This rather worn and grubby piece was one I collected in all my brazen glory during a council clean-up last year.
I was simply driving to the shops and there she was on the grass verge in a neighboring suburb.
How serendipitous that I happened to drive down that street on that day and she was waiting for me.
The poor neglected dear has sat outside the back door for the better part of four months and many times I (and my none too subtle husband) considered putting her out on OUR grass verge!!
Instead, I decided that she would make a perfect candidate for me to trial a new technique that is getting a bit of air time on Pinterest....the Ombre effect.
This technique uses paint in varying shades or complimentary colours to give you a shaded effect...moving from darker tones to lighter tones....this image from my beloved Pinterest is a delightful example
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| Image from here |
I realise the vivid hues will not be everyones cup of tea but I'm pretty happy with the result.
In my case I decided to go big or go home and went with vibrant yellow, orange and white! Since I was trialling the technique I figured I'd go bold as I can use the piece on my front porch if it was a complete dud:)
In honour of her transformation from drab to fab I am hereby naming her Phoenix as her vibrant hues are quite reminiscent of the flaming bird of fire.
Phoenix had to submit to a rather uncomfortable "cleansing" process involving some sugar soap, a toothbrush and a rag. She was then introduced to her "White Knight" in the guise of the aforementioned brand of spray paint undercoat.
Have I mentioned how I now have a new appreciation of the merits of paint sniffing?? A few cans of spray paint and I was wondering where my headache had descended from.
So there you have it. Phoenix. The first of many projects and a bold one to begin with!
If you are interested in her she is going for the rather modest sum of $80 as she was a trial and she has a rather unfortunate bunion on her foot (ie the wicker has eroded on one of the legs).
In the event that her beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder (that would be moi) she will remain ensconced on our front porch to compliment our orange front door!!!!
