Hoop, there it is. File this under my weirdest “Dude, Get On That Already” challenge to date. Much like many of our other DGOTA adventures, this mini update involves something that sat around bugging me way too long + a trusty ol’ can of spray paint. But this time it’s not an animal. I know. Total shocker.
John actually laughed at me for this little tweak (and I’m fully expecting you guys to as well), but they say it’s the little things that make ya happy… and seeing a bright red and blue plastic hoop against the back wall of our carport every. single. time. we pulled into the driveway (it was so bright you could see it from the curb) did not a happy momma make. And I know it’s dumb, but I worried the neighbors may have thought it was junky and tacky to have a big colorful hoop in plain sight 24/7 (they all do such a nice job to keep their yards looking nice, and many have kids but their toys are tucked away by evening). So because I’m what my dad likes to call “a strange bird” (seriously, I’ve been weird since before it was cool – wait, it’s still not cool?), I’ll share my odd little DIYed hoop-redeeming solution. Just promise not to compare me to Monica from Friends (I don’t fold my underwear, I swear).
First of all, this basketball hoop is super important.
Why? Because it makes Clara a happy girl. And a happy girl = a happy momma. So I devised a way to:
- keep the hoop right there in the carport (after trying several locations it’s the best spot for it)
- keep it just as functional (don’t need to explain this one, right?)
- make it simmah-down-now from the curb (in the slightly altered words of Jay-Z: we got 99 bright toys I love, but this hoop ain’t one)
That plan? A can of ORB spray paint. I mean, would you expect anything less from me at this point? I’m definitely not one of those people who thinks all kids toys should be neutral or white or should match the living room. Clara has a ton of brightly colored toys and I’m even the gal who painted her hand-me-down highchair bright yellow, made her a happy little dollhouse with cheerful furniture to match, and painted her formerly neutral wooden crayon truck sky blue…
… but after four months of rounding the block and seeing that red ring of fury on that bright blue stem, I realized there had to be a solution that worked for Clara, the hoop, and the mom. I love that bright colors help with development, but I just decided that one item out of many (this girl’s got toys for days!) that’s not a bright color is OK since I’ve never sprayed anything else of hers a muted color (and have actually added color to muted things, like her high chair and her crayon truck… so hopefully it all balances out). And come to think of it, her very favorite “toys” are rocks and sticks, so ORB fits right into that color scheme.
Sadly I didn’t get a good shot of the basketball hoop in all of it’s primary color glory before my paint-fest (bad blogger, no Oreos for you) but I actually made this photoshopped rendering for ya. How nuts am I? Wait, don’t answer that.
In the “real photo” category, you can actually see it peering around the back of the table in this post. See, it’s even brighter in real life than the one in the rendering. Haha.
And you can see how he looked all naked and ready for a new suit in the back yard (I removed the net part for the spraying phase so it wouldn’t get all gunked up).
The thing was visible from space, I tell ya… and then it wasn’t.
Thank you ORB. For those wondering what I used or if it works on plastic, Rustoleum Universal All-Surface spray paint is made to work on plastic and hold up outdoors – it even has a built-in primer for a better hold (I used the oil-rubbed bronze color of course). Total cost: $0, since I already had half of a can leftover from another ORB adventure. And in the time department, it took under twenty minutes to knock this baby out. Fast and free. Why didn’t I do this four months ago?
Just as I suspected, Hooper is a total looker with his new finish. As for why I went with oil-rubbed bronze spray paint, it ties into the carport light and a few other dark accents around the outside of our house and hides more dirt than something lighter/brighter might. No more “Loook! I’m a little plastic hoop! Check me out!” – just chill aloofness and that “I’m cool enough to fall back and do mah thing without demanding everyone’s attention” vibe. And the contrasting white net makes it easy for Clara to slam dunk (it’s not all flat and dark, so she can still clearly see the basket).
Small personal projects like these are my favorite. They might seem completely crazy to someone else (or maybe everyone else, haha) but they really have the power to make your day. It’s kind of like how I’m a terrible baker and you probably couldn’t pay me to attempt a three layer cake but my BFF does that stuff FOR FUN (really?! for fun?!). To each his own (picture me raising a can of spray paint as if to say “cheers”).
