It’s time to get real. This whole blogging process has forced me to be a lot more open than I normally am. Every post is putting a little bit of me out there, which is something that I’m just not used to doing. Blogging has forced me to improve in areas that I don’t excel in (eh hem – photography) and continue to do the things that I love (like everything DIY) and share it with all of you! Although I am loving the overall blogging process, challenges and all, I must admit, there are parts about all of this that I just don’t love doing.
Staging photographs is one of those areas that is not my favorite. I told you I was going to get real in this post, so let me be honest with you. I usually dread setting up a project before photographing it. Most of the time, I exclude everything else from the picture and just take a photo of the object (a big “no-no”, I know). But before we get to that dilemma, let’s talk about the part I enjoy – painting and creating! This post contains affiliate links, marked with an asterisk. Feel free to read about our disclosure policy here.
I found this metal cart at an estate sale, and although I actually liked the green, it was a bit scratched and dinged up, and I didn’t think the green would appeal to many others, so I decided to spray paint it. I used Rustoleum spray paint in a satin finish and gave the cart two coats of paint.
I found this paper at a local stationary store and knew it would be perfect for my little cart. I laid it out and folded the ends so that the edges matched the inside lip of the cart. After cutting out each piece with a rotary cutter (nice clean, straight lines), I marked the corners off and cut the pieces off.
I sprayed each piece of paper with Clear Acrylic Spray
After it dried, I applied 3 coats of Satin Polycrylic
This wrinkling (on the left) scared me, but it ended up drying just fine (right).
So, when I finished up this vintage metal cart, it was time to figure out how in the world I was going to photograph this large object and make it look semi-nice. Yep, I’m not even looking for beautiful here, just “nice”. Ugh. Welcome to my least favorite part of this whole process.
But then, as I started to get going, I actually began to enjoy this one. As I’m starting to develop my design style and collect unique finds from various sales, I realized I have a lot more options to choose from.
Some vintage blue mason jars, a copper watering can with sunflowers from the garden, and a basket and kitchen towels I had laying around the house…maybe this cart isn’t looking half bad.
Oh yeah, those chairs are vintage wooden folding chairs that I found at a thrift store a couple of months back and painted. They’ll be for sale at a flea market I’m selling at in a couple of weeks, but for now, they’re props!
I finally learned how to use my camera in manual mode, so taking the pictures is no longer a step I dread. In fact, once I’ve dragged myself through that process of staging a photo, I actually enjoy taking photos of it.
Right, so I think I actually made it look nice. But I told you I was going to get real in this post. Even though I enjoyed staging this photo this time around, it’s still not my cup of tea (or water).
Here’s the reality of this photo shoot:
I took photos before adding Polycrylic to the top. Of course condensation would form on the glass and drip on my paper. (Don’t worry, it dried out.)
This was in the middle of my living room. I needed to take a basket from somewhere.
Those jars are dirty. I grabbed them out of my garage and quickly rinsed them. …and then my 18 month old tried to drink out of them.
One of the wheels in missing. (How do I loose everything? I had it a month ago…)
My gravel driveway is about two feet from that photo shoot. Gross.
Those are weeds, not grass.
I really still don’t enjoy staging photos.
But here’s what you get to see!
Like what you see? I’d love for you to follow along!
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Such a cute cart, I love that paper. And you’re honesty! 🙂
Thanks, Kim!! I bought the paper without knowing it would be used for this cart. I may need to go back and get one more sheet for that middle shelf.
OH good grief, I hate grammar errors. I mean YOUR, not YOU’RE. 😉
Great revamp project, oh I feel ya on the staging thing. Most of my furniture shots are in the yard as well. I can never seem to get a decent shot inside natural lighting works best for me. That is something I need to get a handle on. Phone cameras are not DSL for sure…..
And hey … Guess what, I didn’t even notice those weeds!
Thanks Brenda! I’m glad to hear there are others like me. I’m sure once I get the hang of it, I’ll continue learning, and eventually like it, but right now I’m in the struggling through it phase!
a) I love this project. I have been looking for a cart like for my new kitchen. b) I so feel you with staging photos. I’m terrible at it and it’s my least favorite part of the blogging process! Thank you for sharing your project and for your honesty!
Jenny, I really like how you redid this bar cart. The paper and the blue paint you chose are perfect.
Take care, Tara
P.S. I don’t like staging pics either:)
Thanks, Tara! (I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one.)
I love this cart makeover! The color is perfect, and that paper is adorable! I was laughing out loud at your photo shoot honesty – we’ve all been there! Thanks so much for stopping by Talented Tuesdays and sharing with us!
Thanks, Amy! I’m glad to hear others are in the same boat!
I love the cart makeover! I have one almost identical at our cottage that I just began making over a few weeks ago with red paint. I love it when I find ideas for similar items 🙂 Thanks for posting. Lisa
Oooh, I bet the red looks awesome! I sure do love these vintage carts.
If you wanted to get the paper off how would you do that?
Funny that you ask that, because I recently removed the paper from my cart! However, the reason I had to remove it was because I brought it with to use at a market and there was a massive rain/hail storm, the tent blew off, and it got pretty soaked. I was able to peel off some of the paper after this happened, so I would suggest maybe putting a damp cloth over the paper for awhile, and then seeing if it penetrated the finish enough to remove the paper? That’s completely a guess though. The way I finished it was supposed to be a pretty permanent finish, but obviously not enough to withstand a rain storm!