Spring is here, so more and more gatherings, events, and celebrations are happening outdoors. This means it’s time to refresh our porches, patios, and decks. In blues and greens, a set of rusty metal side tables get a new look just in time for Earth Day 2022, held on April 22. Find your good by accessorizing your space with items in nature’s colors, too. Repurposing items and reusing pieces help to keep them out of landfills, so shopping at Goodwill is great for Mother Nature—-and great for your wallet, too!
You’re invited to join the creative community of the Artist’s Way in the Brookland/Catholic University area in NE Washington. We will come together to celebrate Earth Day this Saturday, April 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This special event is “a showcase of artists, makers, and organizations focused on earth-friendly practices.” Check out Instagram @brooklandartswalk and @bicycletrash for more details!
Supplies Needed:
1. Metal side-tables
2. Spray paints in blues, greens
3. Wire brush
4. Drop cloth
5. Accessories like vases, sprinkling cans, flowerpots
Step 1: Mother Nature—and your wallet—thank you for shopping at Goodwill
Everyone wins when you shop ’til you drop at your favorite Goodwill store. You win because you’ll find unique, often one-of-a-kind items. Your piggy bank wins because items for sale are at “check your eyes again” low prices. Your home wins because it gets to look good with attractive items. Our community wins because you buy donated items at Goodwill which allows the funds generated to support important and life-changing workforce and educational programs. And last AND certainly not least, our planet wins because we are reusing her precious resources.
During your next outing to Goodwill, be on the lookout for items to use for your outdoor spaces. A pair of glass-topped metal tables were great for this project because of their very strong construction and lovely leafy details.
While there, stroll through the Home Accessories, Glasswares, and Decorative Items aisles to see what gems await you. In shades of blues, teals, and greens, I went home with a handsome watering can, a striped vase, a fun apple statue, and a flower-covered container. All great to help celebrate Mother Nature in some of her most beautiful hues!
Step 2: Brush away the years and use
- The glass tops were removed and carefully set aside.
- Working outside with a small wire brush, all surfaces of the tables got a good going over to remove any loose paint and dirt and help address the rusty spots.
- A very damp cloth was used from top to bottom, right to left to clear away and clean the tables’ frames. The extra water/moisture on the cloths helped to wash away years of use and helped to create a clean canvas on which to paint.
- Let dry well.
- The glass tops were removed and carefully set aside.
- Working outside with a small wire brush, all surfaces of the tables got a good going over to remove any loose paint and dirt and help address the rusty spots.
- A very damp cloth was used from top to bottom, right to left to clear away and clean the tables’ frames. The extra water/moisture on the cloths helped to wash away years of use and helped to create a clean canvas on which to paint. Let dry well.
Step 3: Spray paint to celebrate
- Lovingly place your tables on their sides on a drop cloth in your yard or outdoor area if possible.
- Starting with a mountain green color, lightly spray on a layer to the top part half of the tables.
- Move around each piece as you apply paint, so you get every side, edge, nook, and cranny. Remember, you are adding a light layer and will return to the piece several times for additional layers. Don’t worry about a perfect coat the first time as you want to avoid adding too much paint resulting in drips and runs.
- Grab your ocean blue can of paint and focus on the bottom half of your tables. Again, several light layers will do the trick.
- When dry, place the tables on their other sides.
- Repeat the previous steps of adding a light layer of the mountain green to the top and the deep ocean blue to the bottom.
- Let dry then turn the tables to their upright, usual position.
- Again, add a layer of mountain green to the top half and deep ocean blue to the bottom. By moving your tables from side to side and then setting them upright, you are certain to get excellent coverage of all parts and pieces. Goodbye black and rust, Hello vibrant tones and energy!
Step 4: Add an artsy look
From an artistic perspective, you could have painted all the tables’ frames a solid color and it would have been fine. But we want to move from “fine” to “fantastic,” which is why the top is mountain green, the bottom is ocean blue AND we aren’t done yet!
- Using a can of sky blue spray paint and with the tables standing upright, spray on a light layer in the center part of your tables’ frames. We want the final look to look organic (after all, we are celebrating Mother Nature!), so let the sky blue tones blend and flow with the mountain green and ocean blue.
- Lastly, with a can of meadow green paint, do a very light “spritzing” of it on the leaf details. Should some of the paint also get on the legs, even better to add more visual delight and dimension! Be sure to give yourself and your tables plenty of time to dry well before moving them.
Step 5: Accessories add a fun, finished feel
Place your earth-inspired, colorful side tables in your outdoor space and position them next to a chair or loveseat. Functionally, these will give you the perfect place to set your cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or that hard-to-put-down book.
Artistically, we want the accessories to give it some pop and personality. Fill your Goodwill-purchased vases with fresh flowers and set them on top. Position your watering can next to one as part of your “vignette” and add an inviting vibe. Set out statues in your blue and green tones to add some whimsy.
Step 6: Make plans to celebrate your DIY talents & Earth Day
Invite friends over to gather in your refreshed outdoor space filled with colorful, repurposed, and reused items. Then head on over to the Arts Walk to celebrate our beautiful world during the Earth Day celebration. The more we do to show love for Mother Nature and our planet, the more we all win!
Tim Kime
Artist, Motivational Speaker, Life Coach
