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Thrift Store Pitchers Makeover

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Thrift Store Pitchers Makeover

Hey Friends!

White pitchers are the in-thing for Farmhouse decor! I mean, don’t even think about decorating in Farmhouse style without throwing (not literally, ’cause they’d break) a pitcher or two in somewhere.

The problem is when something gets popular, it also gets pricey! I don’t like paying a lot of money for something that may eventually go out of style (but I hope they don’t because I think they’re really pretty)!

So what to do? Hit the thrift store of course and buy some cheap pitchers for a pitchers makeover! 🙂

Flea Market Pitchers Makeover

I bought these at the local thrift store for $2 each. They both had a nice shape to them, but the artwork on them is outdated.

Flea Market Pitchers Makeover

Rust-Oleum to the rescue! I bought a can each of their white primer where to buy and white lacquer where to buy.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. I make a small commission if you order through my links, but it doesn’t cost you anything more! If you do, thank you!

Flea Market Pitchers Makeover

I wanted to paint the bottoms of the pitchers, so I flipped them upside-down and propped them up with spray cans.

Flea Market Pitchers Makeover

I did a coat of primer and a coat of lacquer, allowing it to dry thoroughly each coat. I let mine dry overnight between coats, but I don’t think that’s necessary; as long as they are not in the cold, a couple of hours should be enough. I would let them dry overnight after the last coat before you use them.

The primer sprayed on a little rough, but it smoothed out nicely with the lacquer coat.

Flea Market Pitchers Makeover

I flipped the pitchers over and repeated the process around the top of the pitchers, touching up anything that needed it everywhere else but taking care not to over-spray.

Thrift Store Pitchers Makeover

I think they came out really nice! They mix in well with my white gravy bowls.

Thrift Store Pitchers Makeover

They definitely add a nice Farmhouse touch to my entryway sideboard.

Thrift Store Pitchers Makeover

Thrift Store Pitchers Makeover

Thrift Store Pitchers Makeover

I only painted them a couple inches down on the inside, so I can use them as a vase for cut flowers. They are not safe for using as a beverage pitcher.

To clean, I simply either dust them or wipe them off with a damp cloth and pat dry. I would not soak them in water or use any abrasive materials to clean these because I’m sure the paint would come right off if I did.

I’m so stoked I was able to upcycle these pitchers to fit in the current Farmhouse style without spending a lot of cash! And I still have enough spray paint left over to do 2-3 more of these beauties! Whoo-hoo! 🙂

I hope you enjoyed my pitchers makeover tutorial! Please let me know what you think or if you have any questions in the comments section below!

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Comments

  1. Very pretty!! I love anytime you can up-cycle something old into something new and improved!! Hope you find time to stop by and share at My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday!

    Reply

    • Hi Joanne,

      Thank you- I’m glad you like them! 🙂 I waited overnight, but I don’t think that’s necessary… it was just what worked best of me at the time I was working on them. As long as it’s not real cold where you are painting, a couple of hours should be enough dry time between the primer and lacquer.

      Reply

  3. You sure are lucky to find two pitchers for $2 each? I am loving these and for little time and spray paint they look like new, have lovely shapes. I love white pitchers, hard to find where we live (western CO, we live few miles west of Grand Junction), every thing is so much more expensive here. Prices at our Habitat and Goodwill are like retail store prices. Enjoy your wonderful pitchers, love your sideboard/buffet also. Happy weekend

    Reply

    • Thank you so much! 🙂 Sorry to hear things are so expensive in your area- and here I thought things were expensive in California! I hope you are able to find some pitchers that are reasonably priced to paint!

      Reply

    • Thank you so much Katherine! 🙂 I really appreciate you choosing me as one of your featured posts! These two are my first white pitchers, but I plan on collecting more!

      Reply

  14. It is so true that you come across so many pitchers, sugar bowls, etc that have a gorgeous shape but very, very outdated designs on them. This breathes new life into them, makes incredible flower vases for gifts or yourself and upcycles in the process! What more could we ask for. Thanks for sharing this with all of us!!!!

    Reply

  15. What a wonderful idea. I keep saving those clear glass pitchers but I rarely use them. I plan on doing them over.
    Thanks so much for sharing your instructions on how to redo them. I can’t wait to try to replicate what you have done.

    Reply

  17. Great idea!! The pitchers look lovely on your mantelpiece and sideboard. Can you now paint over these pieces??? I’m thinking that maybe a stenciled design – or for the TRULY creative – freehand art ??

