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Adding a Fun Look to Baskets with Paint - Προσθέτοντας  ΧΡΏΜa σε καλάθια

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I know that it’s been chilly out there for most of you and even thought I live in a coastal town near the water, it has been chilly for me too.  When I have a moment to relax, I like to snuggle on my couch with a blanket and my pillows.  The problem is I have nowhere to store them when they are not in use. This old basket looked like the perfect candidate for storing my snugglies.  But first it  needed a makeover.

 

Ξέρω ότι κάνει πολυ κρύο για τους περισσότερους από εσάς, και  ενώ  εγώ   ζω  σε  μια παραθαλάσσια πόλη κοντά στο νερό, κρυώνω και εγώ. Όταν έχω μια στιγμή χαλάρωσης, μου αρέσει να φωλιάζω στον καναπέ μου με μια κουβέρτα και τα μαξιλάρια μου. Το πρόβλημα είναι ότι δεν έχω πουθενά να αποθηκεύσω τα χουζούρικα μου. Αυτό το παλιό καλάθι μοιαζει σαν τέλειο υποψήφιο. Πρώτα, όμως, χρειάζεται μια ανανεώσει.
A natural wicker basket befor, A basket for My Snugglies - The Boondocks blog
Looking through my trusty stash of paints I found this – and no I am not getting paid to show you this (although I should be).  

Κοιτώντας μέσα στα χρώματα μου βρήκα αυτό – και όχι δεν  πληρώνομαι για να σας το δείξω (αν και θα έπρεπε).

Folk Art acrylic paint - A basket for my Snugglies - The boondocks blog
I started off by painted the obvious top and bottom reeds which are thicker than the rest.

Ξεκίνησα να ζωγραφίζω τα πάνω και κάτω καλάμια που είναι πιο παχιά από τα υπόλοιπα.

Top and bottom of basket painted white , A basket for my Snugglies - The Boondocks blog
And a little inside.

Λίγο από μέσα.

Inside top basket painted white, A basket for my snugglies - The Boondocks blog
I mixed some black into the white and came up with this grey which varies in places.  I applied it to the handles and the two reeds which went down the front of the basket. 

Ανακάτεψα μαύρο στο άσπρο και κατέληξα με αυτό το γκρι που διαφέρει σε ορισμένα σημεία. Το εφάρμοσα στις λαβές και τα δύο καλάμια που ειναι στο μπροστινό μέρος του καλαθιού.

Front view of painted basket with black trim, A basket for my Snugglies- The Boondocks blog
And lastly, I added these circles just to make things more interesting.  I used jar caps of varying sizes to loosely outline the circles, not worrying if it was not perfect. 

Και τελευταία, πρόσθεσα στους κύκλους αυτούς μόνο για να εχει πιο ενδιαφέρον. Χρησιμοποίησα καπάκια βάζο διάφορων μεγεθών για να περιγράψω χαλαρά τους κύκλους, χωρίς να ανησυχώ αν δεν ήταν τέλεια.

Circles drawn in cener of basket, A basket for my Snugglies - The Boondocks Blog
I also distressed all the paint in various places by using a wet towel. Maybe I took off more than I should have!  But it looks like it’s been in use forever!

Έτριψα όλα τα χρώματα, σε διάφορα σημεία, χρησιμοποιώντας μια βρεγμένη πετσέτα. Ίσως έβγαλα περισσότερα από ότι θα έπρεπε! Αλλά φαίνεται σαν να το είχα έτσι για πάντα!

Detail of top of basket, Abasket for my Snugglies - The Boondocks Blog
And there it is, my basket to store all my snugglies.  

Και να’το, το καλάθι μου για να αποθηκεύω όλα τα μαξιλάρια και τις  κουβέρτες,  δηλαδή  τα χουζούρικα μου.

Front view of painted basket, A basket for my Snugglies -The boondocks blog
Finished basket full of blankets, A basket for my snugglies - the Boondocks blog
It also holds my pillow that I made from a sweater.  This is all the rage right now.  If you would like a tutorial, just let me know.  I’ve made about four of them so far and if I stay indoors much longer the house will be full of them!!  

Επισεις κρατά το μαξιλάρι μου που έκανα από ένα πουλόβερ. Είναι πολυ τις μόδας αυτή τη στιγμή. Αν θέλετε να δείτε πως το έφτιαξα, απλά ενημερώστε με. Έχω κάνει περίπου  τέσσερα μέχρι στιγμής και αν μένω κλεισμένη μέσα πολύ περισσότερο το σπίτι θα είναι γεμάτο με αυτά!!

