Make Your Summer Sizzle: Transform a Plain Kitchen Piece into a “Caliente” Party Cart
Bright spray paints and eye-catching accessories transform a ho-hum portable kitchen island into a spicy party cart. This DIY project will make your family and friends feel like they are on an island getaway.
Here’s how:
1. Get “carted away” at Goodwill
Hot and humid outside? Yes! Cool and calm inside? Yes, too, when you shop ‘til you drop at any Goodwill nonprofit retail store. You don’t have to hit the beach to get some relief from the summer heat. Simply stop by Goodwill for a good time!
While there, check out the section with furniture items for sale. If you see a small cart or portable kitchen island, cart it off immediately! These are truly hot sellers (even during cooler seasons), especially in the DMV area where your living space might be more compact or multifunctional.
While at Goodwill, stroll by the aisles holding knickknacks, glassware, and other household accessories.
Pick up a glass pitcher for iced tea and glasses for your guests. Also, purchase bowls, metal baskets, and serving trays to hold snacks and other munchies for entertaining.
2. Prep for painting
Consider using a damp rag to wipe down your piece to remove dust or dirt.
Allow time for it to dry (although in this hot weather, it won’t take long!) to ensure a clean surface.
Use painter’s tape to cover and protect any parts you want to remain as is or paint-free.
The butcher block-looking top and the base for the shelf were must-keeps. The cart’s wheels also needed painter’s tape protection.
For a larger area, consider using scrap paper or newspaper to cover it, then hold in place with painter’s tape, too.
Does your cart have any other things you might remove while painting? Knobs and handles are often easy to take off with a screwdriver or wrench. Place them together and aside for easy reassembling later.
3. Spray on some style: ombre is outstanding
Inspired by the colors of the glass dish I picked up at Goodwill, I decided to do an ombre-style painting on the cart.
Ombre is an overlapping of colors and often tones that go from darker to lighter. At my favorite local hardware store, Annie’s Ace Hardware in Brookland, three cans of paint in a gloss finish in yellow, orange, and red were picked up—and on sale! Cha-ching!
Place your piece outside on a drop cloth or other protective covering. I reused old promotional signs made of plastic, which were easy to move and very flat. Start with your red and at the bottom section of your cart. Apply a light layer and move around your piece to get all sides and edges. Repeat this step next with the orange and then, finally, with the yellow. Always do your best to have a light touch so that the paint doesn’t run or drip.
Overlap colors so they organically flow from one to the next.
Repeat this step two or three more times as needed, adding more light layers and ensuring you get all edges and parts. Also, flip over your cart—wheels up—to add a layer and to ensure solid coverage. Allow plenty of time to dry before moving.
4. Remove tape, reveal transformation
Take time and care as you remove your painter’s tape. If you used scrap paper, tear it and cut it away.
This step is so fun because the time you took to carefully add the painter’s tape will now pay off with a great result that is super cool–or should I say very hot?
5. Set it up, then serve up summer fun!
Place your ombre-toned piece in a place to welcome all for a festive time. Fill your glass pitcher with iced tea or sangria. Fill your bowl with lime slices or lemon wedges. Fill your baskets with tortillas, pretzels, and other munchies.
Now step back to admire the fruits of your DIY labor and enjoy the laughter of those gathered around this vibrant party cart!
Similar Reads:
- DIY: How to Upcycle Mannequins into Pride Art Pieces – Finding Your Good
- DIY: How to Upcycle a Mirror to Reflect Your Pride – Finding Your Good
Tim Kime
Artist, Motivational Speaker, Life Coach
