Waste not, want not. That was my attitude when it came to using up the rest of the oil-rubbed bronze spray paint from this project that I had leftover. So I turned my attention to the mismatched patio furniture that we inherited from the previous owners (seen here in an old photo with my dearly departed ceramic dog, sniffle).
Sure, I like painting things white (and white ceramic animals, and white chocolate among other snow-colored objects) but sometimes white things outside = grungy. As this shot demonstrates, any time it rained little dirt and leaves splashed into the crevices of the table and looked all grubby.
Parts of it were peeling too:
And you should have seen this guy in March/April in the height of allergy season. Yeah, it was fuzzy and yellow. So I figured a coat of ORB spray paint could cure his everything-shows issue. And unify those chipping black chairs.
So I just dragged everything out to the yard, set them down on items from our recycle bin (namely magazines & cardboard boxes)…
… and sprayed away.
Especially satisfying? Taking the nasty parts like this…
… to this (gotta love that ORB glistening-in-the-sun phenomenon):
Voila.
Update: Here’s an affiliate link to the spray paint we used over on Amazon for anyone who can’t find it in stores.
The whole shebang took about an hour and a half. Maybe two if you count brushing everything with a stiff brush (from our dust pan) to shake all the junk off, and carrying stuff out to the grass and back after they were dry. Oh and it took another can of ORB to get all three pieces done, but we figure spending a little more for that second can and using the rest of our leftover one (from this project) sure beats investing in new patio furniture.
You might not see it yet, but adding some pillows (or chair pads), some swagged bulb lights, and a few other festive patio accessories might just take this old set from drab to fab. Yes I just said drab to fab (she types as she buries her head in her hands).
What have you guys been spray painting lately? Any outdoor chillaxing going on? Anyone shocked that I didn’t paint everything white instead of ORB? Anyone turn this post into a drinking game (and sip every time I mention that three letter abbreviation)? Just went back and counted, but I only said it three times. Not enough: ORB, ORB, ORB. There, done.
Alicia says
I definitely see it! Drab to fab! And I love that I know what you mean when you say ORB. It seriously makes me feel in the loop. :) The last thing I spray painted was a whole bunch of picture frames. (White, of course and yes, I thought of you guys!) Do you wear a mask while you spray paint? I always feel like crap when I get done, even when I wear a mask!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes I wear a mask and always do it outside! Then I blow my nose when I come in (even though the mask theoretically blocked stuff) and wash up and feel pretty fresh. Except for all the sweat from spray painting. Haha.
xo,
s
Jenny says
Just got done spray painting an old cast iron bed for my son’s room. It went from white to black. Much more suiting for a teenage boy.
http://honeysuckleonthevine.blogspot.com/2011/06/vacation-projects-3-and-4.html
Mollie says
I spray-painted my boyfriend’s horrid black plastic “touch and light” dorm-era desk lamp with copper spray paint while he was still sleeping last weekend! We’ll see how long it takes for him to notice.
I feel like this is a confessional!
Tarcia says
I have a can of that ORB paint in my garage, that’s been sitting there for the longest. I really would like to paint over the brass chandelier in my dining room.
BTW, I’m on a break from painting my bedroom. I’m not as neat as you guys, so I had to tape, put down drop cloths and prime. Ugh, it’s taking forever.
Reenie says
Love it. I just spray painted a full-length stand up mirror ~ and an iron cat….I think it’s a doorstop, but I’ll put her on my porch or deck :-)
Britt says
haha, way to get everyone who IS playing completely wasted there at the end.
YoungHouseLove says
The grand finale!
xo,
s
Melissa says
I spray painted a little table which I ALMOST sold in our yard sale a few weeks ago. Now I really like again and I’m wondering what else I can use the rest of my can for :)
http://houseography.blogspot.com/2011/06/mini-table-makeover.html
LaMadre says
On a recent trip to our local home improvement center to buy several cans of ORB for 8 dining chairs on our front sreened-in porch – I found a can of cornflower blue and a can of tangerine in the clearance bin. Admittedly, I was taken by the pretty colors and knew there must be something in the basement that needed painting. I splurged on the 3 bucks and threw them in the cart. Back at home I found three cork screw type tomato spikes and a few metal plant ornaments – talk about instant gratification! The three tomato spikes are tangerine. I grouped them together and stuck them in the ground in the shade garden. The most inexpensive and colorful garden sculture ever. The plant ornaments I placed around the yard in various garden beds and pots. It’s so exciting – I know I’m a dork – when such simple things make such a big impact!
amanda says
Love it! I am totally on the ORB train too! What do you think about ORB spray on an old honey colored computer desk? I can’t decide between the finish you guys did on Clara’s changing table or just spray painting it ORB…
Patio set looks great thou!