So in summary: Mommy likes. And happily, Clara and Daddy like it too. See how he’s hardly visible from halfway down the driveway now? Life is good.
Way better than this, right? And there are still dozens of bright toys in our midst (seriously, you should see our living room right now).
The cutest part is that Clara apparently has a thing for ORB like her momma. She has even taken to calling it her “so so shiny hoop.” Love that girl. And of course she has a whole bunch of multicolored balls that go with it (they tuck away into that storage container next to it) so it’s not a sad little drab thing when it’s in action. Everybody wins.
Except for Burger. He can’t play basketball. Poor guy.
What small-slash-quirky-but-somehow-woefully-overdue updates have you guys been tackling (or planning to tackle)? Do you all think I’m crazy? Anyone else painting something outside? Or do you have a dog who plays basketball? That would be the most impressive of all.
Leigh says
You make me wanna say “I have spray paint and I’m not afraid to use it.”
I don’t fold my underwear, but I do stack it in neat piles arranged by cut/style. As a former, Victoria’s Secret employee, I also have matching bra/panty sets in every color and style imaginable. Hey, gotta love a discount right?
Heather says
I have been thinking about how to decorate our 6 foot olive-ish pvc fence. I’m thinking about giant letters (initials!) and picture frames (sprayed bright colors!), although I’ll have to figure out a way to hang them that they don’t leave holes…that fence was expensive!
Amy B says
Umm…I fold my underwear and I am not disciplined at all. I just like the looks of it in my drawer. My laundry might sit in the basket for a week before it gets folded but I do that! Love the look of it! This is awesome!
LauraC says
Wow, almost 500 comments! Can’t read them all, but throw me into the “I don’t fold my underwear” column. Ha! One day after college as I was dutifully folding them, and realized I was absolutely the only person who saw them, so why did they need to be folded? I had an underwear-only drawer, and it’s not like wrinkles matter, so I decided to save some time and to just toss them in there. Ten years+ later and never looked back. Sure, now my husband sees them, but it just. doesn’t. matter. I horrified my mother when I told her, but I don’t think the earth stopped spinning!
LauraC says
Oh, and I meant to add I thought a more appropriate title would be, “Hoop, There It’s Not.” Ha!! Apologies if someone beat me to this comment. ;-)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, you’re the first!
xo,
s
danae says
1. i love that you spray paint anything that sits still long enough! reminds me of my crazy but awesome gramma. [and maybe a little of myself…]
2. it’s not crazy to spray paint ugly kid toys. i can’t stand the colors they make some things!
3. you don’t fold your underwear? is it considered the pinnacle of weirdness if you do? b/c i may or may not do that…
YoungHouseLove says
Haha I’m learning it’s pretty common. Love it!
xo,
s
Vanessa B. says
If a toddler’s basketball hoop could be glam, and I dare say sexy, this would be it. Odd but fantastic all at the same time. I especially love that Clara loves it which is all that matters!
tiffany says
Genius! Seriously. I can honestly say that my daughter missed out on many fun outdoor toys/playsets like that because I couldn’t stand the plasticy-ness and icky colors that they come in (“There’s no way THAT THING is going in MY YARD.” Yep, that’s me.) If only I had had you and a can of ORB about four years ago! Pure genius.
Marla says
No, you didn’t! that is so funny! It kind of looks like a sculpture now.
Christen says
Good news! Im not crazy! I have to tell my husband. Because he thought I was nuts. My inlaws gave my son one of those obnoxious red plastic toddler tables with matching blue plastic chairs. Of course he loves them..and wanted them smack in the middle of our living room. I sprayed them ORB and have never regretted it.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha or maybe we’re both crazy:)
xo,
s
liz @ bon temps beinget says
The flowers blossoms should be facing up, not down, because the head of the bed is where the sun would be.
PS: I totally though yall we’re gonna paint it a bright happy color, but this works :)
kelly ann says
i think you found my weekend project. love it.
Rebecca says
Hahaha, I love so much that you did this. I’m totally a bake-a-three-layer-cake-for-fun gal, but I did repaint an ancient bookshelf in my classroom today (thank you $5 can of “oops” paint from Lowes!). I do agree, it’s the little things.
YoungHouseLove says
You’re my hero. You bake AnD paint things. Haha. I love it!
xo,
s
Linda says
This is just the funniest post ever – and it goes on and on! First, that you painted Hooper in the first place (nevermind Hooper even having a name, I’ve come to expect that from you :) ). Second, that you actually took the trouble to photoshop a “before” picture. And third, and funniest of all, is how a post about spray painting a plastic toy evolves into a world-wide dialogue on underwear folding! Hysterical!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Amen! I love that Hooper inspired people to open up about their underwear storing methods. Hilarious.
xo,
s
Kellie says
Wow – I love it! I hate bright/plastic/primary-colored toys, but some of them just ARE. We have the same hoop and it never occurred to me to paint it; I guess I didn’t think it would hold up. I’m going to do this too!
Did you take the top off the bottom first, or just extend it up all the way before painting? Does it still slide up/down ok, or does it stick at all?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
I extended it all the way up do I could get the whole stem :)
xo,
s
Jenny says
I love it!! People thought I was crazy to spray paint the primary multi-color mini piano gifted to my son… until they saw it Avocado green! Sometimes spray paint just makes a momma happy. xox
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds so cute!
xo
s
Amanda says
I love this … “I’ll share my odd little DIYed hoop-redeeming solution. Just promise not to compare me to Monica from Friends (I don’t fold my underwear, I swear).”
Because I DO fold my underwear. And I’d totally be that momma who spray painted her little girls or boys basket ball hoop. Haha. So woo woo to you! :)
Anna says
I laughed out loud when I saw this post! I have had a can of ORB spray paint sitting on my windowsill for months now just waiting on me to spray the same ugly basketball goal that sits in our driveway. I’ve worried from the day we put it out there that my sweet old neighbor probably hated looking at it. Glad you got I that already! Now maybe I will be a little more motivated.
Pam says
That does look nice. And I like a tasteful house and yard. A lot. But kids’ toys remind us that sometimes play and learning and what kids are attracted to trump pretty/cool/tasteful. Just for a few years.
YoungHouseLove says
trust me! Our house is covered with colorful toys! Come on over and check out the living room rug :)
xo,
s
JEN says
And now the neighbors are saying “What kind of goth freak neighbors do we have that paint their kids’ toys black? They seemed so normal…” ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha! I actually got asked what I used by one mom, so it might be contagious on our block. Hahaha. Shh, don’t tell anyone I started this craziness.
xo,
s
Michelle says
Yup, this is tooooootally crazy. But we love you anyway, Sherry!
Michelle says
And that’s coming from an underwear-folder! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah! Love you back, you underwear folder, you!
xo,
s
Rebecca A says
A couple years ago I got a tacky pink flamingo garden decoration from the Target $1 section. After two years in the sun, it turned white..This past summer I wanted a pink bird again. I purchased the Rustoleum spray paint (for plastics) in pink. My husband thought I was crazy but it turned out great. It’s now his fav piece in the garden.
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds so cute! I’m kind of in love with this idea actually.
xo,
s
Stephanie N says
I am most impressed that you have a traditional “Boy” toy for Clara! Way to go!
Can’t believe how many underwear folders read your blog!
:)
Elizabeth says
What?! This is so cool! The ORB makes it look vintage-y or something… Really cool and urban!
Also, who the heck folds underwear? Underwear is too small to fold. Ha!
Chrissie says
Hooper looks so handsome! Great name, by the way.
I’m always itching to paint stuff that’s gaudy like that, so if that makes one weird then I guess I’m weird too. Actually, I already knew that – it’s really not a secret.
But I figure, if something makes me happy, looks nice, still serves its purpose and doesn’t hurt anyone, then what’s the harm?
