Spray Painting a Ceramic Pitcher

February 07, 2011

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Spray painting a ceramic pitcher.

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I’m back with a very simple but beautiful (I think so anyway) before and after project! **See my update about this one at the bottom of this post. 

It started with a recent trip to Goodwill. I don’t go as often as I used to (see my I have too much STUFF post), so I haven’t found nearly as much good stuff lately. (You have to go fairly often to get the good picks.)

But that day, the heavens shined down on this beauty on the top shelf: Goodwill pitcher

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Ummm…OK, well the shape was beautiful. I guess the flowers weren’t that bad, they just weren’t what I was  going for. 

But the size, the lovely lines, the beautiful spout -- they had me at Hello.

I knew I could spruce her up with a few coats of spray paint. And a “few” coats turned into about eleventy billion. Or so. Maybe about seven. Whatever.

It took five coats of white spray primer to get those flowers covered up. I did an additional two coats of a glossy white on top.

After trip to Trader Joe’s for some inexpensive tulips, I was able to bring my vision for this cutie to life:

Even with the meeeellion coats of spray paint, this is one of my easiest and favorite spray paint transformations yet:

pottery barn inspired pitcher

I wish I could have gotten some shots in the daylight, but we got home from dinner too late. I’m ready for more photo taking hours in the day too, while we’re talking about spring. :)

I absolutely love the pretty shape -- it looks like it came out of a Pottery Barn catalog doesn’t it?

Only their version -- $39. Mine? A whole five buckaroos. :)

WHOO HOO!

Now, I won’t be pouring any lemonade with mine – it’s just for holding beautiful flowers. 

And I’m totally OK with that.

Ikea butcher block

I just LOVE IT.

Soooo…my before and after DIY -- a Goodwill find transformed with my beloved. My BFF. Spray paint:

pottery barn inspired pitcher

UPDATE:  Sadly, this spray paint job is one of the few that didn't hold up over time. I think it may be because the water inside the pitcher affected the paint? I'm not sure.

Pretty quickly the paint started to flake off, even with plenty of coats of primer. I was stumped by this one, considering my spray painted ceramic plate art held up great!


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February 07, 2011

Comments

  1. Erika . . . with a KFebruary 7, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    I love the vase, so beautiful! It makes me look at the goodwill selections in a whole new light. This weekend I finally spray painted something for the first time and totally get your love for it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 7, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    LOVE! I just snapped a photo of tulips my hubby brought home to me! Tulips are just so gorgeous . . so Spring. I really love them in the white vase! Thanks for hosting.

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  3. Confessions of a Plate AddictFebruary 7, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    What a great idea...and I love the result! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

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  4. burlap+blueFebruary 7, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    Lovely! I was at Trader Joe's tonight and already regret walking past the tulips...must pick some up next time! Thanks for hosting-first time linking up!! xoxo

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  5. Myra @ My Blessed LifeFebruary 7, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    LOVE tulips!!! And I just adore the pitcher! :) xoxo

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  6. Megan // Honey We're HomeFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    Yes, definitely looks like the PB version. The tulips are so pretty too!

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  7. very merry vintage styleFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    Looks amazing! That pitcher does have a beautiful shape and when you remove the flowers, it really shines! Great vision to see what it could be. Thanks for hosting!
    Mary

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  8. Decorchick!February 7, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    Aww it does look like the PB one! I'm ready for some pretty tulips and green grass too!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    if you need another one they have them at target too already white! i think 14 bucks! i love mine =)

    http://www.target.com/Porcelain-Pitcher-White/dp/B0011E5LAI/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid5&keywords=white%20pitcher&fromGsearch=true&sr=1-27&qid=1297134473&rh=&searchRank=target104545&id=Porcelain%20Pitcher%20White&node=1038576|1287991011&searchSize=30&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin,price,target_com_primary_color-bin,target_com_size-bin,target_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0

    whoa big link! out of stock on line but i still see them in my stores!

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  10. MelFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    Gorgeous and thrifty make over. The flowers are exactly what we all need to see. Soon, I hope :)

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  11. Tonya @ Love of Family And HomeFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    I love that pitcher!!! I have been looking for the exact same thing for my kitchen table & so far no such luck!! Gonna keep looking though! Love the tulips...GORGEOUS!! Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  12. SallyFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    Gorgeous! I like yours better than the pricey one bye far! :-)

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  13. BeingBrookFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    Love!! Turned out gorgeous. I have been hesitant to spray paint stuff that my boys may use for food. Do you write anything on the bottom that says "not for food"? Gorgeous flowers, so ready for spring!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Skye McLainFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    i love that pitcher! it turned out really well and the tulips are beautiful too! :) thanks for hosting the linky - it will give me plenty of eye candy during the boring parts of work tomorrow! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tatum @ Tatum's TakeFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    That pitcher looks great and perfect for flowers! I just recently discovered my local goodwill! I blogged about what I purchased too and look forward to making good use of the items.

    Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful evening!

