Fall brings out something in me that I can't explain. What is it about pumpkins? They're just a round fruit that tends to get stinky and mushy over time. The orange color is a recognizable hue for the pumpkin and as a result can be limiting to the home decorating palette. As a decorator I love to use these fruits along with its counter parts, gourds and squashes. Paired together they bring a symbolism of Fall while saying welcome all at the same time. Being a creative soul, I'm never completely satisfied with one option for this iconic fruit. Recently I've ventured into painting with the well known, chalk paint. I know I must be the last creative painter, decorator out there to jump on this bandwagon when it has been around for years. I guess I just couldn't leave my latex paint for another medium. Have to admit I've been missing out on the fun. I decided to chalk paint almost all of my unwanted items that didn't match my colors. It started with this sign.
This unwanted sign before it met its chalky paint fate. It almost got sold before I decided to save it.
Now it's an updated white distressed sign with potential to wow any space.
After opening my fall boxes I quickly noticed none of my Fall items matched my decor colors and I really can't go out to purchase new items. So you guessed it my pumpkins and it's Fall counter parts were next in line to be painted.
A very old gourd. It has seen its better days, lots of holes were holes shouldn't be.
I forgot to take a picture of all my pumpkins in their before state. Here's some painted while others are still orange.
I got the chalk paint from Hobby Lobby. It's $8.99 so don't forget to use your 40% off in store coupon. I used white on the above sign. For the pumpkins I picked up Lace and Colonial colors, DecorArt Americana Decor Chalky Acrylic Paint.
The finished product using chalk paint from Hobby Lobby
When applying the paint there is no need to sand first. Just wipe off before if dirty. Next I used a regular paint brush but switched later on to a sponge brush. Found it didn't leave the brush marks like a paint brush did. You'll want to apply about 2-3 coats. Good news it dries in about 15 min. after application.
For the bigger pumpkins I only used the Lace color. These pumpkins are the plastic kind that you find in the pick aisles for floral and craft projects. What's nice, these tend to price around $1.25 each after the sale price Hobby Lobby usually has. Score! 1 for the pocket book.
The smaller pumpkins are the ceramic kind, again these can be found for around $2 using the discounts at Hobby Lobby. I decided to do something different with those. Aged look was in mind. First I painted it the Colonial blue color using a sponge brush, one coat was good. Next, go over it with the Lace or White. I used white for these. After it dries take fine sanding paper and sand it down until you see some of the orange pop through. This gives it a rustic look. I lightly sanded the whole pumpkin but in areas that I was looking for the orange to pop out I did a little heavier.
A close up of the aged pumpkin.
Now the fun part begins, decorating with them.
Use a tray to display them along with some other Fall items
Grow where your planted , hehe!!
My new shelves that I got from DecorSteals. Couldn't wait to style them using Fall items.
I hope you enjoyed learning a new way to makeover your pumpkins. Let me know if you decide to try painting yours.
Jacqueline~Welcoming Home