Gray Painted Clock Makeover

gorgeous painted vintage clock plus great tips for painting accessories | maisondepax.com

I fail.

A lot.

And before I proceed with today’s tutorial, I feel like that fact (and it is, indeed, a fact) needs to be established. Not because I’m feeling sorry for myself or I want you to do so, but because I want to be sure this doesn’t come across as “I have it all together.”

Because I don’t.

gorgeous painted vintage clock plus great tips for painting accessories | maisondepax.com

I let laundry pile up for days weeks. I yell at my kids from time to time way more often than I’d like. I literally sweep dirt under the rug sometimes before people walk into my house. And I have been known to pick food right up off that dirty floor and hand it back to my kids.

But I am one of those over-achievers. And while I’m not necessarily condoning my obsession with high levels of productivity (sometimes this girl needs to just. slow. down.), it does often lead to others asking me how I get so much done.

Things like redoing our fireplace

Reading for hours to my kids in their reading room

And, as you know if you follow me on instagram, planting our recent fall garden.

gorgeous painted vintage clock plus great tips for painting accessories | maisondepax.com

But it’s usually when I mention some totally random, small thing I did that people make those comments. You know, like when I say that I sewed a pillow case… Or I baked some muffins. Or – in this case – I painted a clock.

gorgeous painted vintage clock plus great tips for painting accessories | maisondepax.com

As you can see, it’s hanging in our entryway (and I love it there!), but I couldn’t figure out how to photograph the details for you, so I brought it down for you to take a closer look.

gorgeous painted vintage clock plus great tips for painting accessories | maisondepax.com

But I’ve got two quick lists for you today… first, what I did to this clock.

gorgeous painted vintage clock plus great tips for painting accessories | maisondepax.com

And second, my tips for accomplishing quick little makeovers so that you can really enjoy your accessories (and hopefully not feel like you have to buy new ones all the time!).

So without further ado, the clock:

  1. Paint the entire thing with a medium gray chalk paint.
  2. Dry brush a second medium gray chalk paint (slightly darker) over the first.
  3. Use Windex to remove the paint from the glass.
  4. Hang it on the wall.

Tips for accomplishing little projects like that:

  1. Grab 10 minutes here and there. Be ok with not finishing something all at once (gasp! this was a hard one for me at first).
  2. Don’t be afraid of paint and don’t worry too much about prep. For furniture, proper preparation is key to a quality finish that will last… but with something you are going to hang on the wall? Who cares?! Most decorative items won’t receive enough wear to cause any tear. 😉
  3. Don’t bother to tape off glass. You can see how this looked mid project:
    gorgeous painted vintage clock plus great tips for painting accessories | maisondepax.comI’ve quit taping off glass. A little glass cleaner on a paper towel takes most off – even with chalk paint – and a finger nail does the rest.
  4. Don’t be afraid to layer paints. This creates depth and dimension, and it doesn’t have to be complicated.
    gorgeous painted vintage clock plus great tips for painting accessories | maisondepax.comI didn’t even wait for the first paint to fully dry before I started dry brushing on the second. Luckily, chalk paint dries quickly and adheres well, so I usually use some form (and I have instructions on making your own here if you’re interested).
  5. If you don’t feel like waxing a decorative piece, don’t bother. Again, it’s hanging on the wall… no need for major protection.

gorgeous painted vintage clock plus great tips for painting accessories | maisondepax.com

And those are my super secret (or not so secret) ways that I manage to get things like this little clock makeover done. It used to be a bold red, and I just couldn’t see the red in my new home… But I am trying not to be tempted to buy all new stuff just because we are in a new space. Plus, I think it’s a really cute clock!

gorgeous painted vintage clock plus great tips for painting accessories | maisondepax.com

What are your favorite little tricks for makeovers like this?

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Love these tips! So much better than throwing away old decor. Gray Chalk Paint Clock Makeover | maisondepax.com

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4 Comments

  1. Hello, my friend.

    I LOVE your clock and love you even more after your post. You are human and the mature woman realizes that we can’t do it all (I am just learning this myself and I am decades older than you, so you are way ahead. )

    We live in a world of perfection right now: we see the pins, we see the perfect family/children/life posts on FB, we see what media is telling us our life should be. But no one’s life is perfect. No one’s family is perfect. Life is about enjoying it and who cares if there is a mess (hard one for me to let go of). Life is about the people and the memories.

    You are fabulous! And I love that I got to see a bit of your human side today.

    Cyber hugs,
    Terri

    Oh, and my goal for the children was to have the good memories outweigh the bad (yelling, etc) and I am seeing that it has. Everyday gets a little easier, and then they leave, sigh, like my oldest will be doing soon. (sniff)

    xo

    1. You are the best, Terri. I love (and need!) the encouragement. You’re so right… it’s very easy to fall into the trap of believing everything needs to be perfect. Thank you for the sweet comment and cyber hugs!! Back at you. 😉

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