How To Upcycle An Old Bowl In To A Sideboard Worthy Display Piece
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Are you always on the hunt for unique and beautiful objects when styling your home?! Because if you’re like me - you don’t want the same old c@*p as everyone else. I LOVE the idea of curating a home with its own personality full of things I have carefully chosen, curated or made myself. Items that have stories behind them and that are talking points which spark creativity for guests who come into my home and see them. - The conversation is also a lot more exciting than ‘I love that where did you get it from’ - ‘ooooh thanks so much, Zara Home’ (no offence Zara, I do love you really)!
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So my latest upcycle craft/project, was a decorative bowl upcycle that I’d wanted to try for some time. I wanted to create a large and beautiful statement accessory - worthy of sitting upon a chest of drawers I had previously painted for our living room. I hadn’t quite found the perfect styling combo for them but a sculptural bowl is what I was after!
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These are the drawers in our living room that I wanted to create the bowl to sit upon
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I got my inspo when scrolling online looking at home accessories and different sideboard styling ideas. I saw decorative bowls like the ones pictured below and knew I could make my own version for a fraction of the price.
I wanted something larger, with more balls and finished in a different colour - PLUS the satisfaction of creating it myself and to add another ‘talking point’ to the ever growing list of talking points in our home.
I wanted something larger, with more balls and finished in a different colour - PLUS the satisfaction of creating it myself and to add another ‘talking point’ to the ever growing list of talking points in our home.
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This is the type of results I got when I searched in Google
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I headed down to a local charity shop and picked up the biggest bowl they had for only £7.00
I headed down to a local charity shop and picked up the biggest bowl they had for only £7.00
I already had the other items I needed from previous projects - wooden beads, super glue and black spray paint. (Click for the link to the products I used)!
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This is the bowl I paid £7.00 for in the charity shop, it’s large, heavy and in great condition
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Firstly I gave the bowl a clean, let it dry and glued the beads to the top edge of the bowl, I used varying sized beads to create interest. The odd bead did keep slipping down and falling off to begin with so I had to hold a few in place until they had properly set. I found the beads stuck and set better when there was the tiniest gap and breathing space between the beads as otherwise the weight of them would drag each other down. (What a beautiful, unintentional metaphor for carrying the weight of others)…anyhow…When the glue was dry and beads were set, (I waited until the next day to be sure) it was time to spray* the bowl.
Firstly I gave the bowl a clean, let it dry and glued the beads to the top edge of the bowl, I used varying sized beads to create interest. The odd bead did keep slipping down and falling off to begin with so I had to hold a few in place until they had properly set. I found the beads stuck and set better when there was the tiniest gap and breathing space between the beads as otherwise the weight of them would drag each other down. (What a beautiful, unintentional metaphor for carrying the weight of others)…anyhow…When the glue was dry and beads were set, (I waited until the next day to be sure) it was time to spray* the bowl.
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*When using spray paint don’t forget to wear a suitable mask and spray in a well ventilated area!!
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Here is the bowl with the wooden beads stuck to the top rim of the bowl, you can see in this photo as I previously mentioned above - some of the beads had slipped and fallen off. After some patience and several attempts the beads all finally stayed put! - If I was to do this again I would sand where I intended to stick the beads so that they had a better surface to adhere to!
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I placed the bowl on top of a tub that I didn’t mind getting spray on so that I could rotate it as I sprayed the bowl - for an even coverage and no paint runs. You could use an old bucket or a box or physically move around the bowl yourself as you spray it. I personally find when spray painting that rotating the object is easier and gives better results.
I only required one coat of black spray paint but if you are using a light colour over a dark bowl you may need a few coats to achieve a solid coverage! If you plan to display items in the bowl I would recommend spraying a sealer top coat to your bowl to give it better durability!
I only required one coat of black spray paint but if you are using a light colour over a dark bowl you may need a few coats to achieve a solid coverage! If you plan to display items in the bowl I would recommend spraying a sealer top coat to your bowl to give it better durability!
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I love the way the light shines through between the beads
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Some tips for styling your decorative bowls and creating a beautiful display
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-Balance the display with a taller item, I have used a lamp to add varying height and interest, smaller items also help to balance the look out too
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-Hang a mirror, piece of artwork or print with similar colours to your decorative bowl/choose a decorative bowl that picks out colours from an existing piece or artwork or print. This will create a cohesive and curated look
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-Consider sitting your decorative bowl on top of a stack of coffee table books or just the one like I have
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-I have chosen to display my decorative bowl empty but that doesn’t mean I won’t add to it at any time to change up the look, especially throughout the seasons. Some of you may want to style your bowls filled for extra interest, colour and texture.
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Here are just a few ideas of what you could use to fill them with-
-Fruit
-Moss balls/other live or faux greenery
-Pine cones/mini pumpkins (seasonal)
-Candles
-Decorative stones or crystals
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I love to sit items such as this bowl on top of coffee table books, if you have several you could create a stack of them before placing your bowl on top
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As always, thank you so much for reading, let me know if you give the bowl upcycle a go and send me your photos on Instagram
@staceysfurnitureshop
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Stacey x