YoungHouseLove says
That would look nice! Beware of spray painting huge wood furnishings (drips and flaws are easy to see so I like to paint with a roller – and use primer first so it doesn’t peel!). Good luck!
xo,
s
laxsupermom says
They look terrific! I love what a little paint can do. I’ve been considering pulling out the spray paint to give our chairs a fresh look, but is it really worth it to buy the $8 plastic paint for our cheapie resin chairs or should I hold out hope that nicer ones will show up curbside for me?
I have pulled out the spray paint for some outdoor sprucing up lately, though. I took our cruddy, scary, peeling, rusty, don’t-let-your-kids-near-it-without-a-tetanus-booster diving board base and turned it into a shiny white thing of beauty.
Can’t wait to see your patio set decked out with new cushions. Thanks for sharing.
YoungHouseLove says
I’m so addicted to spray paint I probably would spray those chairs.
xo,
s
Ashley says
I just spray painted the mailbox at my sister’s new house (I inherited a love for completing before/after house projects that my sister did not! hahaha). I used black glossy rust-resistant paint. No project goes without its risks, as I discovered two wasps nests in the mailbox during the project–as much of an animal lover I am, those friends are now in wasp heaven. :) And oh how I love ORB!!!! You are not alone in your love for ORB! :)
Carol N. says
Love it! I have some older black iron patio furniture and may have to switch from black to ORB after seeeing this! Amazing what a fresh coat of spray paint does for things.
Casey says
Your spray painting gets me every time. Black was a great idea–adORB (see what I did there?).
Casey says
And by black I mean, oil-rubbed bronze. Whoops!
SarahC says
Looks great! A set like that would be ridiculously expensive bought new.
PS, does it count if I play the drinking game with coffee? I am at work, after all! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, suure! Cheers!
xo,
s
Candace says
This looks great! I’ve been on the hunt for an old set like this ever since we went to Ellis Island and saw how they painted their chairs and tables this amazing dark charcoal silver color. I never would have guessed silver would look as good as it did on pieces like this. But it was amazing. I do love the the oil rubbed bronze look too.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh that sounds so pretty!
xo,
s
Teresa (Our Corner House) says
They look great! Like new!
Erin says
I just spray painted my patio furniture lime green. It’s pretty wild and crazy but I like it. Who doesn’t love a little pizazz outside?! (I’ve gone a little spray paint crazy too lately… you’re not alone)
Katie Rose says
I just spray painted a wood frame in order to make a jewelry holder/memo board for my friend’s birthday. See example: http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2010/08/05/diy-chicken-wire-frame-memory-card-clips/
(I did more of a light teal/Tiffany blue color)
It was super easy and looks great! All laquered, shiney & new! I think I want to make one for myself next ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Pretty!
xo,
s
Meagain says
I need to spray some of my patio furniture too. But I’m going for some fun colours…thinking maybe yellow or red. I’m surprised you didn’t go for a brighter colour.
YoungHouseLove says
They’re right outside the living room sliding door so I thought it might be too much to see a bright set of furniture. I’d rather add bright cushions and a planter in the middle of the table for color I think! Definitely needs more cheerfullness!
xo,
s
Lesley H says
Ooooooh, how I love a good spray paint project. This set looks fab now! My most recent love is spray chalkboard paint. Sprayed a couple of cork-backed place mats and am so happy with how they turned out – the perfect place to leave love notes and words of inspiration!
Katy says
i used this same ORB spray on a bunch of mismatched plastic planters on my deck this summer and it turned out awesome. not only does it unify them, but from a distance it looks like they could actually be metal (or at least not obviously plastic). a cheap solution until i splurge on more expensive planted and i love how the paint sparkles in the sun!