Detail of distressed handle in basket, A basket for my Snugglies - The Boondocks blog
Detail of front of basket, A basket for my snugglies - The Boondocks blog
Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links and link to Amazon.com. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission, that way I can continue to provide you with lovely content.  There is no extra charge to you for purchasing through my affiliate links.

Adding interest to a basket by painting designs on it, #DIYbasket #Paintedbasket #Easycrafts #Fullpainting #Paintingbaskets A basket for my snugglies - The Boondocks Blog
I think I did a pretty good  job of giving some much needed life to this old basket for my snugglies.  And now that I’ m done, I’ll just grab those blankets and my new pillow and snuggle up on my comfy couch!  It is sunny but ohhhh so windy right now.  Do you have a special  place where you store your snugglies?  

Νομίζω ότι έκανα καλή δουλειά ώστε να δώσω ζωή σε αυτό το παλιό καλάθι για τα χουζούρικα μου. Και τώρα που τελείωσα θα αρπάξω αυτές τις κουβέρτες και τα μαξιλάρια μου και χωθώ στο άνετο καναπέ μου! Είναι ηλιόλουστο μέρα, αλλά φυσάει  πάρα   πολυ.  Έχετε μια ιδιαίτερη θέση όπου αποθηκεύετε τα χουζούρικα σας;

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This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here.

I love it when I get your comments and I will reply to each and every one of them. ​

Μ ‘αρέσει όταν παίρνω τα σχόλιά σας και θα απαντήσω σε καθένα από αυτά.
  1. Rina says:

    Such a cute idea! Thanks so much for linking up at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop!

  2. Abby says:

    My mom had an old wicker basket that held all our blankets when I was growing up, so this reminds me of cozy moments from my childhood. I love it!
    Thanks for linking up with The Alder Collective! Your posts have been pinned to our group party board. We hope you’ll join us again tomorrow at 8 pm EST.

    • Mary says:

      Thanks for visiting Abby, and for sharing your childhood memories. I too hope to pass on some of those to my children. I’ll see you tonight.

  3. What a fun way to spruce up a basket Mary! Pinning and sharing:). Hope you are having a good week. Take care, Tara

  4. Life Loving says:

    This looks great Mary, much more interesting than the way it was before. The paint has really livened up the basket.
    Sally @ Life Loving
    #LifeLovingLinkie

  5. Ginger says:

    I love baskets, This was a great help to do them very arty .
    Thank you for sharing.

    • Mary says:

      It was an easy upcycle and it makes a world of difference . Thank you for visiting.

  6. Cristina says:

    Such a great idea. It looks so good.

  7. Mimi says:

    Mary, I love a bit of spontaneous organising! Thanks for sharing at Five Star Frou-Frou this week. Love, Mimi xxx

    • Mary says:

      Mimi, I’m so happy you’re back! Yes, now is the time for some organising and this is a great way to do it.

  8. Stella Lee says:

    I think you’ve just solved a storage problem for me too. Although I’ll need something the cat can’t sleep in :o)

    • Mary says:

      Those cats, always getting into trouble. You need one basket for the cat and one for the pillows. 🙂

  9. Mary, what a great basket upcycle. It’s perfect for storing your warm and cozies. Thank you for sharing @Vintage Charm!

  10. Thanks for sharing on #overthemoon I love your basket it is rustic like winter

  11. I have all my throws in a basket in my living room, but my basket is plain and not pretty. Good thing I have lots of paint. Now I am going to have to get to work and paint that basket! Thanks!

  12. I love this Mary! You’ve inspired me! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Sharing on Fb! Have a great week!
    Kim

  13. Beverly says:

    I love the character you gave to the plain basket, Mary. It looks great. Pinned and Tweeted. Thanks for partying with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday.

  14. Laurie says:

    Hi Mary! This basket makeover is really cool. I like the colors that you used. It really adds interest to an ordinary basket. I think a perfect place to keep your blankets. Thanks for sharing at Brag About It. Pinned and tweeted 🙂

    • Mary says:

      Thank you Laurie, Now that I have a spot for my snugglies, I can go ahead and create more pillows .. just what I need. lol

  15. Sandra Garth says:

    I’m more apt to throw out a basket that’s lost it’s luster. This is a very good idea.

  16. Louisa says:

    This looks really good. I like that you have decorated the basket with shapes rather than a solid colour, it adds a lot of interest. I’m after a basket myself to store all our blankets and throws! #handmademonday

  17. I love the circle in the middle! Too cute makeover. Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
    Kim

  18. Rhonda says:

    I love the basket. It’s perfect for housing the pillows or toys for the kids. I would love to have a tutorial on the sweater pillows. Hope you will post it soon. Perfect winter project. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best.

