Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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A Giant Rooster In The Kitchen

Me.

Rooster1

I’ve actually been hiding this $12 HomeGoods find in our playroom for… oh… five months? So it was about time I attended to him. Yup, this guy’s part of the self-imposed initiative I like to call the “Dude Get On That Already” challenge, since I’ve solemnly vowed to use it or lose it (aka: use it or craigslist/donate it) when it comes to all the things we’ve been hoarding in our full-to-the-brim playroom.

At first glance you might think “he’s a fine looking roughly weathered white & tan rooster” (or “you need ceramic animal rehab” which could also be true) but I thought his distressed white finish was a little more country than my usual crisp & modern ceramic animal tastes, so I decided that giving him a coat of new color would be just the thing. And I wanted to pick a pretty daring color, just because… well, he’s a giant rooster. Don’t want him to take himself too seriously now do I? So after standing in the spray paint aisle for at least ten minutes weighing all the bold and bright options (and singing Jingle Bells to keep the bean entertained), I grabbed Rustoleum’s Painter’s Touch in Aubergine (satin). And I was plum excited to use it. Groan. Sorry, the puns just happen. It’s a gift and a curse.

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If I really wanted to be an overachiever, I would have used some spray primer (that always helps paint “grab on” when you’re spraying slippery things like ceramic) – but because the can said “two times the coverage” I figured I’d try my luck without it and just go back and add a layer of primer if things went haywire. Luckily they didn’t. I just did my usual thin misted coats routine (read more on that here). Check out how crazy things were looking at first. If you’re spray painting lightly and thinly, there’s not good coverage until the third or fourth coat, so the first one had him looking a little… hot pink:

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But after two more thin and even coats, coverage was good. And Jarvis was aubergine. Oh that’s his name. Everything with a face deserves a name, don’t you think?

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He looks pretty fun in front of the light avocado walls in the kitchen.

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Oh and in case the scale wasn’t clear until this photo, he’s giant. Like a foot and a half tall. Who doesn’t want a giant aubergine rooster named Jarvis waiting in the kitchen to greet you in the morning? Cock-a-doodle-do to you too, Jarvis.

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Although if I’m being honest, I’m not 100% sold on the color. It’s fun, but I’m not sure as the kitchen comes together if he won’t get a few more coats of another bright color someday. Say yellow… or slate blue. So I’ll keep you posted. Plum is fun, so who knows – it could totally stay.

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What do you guys collect and stash in a spare corner/room/closet only to look at it months later and feel crappy for just leaving it there? These “Dude Get On That Already” projects are small, but they’re making me feel pretty good for some reason. Maybe it’s the whole “every little bit helps” thing? Or the fact that we’re inching towards clearing out the playroom which means it’ll be a blank canvas for paint and curtains and a rug and furniture and accessories. Wheee. It’s almost like that dream when you find an extra room in your house. Except we’ve always known it was there and have been filling it with weird stuff instead of discovering a secret wall or staircase that leads to it. Am I the only one who has that dream?

Psst- Jarvis is second to none when it comes to giant roosters… except for Beyoncé. If you haven’t read the funniest post on the internet about her yet (salty language warning) check that out here.

Comments

  2. Sara says

    Yes! My first thought when I saw Jarvis was of Beyonce! I love your smaller rooster version – and that plum color is brilliant! Great find, Sherry!

    Reply

  3. Elyssa says

    I’m sure someone’s probably pointed this out already but just in case…where it says “read more here and here” about your spray painting technique, those posts aren’t linked up.

    Love the color of the rooster, though!

    Reply

  6. Annie says

    {FIRST?!}
    In other news … I LOVE the plum/aubergine rooster’s punch o’color in the kitchen! Very nice! If anything you could make it the only thing that color and make it your conversation piece for the room. Just sayin’. ;)

    Reply

  7. Rebecca @This Nest is Best says

    I love the “dude get on that” series! So much fun to pull out the “I must have it even though I don’t know what to do with it right now” items. This rooster is fantastic and that color is ah-mazing!!!

    I’ve personally been on the hunt for a white ceramic elephant!

