I've been thrifting and shopping for second hand items for decades.
And I was doing it long before it was trendy to scour the shelves for bargains and sift through yard sales bins.
My husband and I picked up everything from small accessories to large pieces of furniture to decorate our first apartment. Some items were bought and displayed straight away, while others needed...well...a little love.
One such purchase, a $5 milk can we found at a local moving sale decades ago, fell somewhere in between.And I was doing it long before it was trendy to scour the shelves for bargains and sift through yard sales bins.
My husband and I picked up everything from small accessories to large pieces of furniture to decorate our first apartment. Some items were bought and displayed straight away, while others needed...well...a little love.
When we bought it, it was bright red - my favorite color - and mildly distressed and ready to use as a planter. Perfect as purchased.
And it stayed that way for a really, really long time. Until 2015 actually, when I gave that milk can a 5 minute makeover using white paint and a stencil.
Fabulous. Until it wasn't.
Another decade of northeastern weather rusted and faded it until it was screaming for a second update. This one was slightly more involved, but still just as easy as the first.
But frankly much, much prettier.
How To Update A Milk Can With Transfers
This is a super simple way to add some charm and the design of your choice to your old milk can without fussing with hand painting or stencils. You can choose flowers, seasonal or holiday designs and coupled with a coat of spray paint you'll have a new treasure in no time.Supplies I used:
- Milk Can - large or small
- Spray Paint - lots of colors
- Spray Sealer
- Transfers - the exact ones I used
Step 1. Prep and Clean The Metal
I - and by I mean my husband - started by washing the entire surface with soap and water.
Step 2. Spray Base Coat & Let Dry
Then he gave it two coats of this red enamel spray paint. Strong enough to withstand the outdoors and appropriate for metal.
Once it was covered, I let it sit for a few days to dry. I wanted to make sure the paint had cured, before adding transfers.
If the paint isn't dry enough, it can peel away from the surface when applying the sticky backing on the transfers. So a little patience goes a long way with this project.
Step 3. Apply The Transfer
Next, I made sure the paint can was dust free. Then I peeled the backing paper away from the floral design and stuck it to the milk can.
I used the enclosed stick to gently rub the top of paper to release the transfer.
And rather than drag the can inside, I covered it with plastic and painter's tape to keep the transfer dry until I could seal it.
4. Seal
The next day, when the sun came out, we gave the entire can a coat of clear enamel spray, to protect my delicate transfers, and the metal can itself, from the elements.It's not a polyurethane, which can yellow over time. It's literally a clear spray paint, so the transfers are locked in and visible, behind a strong enamel.
It resists cracking, chipping and protects against rust and fading from UV exposure. Standing up to whatever Mother Nature throws at it.
So all I see is my lovely refreshed milk can.
And its lovely, new floral facade in my garden, since once again, I'm using my milk can as a planter.
However, here are a few other milk can ideas that are just as darling:
- As an end table with a wooden topper
- Make a centerpiece with a mini milk can
- On a front porch with house numbers painted on it
- Inside a foyer to hold umbrellas or sports equipment - like baseball bats, lacrosse or field hockey sticks
- A birdbath, by mounting a bowl on top
- A backyard fountain, by adding a solar powered pump
Come winter it may move it inside to be transformed again, since I really like that table idea.
But at the moment, you'll find it brightening up the garden.
For the second time around in 25 years.
Not bad for a five dollar find.
Wouldn't you say?
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
And speaking of do- overs, it's time for another round of the Do It Over Designers! 
They always have great ideas to share, so check out the links below to be inspired!
The Apple Street Cottage (our lovely hostess)
Modern On Monticello
Birdz of a Feather
Pandora’s Box
Purple Hues & Me
Sum of Their Stories
Vintage Style Gal
Exquisitely Unremarkable (that's me!)
Modern On Monticello
Birdz of a Feather
Pandora’s Box
Purple Hues & Me
Sum of Their Stories
Vintage Style Gal
Exquisitely Unremarkable (that's me!)
Happy Hopping, Friends!
Kim it looks just beautiful and I think the little garden bunnies agree. Happy Weekend. Hugs Kris
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris! I love those little bunnies, too. My sister gave them to me years ago as a housewarming gift and they've been making me smile ever since! 💕
DeleteThat milk can has served you well and now it's ready to serve for many more years to come. That transfer is beautiful and gives it a whole new look. I'll be on the lookout for your table idea in the future...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Ann! I've always loved that can and a makeover has been on the list for far too long. Thanks to your hop, I've had a really good reason to finally do it!! Maybe for the next hop, that can will make it inside!! 😉
DeleteI love this makeover Kim, and those bunnies tucked right in beside the milk can? Too cute! Love your choice of transfers too, and floral pattern is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAren't those transfers pretty? I couldn't wait to find a place for them! I love the way they look on the can...and thanks!!