Lissa says
OKAY…so I’m at work today and get a text from my daughter at med school–informing me that “apparently there are people out there that don’t fold their underwear”….about died laughing.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahah! Meanwhile I’m texting my mom saying “apparently there are people who fold their underwear” – hahaha!
xo,
s
Julie says
This is my first time ever commenting because this is soooooo awesome. Love love love it! Made my day!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Julie!
xo,
s
Carolyn says
love, love, love that you did that! kinda makes me wish i still had my cozy coupe (gifted it to the bestie, who has kids and thus more need for such). even if still in my possession it wouldn’t get any use, but i’ve had it since my childhood (the late 80’s) and would totes paint it to make it look awesome as outdoor decor (now you’ve got the wheels turning and i’ve got no cozy coupe to work with!).
also, i’m totes a member of camp folds-their-undies! :)
Kate says
Totally on board with you!!! You go, Mama! Little projects like this do make your day.
Christy B says
I wanted to do this with my baby’s plastic soccer goal, my husband looked at me like I was crazy.
Jennifer F says
Eh, I think they just make that stuff in those colors because they think people want it that way. So, whatever. And clearly Clara doesn’t mind. Now, on the other hand, we chose to get some crazy colored (craigslisted) Gehry furniture for our yard. Yeah, we are those people. But our neighbors are polite (“Oh, those are interesting….”) and they make us happy.
YoungHouseLove says
Whatever makes you happy! I totally wouldn’t have sprayed Hooper if I loved him.. poor guy was doomed because he bugged me! Haha.
xo,
s
kathleen says
Hes like black tie optional b-ball hoop… so classy!
Patty C. says
I loved this basketball hoop when my kids were little. It was a tough one to give away. I think it’s hilarious that a spray paint project post turned into an underwear foldfest. And yep, I’m a folder!
Annie R. says
Love! I like the ORB- and besides- those bright colored outside toys always fade anyways it seems!
I, too, am NOT an underwear folder… my husband is though. He can hardly stand it. 2-3 years ago I got dressed in the dark so I wouldn’t wake up the baby. I just grabbed underwear to wear, got dressed the rest of the way (I lay my shirt and pants out the night before) and went to work. Later in the day I was using the loo and I looked down and saw that I was NOT wearing a nice pair of underwear- they had a big hole in them! I noticed this because my husband had written in them “Insert here” with a giant arrow pointing at the hole!!! I was laughing so hard, which is really awkward in a public bathroom…. :) Anyways, LOVE Your hoop!
Belinda says
This has got to be the worst and tackiest spray painting venture yet. And all of your minions with their “I love it!” “It’s great!” seriously have to get a life and stop wishing that they will become your new cross country BFF’s by flattering you every time you blink. This is awful, ridiculous, horrendous and hideous all rolled into one.
YoungHouseLove says
Can’t win ’em all :)
xo,
s
Laura says
I had to read this post to my husband and we both had a good laugh because I would totally do this too! I keep telling him that I am going to paint the metal brackets the wooden swingset he build for my son. Thank you for letting me know I am not the only OCD one!
Dawn says
To my nearsighted eyes, it looks like a grill hiding back there. Something that cooks excellent food is never an eyesore. Score 1 for Mom!
Heather says
Well I know I sent this to you directly but since you asked…
I mentioned your Dude! project on my blog when I shared how I made our own DIY Pot Rack that has been sitting on the to-do list since March.
http://hjwaxingmoon.blogspot.com/2012/08/dude-get-on-that-already-making-diy-pot.html
I really want a kid so I have an excuse to remodel a tiny play kitchen! That would be awesome!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, I love that project Heather. So glad you shared it here.
xo,
s
Bobbi says
This is seriously one of my favorite posts ever!!! LOL, if my son was still in the primary color toy phase, I’d be running to Home Depot right now to buy spray paint… Luckily for him, he’s moved on to the “cool” 10 year old phase!!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, that sounds like a fun phase! Although I’m pretty sure by that age Clara won’t think everything I do is “pretty, pretty” or “shiny, shiny” anymore. She’ll be like “leave me alone mom- I want to paint my room black.” Haha.
