Asked on Jun 19, 2017

Ideas for Beautiful Vases

Linda Sikut
by Linda Sikut
Yikes, Some how I accidentally hit the Resolved button, but I really want to hear more ideas. I didn't mean to take it down. I'm going to paste every thing I can. I got most of the comments, but not all - sorry.

Hi everyone. Happy Monday! I went out to some garage sales this past weekend with a friend. The last stop we made was an Estate Sale, but run by the family so reasonable prices. But there was nothing there I wanted. We went to leave and drove up the street a couple of houses to turn around and LOW and BEHOLD there were 2 floor vases out for what looked like trash, next to a mail box. I'm not good at just grabbing things without asking, but I hate asking. LOL Lucky my friend didn't mind. Sure enough they didn't want them any more. They obviously will need cleaning up (spider webs inside) but I'd love to see your ideas of what you would do with these. There are two if them but the pic is of just one.

Just no Unicorn spit please. It's just not my thing. EDIT: In commenting on the beauty of another project that was done with Unicorn Spit, I mentioned my vases and several people encouraged me to use it. My concern was lack of experience with the product but, as they said, it's just paint and if I hate it I can repaint. The combo I saw was red with black and grey overtones. I immediately could see my vases with that look Maybe some white and gold rubbings on the design) I feel like I might not be able to make it look so beautiful but, what the heck, if I don't try, I won't know. So I'm now open to Unicorn Spit ideas.


There are so many of you who are so talented I'd just love your ideas. Oh, these look like faded terra cotta, but they are light weight. They are about 18" tall. I plan to use them inside either on both sides of our fireplace or our TV or if they aren't too tall, on our fireplace mantel as super statement pieces. BTW, I just thought I should add that my living room, where I want to put them is mostly neutral beige on the wall and I use a deep red for accents on the curtains, pillows and our 'Oriental' style 'throw' carpet. We have wood floors.

EDIT: I turned the vases over and found a bunch of numbers on the bottom. Not all are easy to read so I'll need to take my time with it and see if I can figure it out, but they were MADE IN ITALY.



MADE IN ITALY - A lot of hard to read numbers on the bottom, this may get edited if I can figure them out and what they mean.
  12 answers
  • Bobbie Bobbie on Jun 19, 2017

    I can see these in a deep blue with gold trim.. I would use blue Rust-oleum spray paint in maybe the hammered effect and hand paint the gold. I think it would go well with your "Asian" theme..

  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Jun 19, 2017

    Thank you Bobbie, I love your idea!

  • Sarah Elizabeth Sarah Elizabeth on Jun 19, 2017

    I have been enjoying spray paint. There are amazing rich colors that turn out like laquor. I see it a marbled black with black accents. This way it can go with the Oriental opulance and look great on a patio.

    • See 1 previous
    • Sarah Elizabeth Sarah Elizabeth on Jun 20, 2017

      I bet it is the same method. I see in my mind's eye vases that look like ones in museums if it were marbled.

  • Renate Nocker Renate Nocker on Jun 20, 2017

    Hi Linda, I'd use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. After painting (in any color desided) you can even golden up the flower with gilding wax . Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtxXrXyZhfw

    In Europe beton-look is quite in - you might also do it this way as you can see it on the pictures, also done with Annie Sloan.

  • what sort of material is it ? Plastic, resin ?

    • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Jun 20, 2017

      That's the thing Elizabeth, it's hard to tell. It looked like faded terra cotta on the ground, but it is much too light weight to be that. It seems sturdy and there are no cracks, there is one little nick in the bottom edge of one of them, but that's it. The tiny nick didn't reveal anything to me.

  • If you are sure it is not terra cotta then paint it with chalk paint ? The color matching your interior ? I would be tempted to leave them outside with a nice olive or citrus tree in it ....

    • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Jun 22, 2017

      Thanks Elizabeth! I looked on the bottom hoping I'd find some clues. I found a bunch of numbers but I couldn't read them all, but along the bottom it says "Made in Italy"! My grandkids have been here and since they are young and active I need to stick around with them (they are 3 & 6) This week is crazy busy but eventually, I'm going to see if I can figure out those numbers and find more information.

  • Lyn15291588 Lyn15291588 on Jun 20, 2017

    I think a dark dark charcoal, not quite black and gold leaf the decorative pieces. Not quite totally oriental but beautiful.

    • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Jun 22, 2017

      I wouldn't say that I'm really looking for oriental. The only thing we have is that style of carpet because it was the prettiest one with the colors we wanted. I won't saw we even have a real "theme" to our home. I'm close to the country but in a village with lots of homes. The house is a Cape Cod style, but we raised the roof so it's pretty close to a two story now. The DR table came with the house and I loved it when my kids were young because the edge is slightly rounded and raised and their milk didn't spill onto the floor. LOL It's sort a Danish modern style (but we bought in the 70's) and it had live here for many years before that. But it's in beautiful condition. The chairs have been replaced 3 times, but the table is like new. LR has modernish furniture from about 5 years ago, (sofa, chair), plus one of those "lift" chairs that was my Father-in-law's before he passed away with side tables from the late 60's. LOL Quite a mixture. But it's fine for us and we call it home.  Anyway, I like your idea. My accent color in my LR is dark red (was blue for over 40 years so, as you can tell, I don't change things easily) I like to see some deep red in there somewhere. I'm still thinking and taking everyone's ideas into consideration because I'm not in a rush to do them. I have other projects going and will take my time with these. Thank you for your suggestion!

  • Sma12254424 Sma12254424 on Jun 21, 2017

    chalk paint would be beautiful- you could even do an eggshell over brown and then sand different spots to give it a weathered look.

    • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Jun 22, 2017

      Thank you for your idea! Brown with eggshell would probably work with my LR, but I've pretty much decided against the weathered/distressed look. I know me and I know I'd keep wanting to "fix" it. :(

  • Take a picture ? I live in Italy ...

    • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Jun 22, 2017

      The picture is under my request for help, but I can add it here. I saw that you were from Italy and when I saw the words Made in Italy, I thought of you. Do you want the bottom too? It's pretty dirt. I'll clean it up later if I can.

  • Yes bottom picture please ?

  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Jun 22, 2017

    Here ya go!

  • I think it is polyethyleen which is biodegradable plastic. Start painting is my advice. It is not an Italian heirloom unfortunately. Have fun !

    • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Jun 24, 2017

      Elizabeth, THANK YOU. I really didn't think it could be worth something, because - heck, they left it by the side of the road but it's good to have that confirmed. I appreciate you! Have a good day!