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    Home » DIY » Painted Furniture

    Painted Urns on the Mantel

    By: Jane · Updated: 1 Feb, '15 · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

    Sharing is caring!

    A few weeks ago, my sister-in-law Jean asked me to help her paint some cheap, plastic urns that she was planning to use on her fall mantel. And I'll have to say that the painted urns on the fall mantel look fantastic!

    Painted plastic urns | cottage at the crossroads

    It always amazes me what just a little paint can do.

    Painted plastic urns

    The urns originally were dark brown and came from a discount store. Jean didn't pay much for them. The first thing she did was spray paint them white to cover the ugly, dark brown color. So this is what they looked like when I got to Jean's house, and I actually thought they looked good painted white.

    Sunburst mirror

    But Jean has one of those sunburst mirrors on the wall above her mantel, and the white urn didn't look good with it at all.

    Painted plastic urns

    So I whipped out this sample pot of some Country Chic chalk paint that I had gotten recently and proceeded to cover the white.

    Painted plastic urns

    Such a pretty, neutral color and they were looking better already. You can see how dark the urns were in this photo.

    Painted plastic urns

    While I was painting the urns, Jean was rubbing some antique gold Rub n' Buff on the orange pumpkins. The urns have some pretty details on them so to highlight them, I mixed some Annie Sloan clear wax with the dark wax and pushed the wax into the crevices. Then we allowed that to dry overnight.

    Painted plastic urns

    The next day I thought the urns needed just a little bit more highlighting, so I painted the details with some sparkly, metallic paint called Gold Rush.

    Painted urns on the fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    Oh, my! That was exactly what the urns needed to go with that gorgeous mirror that Jean has! Here you can see where she's used them on her fall mantel along with this pine cone candle on a brass candlestick!

    Painted urns on the fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    Look how pretty the antique gold pumpkin looks with the fall leaves and flowers and the urn!

    Painted urns on the fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    All the colors are just magical together on her fall mantel.

    Painted urns on the fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    She added this orange mesh bow here and placed more of the mesh on the top of the mantel.

    Painted urns on the fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    These are some metallic leaves that we found at Michael's that go perfectly with the other colors.

    Painted urns on the fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    Her fall mantel is so pretty I just can't stop looking at it whenever I go over to her house.

    Painted urns on the fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    So glad I was able to help transform the urns into these pretty things that are the feature of her mantel. You would never have known that they started out as some cheap, plastic brown urns unless I'd told you, would you? So when you see some at a bargain price, don't turn them down!

    Painted urns on the fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    Because look how pretty they are on Jean's fall mantel.

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    1. Mary

      October 06, 2014 at 6:51 am

      Jean's mantel is beautiful for fall Jane! I love the transformation of the urns with paint alongside her mirror! The addition of ribbon, pumpkins & leaves are the perfect finishing touches 🙂

      Reply
    2. Denise

      October 04, 2014 at 9:10 pm

      Now that is what my Mom would have called making a silk purse out of a sow's ear! Fantastic job!

      Reply
    3. Helen

      October 03, 2014 at 11:54 pm

      Jane, you and Jean did wonders to those urns. Rub'n Buff is amazing and so easy to use! It's a lovely ideal for mantel decorations!

      Reply
    4. Donna

      October 03, 2014 at 10:36 pm

      I absolutely love this project! Everything really enhances the mirror. Such a great idea! 🙂

      Reply
    5. Pam Hinson

      October 03, 2014 at 8:02 pm

      It is absolutely beautiful. 2 very talented ladies.

      Reply
    6. Jayne

      October 03, 2014 at 7:45 pm

      Why we never think of painting some things amazes me. Like plastic plant containers and urns. These look great! Thanks for telling us how you did it.

      Reply
    7. roseannpraski

      October 03, 2014 at 6:22 pm

      Thank GOD for you creative people, I love this idea, keep them coming. Can't wait to see what you do for CHRISTmas. Roseann.

      Reply
    8. SheilaG @ Plum Doodles

      October 03, 2014 at 3:00 pm

      Oh, how pretty! You're right, I would have never guessed they were plastic. The mantel is lovely.

      Reply
    9. Marlene Stephenson

      October 03, 2014 at 12:42 pm

      Boy,that was really a change,great job. have a great weekend.

      Reply
    10. Kathleen G

      October 03, 2014 at 12:12 pm

      The golden days of Autumn! Beautiful! Great job! Kathleen in Az

      Reply
    11. Mary Ann

      October 03, 2014 at 10:18 am

      It really is very beautiful!

      Reply
    12. Dawn

      October 03, 2014 at 9:38 am

      The certainly don't look like plastic now. They look very rich and stunning.

      Reply
    13. Ann

      October 03, 2014 at 8:51 am

      You two are a dynamic duo for sure! This mantel is stunning and I love that you played off the gold mirror. Amazing transformation but very budget friendly. Perfect.

      Reply
    14. Elizabeth Sliger

      October 03, 2014 at 8:03 am

      Love, love, love!!!

      Reply
    15. Melanie

      October 03, 2014 at 6:17 am

      Love it!

      Reply
    16. vickie

      October 03, 2014 at 5:27 am

      This is a beautiful mantel. Ya'll did a great job!

      Reply
    17. Pat @ LifeAtLydiasHouse

      October 02, 2014 at 10:13 pm

      That was a great team effort that resulted in a beautiful fall mantel!

      Reply
    18. laurie

      October 02, 2014 at 8:32 pm

      Beautiful. Now come help me! laurie

      Reply

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