Repurposing my thrift store find!

Question

Hey all! I found this awesome 'bird cage' at a thrift store the other day and although it looked a little 'rusty' when I picked it up, I knew it had GREAT potential! However, I wanted to get some ideas from my friends here on Hometalk for what I do next! I brought it home, had my honey take it to work and get it sandblasted. (I bribed his co-worker that does the sandblasting with a batch of yummy pecan bark - hey, a girl does what a girl has to do!) LOL.

Anyway, was wondering if you all could give me ideas on painting it now. (The only thing I've ever done is with a spray paint can!) I was thinking of some type of bronze color would look really good. Oh, I forgot the most important part! I do NOT have a bird! I am going to use this as a planter! LOL. I am thinking it will look good with some type of Ivy, pothos, or vine type plant in it. It does come apart and I can put it through the bottom. Okay, that's all the info. Ideas- GO! Thanks! :)

Kate H · Answer

What a great find! Birdcages are so popular now but that one is truly unique! I love the bronze idea, and u could easily spray paint - Rustoleum gold or similar is great, or a bronze rub!

Donna · Answer

I love birdcages, too. You could put almost any color on this & it will look great. Would love to know what you paid for it - if you don't mind a nosey question:)

Angela A · Answer

Oh....I didn't know there were 'rubs' out there? How would you do that @Kate H ?

Angela A · Answer

@Donna I don't mind telling...He had it priced at $39.95, and I asked if he'd take less, (I always do) but he'd just gotten it in and said he was gonna try to get some of the rust off and UP the price...so he took $2 less for it...so I snatched it up!! LOL

Angela A · Answer

Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.

Cathy Kurpil · Answer

Beautiful Cage! So unique, I would have snapped that up immediately, too! I buy and sell a lot of cages in my booth, so popular and pretty. As far as a bronze, Rustoleum does make a spray paint, I personally don't care for it, last time I 'bronzed something, I sprayed it with Matte black then, sparingly metallic gold. Turned out looking pretty good!
I am actually a big fan of shabby so most of my cages are sprayed gold first, then semi-gloss white, and lightly sanded in spots for that distressed look. Some Bromeliads and fern would look gorgeous in there! Good luck, have fun!

Shara Smith · Answer

When I see this I think of a garden fairy or hens and chickens. Succulents!

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Very nice. For just now, why not put it on your front step and fill with various sized and coloured Christmas ball ornaments, etc. for a display. Later, I'd bring it in and put in greenery - vine or such - real or artificial..

Don Goldwyn · Answer

Grrr8 Bird cage I would put some artificial colourful birds(Parrots or similar) in it, nesting on a nest of twigs FUntastic ps for some ideas go here:- http://www.save-on-crafts.com/artificial-birds.html#

Twilla Rasmussen · Answer

I made a chandelier out of a bird cage.

Joanna Carrisal · Answer

That is beautiful.  I'm thinking out of the box here.  If you took it to a welding shop and had them insert a mailbox iside the belly of it, paint it black.  Have them build for brackets that could be cemented in the ground that would hold the feet securely.  It would be the most unique mailbox ever!

Anne · Answer

Great piece to find. I'm jealous!! I have seen lots in Bird Cages in pictures I have seen in corners of peoples home, just can't remember what they all had in them.They are VERY popular right now.

Mabeline · Answer

I would plant a spider plant inside so that long baby plants would hang out through the bars over the edges

Katie · Answer

I don't think I would paint it at all. I'd just spray some matte glaze to protect it and leave it at that. You could put it on your front porch/step and change the innards of it on seasonal basis. I would love to see what you do end up doing with it. There are lots of great ideas here!

Sherry Fram · Answer

I would definitely go with the bronze or even a copper spray paint would look great with the greenery. Great find! Would live to see the results when you are done!

Yvonne Sanders · Answer

I would go white and distress it some and put silk plants in it with some ivy hanging down. Did several and grouped together at a wedding and they were gorgeus. And if you decide to sell it, let me know, I love it.

Chris aka monkey · Answer

@Angela A sometimes i have to admit i get so green with envy over a find on here i get crabby ha ha and boy howdy did this gorgeous cage make me crabby...i would just spray a matte clear sealer on it the patina it has is awesome,but if you want to paint it i would go with white because it it would show up grandly..and the can be used any way you decide seasonal things like pumpkins or Christmas ornaments easter baskets ,eggs and plants geeze i guess i am glad you got this i would drive myself crazy xx

Deb · Answer

If you are into the miniature gardening trend, it would be magical to have it planted with a miniature theme, plants, benches,curvy walkway and such!

Joyce Martin · Answer

An asparagus fern would compliment the airy feel of the bird cage. Or a spider plant would look good too as suggested above!

Diena Cameron · Answer

Hi, This is a stunning piece and I think it already has a bronze tint to it unless my color is off or I need glasses, lol. You could do a rub on it. There are so many good ones out there,  I just can't remember the one I used last but it comes in a little tube like toothpaste and you just rub it on and buff. An antiqued silver would be beautiful.  Good luck and be sure and post pics when your done. I too am very jealous :D

Diena Cameron · Answer

Me ag :D ! If I remember right,  I think it's called 'Rub and Buff'. Hence the instructions for rubbing on, buffing off ! Duh !! Hope I'm right :D

Mom865340 · Answer

What a find..happy for you!! I would probably use this just a 'piece'...remove the perch inside and save for another use..put in some 'shreds' on the 'floor' of the cage...use glittery shreds if holiday or glitzy...earthy if fall etc.Next nestle 3 LED candles-short-med-tall in the shreds.Then from the little curli-que metal scrolls right under the cage hang single vintage cut glass long crystals..one to a curlique..hope this helps!

All377999 · Answer

Perfect fairy house

Eleanor Simmons · Answer

I would put a large candle in it.  Possibly a three wick, if it fits or medium pillar.  It would be a good idea to us a glass container.  This is moble so you can move it around like a bathroom or dark hallway.   This can also be seasonal so christmas you put greens in it.  So versatile. Great find

Karen · Answer

I'd make it into a floor lamp by drilling for a lamp kit. I would look great with an Edison bulb. I would leave the finish and just clear coat it to protect it.

Angela A · Answer

Everyone has such Amazing ideas! You guys are making it sooo hard to decide what to do!!! LOL :-)

Bobette Olds · Answer

I have one that I put succulents in this summer and they grew outside the wires and looked awesome. My cage was not quite this beautiful. Nice find.

Julie wolf · Answer

I would not paint it for sure. And any of the suggestions listed would work, just depends on if it's going to be inside or out.

Rebecca Corley Bailey · Answer

I have one I plan to paint Then put twinkle lights & plants in it!

Marie Tarsi · Answer

This is too beautiful to turn into a planter (even though it is a great idea). It would look lovely with some type of solar light inside to welcome visitors on your front porch.

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