DIY Christmas village (updated white decor)
I love white Christmas houses. I've been seeing them everywhere. But, I have more than two dozen colorful ones. I wanted white simple Christmas village houses but didn't really want to spend all that money buying a new set.
I love the neutral white look of the homes and have learned a few tricks to stage them. A white-painted Christmas village helps match your Christmas decorations with your house decor (if you have white and neutral).
Below are the first three homes that I painted. I've obviously done more since!
My three 'new' white Christmas houses.
Supplies
Christmas village homes you are willing to spray paint
Spray Paint - Rust-oleum satin finish heirloom white spray paint. And yes, it is a cream color on the lid. Trust me, it looks like white paint when you stage it.
I LOVE this paint because the primer is included. No need for priming! It covered well in 2 coats (the first time it took 3 because I didn't get the 'underneath' areas.
Instructions to prepare & paint your old houses
Make the homes are very clean. There should be no dust or any dirt of any kind on them.
Make sure you take out the light. Just pinch the two side clamps and pull it out.
Here is the first house I ever painted. I chose the brightest colored one.
I have learned (the hard way) that you want to do thin coats. Better 2 or 3 thin coats than trying to do a thick coat.
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. Sometimes when you start spraying, you may get a 'glob'.
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, even after a few years! It's a fun and easy craft! They look so fresh, so bright and clean now. They look new! Especially in the daylight.
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 ones that were only about $10.00. I don't think they sell them anymore in the stores.
I love my new white Christmas homes and have had them for years. It was a super easy transformation for less than $5.00!
I've used them in so many areas!
The above is a dark corner in my family room. It is on top of a beautiful built-in. But because of its position and all the dark wood, it's a dark area.
I LOVE how the village brings just enough light. And, it's the perfect location to have the lights on during the day!
Tips for displaying your Christmas Village
If you don't have old Christmas village homes to paint, watch for them throughout the year at yard sales, your local thrift store or even estate sales.
Find your ideal location to set them up. I've put them on a mantel, in deep window frames, on top of dressers and even a coffee table pushed against a wall. If you have a family room in the basement, these are a perfect holiday season display with gentle glowing lights.
Place your homes at different heights. Use small boxes or stack some books.
Scatter a string of white lights (with a white cord). It just adds extra sparkle.
Layer some Christmas snow on top of the lights. A craft store or a store like Walmart, Target, or even Dollar Tree will usually have this. There are different types of 'snow'. Use what you like or can find.
Plug all the homes into one power bar. It makes it so easy to turn the whole village on and off.
Pull and fluff that 'snow' to hide the cords.
Add appropriately placed Christmas trees. I've used bottle brush trees and also trees I've found at the dollar store or garage sales.
If you only want these on in the evening, put the powerstrip onto a timer. Because the powerstrip is three-pronged, you probably need to get an outdoor timer.
Hope I've shown you a new way to update some items so they can be used and cherished again!
The reason I love these pretty neutral little Christmas village houses is that they don't scream Christmas. You can put them up early and leave them up late.
Spray paint is my favorite way to paint! It's a great way to create inexpensive Christmas decor!
Other things I've Spray Painted
How to make faux ironstone pitchers with thrifted finds.
Here is how I created dried silver Christmas hydrangeas.
And another time I decided I needed dried blue hydrangeas!
Spray paint can be fun!
Susan Stevenson
So much better in white! Love the one with the greenhouse!! Merry Christmas!!
Brenda Becker
Looks beautiful! I recently painted my Christmas Village which was very vibrant and bright colors and no longer matched my holiday decor. I used Rustoleum White Linen Chalk Spray Paint. One light coat softened the bright colors into muted pale colors. Now my village houses make me think of a costal home on a frosty, wintery morning! After using white glitter on all of the rooftops and mounts of snow it is really beautiful and ready for many more years of enjoyment.
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.