BEFORE AND AFTER: Bird cages and other finished projects....

I get so excited about projects that I have stacked up a bunch of things that I am going to redo, revise, or re-invent.  They sit in my newly organized garage waiting patiently.  I have made some progress with the bird cages I showed you here http://mylifeinstages.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-treasures.html and the magazine rack and cake stand that was mentioned way back here http://mylifeinstages.blogspot.com/2010/02/projects.html

I gotta say I am  a bit embarrassed that it has taken me so long to post the "after" on these but it was mostly because I wasn't satisfied with them.  I thought I somehow needed to make them even better, but I never really figured that part out.  So, in reality, it has taken me this long to give up the idea of perfection I had in my head and just move on!  Ha! 

I hope you enjoy looking.  Leave comments with suggestions if you have ideas for me! 

Bird cages before and after

This cage was tole painted and had little filials on all the corners.  It was supposed to anyway, but it was missing one.  I took them all off and put wood putty in the holes.  It looked like it needed something though so I found some little wooden ones at Micheal's and spray painted them to match the cage.  It took alot of sanding, several coats of primer, and multiple coats of heirloom white to cover the designs!  Who knew tole paint was so indestructible? 

  Here it is just painted.  Should I glaze it with a brown and distress it a bit?  What do you think?

This little wicker cage didn't have anything wrong with it.  It was stuffed full of flowers when I found it at Goodwill.  After pulling them out and washing them and the cage, I saw it was in good shape, just a little bit dull. 

I painted it a celery color which I just love, and think it would be a great cage to use as a card holder at a wedding reception, retirement, or anniversary party. 

The gold tone bird cage looked hopelessly outdated.  The door of the cage was slightly bent and I wasn't sure that I could make it look updated with the hearts on the sides. 

My husband fixed the door, I painted several coats of a satin black paint, added some angels and flowers and it looks vintage modern to me now. 

 I just love these little cherubs...

One more bird cage that was a quick update.  Remember this picture from the birdbath post?  Well, look at the little goldy yellow bird cage.  I liked the style but NOT the color. 

Trying for an "industrial" look.  What do you think? 

Magazine rack  ~

Here is the before with primer, it was actually a varnished dark wood when I started but it was my first project and I forgot the before pic! 

I painted it with a Rustoleum barn red color (can't remember the actual name). Then it seemed a bit bright so I distressed it slightly and glazed it with some brown.  Then it was too dark so I put more red color on it.  I think I like it now, it is only slightly distressed and glazed so it looks more vintage-y to me that way.

I love the style of this vintage piece!

Cake Plate

Here is the before of the cake plate.  It actually looks better in the photo.

Here is the after.

I had hoped for better definition of the fruit.  I painted it in Rustoleum Claret Wine is Satin and then glazed it with burnt umber to highlight the detail.  It looks more like a holiday plate now. 

So, tell me what you think?

Linking to :

The DIY Showoff- http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2010/10/diy-project-parade.html
Between Naps on the Porch - http://mylifeinstages.blogspot.com/2010/10/bird-cages-and-other-finished-projects.html
http://diane1876.blogspot.com/2010/10/2nd-time-around-pictures-from.html
Thrifty Decor Chick http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/10/before-and-after-party-buh-bye-ceiling.html