xo,
s
Michelle says
I love the update and I’m so glad Clara does too… did you ask her before painting her hoop though? When my son was two, if I’d gone ahead and done something like that without talking to him about it fist I’d have been in for meltdown city!! Once we moved all of the furniture in our living room around while he was napping and when he walked in, he totally freaked… doesn’t like change, that one. Clara must be used to it though I guess?!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, Clara is so used to waking up from every nap to something different in some corner of the house (or outside) that now when she wakes up and everything’s the same she’s like “what’s the surprise? what’s different?” and I’m all sheepish like “sorry honey, I just cleaned during your nap this time” – haha! I did mention before I did it that I was going to paint something for her and when she woke up from her nap we could go visit it. She even remembered when she woke up and said “what did you paint? is it special surprise time?!” and then when I showed it to her she dubbed it her “so shiny shiny hoop.” Love that girl.
xo,
s
Anne says
I love it! And this is totally something that I would do, and my husband would laugh at me about.
Beth says
Huge improvement! I would totally do this! I don’t think you’re crazy at all… this is genius! But, I DO fold my underwear so that may explain alot! :)
Maria @ All Things Luxurious says
This looks great! It’s got a really cool vibe to it now — almost urban in a really good-lookin’ way. I love it! :-)
Meredith says
I LOVE this. We don’t have kids yet, so it’s easy for me to say, but I am not a fan of the big, plastic, brightly colored outdoor toys. This looks soooo much better. As long as Clara loves it, then who cares! Sounds like a win, win, win to me.
Renee says
LOVE IT!! my quick paint project this week also used leftovers and scraps. A Quick “Caption Frame” just in time for school to start. Large empty frame + orange spray paint and a little chalk bark plaque at the bottom: http://www.creativecatchall.com/?p=237
Thanks for all the inspiration!!
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!! I love it!!
xo
s
Janet Chavez says
Ha! I can so relate, only kinda opposite…….years ago when “they” first came out with those Plastic Adirondack Chairs they only had Beige….Boring. I bought 6. They had also just launched the paint for plastic. I think I paid $12 for each of 6 chairs and I bought 3 cans of paint in pastel yellow, blue and green. I set about in the yard to paint the chairs…..ha……each chair took 1 whole can @ $15 per can. So for over double the cost, I got 6 poorly painted chairs and have since given them all away for manufactured ones in pastel. Now every year they come out with new colors that I obsess over……this year it was turquoise!
YoungHouseLove says
Fun!!
xo
s
shannon says
I just went through 2 cans of your favorite ORB for a project (I really hate the way that brand sprays though!), and although I got rid of my last empty can and can’t confirm, I remember it saying something specifically about Little Tikes products not being like other plastic. Am I imagining this, or does that brand carry that caveat?
YoungHouseLove says
Someone else mentioned that too. So funny and specific! I wonder if some Lottle Tykes things are made from different plastic that won’t grab it (maybe it cracks/peels/beads up) but ours stuck like crazy. I’ll definitely check back in a while with pics of how it wears!
xo,
s
Monica Crowder says
My son has one I have been wanting to do something with. His expands to get taller though and I am afraid if I paint it it will stick in one position. Any ideas?
YoungHouseLove says
I painted it when it was extended all the way up so I could let it dry and then collapse it (now no blue will show later).
xo,
s
OSUJillyBean says
I too belong in the non-folded underwear club. (NFUC? Ooh, that’s terrible!) Who’s got time to fold their underwear?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha NFUC sounds legit.
xo,
s
angie says
I’m happy to see this. My MIL bought my daughter, 2 at the time, a Fisher Price kitchen set.. plastic, beige and maroon – super drab. Well, at 6.5 years she STILL plays with it but I can’t stand the color or look of it. I’ve given serious though to spray painting it – pretty white cabinets, fun color countertop… even replace the ugly “grape wallpaper border” with some funky modern print. I think this post has definitely given me the push to do it – yay!