    Reply

  8. Jeannie says

    It is really funny that you mention that you have that dream, because just the other night I dreamed I found a hall and a guest room in our house that needed decorating! If only…

    Reply

  10. Claire says

    I am currently a hoarder of fabrics. Yanno, a yard or two here and there of stuff that I love.

    There’s a discount home decor fabric store near me (Home Fabrics and Rugs in Concord for anyone in the East Bay area near San Francisco)that sells a plethora of fabrics at super cheap prices (I have paid as little as $1.50 a yard). I go there to browse once in a while for ideas and if I find something that calls my name I normally buy a yard or two, even if I don’t have any current projects. So far I’ve used the rando fabric to make two new throw pillows when I changed things up with a slip cover. I’ve also made myself a soft Nook cover (because I’m too cheap to spend $20 on something I can make myself for less than a dollar in materials) that I love way more than is healthy.

    Reply

  12. Iomay says

    I haven’t even finished the post. I’m mad because I officially cannot let my husband read your blog! To this day he wonders why I wouldn’t let him register for a giant rooster we saw at Macy’s when we had our bridal registry. :) His logic would go something like this “Iomay likes young house love and sherry likes roosters.. so.. that means Iomay likes roosters.. I’m going to go buy a rooster”. hahaha.. oh dear!

    Reply

  15. Vanessa says

    Jarvis! Cute name, I like him!

    Off topic: That old post about “The Day in the Life Of …” really showed how little chill time you guys get. You should get real greedy and take a day off every week! :) I visit your website often, and as much as I love reading about all the projects, I kinda like when there hasn’t been a new post since the last time I’d visited. I just imagine that during that time, you all are able to hang out and have some fun family time with your busy schedules!

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      Agreed to this! I’m actually (I’m not joking!) starting to get worried about you guys. You know that sleep is necessary for human existence, right?

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes! We have been doing our best to get as much sleep as we can while keeping up with book stuff that just has to get done! It’s not a sustainable pace forever, but we can totally do it for three weeks. And then we’ll slow down and sleep like normal people again! Can’t wait for that day!

      xo,
      s

    • Marcy says

      Funny because I also feel like as much as I love seeing a new post from you, I’d rather you didn’t push yourselves over the edge. Hopefully after your next book deadline, you not only get adequate sleep, but a week off!

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Amen! This first book experience is all about learning what we can and can’t accomplish as two people! So let’s say we’re definitely testing and learning about limits as we go! And hopefully course correcting along the way!

      xo,
      s

  16. Christina says

    I’ve had that dream! It was one of my favorite of all time. I discovered a wide, bright hallway that led to an office and a furnished nursery. Living in NYC, I could definitely use that extra square footage.

    Reply

  18. Kate says

    I love it. What a fun addition – and bonus! You feel even more accomplished for clearing something out of the playroom! My guest bedroom has consistantly been a dumping ground for projects. One day guest bedroom, I’ll make you pretty. Promise.

    Reply

  20. Mandy says

    I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of the color. I feel like a bright blue or green would work better.

    I will say, I love your affinity for ceramic animals, and I think you are starting to rub off on me because I am itching to head to Home Goods to see if I can find anything that would strike my fancy (I am seriously jealous of your spiny frog…they are totally my thing)

    Reply

  21. Staci says

    The second I saw it, I thought “that thing better end up purple!” I absolutely L-O-V-E- it in the kitchen!! French countryside meets modern!

    Reply

  22. Sara says

    I’m surprised you painted him that color, I mean isn’t John a UVA fan? and he is looking a little Hokie colored in that picture :)

    Reply

  23. Amanda says

    I love Jarvis! I totally dig the color. But I can also see him standing tall in a bright blue.

    I have been hoarding frames, and lots of them. Some for a gallery wall in our living room. And the others I’m not sure. It’s getting a little out of hand. I may need to start a list similar to yours.