Deletekim i have a milk an and switch it up every season! garage sale find 29 yearsGi!?! 🩷🩷🇺🇸
ReplyDeleteSounds like we have a lot in common, Laura!! 💕
DeleteThat's gorgeous Kim! I haven't had much luck with sealing transfers, even when letting it sit it just seems to want to peel. You definitely are the transfer whisperer lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sara! I really do love transfers. I think the trick is making sure that whatever surface you add them to needs to be very dry. I also think the transfer brand makes a big difference.
DeleteWhat a charming look, Kim! I love the design of the rub-on transfer and the amazing transformation! It's perfect as a planter!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Gail! It was a fun redo after the stencil. I really like the hand-painted look the transfer gives the milk can.
DeleteThis turned out so perfectly!! I did like the white stencil, but that beautiful bouquet just punches the milk can right up into stunning!! I love how inspirational your posts always are!! Happy Summer !!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristine! You're the best!! I loved that white stencil for a long, long time. It was a classic. Unfortunately, after a decade in the sun, it really was faded and it needed an upgrade.
DeleteThat is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Joanne!!
DeleteThis came out great! I love it with the white impatiens. - Briana from Texas
ReplyDeleteThanks Briana! My husband picked out the flowers. He did good!
DeleteI love the shade of red you chose! It turned out fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI have one that came from my Dad's farm when it was all sold. I remember them actually being used. Mine is just black and sits in the garage by the back door but now I'm wondering about changing it up. I'm going to have to think on that...
Thanks so much, Mari! Your milk can sounds like a real sentimental treasure! It also sounds like a classic sitting by your door. I've seen black milk cans with white house numbers painted on them. I always thought that was so charming...
DeleteI love the bright red color and the white flowers.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Red is a favorite color of mine. I just adore that pop!
DeleteBeautiful makeover and it looks so great in your garden.
ReplyDeleteThank you , Anita! I really appreciate your visit and comment. ☺️
DeleteI love that you have held on to this treasure for so many years. And that you have continued to give it such love and attention when needed. It does look great in your garden.
ReplyDeleteIt was just too pretty to toss, Donna! I also knew I'd never get another one for $5!! Haha!! Thanks so much!
DeleteI absolutely love ❤️ the red colour and the flowers, Kim. It is eye-catching and stunning. I absolutely love your talent.
ReplyDeleteYou're so sweet, Linda!! Thanks so much for your lovely comment!! 💕
DeleteYes, $5 was a DEAL for that. (:
ReplyDeleteIt really was...of course that was decades ago. I'm sure it'd be much, much more expensive today.
DeleteWell done my friend. Not only on that $5.00 bargain, but the creativity in making that milk-can say "Hi Kim" :-) RED and FLOWERS that is you .... love those bunnies.
ReplyDeleteHee hee...thank you, Carla!! I love a project that has my name written all over it!! ❤️
DeleteI love it. It is so cheery!!!! I love it much!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous makeover! It's so satisfying to do those kind of makeovers and I love using transfers. The bright new red is eye catching. I've always loved when people use these milk cans in their home and garden decor. That was a steal!
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather! Aren't transfers the best? They really did transform that old five dollar milk can!
DeleteKim, you did a great job with the milk can makeover. I love the flowers on the can and it looks great in your garden. I'm amazed at all of the unique items you find and fix up to make them look so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! ❤️ Our neighborhood is filled with a lot of old timers and long time residents. Lucky for us they’re always purging! Haha!! Of course, now I need to purge my own stash!
DeleteI just bought two beautiful large black milk cans at a yard sale! I have them in the garden being used as planters, but your redo fueled a new idea, they would look wonderful repainted, and used as decor on our front porch! Thanks for the inspiration! Always love your tutorials! Hope you are having a wonderful summer! It is passing way too quickly!
ReplyDeleteOh what a lucky find, Marilyn! I've been looking for another can for years without luck. Well...one that's not $100...second hand items have become so pricey around here, even at yard sales. I bet yours will look lovely on your porch. If you give them a makeover, I hope you'll share! I'd love to peek at your pretty finds. ❤️
DeleteGreat up-cycling - I love your project!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeanne! I finally have a few flowers in my garden that I don't need a green thumb to keep blooming!!
DeleteI have never used transfers (or even heard of them, frankly) but I am intrigued in the best way possible. Your project turned out amazing! The milk can is darling on its own and then with the flowers in it, it looks even better!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Maria! If you are into crafts at all, then you should totally try them. They take every project up a notch!
DeleteI just love the idea of a do over of a do over! Let's champion doing things over as much as possible! The shiny bright red is just gorgeous, red is my favourite too, and the transfer is just so pretty. It was nice before and now it's stunning.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! I really like do over do overs, too! Once I have a favorite piece, I just can’t let it go…so I keep making it over until it falls apart. Haha!!
DeleteYour makeover is marvelous, Kim! I have a milk can on my patio and it so badly needs a makeover if I just took the time to do it. Maybe when the weather gets cooler, I could tackle this project since yours is so pretty! ❤️
ReplyDelete