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8.15.2018

refresh those dried topiaries!

art class, decorating, DIY, diy decorating, fall, farmhouse style, fast cheap and easy, junk makeover, junking, makeover, neutrals, rustic style, summer, TOP TIPS, transitional style, topiaries, crafting,
years ago, i unearthed these two identical topiaries at the bottom of a thrift store bin.
i actually pulled on the first one because i saw the brass urn shape - never expecting anything to be attached.
when i saw the TOPS of the topiaries, i was underwhelmed.
however, i eyed them with my 'well, MAYBE they could be SOMETHING' look, 
and paid the whopping 50 cents each to take them home. 

the photo above was taken in one of my booths at a vintage show, 
where those two cheap topiaries (after a blow-dry cleaning and a bit of 'fluffing') sold for $12. EACH.
one man's trash, right?!!! it's easy to turn junk into decor!
.
i see dried up and worn out topiaries all the time, and chances are you might HAVE one - 
so i thought i'd share some easy tips with you for 'refreshing' them.
continue reading for details...

* Top Topiary Tips *

* find them in thrift shops, on the clearance rack in discount retailers, and at yard sales.
don't be discouraged by bare spots or lots of dust!

* clean 'em up:
 remove dust with a shot of cool air from a blow dryer. 
shake 'em upside down to let all of the loose material fall off.
wipe down dirty containers with a damp Mr Clean Magic Eraser.

* if they look mostly dead, build on them:
add more dried or preserved leaves, flowers, herbs, moss, or other natural materials
to the topiary and to the top of the base to fill it in and 'fluff it up'. 
you can even mix faux with real! 

* if they look really dead, paint them!
spray foliage + stem with copper, gold, pewter, antique brass, or even black paint for a fun look.
if the container is beyond help, break it off and plop the base styro/plaster into a new one.
remember to think creatively - how about a teapot? a vintage olive oil can? a copper kettle?

* embellish them!
add ribbons to the stem, layer old book pages between the container and the base,
or pop a tiny hat or gold paper crown on top of the foliage.

in the photo above, i filled in the once-bare containers with real moss,
and then also added some *very* tiny real autumn leaves from my Japanese maple tree.
snippets of vintage ribbon tied on the stems and a jaunty gold foil paper crown on top of one
add personality, and elevate these 'junky' thrift store finds to serve as a fun accent for fall decor.

* make your own:
simple styrofoam balls, real branches/twigs as stems, a weighted container, glue,
and a few natural or vintage elements are all you need to put them together!
art class, decorating, DIY, diy decorating, fall, farmhouse style, fast cheap and easy, junk makeover, junking, makeover, neutrals, rustic style, summer, TOP TIPS, transitional style, topiaries, crafting,
i found this gorgeous image on a Pinterest board by Inna Moskalenko
and it shows a straight-forward view of how to create a topiary...
my only addition would be that you need TWO styro balls, 
because one is going to go into the container to hold the stem - just cut to fit. 
cover both styro balls with moss. add more leaves or floral elements to cover the moss, if you wish. 
put stick into styro in container, then pop the other styro ball on top of the stick.
embellish and voila'!

whether used as place markers, as shown in Inna's image, or on a mantel, like mine,
topiaries made from dried natural materials are an easy addition to your late summer / early fall decor.

shared online: 

funky junk interiors | diy salvaged junk projects #439

2 comments:

  1. LOL- I just finally let two old ones go to the thrift store...maybe you can still find them there and rehab them. lol They were pretty frazzled and I had them for a long time-hope someone else gives them a home.
    Nice job on the resale! xoDiana

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    1. oh now that's funny! you know, i've been on such a 'minimalize' and 'simplify' kick since the first of the year that i haven't been to a thrift store in months! it's kinda' weird, but i am seeing progress in my home. less stuff makes Deb a happy girl, so this seems to be a season of letting it go rather than accumulating for me!

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