    Reply

  24. Amy @ The Button Casa says

    I thought I was the only one to have that dream! I’ve dreamed we had an entire basement under our house. Of course it needed to be completely re-done but I was still bummed when I woke up to my still-doesn’t-have-a-basement house :)

    Reply

    • Heidi P. says

      Ditto! Rooster AND shabby? *shudder* But big PURPLE rooster? Full of whimsey! (as they say ;) – that giant rooster post was hilarious!

      ps. While all of the madness is going on at your house, you *could* put off your get ‘er done stuff and even two posts a day. Not complaining, just want you to know you have options and we’ll understand. :)

  30. Nichole C says

    Oh FUN! That purple is a lot of fun, but you’re right about it tying into the rest of the kitchen (once it’s complete). Maybe high gloss silver/chrome? OH, or, the oil rubbed bronze to match the new hanging lights?

    The joys, and frustrations, of home ownership! Whatever you decide, it’ll be awesome.

    Reply

  31. Kerrie says

    it sure is nice to have your own non-metal beyonce!! i think he would also make a clever addition to the office should he ever care to go on a vacation :)

    Reply

  32. Angela says

    Roosters in the kitchen are good luck! A Giant Rooster in the kitchen…if its up to me I’d say that means lots of good luck!

    Reply

  33. Krystle @ ColorTansformedFamily says

    I think a bright turquoise would look good on him. It may need a tinge of green in it though to look good against the yellow. This does make me want to go out and find some ceramic something to spray paint! I live how it helps it look so contemporary.

    Reply

  36. kayakgirl73 says

    Hmm. My grandmother had a lamp with a giant rooster that looked a lot like Jarvis. I wonder what happened to it. I have a lamp with a horse head that I inherited, I love it because it reminds me of my childhood and my grandparents, but boy is he an ugly brown color, maybe I’ll have to spray paint him, hmm. P.S. he has a name. I’m not sure who named the horse lamp but his name is Charlie.

    Reply

  38. Jennifer L says

    At first I was skeptical of the color, but seeing the end product it really looks awesome! You have a knack for color! I love the bolder direction you’re taking this house.

    Reply

  42. Alisa says

    I am so loving the whole “Dude get on that” challenge. I’ve somewhat embraced it in our house…and by embraced it, I mean do the dishes instead of letting them pile up. It’s the little things, right? As soon as our newborn is a better napper though, I have serious trim painting plans. Oh man, I’ve been looking forward to tackling all the trim in the house for MONTHS..

    ..and I’m totally loving that rooster!

    Reply

  43. Amy says

    He reminds me of the huge bald eagle lamps I got for a steal at a thrift store. (Probably because they were Army green.) I don’t have a great love of eagles, but they matched these little mirrors that I found while dumpster diving at school.I painted one lamp teal and the other red, and I loved them. Sadly they got lost when we moved across the country, and I haven’t been able to find anything like them since.

    Reply

  44. Katie says

    I tried to get on the “Dude Get On That” initiative this weekend. I even sent the hubbie an email (because why talk in person?) saying “here are three projects, pick one for this weekend.” But alas, we picked none and did not get on anything. Fail. :-(

    The Rooster is a win, though. And the name. Totally winning.

    Reply

  45. Lindsey says

    Bahaha. Jarvis was the OB that delivered my first baby.

    He also had quite fetching plumage. Bahahaha.

    I like your rooster!

    Reply

  46. Anne says

    This is cracking me up because I came to YHL today to see if you had spray painted a white ceramic lamp because I just got one at Goodwill on my lunch break for $2.99. I’m guessing it would work to follow these steps (and probably put some plastic over the electrical parts to protect them) to do it. What do you think?

    Also I think Jarvis is a great rooster name. As a children’s librarian, it totally sounds like a picture book in the making.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yeah, just be sure to cover up the light socket (we usually stuff a little wad of paper towel in it) and other than that you should be good. But you can also put painter’s tape over anything else you don’t want painted.

      And it does sound like a good children’s book!

      -John

  47. Jenn says

    KEEP THE COLOR! Though I’m still in shock that you painted a white ceramic animal! Wow. You never cease to amaze, Sher-Dog!

    Reply

  48. Fun mama says

    Beyonce’s story is possibly the funniest thing on the Internet. If you are ever at old lucketts store (near Leesburg va), across the street from them is a store that specializes in Beyonces.

    Reply

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