How to update your old Christmas houses
I love white Christmas houses. I've been seeing them everywhere. But, I have more than a dozen colorful ones. I wanted white simple Christmas village houses but didn't really want to spend all that money.
My three 'new' white Christmas houses.
This year I want my Christmas decorations to be different. Not the bright red, green and gold I've had for so many years. Or the Santa Clauses and the kid-themed decorations. Instead an elegant, classic, classy white and silver. It is catching my eye everywhere!
Using spray paint to update your old Christmas village
I was looking at one of the white Christmas houses at a local store and noticed it wasn't a blinding white, but a subtle off-white. So, off to my local hardware store I went. I found the color in my mind in spray paint. For once it was easy and didn't take a bunch of time. I found the perfect 'white'. If you want to have some fun with the guy in the paint department, just tell him you are looking for the "perfect white". Watch as he tries not to groan or roll his eyes (he, he!)
Prepare and paint your old houses
Make sure you take out the lights. Just pinch the two side clamps and pull it out.
Here are two of my test items to spray paint.
The house:
The lighthouse:
Here is the spray paint I used. I've been using this because it says on the can the primer is included. And, it's about a dollar more than the other stuff but I don't have to prime. All of this and it's still under $5.00 at my little local family hardware store. I'm sure it's even less at the big places.
So, I started. I have been learning (the hard way) that you want to do thin coats. Better 2 or 3 thin coats than trying to do a thick coat or two.
After one coat of spray paint.
Thin coats don't run and have a nice smooth finish. Also, start spraying before you hit your project. That way you have a nice smooth consistent spray when you are spraying your project. It took 2 coats and then I had to do a third mainly because I didn't get the 'underneath parts". Like under the roof overhang etc. Thought I got them but I didn't.
Oh I love them! They look so fresh, so bright and clean now. They look new! Especially in the daylight. When I turned them on in the dark, the original color gently glowed through. I guess these are slightly translucent and the true white ones shine white and the painted white ones shine through with a little color. But, I like it! At night the hint of color glowing through adds some warmth.
See how the former red stripes peek through?
My three 'new' white Christmas houses.
Just a note about the houses I painted. They are the Santa's Workshop ones from Joann's. You know, the one's that on clearance after Christmas are only about $10.00. No worries, I didn't paint any family heirlooms!
Love my new white Christmas homes. It was a super easy transformation for less than $5.00!
Spray paint is my favorite way to paint! Here is how I created dried silver Christmas hydrangeas. And another time I decided I needed dried blue hydrangeas!
Kristina Perez
I'm glad you mentioned that these were the cheapies that you were painting. I was aghast at the idea of painting Grandma's village. 😉 Some of those are so expensive.
Paula Cook
Love them I'm changing my Christmas decor next year was looking for ways to salvage my old villages ,which both of them were purchased at thrift stores... Just packed up all my Christmas, But now I'd like to get started painting for next year .
Thanks
Mary-The Boondocks Blog
What a smart makeover. I want to go and buy some cheap ones at the dollar store and paint them. You have convinced me. Pinning.
Mike
Nice job! Think I'm going to try it!
momcrieff
I'm sorry I didn't see your message until today. Rustoleum did update their packaging recently. The Satin Heirloom White is an off-white. But, it looks great for these houses. You don't really want a total white which will have a bit of a blue tinge in it. My opinion : ).
Renna Hanlon
I recently found this post on Pinterest, and fell in love with the idea. I have some old village houses I bought on clearance at Dollar General several years ago, which aren't all that pretty (dollar store quality).
I love how yours look, and wanted to duplicate them exactly. When I looked at Walmart, they didn't have that exact paint. The cans looked the same, but didn't have 'painter's touch' on the label. I've not yet checked with my local hardware store, but will do so.
The thing that concerns me, though, is that the Rustoleum Satin Heirloom White that Walmart did have looked more tan than white on the lids which display the content's color. I wouldn't call white at all. Did your can's lid look that color?
Thanks!
momcrieff
It is so easy and they look awesome! I painted 3 last year and 5 more last week! My only suggestion is not to use a super, bright white. They tend to look a little blue. Have fun painting!
Mary Vitullo
I've been wanting to paint my village houses too and now can see exactly how they will turn out. Thanks for sharing this lovely project.
Mary @ Orphans With Makeup
Patti
What a great way to repurpose things you already have. They turned out great.
amy @ commona-my house
LOVE how you changed it up! I love when gals use what they have and figure out a way to make something marvelous!!! Great Job and really inspiring! I featured you at Give Me the Goods Monday Link Party and you were the most viewed link this week!
http://commona-myhouse.blogspot.com/2013/12/give-me-goods-37-sunday-features.html#.UqX3r8RDtxQ
Keep linking up with us! Love to see your ideas!
XXXOOO.
Kayla @ Home Coming
SUCH a great idea. It really makes them look more modern! I'd love if you'd link up to The DIYers. http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-diyers-40.html
momcrieff
So glad they turned out! I was sure they would. Also, thanks for the invite to your blog hop. I did jump over and linked these spray painted Christmas houses.
Carrie From Carrie This Home
These turned out great! I would love it if you'd link this up to my blog hop. We love crafty transformations like this!
momcrieff
No, didn't have any problems with the windows. My main advice is to do thin coats and all should work out well. Hope you love them!
Hope
Hi,
Went to Goodwills half off sale today for Black Friday and picked up 2 houses to paint and 1 lighthouse. I will be starting soon, so excited. I wonder though did you have any problems with it going on too thick on the window openings?
momcrieff
Thank you! I've been trying to repurpose and have discovered the joy of spray painting these last few months. This satisfies both :).
Michelle
What a great idea!
Marie
I love the white! This would look great with the houses I have.