    Reply

    • Hi Chris! I don’t see why you couldn’t paint over these, though I’ve never tried to do it myself. As long as the method of painting was a light touch, I think it would work out fine (and I love your idea of stenciling!). 🙂

      Reply

  18. Love your craft ideas and projects. I’m retired now and finally have time to try crafting. You have such good ideas! Thanks for sharing them.

    Reply

  19. You just showed us that plain and simple can be beautiful to, because your simple white pitchers and gravy dish arranged in a group are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Ivory! Since this fireplace is in our bedroom, I wanted a look that would be relaxing and soothing. Every time I look at it, I just go “ahhhhh.” 🙂

      Reply

  20. I absolutely love this idea! I love your arrangement on the sideboard. Have you ever thought of spraying the glass in the window payne with the mercury glass/mirror effect spray? I am dying to find one of these windows and making it into a mirror for my entrance way. Just an idea. You have great taste!!

    Reply

    • Thank you Jenny! 🙂 That’s a great idea for the window- I adore mercury glass! I’d love to see a pic if you ever find a mirror and do it for your front entryway!

      Reply

  21. You are one smart cookie!! I would never have thought of this one!! Looks like they turned out great! You could also have painted that gravy bowl and maybe a cup abd saucer etc. Right?? The. Possibilities are endless! Just can’t use them for eating or drinking? I like the way you think/create!!❤

    Reply

  22. Great job! Thrifty, yet very pretty. I have spent the last hour or so looking online for vases to use in my brother’s apartment. What I like costs way too much. These will be perfect. Thank you for sharing this tip.

    Reply

  23. Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your article. Besides the helpful information, I love looking at your arrangement. You have a lovely touch with the style and placement of of everything on the table. Very aesthetically pleasing to the eye! A wonderful talent!

    Reply

  24. You did a great job! My question is this: IF you don’t paint the inside (tape it off) can you then use it for beverages?
    Thanks!
    Christy

    Reply

    • Hi Christy! You would have to tape off the top part of the pitcher as well so when you poured out the beverage, it wouldn’t come in contact with any of the paint. If you do that, technically you should be able to use it for beverages, but personally, I wouldn’t do it… I’d still be afraid that I’d get some of the paint into the beverage somehow, and since you can’t really wash the outside of the pitcher a lot once it’s painted like this, it would be hard to wash just the inside afterwards. I hope that helps! 🙂

      Reply

  26. Anyone have issues with the primer bubbling when you added the lacquer? I just did 4 pieces and all of them had spots that raised up almost in a waffle pattern when I sprayed with the lacquer:(

    Reply

    • Hi Amber! I’m sorry this happened with your pieces 🙁 I did have one piece do this one time (not the ones I used in this post) that had a very poreous finish – I think it caused air to collect under the first coat that bubbled up when I hit it with the lacquer. Other than that, the only things I can guess is that the spray coats are too heavy or not enough drying time between coats. Not saying that’s what you’re doing; those are just my guesses to what the problem could be.

      Reply

  27. Could you bake these like when painting glasses? I think it would make it more durable then not baking. If they are ceramic i cant see not being able to bake.

    Reply

    • Hi TJ! That’s a good question, and I don’t have an answer for it as I have no experience in baking ceramics. But if I had to make an educated guess, I don’t think it would work using spray paint as I did here, but it might work if you were to use the paint/glaze typically used on ceramics. This is a question you will have to ask someone who has experience with baking ceramics. If you do find out, I’d appreciate it so much if you could share it here for my readers. 🙂 Sorry I couldn’t be of more help!

      Reply

  30. One day decades from now, you or your heirs will decide to donate your pitchers. Someone will buy them and put them in the dishwasher. When they pull them out, imagine their surprise when they find something that is then considered valuable and beautiful again! Like a masterpiece that had been painted over, hidden for years waiting to be rediscovered! Love repurposing. Beautiful pitchers.

    Reply

  31. Did you have to use sandpaper discuss at the picture before the first primer to get it to stick to the picture

    Reply

Trackbacks

  6. […] White porcelain pitchers holding tulips or kitchen utensils are always in fashion when it comes to creating the perfect farmhouse kitchen decor. Now you can make your own from any thrift store pitcher that you will find or even the ugly one from your great-aunt you still have stored in a box in the basement for who knows what reason! The same project could also be done with vases or plates you might keep but that have a dated look. Instructions here […]

    Reply

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