We just love shabby chic! When our furniture looks too new for our liking, the only way to remedy that problem is to make it look like its been in the rain for years! Wear and tear is the name of the game, and this tutorial is perfect for any shabby lovers out there! Iron brackets are an inexpensive way to add a bit of flair to regular shelves, but sometimes they don’t really match the rest of our decor. This tutorial will show you how to make them look old and rusty for cheap!

Supplies:

1) Iron brackets (you can find them at Hobby Lobby)

2) Chalk paint (for this project, Annie Sloan Old White was used)

3) Sponge brush

4) Paper towels

5) Antiquing Medium

6) Clear matte spray paint (optional)

Step #1:

Take your sponge brush and paint the entire bracket. You don’t have to worry about it being perfect.

Step #2:

Take a damp paper towel and begin wiping off the paint. Don’t wipe off everything! We still want the bracket to have a weathered look.

Step #3:

Take the antiquing medium and add a small amount to a damp paper towel. Rub the antiquing medium over the entire bracket.

Step #4:

If you want to seal your brackets, you can give them a coat or two of clear matte spray paint. Allow the spray paint to dry between coats and you’re done!

Photos: From My Front Porch to Yours.

We love going to the thrift store, and who doesn’t? There are so many cool items that can be found there, and all they need is a little paint and TLC! Scour your local thrift store for a chandelier and transform it into an expensive-looking antique!

The first thing you need is the chandelier of course! Check your local thrift store, or find one on Craigslist!

Begin by sanding down the chandelier, removing all traces of paint. Take a can of spray paint and give the chandelier 2-3 coats of paint. Allow it to dry between coats.

If you want the chandelier to look like it has real candles, you can add silicone dipped light bulbs for a realistic effect.

To soften the nutmeg brown paint, whitewash over the wood and metal areas. You can do this by watering down white paint, brushing it on, then wiping it off. To complete the look, add a coat of brown glaze to give it an old world look.

To finish the look, you can add these cute wooden danglers to hang from the chandelier. These were found at a rummage sale, cut in half, and painted the same way as the chandelier. They were attached by inserting a screw with an eye at the top.

The final step is to rewire the chandelier if needed and hang it up! Hang it in your living room, or above your dining room table! It’s the perfect finishing touch to any shabby home!

Photos and idea: Reloved Rubbish.

We’ve all drooled over those expensive mercury glass pumpkins from Pottery Barn, but we always turned them down because of the price. This year, make your own mercury glass pumpkins for a fraction of the price by simply going to your dollar store!

What You Will Need:

1) Plastic pumpkins from the dollar store

2) Krylon Metallic Spray Paint

3) Burt umber/dark brown acrylic paint

4) Matte white spray paint

5) Sponge/scraping tool

6) Spray bottle filled with water

7) Foam craft brushes

Step 1:

Spray paint the pumpkins with the matte white spray paint.

Step 2:

Spritz the pumpkins with water.

Step 3:

Spray 1 coat of metallic paint.

Step 4:

Immediately after spray painting, take a foam craft brush and your burnt umber paint, and dab the paint on random areas.

Step 5:

Using the metallic spray paint, spray short bursts of paint on the pumpkin.

Step 6:

Using a napkin, wipe down random areas to let the burnt umber paint shine through. For a rougher look, scrape off the paint using a sanding brush.

That’s it! Now you can display your pumpkins on your mantel, kitchen table, staircase, or wherever you like! Arrange candles around the pumpkins so the light can bounce off!

Photos and idea: Monica Wants It.

Giving a mirror an antique look is an easy way to spruce up a flea market find, or add a layer of interest to an ordinary mirror. Any type of mirror can be aged using this method, and that includes mirrored plexiglass.

You’ll This is what you’ll need: 

– A mirror or plexiglass.

– Latex gloves to protect your hands.

– Paint stripper.

– Putty knife.

– Modern Masters Metal Effects Black Patina or regular bleach. This solution is an acid that eats at the surface of the mirror. Modern Masters works well and can be found online or in most art supply stores.  If you’re cheap (like us!) you can use regular household bleach. The effect is the same.

– 1″ chip brush.

– Silver paint of your choice.

Step 1:

Put on the gloves and place the mirror face down on a protected surface. Make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area. Apply the paint stripper to the back of the mirror and allow it to sit for a few hours, or until the paint can be easily removed. When you’ve stripped the paint, wash the mirror with soap and water and allow it to dry.

Step 2:

Place the mirror again on a protected surface and dip your brush into the patina (or bleach) solution and apply it to the raw reflective surface of the mirror. Mirrors age from the edges inward, so it’s best to apply the patina in heavier amounts around the edges. In a few minutes the patina will begin to eat away at the reflective surface. Continue applying the patina until the level of ageing is achieved. Rinse the mirror with water to stop the ageing process. Allow to dry.

Step 3:

Now you need to reapply paint to the back of the mirror. The color of the paint will be visible through the spots that were eaten away by the patina. Antique aged mirrors tend to have silver-grey spots. Apply paint until the reflective surface is covered completely and allow it to dry.

That’s it! Now you’re finished!

If you are looking to give your mirror a special, unique look, you can always consider cutting a plain mirror into your desired shape at ADS laser cutting. Instead of settling on a circular or rectangular mirror, think of all the possibilities like Moroccan shaped mirrors, diamonds, e.t.c.

Photos and idea: Apartment Therapy, Decor Adventures.