Ageing Galvanized Metal

Hello, Blogland Buddies and beyond!  I hope everyone is enjoying the beauty that Autumn has to offer, even in the state of the world today with a horrific pandemic looming. 

I attempt to keep some sense of normalcy these days as much as possible.  It is a comfort in these trying times.  I have decorated for the fall, and it will remain that way until next week because we will still have our immediate family (seven of us total!) over this coming Thanksgiving.  I think especially this year, it is important to count those small blessings, and all of  my children save for one are still minors living at home.  Our eldest has been home quarantined, so we feel safe to be together this coming holiday.  

Today, I am sharing a quick tutorial about how to age galvanized metal.  It is perfect for decorating fall crafts.  I hope you enjoy the post!


There is something so charming to me about things that are old and tell a history.  It is likely why I love collecting antiques.  Sometimes, though, homemade "oldness" can be just as lovely.  This tutorial is one I found by perusing YouTube.  Of all the tutorials I found, this one via Mr. DIY Dork seemed to be the most comprehensive.  The video also includes three ways to age your galvanized metal.  The method I chose is using Lysol toilet cleaner.


To age your galvanized metal you will need:

Steel wool (I used S.O.S. pads)

Lysol toilet bowl cleaner

Gloves to protect your hands

A galvanized bucket. I found this extra-large one at Lowe’s.

First, I began by removing the sticker and any remaining residue.  I used the toilet cleaner, but I’m sure Goof-Off or Goo-Gone would work as well.  Generously wet down the metal with the toilet bowl cleaner.

Add additional toilet bowl cleaner and work the solution into the metal using the S.O.S. pad.  Allow to sit for a half hour or so to allow the chemical reaction to take place.  Rinse off.  Here is a shot of an untreated bucket next to the treated one.  Easy Peasy!!

This weathered metal look can be used for all types of DIY and crafting projects, and I ADORE that it sooo easy!

Perfect for a rustic little vignette for the coming Thanksgiving celebration.

Thank you so much for popping into my little corner, and I hope you and your friends, family, and loved ones are safe!  Until next time,

--Y

If you enjoy this post, please visit the archives!  You may also visit my full profile to view my other blogs. Connect with me on my Facebook Page, Parsimonious Décor Darling.   You might like to visit my other blog hubs,

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Thank you for stopping by! ❤

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Series: Setting the Scene for Year-Round Enjoyment. Part One: Finding the Perfect Table and Chairs Setting

Hello, friends!!  I hope all is splendid with you and yours, and that you are safe and well.

A few weeks ago, I shared a tutorial for the DIY Versailles-inspired planter I built a couple of summers ago.  The building of this planter was the impetus to begin the task of completing my outdoor space.   You may view the post here.

The task of completing my outdoor area took some time to complete and I would love to share a few posts with you detailing the process.  In today's post, I hope you'll join me to see how I chose a charming table and chairs perfect for year-round enjoyment.


The first thing I told myself is to be patient.  I wanted my outdoor space to reflect the sort of old-world charm you might find in a small private garden in Europe, and to have a "collected" look.


I had considered a few standard table and chair sets such as this one:

I have an huge affinity for antiques, and I loved the idea of an antique French patisserie table in the garden:

I love the marble color on the top of this patisserie table from Charish.

So gorgeous!!  From LoveAntiques 

Superb Polished Butler's Pastry Table available at Country French Interiors.

Another option could've been to purchase a standalone bottom and later find a top.  Note the beautiful ornate detail on this iron table bottom from Recuperando.  

And then, without plan, the eureka! moment.  I was out visiting my local Tai Pan Trading store, which unfortunately, was going out of business.  Fortunately for me though, I found a fantastic metal garden table, and fell in love with it instantly.   So pretty, and I loved the French grey color.  Note the delicate details.  Hello, little friend!  Pas mal:

At $100 for the table, I absolutely could not refuse!  Most of the other tables cost $2,000 or more!




Now, onto choosing the chairs.  I knew that I wanted bistro-inspired chairs with ornate details, preferably metal which might patina charmingly over time:

The table from Tai Pan is more of a bar-height table, and thus, finding just the right chairs took time and a lot of browsing.  Here are some of the contenders:

From The Well-Appointed House.

These are part of their bistro collection by William Tricker and are available in several colors.  Shop the collection here.

The French Lou Lou Barstool From LeForge Australia.  See it here. 

The Cote d'Azur Barstool from LeForge Australia.  See it here.

The Milan Armless Barstool from LeForge Australia.  See it here.

The Fleur-de-Lis Barstool from Brian's Furniture, available in 30" and 24" heights.  Click the link I have provided on the size of stool if you would like to shop.

In the end, I settled on these sweet barstools I found from Pier 1 from their MiraFlores Collection:

What I loved about these was that they were ornate enough and  yet inexpensive, ( >ahem<  comparatively speaking to the others), and required no import or shipping fees!   They are also sturdier than I would've guessed.  SOLD!  If you are interested, you may shop the collection at the link above.

Here are the chairs and table together:

The setting still seemed a little barren, so the last step I took was adding some coordinating cushions from Pier 1 and a flower arrangement I put together using some fabulous fakes from Amazon.  Much better!!

I found the cute metal bucket at my local Marshall's.  It’s plain on one side,

and has charming French detailing on the reverse.

Here's a closer look at the arrangement:

What's great about this arrangement is because the flowers will rest year-round under a shaded area (save for holidays when I change them out) and are faux, they won't fade.  I also chose a muted palette so that if they do fade, they will likely fade into even prettier antiqued hues.

Not bad for fakes!  A sweet teeny grasshopper was fooled as well and dropped by to say hello.  Hi there!  :)

Another look:

Here is the short clip I shared on my Instagram of the whole thing coming together:

I hope you enjoyed this post, and please be safe wherever you may roam!

Until next we meet,

--Y

If you enjoy this post, please visit the archives!  You may also visit my full profile to view my other blogs. Connect with me on my Facebook Page, Parsimonious Décor Darling.   You might like to visit my other blog hubs,  

The Marvelous Maison, a lifestyle blog hub and 

Frugal Fab Fashionista, my fashion blog hub. 

Follow me on Pinterest!!  Please be sure to kindly follow the board guidelines, as it takes time and effort to find fabulous pins across the Internet and Pinterest!  Thank you!  

Thank you for stopping by! ❤