Tuesday, July 12, 2011

My Ugly Green Concrete Pineapple Find

Pineapple's in architecture or decoration symbolize friendship and hospitality. You will find the pineapple the centerpiece of Christmas greenery in Colonial Williamsburg.
Colonial Williamsburg Christmas Decoration
Or this over-the-top bit of architecture in Scotland.
 IV Earl of Dunmore just had to have one. In 1761, he built this home addition as a garden retreat and hothouse and today it is one of the most famous buildings in Scotland.
Photographer: John Watson

recently scored a large concrete pineapple at an antique shop,
it was priced at $25.00 and I got it down to $20.00. It wasn't very pretty,
but all it needed was a makeover.

A trip to the Habitat for Humanity Restore for some paint was in order. I picked up some Valspar paint samples for $1.00 each. One in a pale creamy yellow and another in tan. 

For the top of the pineapple I used some green we had on hand, I then painted the body
of the pineapple with the light yellow, painted the pedestal with Annie Sloan's graphite
and finally cross-hatched the body and painted the base with the tan paint. Some of the
original green paint is still showing...that's okay. 
Hmm, not too bad, but not a very good match for the real deal on the left.
My final step will bring me closer, by "antiquing" the piece with Annie Sloan's Dark Wax  
Here is the final result, the dark wax works magic and the bits of the original green that
show add additional depth to the piece. If you look real close you will that my address
sign has a pineapple as does my garden flag. I like this set of three
The total cost for this project $22.00 dollars, I purchased the pineapple for $20.00 and 
2 Valspar samples for $1.00 each. The Annie Sloan Dark Wax, green paint and
paint brushes I already had and didn't use that much. 

I love the end result, what do you think?

Linky Parties:
Today's Thrifty Treasures Every Monday @ Southern Hospitality
Second Time Around Tuesday @ A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
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beforeAndAfterButton
Tip Junkie handmade projects






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southern hospitality
Keeping It Simple

Making the World Cuter

My entry into Inspire Me Monday, sponsored by Appliances Online and their best Washer Dryers.
 

9 comments:

Laura S Reading said...

Watching the process I had some doubts about the outcome but I am pleasantly amazed.

Heather said...

I think it looks awesome! Thanks for stopping by my blog today. In answer to your question, a Cricut could kinda cut stencils. :) You can cut out vinyl and use that as a one time use stencil, or you could cut out chipboard to use more than once. :) Hope that helps!

Jenn Erickson said...

Absolutely beautiful transformation! Your restoration gave the finished piece the look of a real, vintage Pennsylvania Dutch chalkware pineapple! Perfect!

Thank you so much for being a part of "A Little Birdie Told Me..." at Rook No. 17!

Jenn

Babs said...

Gosh, you did a great job on the pineapple. LOL I probably would just have painted it black as I'm awful at painting techniques, but yours looks great.
Very nice and very welcoming,
Babs

Unknown said...

@Thanks Dogsmom!

@Heather, I love what you can do with Cricut, definitely on my wish list.

@Jenn, Thanks for the positive critique, and you are so right, it does look like chalkware...but much much heavier. ;)

@Babs, This is so easy, take a close look at my painting technique! The dark wax is very forgiving!

Lynn said...

This looks so good! You did a great job picking the colors and your technique looks right on target for this project!

Mary said...

Great find and I love the redo, perfect with your other pineapples!

Lindy D. said...

I'm here from Rhoda's blog. I LOVE what you did with that pineapple. Great job!

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

You did a fabulous job, Di! Honestly, I wouldn't have given that piece a second look in the store. It's great that you saw its potential. ;)

Thanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday. Hope you'll join the fun this week, too.

Happy 4th!
Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage