The possibilities for transforming thrift store items is truly endless. Today I’m sharing how I created a piece of local landmark art from a thrifted find, and then I’m teaming up with a bunch of other bloggers who have some pretty cool makeovers to share with you as well!
I’m so excited to join up with this Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge! I’ve teamed up with 20 other bloggers for this thrift store blog hop. The rules were simple–take an item(s) from a thrift store, yard sale, resale shop etc. and transform it into a new piece of home decor. There was no budget, or theme to stick to so we were free to let our creativity run wild!
Meet the Hosts
Amanda | The Kolb Corner Chelc| Inside the Fox Den
Erlene | My Pinterventures Kim | Made in a Day Sara | Twelve on Main
Emily | Two Purple Couches Shirley | Intelligent Domestications
Marie | DIY Adulation Lindsay | Crazy Organized Michelle | Our Crafty Mom
Julie | Live From Julie’s House Debra | Shoppe No. 5 Dru | Polka Dot Poplars
Maureen | Red Cottage Chronicles Pili | Sweet Things Channell | Hobnail House
Colleen | Life on Kaydeross Creek Ann | Duct Tape and Denim
Paula | Virginia Sweet Pea Sherry | Savvy Apron Stacy | Anastasia Vintage
In my stash of random thrift store finds, I had this quirky wood watermelon placque leftover from a round of #SwapItLikeItsHot that I participated in last spring:
At the time, it had me totally stumped. Somewhere along the line, someone suggested that it looked like one of Cincinnati’s most iconic local landmarks: Union Terminal, and this idea really stuck with me.
For the last couple of years I’ve been hoarding collecting artwork of local landmarks with the intention of hanging a Cincinnati-themed gallery wall in our second floor bonus room. I don’t have anything representing Union Terminal yet, and I knew that with a little bit of paint, this wood watermelon slice could become the perfect piece of landmark art to add to my gallery wall.
Here’s how I did it:
The back side of the watermelon was unfinished, so rather than sanding the paint off, I just flipped the slice over and covered it with two coats of acrylic craft paint. I mixed a little bit of brown in with white to make it look a little more like the stone exterior of the real building. Then I used a pencil to light draw on the architectural Art Deco details of Union Terminal.
Once I had the details penciled on, I mixed up a medium grey craft paint and began painting the pillars and windows.
When the grey was dry, I used a very small paint brush to add in some details, including the hands on the clock.
Now all I need to do is add a hanger to the back, and my Union Terminal landmark art piece will be ready to hang!
Sharing with: Sweet Inspiration
I see these watermelons all the time! Ha! I love that you painted it. I had not thought of using the shape for something new. You’ve inspired me!
Kim
Kim~madeinaday recently posted…Pizza Peel Wall Shelf
Thanks Kim! It really had me stumped for a while, but inspiration finally struck 😉
What a unique piece of art! So cool!
Chelc | Inside the Fox Den recently posted…Jewelry Storage Shelf – Thrift Store Upcycle Challenge!
Thanks Chelc!
Cute idea, Emily!
Roxanne recently posted…Kitchen Design Plans ORC Week 2
Thank you Roxanne!
You were so clever to think to turn the watermelon over to use as a blank canvas for new art.
Paula@SweetPea recently posted…Knitting Basket Makeover (Thrift Store Upcycle Challenge)
Thanks Paula 🙂
What an improvement!! So much nicer than the watermelon. 🙂
Julie Briggs recently posted…Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge: Faux Mercury Glass Lamps
Thanks Julie! I think so, too 😉
What a great update! Love this!
michelle james recently posted…Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge
Thanks Michelle!
This is so imaginative. I love how you took an outdated watermelon and turned it into an iconic landmark.
Thank you!
Very clever! I agree with Kim, I’ve seen these watermelons around several times. Maybe next time I’ll snatch one up!
Amanda @ The Kolb Corner recently posted…Home Sweet Home Chalkboard Sign–Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge
Thanks Amanda!
That’s really cool! I love the end result.
Thanks Debi 🙂
You did a great job painting it, much nicer than the water melon!!
Pili recently posted…Thrift Store Chalkboard Makeover
Thanks Pili 🙂
Thanks for sharing it with us at Sweet Inspiration party, Emily!!
Have a wonderful week!
Pili recently posted…Shopping in Spain: Int’l Bloggers Club Challenge
Thanks for hosting, Pili!
This is a really cute idea. And an economical use of resources. I love the art work and the colors you have chosen. I also did the same thing with wood slices, on one side I have Christmas decorations and on the other side the family initials. Emily, I am hosting a new link party and would love it if you could join us over at Sweet Inspiration it runs from Friday to Tuesday.
Mary – The Boondocks Blog recently posted…Sweet Inspiration Link Party #2
Thank you so much, Mary! I will definitely be over to check out your party 🙂
I would have never thought to paint the watermelon to look like a landmark. I love that you totally thought outside the box.
Erlene recently posted…2016 Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge – Red Weathered Chair
Thanks Erlene 🙂
Yeah, a wooden slice of watermelon would have stumped me, too. What in the world was it used for originally??? lol Great makeover!
I wish I knew what it was used for, Audra! It’s so strange! Thanks 🙂
Love this idea, Emily! I’m so inspired by this project–and it turned out great. 🙂 Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Jennie recently posted…Five Fun Ways to Decorate Envelopes
Thanks so much, Jennie!
I love it Emily! So cool and I love the neutral colours, the watermelon would have been too much for me but this is perfect! Thank you so much for linking up at Sweet Inspiration #2!! Have a great week!
Katrin recently posted…Local Decor Shopping: Int’l Bloggers Club Challenge
Thank you so much, Katrin!
This is such a great use of that watermelon! Love how it turned out!
Thanks Sara!
Such a clever use for the watermelon slice! Landmark art always intrigues me because I want to go see those places. Very unique upcycle, love it!
Shirley Wood recently posted…DIY Hydrangea Door Decor
Thank you Shirley! Union Terminal is a beautiful Art Deco building (now a museum); if you’re ever in Cincinnati, you should definitely check it out!