EASY TO USE PAINT AND PATINA SPRAY TURN THIS DATED THRIFT VASE INTO ARTISTIC DECOR WITH A FAUX BRONZE FINISH!
I have a super simple DIY thrift project for you today. I’m transforming this Thrift Store floor vase into an artistic bronze patina show stopper!
Last week I searched my inventory for a piece of furniture to paint and quite honestly, I was getting a little frustrated. Even though there’s potential sitting there, I couldn’t decide on a piece. Nothing was inspiring me. Nothing. So the next best thing is to practice a new paint technique on something other than furniture, right?!? 😉
I dragged out this dated vase to see if I could create an antiqued faux bronze patina.
Here’s what I started with… a little dirty and tired looking but it has interesting shape and texture.
This is after the bronze paint and patina spray worked its magic. What do you think?
It reminds me of the pottery of ancient Greece or Italy!
THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST::
-
- Thrift Floor Vase – SALVAGED
- Shop Towels
- Chip Brush
- Coffee Bean Chalk Mineral Paint
- Gravel Road Chalk Mineral Paint
- Spanish Moss Chalk Mineral Paint
- Bronze Patina Paint
- Green Patina Spray
HOW TO – BRONZE PATINA::
As I said, this is super simple. You really can’t screw anything up with this patina finish.
I started by painting a coat of Bronze Patina Paint on the top and bottom of the vase because this is where I wanted most of the patina to be. I originally thought I was going to leave the middle white but I changed my mind halfway through.
Tip ~ The key to working with this bronze paint and patina spray is to give them a good stir/shake because all the ‘active’ ingredients tend to settle to the bottom.
I wasn’t liking the white middle and felt it needed more interest and depth so I used a cheap chip brush to dab on some Gravel Road, Spanish Moss and Coffee Bean in a random pattern. Kind of looks like stone, right!
After that dried, I added more Bronze paint and while it’s still WET, sprayed with the patina accelerator.
It takes between 2-6 hours for the patina magic to happen.
I let the patina spray drip down this vase because I really like the drip-effect on this particular piece, but if you’re not into the drippy look, they are easy to wipe off with a shop towel while still wet.
And just for a comparison, here’s my very first attempt at a patina finish using the RUST/IRON paint. You can see the full tutorial here and I’ve linked to it at the bottom of this post too.
My takeaway ~ A great place to practice a brand new finish is on a smaller item.
Even though I couldn’t find a piece of furniture this week, I’m happy I tried this bronze finish. I think this antiqued/old world look will look amazing on the right piece of furniture and I’ll have more confidence doing it.
Before I let you go, a BIG thank you to all of you who took the time to fill out the 2019 SI Blog Survey. I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to help. All your comments were informative and heartwarming. Three (3) $25 Amazon Gift Cards have been randomly mailed, and again – thank you, everyone! It really helps me create content and tutorials that YOU find practical and inspiring. 🙂
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS BRONZE PATINA VASE MAKEOVER AND IF YOU’D ATTEMPT TO TRY THIS ON FURNITURE?… OR FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU.
Happy furniture painting my friends!
Denise x
Hello again... I'm so happy you dropped by! Let's keep in touch! Follow me on social media or sign up for a dose of furniture painting inspiration and diy tutorials. :) 
This looks amazing!! Do you think I can do this on a lampshade?
Thanks Lisa! I’ve never tried this on a lampshade so I’m not sure how the patina would react on. If you give it a try, I’d LOVE to hear how it turns out tho!
Love the look of the patinaed vase. I have two very old iron anchors that are covered in rust. Would the DB patina spray work on them? Or would I still need to coat them with the DB bronze paint first? Thank you for your input?
Hi Gayle! Iron Anchors would look soooo gooood! Yes. DB Patina spray would work for sure but if you didn’t want the patina spray eating through your iron anchors, this primer should be used first. Hope this helps 🙂
Hi Denise. The vase came out awesome. I wonder if I could do this to a concrete bench.? Or would that not look right.?
Hi Tanja! Hmm, great question! You can paint concrete so I don’t see why it wouldn’t work but I’m guessing here because I’ve never actually tried this. That said, I LOVE your idea!!
Can I use this method on glass?
Lovely work. Do you think this would work OK on wooden hollow core doors> I have a set of doors smack bang in from our front door (storage) and want to make a bit of a statement.. Would like to incorporate some metalware here and there for emphasis.
It sure would! And that would be dramatic and amazing! Love this idea Michele!
This vase looks great! Do you know if this would work on clay pots? I have a myriad of houseplants and this would perk up their pots. Some are plastic and some are clay.
Thanks Jules and YES, this will definitely work on clay pots or plastic!
That turned out really nice,with so much more character than it started with.. Great results!
Thanks Tracy! It was a great tester piece and I love the results so it’s a win win. 🙂
I love it! Looks fantastic.
