Monday, August 29, 2011

Tea cart explosion

So, I found this cool brassy cart at Goodwill for $3 about a month ago.  I had to get it because I've always wanted a little cart to put booze and stuff on for parties.  Booze accessories get me every time. 
I decided to spray it with the same shade I used on my hott lamps in the porch.  I like!
I know, a spray painting post is hardly groundbreaking.  And although it does look really nice....
I thought it would be funny to instead tell you how I decided to hoard tea carts.  I saw one this on CL about a week after I bought the metal one, and made it mine.
After a quick once-over with Howard Restor-A-Finish and Feed-N-Wax, I was able to get it all stocked for a party we were having THAT DAY.
I know it would look amazing painted, with the bamboo-like styling, but I don't think I could paint it.  I intend to give it more "Howard love" to see what it can look like when I really put some effort into it.  What would you do? 

27 comments:

  1. I thinkI would paint it to make it pop. Right now...in my opinion it is just ho-hum. Spruce it up. It could be fabulous!

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  2. I have that same little metal cart! Great score; I think I paid $15 for mine.

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  3. Cute red cart! As for the wood one, I like the wood but your booze seems to get lost in the dark colour. I would paint just the top and the caning in white and polish up the brass corners and handles.

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  4. I agree with Jen - the caning would look great in white and once the brass is polished up it'll look even better!

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  5. I kinda like the wood :) I'm a spray painting fool but every now and then I come across a piece that I just can't bear to paint. I think it looks very "Mad Men" as is :)

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  6. I would have to say stick with the wood. You're using it as a bar cart and the wood is nice and masculine. Perfect for it!

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  7. OMG! I LOVE it! I can't decide whether I'd prefer it painted or left as is so I'm glad this isn't my problem (but it's a good problem to have)! Of course, my first thought was "Paint it white!" It would really pop against the brick (if that's it's permanent home) but it would look so cool as is against any of the wall colors in your home. So what I'm trying to say is...good luck deciding. ;)

    -Emily

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  8. My vote: leave it wood but brighten up the brass a bit with some polish--so it's cleaner looking but not too brassy.
    Love both pieces!

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  9. Love both of them, but that second one is amazing! Don't paint it, the original wood is sooo pretty!

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  10. I want one too!! Seems the carts are in great demand. Yours is cute!

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  11. Ok, I've decided I need a bar cart in my life! The red is AMAZING! Love it!!!

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  12. I am a sucker for painted bamboo, but the wood looks lovely all polished up.

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  13. Would love to hear your thoughts on Resor-A-Finish! Di you apply it with a rag, sponge or brush? I'm considering using it on a new credenza.

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  14. Here's a nice compromise from the Style North: Real Canadians Decorating blog
    http://www.stylenorth.ca/blog/2011/08/accentuate-the-positive/

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  15. I really like both carts - especially the second one. I never realized how much I was missing not having a bar cart! I guess I have another thing to look for on craigslist :)

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  16. Why can't I ever find cool things like this at Goodwill? Or maybe I just don't have the eye for them...

    Anyway, tough decision. The original wood is nice; sometimes it's okay to NOT paint things, as tempting as it can be! But who am I kidding, I'd probably paint it if it were mine. Makes for a more dramatic before & after. ;)

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  17. I can't even find a decent bar cart and you find two? Life isn't fair.. :) Love both carts. The wooden one is beautiful. Of course, I would paint it white, but that's just me, an evil wood-painting fool. But it does look beautiful in wood. Maybe some buff n rub in gold on the hardware and it'll look as good as new?

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  18. I love both these carts. I've actually been looking for something similar to the wooden cart for the dining room to no avail.

    I really like the wood tones. Which is surprising to me because usually I want to paint anything that doesn't move.

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  19. I LOVE booze! I also LOVE the new snappy red!

    I wholeheartedly support that you gave the wood some TLC & opted to not paint the bamboo cart. The wood tones are beautiful.

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  20. paint. it. turquoise.

    you know you want to!

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  21. before you paint, see what a hardware revamp will do. you could also add a smaller, colorful tray on top of the cart (like a tv tray or something)

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  22. I absolutely love Vintage Revivals spray painting tutorials. I think following this one would be amazing on this little cart! http://vintagerevivals.blogspot.com/2010/09/crappy-crappy-credenza.html

    Looking forward to hearing what you end up doing to it!

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  23. I would give it to your ninja friend Jean.

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  24. i agree with you! i think it could look great painted, but i couldn't bear to. something about the wood is so classic.

    and i love the wheels.

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  25. New post...Please! Soooooonnnnnnn!

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  26. If there is anything to hoard I would say Tea carts or in this case booze carts are perfect!!! LOVE!

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Thanks so much for reading....your comments mean a lot to me!
Sara