  19. Kippi says:

    Great update for a basket. I have some baskets I love but the color does not work so I am going to paint them.
    Happy fall,
    Kippi

  20. Looks great Mary, and you distressed it in all the right places! I love how you made a design instead of painting it all one color. I have a couple baskets that sure could use a makeover.

  21. Michelle says:

    Excellent idea! I have a big basket I use for shoes. But it would be great for throws and pillows.

  22. Bree says:

    This is so cute and with a bit of paint youhave changed the whole look…#SeniSal

  23. Lovely and simple – but a great effect. Thanks for sharing a project that we can easily do. 🙂

  24. candy says:

    Painting baskets is something I have done for years. Easy way to update and decorate cheaply. Found you on Blogger’s Pit Stop Link Party.

  25. Botanic Bleu says:

    Mary,
    The basket is perfect for storing your snuggies. Years ago on Cyprus, I bought a basket at a wine-tasting festival. Long ago I painted it white and still love it painted white. Thanks for joining Monday Social.
    Judith

  26. Mary, love this basket. Very unique. You really enhanced it will the decorative paint design. Looks great. Thanks for sharing at YID.

  27. Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick from my Commenters at #ThursdayFavoriteThings this week. Visit me at http://marilynstreats.com on Wednesday evening and to see your feature and grab your badge! All hosts choose their own features so be sure to return to my blog. I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon.

  28. Cecilia says:

    Mary, I adore baskets for storage and love your upcycle! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm!

  29. Hi Mary: I was never a basket fan until last year. I went and got a couple of them to store my couch throws in. Before that I would place them pretty on the couch, still do sometimes, but its nice to have them put away yet nearby.

    • Mary says:

      I’ve always had baskets big and small for various reasons. I also use this one for the many pillows I have and it creates nice texture in the room.

  30. debbie says:

    A great basket upgrade!

  31. Amber Harrop says:

    This is a great update of the basket Mary

  32. Donella says:

    Love the basket makeover… It looks gorgeous now!

  33. ‘Οπως πάντα έκανες εξαιρετική δουλειά Μαίρη μου. Πήρες ένα συνηθισμένο καλάθι και το μετέτρεψες σε κάτι διακοσμητικό και χρηστικό ταυτόχρονα. Πραγματικά και μόνο κοιτάζοντας το σου έρχεται να ξεδιπλώσεις την κουβερτούλα και να χουζουρέψεις στον καναπέ. Φιλιά και καλή συνέχεια!

    • Mary says:

      Ευχαριστω Χριστία μου. Και δεν θα μπορούσα να το τελειώσω αυτό χωρις την βοήθειά σου. Τι θα έκανα για τίτλο;

  34. ohhhh love love love! 🙂 I snuggle on the couch from about 9 – 10 or 11pm each evening I can and watch tv and crochet. I so need a place to store my blankets vs leaving them tossed on various furniture pieces. Your basket is awesome, simple yet very modern and shabby too!

    • Mary says:

      I tried to incorporate all the trends into this one. Modern yet shabby! lol The important thing is that it should not be bland and that it serve a function!

  35. Kathleen says:

    Wow, great minds really do think alike lol….I’m currently in the process of making something VERY similar for a challenge group I’m in….seriously, the similarities are uncanny! Obviously I think your idea is grand! haha We could all use more storage for our “snugglies” and we have a ton of those around my house…so many blankets, we’re a house full of 5 couch potatoes! Great job!
    xoKathleen

    • Mary says:

      So you understand me perfectly Kathleen! I would sit on the couch and have to remove so many pillows. Now they’ll be all tucked away! I’m looking forward to seeing my twin on your blog! And of course, great minds think alike! 😉

  36. Ntina says:

    Φυσικά και θέλουμε να δουμε πως εφτιαξες το μαξιλάρι απο το πουλόβερ!!! Πολύ όμορφο το καλάθι Μαίρη έγινε τόσο ιδιαίτερο και μοναδικό!

    • Mary says:

      Ευχαριστω Ντινα μου!! Τώρα περνάω φάση που όλη μέρα φτιαχνω μαξιλάρια … ότι βρω μπροστά μου το κάνω μαξιλάρι.. Χαχαχα!

