Last month I was at the thrift store and picked up this large wicker plant basket for $1.00. It was in excellent shape…I would say it was new or like-new condition. It looked like it was never used. Wicker baskets, especially well-made baskets are expensive to buy. For a buck, I tossed it into my shopping cart. I knew when I got home that I would be using it to hold a large potted plant.
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Our home is decorated in a beach coastal cottage style. While the natural color of the wicker would of worked…I decided to change it. The first thing that I did was give the basket a light cleaning with a damp cloth. I then sprayed it down “lightly” with Lysol Disinfectant Spray and left it air out for two days. I like to make sure I clean everything that I pick up secondhand whether it be from a yard sale, antique store or a thrift store. Always take the time to clean the items that you buy.
I decided to use spray paint to change the color of the basket. It’s a bluish gray color…perfect for a coastal themed home. In my photograph…the color looks a lot darker than it really is. I sprayed 2 light coats of paint on the outside and then once it was dry…painted the inside. You always want to use spray paint outside on a decent weather day. Also, stand back when you’re spraying to avoid drips and globs. Let paint thoroughly dry in between coats.
Once it was dry….I decided to glue a sand dollar onto the front of it. It’s a real sand dollar that I painted in a pretty pearl color. I sealed the paint by brushing-on 2 coats of Clear Mod Podge Sealer. I then used Gorilla Glue to attach the sand dollar to the front of the basket. Left it “set” and dry overnight.
This project was super easy to do and I love how it turned out. It will work well for a potted plant basket or even a waste basket in a bedroom or bathroom. The best thing of all…cost me less than $4.00 to make…from start to finish!