mongo fork and spoon set looks awesome up there above your pantry door!!! I like 'em better silver too!Thanks for hosting the par-tay, and for the spray painting tips. I never thought about wiping the drips right away...definitely gonna have to do that from now on! :-)

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  2. Richmond ThrifterMay 16, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    LOVE them painted silver! So much better! And they fit perfectly above your door! Thanks for hosting the party! Happy to be here!

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  3. HoosierHomemadeMay 16, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    Love those silverware! I'm looking forward to all the great projects!
    Thanks for hosting!
    ~Liz

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  4. AnonymousMay 16, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    LOVE The silver!!! I recently spray painted the handle mechanism on my front storm door (brass).....next I'm hoping to spray the actual door (white)...learned everything from yoU!!!

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  5. Lisa @ Fern Creek CottageMay 16, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Spray paint rules!! I look forward to seeing everyones new creations! Your hu-normous silverware is super cute!

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  6. Thelittlebrownhouse.usMay 16, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    I'm pretty sure I need that spoon for my ice cream.....

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  7. LindyMay 16, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    Love your fork and spoon set. They're perfect where you hung them! Thanks for hosting!

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  8. The Starr FamilyMay 16, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    Such fun party!! Thank you for hosting... and loving those utensils!

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  9. JessieMay 16, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    The spoon and fork set looked pretty awesome after you spray painted them in silver. It looks great above your pantry door!

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

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  10. JenMay 16, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    I love the fork and spoon! I have debated a few times on buying a set. Love where you put them :)

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  11. AnonymousMay 16, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    love the fork & spoon!! Thanks for hosting.

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  12. StephanieMay 16, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Great party, and great utencils! Good spray painting weather is hard to come by around here. At least it doesn't usually get very windy. And it doesn't have to be sunny--just NOT raining :)

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  13. Allyson McGuireMay 16, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    These are so cute! I have always loved giant utensils. Over the pantry is a perfect place for them!

    Allyson
    http://cupcakescandycanes.blogspot.com

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  14. Mary @ Redo 101May 16, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    Hi, love the fork and spoon! Thanks for hosting another great linky party, I'm linked up and ready to visit some great blogs!

    Mary @ Redo 101

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  15. Vivienne @ the V SpotMay 17, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    That fork and spoon are awesome! Love them!
    Thanks for hosting the party!

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  16. StephMay 17, 2011 at 12:34 AM

    fun post and great project. Thanks for hosting this party, so much great inspiration all in once place :).

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  17. NatalieMay 17, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    Oh my gosh, those are HUGE! And Awesome! Like...AWESOMELY HUGE! I love them, great job!

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  18. NatalieMay 17, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    OH! And thanks for hosting the party! You know how I love spray paint! :) I can't figure out how to do your button thing...but I did make sure I linked up to you at the bottom of each post, mmmkay? Thanks!

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  19. Ami AllisonMay 17, 2011 at 1:49 AM

    OH!! I LOVE IT!! I really really love it! Thanks so much for hosting the Spray Paint Party!!! My post was my FIRST time playing with the stuff!! :)

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  20. Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net)May 17, 2011 at 2:07 AM

    Sarah, I think those are about the cutest utensils ever. lol They look great over your pantry. Thanks for those great spray painting tips!

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  21. Jess @ Frugal with a FlourishMay 17, 2011 at 6:56 AM

    Love those!!! Thanks for hosting!

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  22. AnonymousMay 17, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    Those are ADORBS!!!! They look GREAT up there! I used the silver spray paint yesterday--on a bowling ball--making a gazing ball for the garden-but not done yet!

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  23. Kari May 17, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Thanks for letting me link up!!

    And I love the wall cutlery!!!

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  24. angieMay 17, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    love, love, LOVE the silverware! much improved in silver!!

    thanks for hosting this fun party :)

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  25. Practically SpentMay 17, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    A) It totally IS (finally) our spray paint season, isn't it?
    B) Reminds me of the Everybody Loves Raymond episode with Marie's big fork/spoon.
    C) You'd be so ready for one of Elaine Benes's famous "big salads".
    D) Looks awesome.

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  26. Janis@ Home StyleMay 17, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    WOW those turned out great, I've been on the hunt for some giant utensils, you just convinced me I need to keep looking. Thanks for hosting a great party..........looking forward to checking out all the awesome spray-paintness!!

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  27. Gypsy HeartMay 17, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    Love the "silverware" ~ looks great! Thanks for hosting ~

    Pat

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  28. Samantha from Colonial Curve CottageMay 17, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    I officially adore spray painting. First timer here. :) Newbie. I'm in the process of my first project and will link up later today, only...I have drips. I hoping they find they're way to smooth but not likely right? Oh well...I'll share the result anyway. Curious question...how on the planet did you hang your humungo utensils so well? Nice work! I'm gleaning from all the links! So great, thanks for hosting!

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  29. UnknownMay 17, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    Thanks Sarah, thanks for hosting this great party... I can't seem to copy your button to save my life... I will keep trying. Love what you did with your spray paint.

    Pattie

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  30. Yay! DIYMay 17, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    This is great! So many good projects to inspire! We wrote about it in today's blog post on yaydiy.com
    Thanks!
    Erin and Lia

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  31. Krys72599May 17, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    I have those exact same utensils - and I don't have them out 'cause they look just blah in black. Never thought to paint them! This will be one of my projects this summer and for sure, they're going to get a place of honor in my new kitchen (we're redoing our lakehouse kitchen next year - collecting ideas now...)

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  32. JulianneMay 17, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    Those are adorable! Now I'll have to be on the lookout for a giant fork and spoon :)

    repurposedlifedesigns.blogspot.com

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  33. LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDSMay 17, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Great job! Thanks for hosting!

    :D Lynda

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  34. SarahMay 17, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    LOVE LOVE LOVE the silverware!!!!
    I tried to do this myself with some I found at Hobby Lobby. Only problem was I couldnt figure out how to hang the silly things. They were intended to hang vertically but of course I wanted them horizontally!!! I ended up trying to put a picture hanger (I know, re-dunk-u-lous.. you can laugh) on the back of one and it busted the poor thing to pieces!!!!!! My poor poor knife was soon realized to not be wood and instead some type of porcelien mixed thingy-ma-jig! Anyways... can you tell me your secret?

    Thanks!!!

    Sarah

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  35. Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️May 17, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Great makeover. I love the difference!

    Spray paint is my favorite tool to use. I paint everything but my kids. :-)

    Dee

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  36. DebraMay 17, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Love the fork and spoon. The silver paint made a huge (good) differnce. They look quite expensive now. :) Thanks for hosting this fun party!

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  37. JillMay 17, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    I saw a set just like this today - but couldn't see paying $10 for the set. Salvation Army's prices are outta control! If they were $5 for the set, I would've sprayed them silver too - too cute!

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  38. Comeca JonesMay 17, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    Love the way they turned out! Love Love Love being able to browse everyones post!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Amelia@ Wind ChimesMay 17, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    I fancy what you did with your metal fork and spoon set.

    I've been to Kate, Rhoda, and Layla's blogs. You all have a nice taste in interior and exterior designing. I can't wait for your next post about your spray paint party next week.

    I totally envy you gals. 'till next time.

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  40. Lynda@CMsThriftyGemsMay 18, 2011 at 2:00 AM

    Not only did I get to link up but I discovered lots of great blogs! Thanks for such a great link party.

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  41. Kate at Dream To LifeMay 18, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    Great project! They look fab :>) And a big thanks to you lovely ladies for hosting such fun link parties

    cheahs!
    Kate

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  42. AnonymousMay 18, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    can i copy you?

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  43. UnknownMay 18, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Love the spoons, Sarah. Thanks for hosting the party. I'm finding so much inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Mandy CoffeyMay 18, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    So awesome! i wish i could find giant utencils! So jealous you have those. It looks awesome.

    Mandy
    www.smallfineprint.com

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  45. TonyaMay 19, 2011 at 12:56 AM

    LOVE the new look of the fork and spoon: PERFECT!! Thanks for the fun link party!! :)

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  46. Richella ParhamMay 19, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    Hey girl! I took you at your word that I could link up a project even though I'm late to the party! :)

    I love your giant fork and spoon! Just right for that space above your fabulous pantry door. Isn't spray paint a wonderful thing?

    Thank you for hosting a great party!

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  47. KimberlyMay 19, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    Can't wait to go through all the links and check out the projects.
    Too bad it's been raining here for a week! I have a pile of things to spray paint! LOL

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  48. RobertaMay 22, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    Love how a can of spray paint can make such wonderful updates. I don't know which I'm more addicted to lately...spray paint or chalk board paint ;) thanks for hosting and can't wait to check out more of these posts...woo hoo! Have a great week. Fondly, Roberta
    www.loveshackliving.com

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  49. Jenna @ Sharing My JennarocityMay 25, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    There might be something wrong with my computer, but when I clicked on the spray paint party link earlier, it took me there. Now, it doesn't. Is anyone else having any problems?

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  50. Carol S.May 29, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    WHOAH, are you seriously at 490+ linkies? Good for you! That is really amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  51. AnonymousJune 1, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    Hey Sarah,
    I tried spray painting these little (ceramic?) birds TWICE but the paint peeled off both times! Kind of like your pitcher? They're kind of glossy and I'm thinking that's why it won't stick.
    Any suggestions??
    Thanks!
    Jennifer

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  52. JillJanuary 4, 2012 at 1:58 PM

    What is the name of your paint color in your kitchen. Thanks so much.

    Jill

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  53. mdamdcFebruary 5, 2013 at 5:18 PM

    Can you tell me how you hung the silverware? I have some meant to hang vertically but looks much better hung horizontally.

    Thanks,
    Annie

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  54. Thrifty Decor ChickFebruary 28, 2013 at 3:17 PM

    I used little plate hangers you stick to the back, the name of them is escaping me right now, sorry! I had to glue them on there to get them to stick if I remember right. I also used strategically placed nails. :)

    ReplyDelete

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THANKS so much for reading!