  37. Lynn Spencer says:

    Hi Twin Mary…You are right…you have the perfect basket for me to store my new blanket it! I really like how you made it look a little old and well loved…you gave it some character. Well done you!
    Hugs and Snuggles…Lynn

    • Mary says:

      See, I told you we are so in sync it’s not funny! Now I’m going to make some pillows and you make another blanket… and we go on from there, pretty soon we can open a store! 😉

  38. Keri says:

    Mary, I love the makeover you gave this basket!! It looks so beautiful with the white and black touches you gave it!! You’re right you should be getting paid to show off that paint. 😉 I like your sweater pillow and think a tutorial would be very welcomed by everyone who follows your blog!! 🙂

    • Mary says:

      Thanks Keri! I just finished another pillow! The house will be overflowing with them.. Hahaha. My husband has no where to sit on the couch since it is full of pillows. I think I really needed that basket! 😉

  39. Mary, I love your painted basket. Great idea!

    • Mary says:

      Carol, we desperately needed to liven things up a bit, but in a soft way… no crazy colors for me. At least not this week.

  40. You put the ‘fun’ in this functional basket…love the transformation Mary! Awesome idea to give a fresh twist to an ordinary item. Not only a great storage piece, but a work of art indeed!!!

    • Mary says:

      Michelle thank you for your kind words. I am in the process of transforming everything in the house now. Nothing shall escape my paint brush! LOL!

  41. JoAnne says:

    So cute, Mary – that gives me some ideas for some of the baskets I have. Snuggling on the couch is definitely a favorite activity this time of year!

    • Mary says:

      Now I can snuggle and not worry able tripping all over my pillows afterwards.Thanks for stopping by JoAnne!

  42. I love a good basket refresh! You added the perfect touch of character. Love that it’s so big and the perfect size to stow your cuddlies:) Nice job my friend!

    • Mary says:

      Wendi I’ve had this old thing forever, and it shows. lol It was either get a make over or out the door! I’m so glad I was able to reuse it.

  43. Krista says:

    That is such a great wicker basket. It turned out nice. I can totally understand the need to snuggle up. I live by the coast and near the water as well – although it can be milder here than inland, it does get chilly. In the blizzard last weekend, I think we actually got more snow than the rest of the state – I know we got more wind! Burrr….
    You should show us your sweater pillows.

    • Mary says:

      Krista you are describing my situation exactly. We don’t get snow because we are at sea level but we have a lot of dampness so we light the fireplace in the winter.

  44. Katrin says:

    I’m on my sofa right now coverd up with a snuggly…it’s cold here as well…That basket looks super cool Mary! Those circles give it the needed uplift and make it stand out! I love baskets and I store magazines in them and I have another one also with blankets in it! Great way for storing them I think!

    • Mary says:

      I too had once stored old magazines and books in it, but I think it is much happier holding the “snugglies”!

  45. Absolutely love it! So simple yet such a transformation.
    I end up despairing every morning when our couches and floor are covered in cushions and blankets, it looks such a mess! I think I need a basket to throw them all in and voila – instant tidy! 🙂 Now to find a nice basket. Roll on car boot season (UK yard sales!).

    • Mary says:

      It should be easy enough to find. I love yard sales and garage sales all those fun things. It’s too bad they don’t have them here in Greece.

  46. Anne says:

    I love this basket, Mary!!
    Anne.

    • Mary says:

      Thank you Anne! I’m starting to enjoy all this distressing, I can take my frustrations out on the furniture!

  47. The basket was nice to begin with but when you added your special touch you made it into something special. I like the color combo you chose and how you added the circles. That really was a nice detail.

    • Mary says:

      Debra I had lived with it in that form for many years. I think I’m on a quest to put the paint brush to everything in the house. You’ll be proud of me. “Leave no surface unpainted” will be my slogan!

  48. Gina says:

    This is so cute! I love baskets. I’m a little obsessed sometimes. It can be a little hard for me to find the perfect basket at times. This tutorial is perfect to make the basket of my dreams. I definitely don’t think that you did too much distressing. It looks perfect! It’s the perfect basket for snugglies!

  49. My snuggy basket got taken over as a shoe basket! My daughter takes off her shoes in front of the entry door and at one time I counted 7 pairs of shoes, I knew if I didn’t do something I was going to fall over them! So now my snuggies just stay on the couch, in the spring/summer I’m going to have to find a spot for them!
    I like the basket, a lot! I think you’ve taken off the right amount of paint, it looks fantastic! It looks as old as the basket itself! Great job, a really cool basket full of warmth!!!

    • Mary says:

      You’re right it does look as old as it should be. It’s actually about 22 years old…And now with the paint like that it commands respect. Thanks Nikki.. you really have a way of helping me acticulate and reach clarity!