Lindsay says
So you finished this whole set with less than 2 cans of spray paint? Man, I must not be good at spray painting yet (I should obviously practice more!) – I think I end up wasting too much of it off the “edges” of whatever I’m spraying. Hmm.
YoungHouseLove says
I always keep my arm moving and just try to mist things. So it feels like I’m not getting coverage at all, but I’m not wasting a lot either since it’s always moving over the piece if that makes sense. Three thin coats like that of misting and there’s suddenly good coverage when the dust clears. Haha. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
LLF says
OMG, everything looks so good! You guys have the Midus Touch in decorating!!! Also, if you eventually want to change the patio furniture,you can sell your now nice patio chairs and table for good $$.
This and the post about the chair legs made me want to go out and spray paint things. I just don’t know what I have around the house I want to spray paint. Time to dumpsterdiving for treasures to spray paint…
Kim @ Location27 says
That table is fantastic! The ORB really makes the detail work stand out under the glass top. Looking forward to the cushions.
Barb says
I sent you a message on FB saying that today :
I WAS WOMAN…HEAR ME ROAR.
DIY project-0 of spray painting the lamp bases from a brassy/goldy yuck color to a brushed nickel “fab” color.
Did all the SHERRY instructions and for a minute there….I thought I was Y.O.U. But, we all know there is only one you, right?!!
All in all, I was done in a short time and the two lamp bases are de-smelling in the open garage and will be back in place by manana.
Ain’t life grand? (OMG…I never say ain’t!!!)
B.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- you were me for a minute! I left my body and entered yours. Haha.
xo,
s
Stephanie M. says
My husband & I are in the process of painting some of his childhood bedroom furniture white for our 5 month old daughter’s room and I totally just ORBed some crusty old gold handles…they are now pure awesomeness. Love that stuff!!!
bridget b. says
now you’ve got me wanting to find an old patio set that i can rehab…off to craigslist.
Rachel @ We Heart Minnesota says
Thanks for the inspiration. I should touch up our black bistro set since it has a few blemishes here and there. We’ve been busy spray painting dark frames white for a frame wall that we’re working on. And thank you SO MUCH for sharing your technique for your frame wall awhile back. It worked like a charm using the paper cut-outs first.
YoungHouseLove says
So glad to hear it!
xo,
s
marci lambert says
i’ve used the exact same product on several things. when we got our last house ready to sell, i replaced a light fixture but the metal was the wrong color, so we sprayed it. the old cast iron/wood bench in the backyard looked droopy so i painted the metal parts. i’ve also painted a few heating vents in our new house with it instead of buying new ones.
Jen M. says
LOVE! I think that table and chairs is DARLING now that they match! Don’t get rid of them! Even if you get something new for there, I bet they’d be cute on the little random patio by the master bedroom/living room once you expand that area!
Serah Freeman says
Looks great! I don’t know how you two do it but your spray painting always seems to come out gorgeous! Your “Waste Not Want Not” title reminded me of a site that I wanted to share about recycling ideas but I just realized it was Portland Oregon based…that won’t help you! Anyway…keep up the good work!
Mae Anunciado says
Yes!! I was actually thinking about doing this yesterday to my chipping patio set as well! Thanks for the visual! I love how it turned out so I will be ORB-ing soon!
nicole says
we just spray painted all of our brassy interior door handles and hinges with ORB..it made the biggest difference!! I LOVE that stuff!!
Rachei says
No one believed me but we spray painted our garden shed roof! It went from looking like it needed to be torn off to looking brand new! Took about 6 cans off outdoor spray paint for around $25ish dollars. To do a new roof…$75-100.
andrea p says
I love the way this looks! And I am definitely getting ideas for things around the house that could use a little spray paint pick-me-up….
I am curious about the durability of the spraypaint for outdoor furniture? What are your thoughts? Will you leave it outdoors in the winter?
Thank you!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah- we moved in and this set was outside covered with snow. So we plan to just keep it out there and see how it fares. Maybe in another 5-10 years it’ll need another coat, but metal takes exterior spray paint really well- especially the Rustoleum All Surface stuff. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Cheryl says
I was TOTALLY playing the ORB drinking game with this post. Now, I’m schnockered at work. My boss is going to love you!