But it’s so funny! I am in the process of repainting my coffee table using this technique. I started it on Sunday and hope to finish it up by tomorrow. But now I am going to shop my thrift store finds to see if I can find a decorative piece to paint as well. I think I may even hit my chandelier!
Thanks as always for the wonderful inspiration you provide!
Thanks… and this would look amazing on a chandelier! Have fun with your coffee table Rebecca. 🙂
You did a beautiful job on this vase, Denise! Love how you left the drips, they add so much character and charm to the bronze patina. Will we get to see it staged with your amazing furniture makeovers?
Thanks Marie, and yes! I think it will make a really good ‘prop’ for styling. Hope you’re having a beautiful day my friend. x
How cool!!! Love this. As usual, your work is fabulous and instructions are clear.
Thanks Jeannie! 🙂
The texture on the vase makes it a great candidate for this finish. Good job!
I know… isn’t it great! thanks Anne! 🙂
This finish reminds me of an old bronze oxidized statue. Beautiful and artistic, Love your work and creativity.
Thanks so much, Nicki!
The Bronze Patina Vase is ABSOLUTELY stunning! I LOVE it!!!!! You did a great job!!!
Thanks, Tess! XO
Hi Denise. I love how you turned a plain vase into a high end showstopper! Beautiful piece. I can’t wait to try something like this myself. Thanks for the inspiration:)
Thanks, it really does look waaaaay better, doesn’t it! 😉
Another great piece. Love this for my outdoor oasis. Keep them coming. 🥰
It would look great on a patio or in a garden! Thanks, Roseann. 🙂
Denise, I love the blend of colors and how the paint looks like real patina. After the spray dries and it doesn’t look good, can it be painted over and maybe start again? Also, do you seal the furniture that you use this technique on? I really have learned so much from you. Thanks for giving such good instructions!!
YES! This is a finish you can’t go wrong with because I just painted right over and started again in the areas I wasn’t happy with. And ya, I sealed the waterfall dresser to protect it but I did not seal this vase. No need really. 🙂
Wow that is incredible! Love the look. I want to do this on a planter outside. Thanks for the directions.
Thanks Gay, much appreciated! And ya, it would make a stunning outdoor planter imo! 🙂 I have a few cheap looking outdoor planters that I may do the same with!
Your piece is beautiful. I would try it on a small piece first. l Great job.
Thanks, Jan! 🙂
I only recently discovered your blog via Pinterest. I rarely subscribe to blogs but I am so glad I did with this one. So far, I have loved all of the pieces you have featured and I especially appreciate the clear ‘how to’ tips and instructions. It is inspiring and fun. Thank you so much.
Antje
Thanks so much, Antje and so happy you’re part of the #siblog family! Glad you’re liking the How-To’s. 🙂
Amazing!
Thank you, Donna! X
Woah! It turned out amazing! Don’t you just love playing with the Patina line? I have my eye out for a few big urn type vases too. Great job as always. :
xo, Do 🙂
You were right, it’s a little addictive! 😉 Have a super day my friend. x
Yes! Finally! I have been wanting to do furniture like this! The vase is fabulous, and something that size or smaller would be perfect as a learning piece. Cannot wait to see what you do with something larger🥰
Does the patina paint by itself evolve into the same look, or is it necessary to use the spray accelerator?
Again…beautiful work!
Hi Deb! 🙂 I can’t wait to try this bronze patina on furniture too… I already have a few ideas in mind. If you use the bronze paint on its own, you will just have a gorgeous bronze paint finish. Once you spray the WET bronze paint with the patina spray (and it comes in a GREEN or BLUE patina!) that’s when the magic happens. 🙂
Awesome! I have got to try this…patina is my FAVORITE look! Thank you for the step by step and helping me understand the process. You rock, girl!👊👍
If you give it a try I know you’ll have fun Deb.. and it does look SO authentic! I’m searching my home for something else to try this on! 😉
Just Gorgeous! I want to try this on a furniture piece. Does the patina take a poly clear coat, (o nothing flakes off) well ? …..Or is wax the best product to seal a patina’ed piece? Thanks so much! You ARE Amazing.
Thanks Joy. 🙂 And you can do either or – wax or poly. And nothing flakes off. You can even give it a light sanding to make it super smooth to the touch. That’s what I did with the green waterfall dresser before I top coated it.:)
Love it on the vase!! Not sure about furniture, but what about outside metal furniture?? Will this hold up to weather or does it need to be in a covered space?
Hi Roseanne! It will definitely hold up outdoors and works really well on metal! The only extra step that is required is this prime start – otherwise, eventually, the patina spray will eat through the original metal.
Beautiful finish. The piece looks like it’s really bronze! You do amazing work. XOXO
Thanks, Susie! It’s a really fun product to ‘play’ around with. 🙂