  50. TwoPlusCute says:

    Tέλειο το καλάθι και να “πετάξω” μια γνώμη: βεβαίως και να κάνεις ποστ για τα μαξιλάρια και μην ξεχάσεις να βάλεις connecting link εδώ. 😉

    • Mary says:

      Ευχαριστω για την πολύτιμη σου γνώμη! Σε λίγο θα γεμίσει το βλογ με μαξιλάρια! Αλλα αυτό ειναι καλό για τον χειμώνα!

  51. Wow, what a great job taking a simple basket and customizing it for your taste! Bonus, it is functional too – a great place to store your snugglies! We just drape our over the couch so they become part of the decor 🙂

    • Mary says:

      Erin, if I put all my pillows on the couch there would only be room for me and no one else. The snugglie invasion! 😉

  52. Kimberley says:

    Hi Mary,
    Love how you transformed that basket! Love the design and the colors you chose…it looks nicer than anything you could buy and you made it yourself!
    Happy rest of your weekend! Hugs! Kimberley

    • Mary says:

      Handcrafted is always the best, no room for error or not liking it. Well, most of the time anyway! Thanks Kimberley for your sweet comment.

  53. julie says:

    My snuggly blanket is supposed to drap elegantly over the end of the sofa – ha ha. Most of the time it has slipped down behind in a crumply old heap! Now if I had a nice place for it to go… maybe like a beautiful basket…. then people would put it away! Great idea and lovely makeover.

    • Mary says:

      Julie, this is what happens to my stuff also. The pillows all ended up on one chair and it looked like a mountain. The blankets on the floor. Now go find yourself a basket! 😉

  54. Pili says:

    I also have a wicker basket for all of our blankets, we brought it home from my mother in law house together with some other treasures.
    Yours looked plain as mine, but you did a great job! Those circles are really cool, and the two tones make it really pretty now.

    • Mary says:

      Pili something had to be done to save it from it’s boring self. I like it so much more now, and it is serving a purpose.

  55. Lindsay says:

    I like what you’ve done Mary, you’ve jazzed it up and rid it of the generic, plain jane look. I need to get a basket for all the blankets on our couches, too. They’re all over the darn place.

    • Mary says:

      It really needed some jazzing up and a little distressing too, because I have to mix all the trends together and create a who knows what! Now find yourself a basket and follow my tutorial! And put your cuties inside!

  56. Ilka says:

    Mary – I used to paint my baskets, too. I always thought it get them a much better look! Love what you did with that simple basket – it turned out great! 🙂

    • Mary says:

      Ilka I’m a great believer in the power of paint. And if anyone was a candidate for painting it was this old sorry basket.

  57. LOVE what you did with this basket Mary! It has so much rustic charm now. I have a similar basket and was just thinking the other day how it needed a refresh. Perfect timing for me to see yours! Pinning to share. Enjoy your snuggles!

    • Mary says:

      Marie, I’ve been taking notes form the master. I too like to take my frustrations out while distressing! And a refresh was long overdue for this basket. It’s even older than some of my kids.

    • Mary, I love your basket so much that I’ve pinned it to our DIY Sunday Showcase Talent Board. It was in my Top Six Favs for this party this weekend!

  58. I love that word, ‘snugglies’ :).
    I don’t have a special place where I store my snugglies Mary. I don’t really have any pillows that need to be stored, and my blankets are just used as throws on the sofas and chairs so I’m good,
    Your basket looks beautiful, and I’m sure your snugglies are happy!

    • Mary says:

      Doreen if I just threw my snugglies on the couch there would be no room for me. I’m on a pillow binge right now and am transforming everything into pillows so .. well you get why I need the storage.

  59. Shane says:

    The perfect solution Mary.
    I love baskets and you’ve made a great job of upcycling this one for your pillows!
    Shane

  60. Jessica says:

    I love snuggling on the couch with a nice warm blanket, too, but I end up needing to put my blanket in the hall closet in between uses. A basket like this would be a perfect solution! I love the way your turned out. I would also love to see the tutorial for turning a sweater into a pillow!

    • Mary says:

      Jessica for the longest time I had it in the bedroom and just moved it to the living room now that it’s all spruced up.

  61. Great idea for storing your snugglies close at hand. Your basket makeover turned out really pretty! I have a couple of soft snugglies too, that I keep on the back of my chair, but love the idea of the basket, that way there nearby but neatly stored.

    • Mary says:

      Exactly Linda, I had them on the couch before, but wanted somewhere to store at least half of them.

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