DIY Ironstone Pitchers

I LOVE the clean look of an Ironstone collection. I always pause to look at collections of ironstone platters and ironstone pitchers. Or, even a flower arrangement in a simple ironstone pitcher will catch my gaze.

That is what I love about Ironstone. Collections are often mismatched but are tied together by basic white dishes with a special patina.

If you like being a little crafty with spray paint, you'll love these black and white planters. And, how about these pretty vases, another spray paint DIY!

Where to find Ironstone pieces

The rare pieces can still be found in your local thrift store, a yard sale, or a resale shop/consignment store. However, so many people collect ironstone now that unexpected finds like ironstone soup tureens are rare. Now, you can often buy pieces in an Etsy shop or FB Marketplace and you are buying sight unseen. Sometimes you can find some at antique stores but they are priced accordingly.

DIY your own

Because the supply is so limited, I have started making my faux ironstone decor pieces. I'm not a serious collector, I just like the look.

Supplies

Take a look at the simple, classic shapes of ironstone. I wanted pitchers, so I went to the home decor section of a few of my favorite thrift stores. You can buy glass, porcelain or ceramic-type pitchers. It's the shape that is important. You also want the piece to be in great condition with no cracks or chips.

I use Rustoleum paint and primer spray paint.

These were my finds.  They were just a couple of dollars each and I felt their colors were dated.  I honestly was excited about their pending transformation.

Instructions

Read the instructions on the spray can. There are safety instructions, temperature instructions, and dry time information. It's all important.

I generally spray paint outdoors on big pieces of cardboard. Or, sometimes, I spread a tarp on the ground.

You want to do thin, thin, light coats of the spray paint. Also, always start spraying before you hit the piece with paint. That way if the paint sputters or has a globby piece from the nozzle, it won't ruin the finish of your soon-to-be prized decor piece. Nothing is worse than drips of paint running down a finished piece.

Of course, these faux ironstone pieces are decor pieces.  I would never use them to serve food on. However, the pitchers are great for fresh flowers (I don't spray the inside).

Pictures - before and after images

I have probably changed my decor numerous times since I took those pictures. Those are in a house I no longer live in!

I still have these pitchers though and they are almost 10 years old now!

Let me show you more of what they looked like and what they ended up as.

I bought these at a second-hand store. I was looking for the shape of the body (rounded), the shape of the top opening (wide) and different textures.

Below is the BEFORE. See how dated it looks.

Below is how the pitcher looks after its DIY transformation. By displaying them in a spot where people can't look at them really closely, no one realizes they aren't the genuine thing.

Yes, really, the above two pictures are the same pitcher. Sorry, I didn't take them at the same angle and in the same light, but trust me, they are!!

Spray painting tips

It was fun spray painting! It felt good to take something old and make it look new again! And to do it outside.

Use good quality spray paint.  I prefer Rustoleum.  And use thin, even coats.  Do not spray thick coats because they won't dry well.  You're better off having to spend a little extra time doing an extra coat or two.

Look closely at the pitchers above. You can still see the pattern peek out. It took a total of 3 coats, and they were perfectly covered!

Other spray-painted projects