PS – J/K. Maybe. . . .
hillary says
SO. MUCH. BETTER. Nice job! I am not an ORB freak like some of you but it was a great choice in this case. Less severe than black, more practical than white, and more interesting than a flat brown. You will get years of use from that little trio now, when before they seemed destined for next summer’s garage sale. It’s such a good feeling when you can spiff up and re-use stuff you already own.
We just rearranged the furniture and grill placement in our outdoor “room” yesterday and it has made such a huge difference! We are loving the new space planning. I don’t know why we didn’t set it up this way to begin with.
Jenn H says
Fabulous. I only started reading your blog and I love all your ideas/projects.
Sara says
I spray painted a bright blue rain barrel my Dad made this past weekend green to match my mother-in-law’s house, I told him he better get working on mine now, i can’t wait to have a rain barrel!
I’m also going to paint my patio furniture soon, the chairs look just like yours, the spray paint is sitting in my garage and it’s paining me that I haven’t had time to do it yet!
Meg says
You have inspired me to spraypaint our old metal gate. It is chippy just like your chairs. So, you didn’t have to sand the chippy parts smooth or anything? Could you see this chipped parts after you sprayed? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We didn’t sand but I could have I think. I just applied three thin coats and by the third like and thin coat it was all filled in. You might be able to subtly feel the parts that peeled off but you can’t see them at all!
xo,
s
Rebekka says
i love the way the ORB sparkles in the sun! i want to go out and buy something second hand to spray paint now!
YoungHouseLove says
ORB is like Edward Cullen. All sparkly in the sun. Haha. I went there.
xo,
s
Erika says
Looks great – amazing what a little spray paint can do.
katie says
I picked up my first can of ORB last night and I am so excited to get spraying! I am going to spray an ugly gold light fixture in the guest bathroom ORB for a temporary fix. I figure it will last me a little bit before I splurge and buy a new one! Thank you for letting me in on the little secret of ORB Spray paint!
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
Can we say, “straight out of Pier 1 magazine”!!! Love it. Looks much nicer in a nice dark color. With some cushions & something on the table in the center…awesome!!! Was just looking at outdoor furniture today….geez it’s expensive. Really want something for our sunroom though. Can wait to see how you transform this patio area. Looks inviting for sure. :)
Julie says
ONE of the many projects I’m working on is a back patio redo. I just painted our old table/chairs this morning (and then it proceeded to drizzle.) I’d love to get a new set, but with all that we’re doing it’s just not in the cards right now.
After the fact I told my husband I should have chosen a “happy little yellow” my husband gave me an emphatic “NO”! Anyway, it’s amazing how some paint can freshen stuff up!
Katie says
Just spray painted diaper boxes with Rustoleum Gloss White…using them as storage for crafty/sewing projects. I figured what the heck and they turned out GREAT! Spray painting is quickly becoming a new addiction of mine too.
Sarah J. says
We did this last summer! Except ours were covered in many (chipping) layers of paint, so we did sand… and sand… and sand. Ugh. Then we used the “rusty metal primer” from Rust-Oleum before painting. But they have held up well. Would’ve held up better if we moved them into the garage during our Midwestern winter (oops)–to those in cold climates, this appeared to remove all of the glossiness from the paint job, but didn’t make it chip. Anyhow, photos are here: http://the-julians.blogspot.com/2010/06/painting-things-black-part-2.html
Ellen says
Just spray painted our entire dining room set with spray paint for wood, plastic, and metal! Looks like new practically..and so much cheaper than buying a whole new dining room set!
you can see a picture of my china cabinet at
http://ellenshelton.blogspot.com/2011/07/weekend-is-almost-here-yay.html?spref=tw
Jamie says
I did this project a little while back. Very inspired by some of your past projects I might add. Most of my projects are including my new passion for craigslist and my obsession with pinterest.
http://thetreehousediary.blogspot.com/2011/05/19.html
Lisa says
Have to say…I am a little disappointed we did not get a centerpiece and tea setting…. or ….scrabble in the big reveal. JK It looks great.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- I knew I should have staged Clara and Burger having a tea party.
xo,
s