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Project Difficulty:
Easy
Estimated
Project Time: 1 weekend (including drying time)
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| Tools and Materials: |
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Galvanized bucket with side handles
Metal spray primer
NIOSH-approved respirator
Enamel paint in pale yellow
Decorator glazes in neutral and sage green
6 color photocopies of a botanical floral bouquet print (or the motif(s) of your choice)
Metallic wax finish in classic gold
Spray adhesive
Decoupage medium
Flat foam paintbrushes
Masking or painter's tape
Mixing containers
Soft, lint-free cloths
Pencil
Small, sharp scissors
Sealer
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Beautiful paper bouquets and a decorative paint treatment transform an ordinary washbasin into an elegant magazine container (Fig. 1).
As you can see, this serviceable bucket would be a credit to any room, and you can easily adapt one to match your décor.
Our bucket's pretty prints are just decoupaged photocopies of antique botanical illustrations. You might similarly adorn yours with attractive, copyright-free images from books, wrapping paper, thin wallpaper, greeting cards, maps, or sheet music.
For a custom-made look, enlarge or reduce the images by degrees on a color copier; encircle your bucket with this stash of differently sized motifs, combined and arranged in a pleasing manner.
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1.
Spray on the Primer
For this step, make sure you're working in a well-ventilated space.
Following the manufacturer's instructions and holding the can 2 to 4 feet from the bucket, spray it inside and out with a fine mist of primer. Move the spray can back and forth to coat the bucket evenly and thoroughly. Try to get paint in the crevices, but avoid overspraying or drips could spoil your finish. Though it's tempting to apply one quick, heavy coat, you'll get smoother, more even results with several light coats. Let each coat dry thoroughly before proceeding to the next.
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2.
Paint Your Bucket
Cover the primed areas with two coats of pale yellow paint, and let each coat dry.
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3.
Glaze the Outside
Run masking tape along the handles and edges of the bucket to protect them from the glaze.
Mix the neutral and sage green glazes until they're an attractive shade.
The glaze must be wet for ragging to work, so glaze only one side of the bucket at a time. Choose a side, and brush green glaze over the yellow base coat (Fig. 2). Don't worry about consistent brush strokes; ragging soon will distort the glaze.
Next, you'll rag off the green glaze, exposing some of the yellow base coat. Press a bunched-up cloth into the wet glaze (Fig. 3). Move it in different directions to avoid lifting the glaze off in a discernible pattern. Don't continue to use a cloth engorged with glaze; change to a clean one frequently.
Let this side dry; then repeat the process for the bucket's other side.
Remove masking tape from the handles and edges.
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4.
Apply the Motifs
With small, sharp scissors, cut out your motifs (Fig. 4). Include as much of the background paper as you wish, though they'll generally look cleaner when most of the background's cut away.
Spray adhesive on the image backs so that they'll stick temporarily while you arrange them. Motifs can be placed anywhere, even over bucket seams. Once you're satisfied with their placement on the bucket, mark the location of each image lightly with a pencil (Fig. 5).
Apply the motifs one at a time. Using a foam brush, coat the back of an image with decoupage medium.
Following your placement marks, carefully arrange it on the bucket and smooth it down with your fingertips (Fig. 6). Work out any air bubbles, and burnish the edges with your fingernail to secure it completely. Repeat the process for each motif.
When all images are in place, coat the surface with a layer of decoupage medium (Fig. 7).
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5.
Add Golden Highlights
Rub the edges and handles with gold wax (if you like, mask off the bucket before attempting this).
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6.
Seal the Bucket
Once the gold wax is dry, cover the bucket with two coats of sealer, lightly burnishing each coat with fine steel wool.
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