    ReplyDelete
  16. The Starr FamilyFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Thank you, thank you for hosting!! Love all the ideas and inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  17. LeanneFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    I love the pitcher in white and the tulips are gorgeous. Thanks for hosting again.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The Starr FamilyFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Maybe I'm crazy, but the linky is not showing up for me?? Help?!?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Kathy@ Gone NorthFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    Beautiful!!! The tulips mean spring is coming : )
    I have that exact pitcher, also a Goodwill find, only mine had blue country geese & I also spray painted it white, about a year ago.... didn't take a before pic though... pre-blogging : )
    BUT mine was 30 cents... Yay!! we have a GW outlet nearby, where GW goes to die : ) & everything is .30... Now to get some tulips...
    Thanks for the inspiration!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. ColetteFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Love it! I've been wanting a beautiful white pitcher like this for a long time!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Erin @ Two Story CottageFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    Tulips in a white pitcher- doesn't get much better than that. I will be dropping tulip "hints" to hubby for V. Day! Thanks for hosting. :)

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  22. LynnFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    This is gorgeous and the tulips make me long for spring! I tried to put your button on my site and I keep getting an error message. Any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
  23. KaraFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    Oh, shut up- I can't wait to read all of the wonder that's in those little boxes up there!

    PS- Are you really in NKY? Me too! In graduate school at NKU as I type. :)

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  24. The Charm of HomeFebruary 7, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    The tulips and pitcher are just beautiful on your bar. Love the Goodwill price too!
    Sherry

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  25. UnknownFebruary 7, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    Love the pitcher, and that you spray painted it. I got 3 different sized ceramic canisters from my twin bro. for Christmas... they don't go in my kitchen at all. (SORRY BRO) so I want to spray paint them solid white. Now I truly know I can. Love the vase and tulips. Thanks for the link party too. winks- jen

    ReplyDelete
  26. Amanda @ Mamaslittleladybugs.blogspot.comFebruary 7, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    Hi all,
    I'm sure this has been asked and answered before, but how do we grab her "before and after" button to post on our page? I see a link for the other button, but I specifically want the one she asks us to post at the end of her "B&A"

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownFebruary 8, 2011 at 12:23 AM

    Love the simplicity of the look! And you can't go wrong with tulips! Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Pam - @diy Design FanaticFebruary 8, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    Your $5 Goodwill find has great lines and is sooooo purdy! Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Mama PeckFebruary 8, 2011 at 5:33 AM

    What a beautiful shape! I love the lines. And, white is the perfect color. I just keep thinking there must be some kind of paint you could use that would still let you serve lemonade out of it.. OK, Is that asking too much? LOL

    ReplyDelete
  30. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeFebruary 8, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    GREAT idea! Beautiful pitcher and love the tulips...COME ON SPRING!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Jordan@the2seasonsFebruary 8, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    Love what you did. Whoops I did the wrong link for your party. I was going to do a before and after for a fireplace but I did the before and after of a school we built in Laos last week. Hope that is ok. Next time I know how to do the right link. Love your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Deborah in AtlantaFebruary 8, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    You just painted right over the flowers on the vase? Didn't have to scrape them off, or soak them off or anything?

    ReplyDelete
  33. Jess @ Frugal with a FlourishFebruary 8, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    Love it!!! I did that with a pitcher I found last year for 50 cents! It had sunflowers on it - blech!! Something about all white is so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  34. ~Damita's Pretty Wrap~February 8, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Looks great!! Really like it!! :) Think i'm going to make a goodwill stop sooner than later! I actually ran there last week and found a couple cute things...

    ReplyDelete
  35. carolynFebruary 8, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    It's absolutely beautiful. I love the simple lines and the gorgeous shape. And with red tulips? Well, spring has come!

    ReplyDelete
  36. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    It looks great...love it!

    And I love to find someone who love spray paint as much as I do. I'm starting to think that my friends think I'm crazy when I'm all "I'll just spray paint it!" to everything I see :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. ErinFebruary 8, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Soooo pretty!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net)February 8, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    Hi Sarah, ♥ your tulips! Great job on finding that sweet pitcher! Flowers are a wonderful "makeover" aren't they? :) Thanks for hosting the party!

    ReplyDelete
  39. ShaunnaFebruary 8, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    I LOVE your pitcher, Sarah!! I found one like it a while back...and you're right, that spout is awesome. Thanks for hosting...hoping to link up some things today. ;-)
    xo
    shaunna

    ReplyDelete
  40. Christi @ Writing the WavesFebruary 8, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    Great makeover!

    Any ideas on how to make a generic florist vase into something other than blah??? Seems like such a waste to not do something fun and creative with them, but I haven't found just the thing yet! :)

    Have a great day!

    christiswritingthewaves.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Courtney @ One Fine WireFebruary 8, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    My mom actually just bought me one from Home Goods for my birthday - with roses already inside :) No spray painting for me.

    Yours looks gorgeous, though! Good work!

    ReplyDelete
  42. SheilaG @ Plum DoodlesFebruary 8, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    I like the shape of yours better than the pb one! The curves seem more elegant.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Miss Mustard SeedFebruary 8, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    You're right! The shape of the picther is great and it looks very chic with your TJ tulips.

