Vintage TV Faux Aquarium

Nena Regalado
by Nena Regalado
A vintage tv and rocks painted to look like fish and you have a faux aquarium. So I wanted an aquarium just not the mess and cleanup so here's my solution.
This is the tv I picked up for free and decided i would turn it into an aquarium.After gutting it I bought a 10 gallon aquarium and did not like the look but most of all didn't want the cleanup.
Used left over interior paint for top and sides.
I have always wanted to try Mackenzie Childs style of painting so I took the opportunity here.
I used a yard stick to measure my diamonds and taped off with painters tape then painted using Apple Barrel & Folk Art paints I bought from Walmart and Hobby Lobby. For the black and white stripes,I double loaded a 3/4" flat brush,loved this technique,and applied the paint. This was fun and easy.
So my red stripes are not centered but I left them anyway. I used a stencil for my flowers then I went over each flower and leaf using a 10/0 round brush.
i stenciled two rows of flowers in each red stripe.
Rock fish
Rocks I painted to look like fish. I wrapped vegetable cans in the same gift wrap I decoupaged inside tv. I glued small magnets to back of rock/fish to attach on cans. Cut dowels and used floral tape and bent floral wire as hooks,to hang fish,wrapped the leaves on dowels. Cut foam for bottom of each can and stuck dowels into the foam.
Glues I used to attach magnets and tabs to the back of rock/fish
Finished product
Didn't take a picture but I bought silver gift wrap from Marshalls and decoupaged to sides and back.
Aside from rock/fish I included glass ornament fish I hung from a tree branch that I screwed to the top inside of tv .
I cut a piece of pegboard and decoupaged gift wrap to it. I had to enlarge the holes so I could push Christmas lights through the back of peg board. I also bought outdoor lights from dollar store and stapled to inside front of tv for when I want clear lighting instead the colored lights.
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  • Liz Toone Liz Toone on May 29, 2017

    Just want to say that this project is fabulous! What an original idea, and so colorful. Great job!

  • N. G. Londonderry N. G. Londonderry on Jun 16, 2017

    Did I miss the part where you added bubbles...couldn't find it....Christmas balls strung and attached to the top, maybe?

  • Janice Koontz Janice Koontz on Jun 18, 2017

    Why did you not take out the side speaker?

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  • Penny Penny on Apr 04, 2018

    i have seen this done only as a real fish tank, but your idea is so genious! great job! i too, love makenzie childs...i have tried several times to paint in their style....love it...you did a great job! ty for sharing.

  • Abigail Ellis Abigail Ellis on Jul 09, 2019

    This is so fun, I love it!!

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