    ReplyDelete
  44. ShannonFebruary 8, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    Love it! Nice reminder to look past a little bit of floral misuse to the shape!
    Shannon {aka}|design

    ReplyDelete
  45. Becca BertottiFebruary 8, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    What a score! Your *new* face is so crisp and pretty and your goreous tulips are the perfect touch. I need to swing by our GW to, hopefully, find some goodies! Thanks for the inspiration and for hosting such a great gathering. I'm off to mingle ... *Becca* (www.adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com)

    ReplyDelete
  46. DebbiedoosFebruary 8, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    Loves that! Just so simple, yet so pretty and makes a real statement!!~ Thanks for your awesome partay! I always get so many inspiring ideas here, and I want to say thank you! XO

    ReplyDelete
  47. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    So glad I stumbled upon your blog...just what I need to help me decorate my new home on the cheap! I'm dying to buy and paint things (especially bedroom furniture) for my new place..but it's winter...and I'm afraid to do anything inside the house. Any tips?

    ReplyDelete
  48. Debra@Dejarenew.blogspot.comFebruary 8, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    Thanks for the linky party! Linked up my vintage round table redo!

    Deb
    http://dejarenew.blogspotc.om

    ReplyDelete
  49. CarolFebruary 8, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    Sarah, I LOVE that pitcher! Do you just pinkie promise that all you had to do was spray the many coats of primer on a glazed dish and the real paint then did fine? My husband told me that won't work and I'm just not sure I believe him!

    And I LOVE, LOVE your blog too. I have four grown daughters and three of them read it too :o)

    ReplyDelete
  50. MichaelaFebruary 9, 2011 at 1:09 AM

    Beautiful, Sarah! Love the vase. You're right- looks like the PB one! Love the shape, too!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Jen @ tatertotsandjello.comFebruary 9, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Love the vase Sarah. Such a great idea!!

    Sorry -- I am joining the party so late. I am still trying to recover from Blissdom. It was so fun to meet you!

    xoxxo
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  52. UnknownFebruary 9, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    When we first moved into our home, the backsplash tiles in the kitchen had a very similar floral design on them. I HAD to get rid of it! On a whim, I tried some nail polish remover... and WAAAAHHHH LAAAAAA! The paint came right off! Might be worth a try on something like this, even if you are going to spray paint it, it might not take as many coats of paint to cover up the flowers. I'm in Indy too... which Goodwills do you find has the best selection?

    ReplyDelete
  53. Heaven's WalkFebruary 9, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    Eleventy billion.....???? HAHAHA! I always wondered if spray paint would work on something like that. It actually looks just like white ironstone now! Great job! Oh...and yeah....spring can arrive any day now.... :)

    xoxo laurie

    ReplyDelete
  54. Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on TopFebruary 9, 2011 at 11:30 PM

    I bought a pitcher VERY similar to this last summer at a yard sale for $1. It had a flowery design on it and I painted right over it. It took a lot of coats for mine too. And honestly, one side of it still isn't covered completely. I just turn that side to the back. Ha!

    Your pitcher looks so pretty with the tulips in it.

    ReplyDelete
  55. DebFebruary 10, 2011 at 12:56 AM

    Beautiful pitcher and tulips! Thanks for hosting...great party!

    ReplyDelete
  56. UnknownFebruary 10, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    Great, another thing to add to the Goodwill search list. :) Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  57. HeatherFebruary 10, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Hi! What I'm wondering is....how is your butcher block counter top holding up...for real? I'm debating about doing the exact same thing in my kitchen, but curious about the maintainance issues on that piece. THANKS for a great blog!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Richella ParhamFebruary 11, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    Hi Sarah!

    Your pitcher looks wonderful--the shape and color really do look like the PB version, and tulips are the perfect flower to display! Besides, isn't it fun to take photos of your swanky island? It's been such fun to watch the journey of that island over the years. . . .

    I was so sad because I was working on a project and I didn't get it finished until today. I thought I'd completely missed your party. But what do you know? The linky was still open! I think I'm Number 1247, but I'm here! :)

    Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's weekend! Your first holiday as a debt-free woman! Woo hoo!!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Lynn @whispersfromwildwoodFebruary 16, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    I love thrift stores!!!

    I just redid an old desk for myself. It was alot of fun :)

    ReplyDelete
  60. c.w.frostingFebruary 22, 2011 at 11:34 PM

    So pretty! Goodwill & spray paint are my favorites. Can't wait to look at the other project links & will definitely be back next month!

    -caroline
    http://cwfrosting.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Bethany CermakJuly 26, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    That looks awesome - what kind of spray paint do you recommend? I recently did a project and while I was happy with the results the spray can kept dripping paint while spraying, not sure how to avoid this.

    http://tipton-cermak.blogspot.com/2011/07/ikea-inspiration-part-2-free-for-win.html

    ~Bethany
    www.tipton-cermak.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Rhonda @ home.made.December 30, 2011 at 12:49 AM

    Noticed your white shelves in your kitchen and have to ask where you got them! Love!

    ReplyDelete

If you have a specific question I will do my best to answer you back here!

You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!