It’s Knock Out Knock Off time! I’m super excited to share not only what Luke and I did but also what the other ladies made. This month our store was Urban Outfitters.
Let’s get right to it, k? While searching Urban Outfitters to see what I wanted to knock off, I came across this. Holy mackerel, that umbrella is just gorgeous. At close to $300 it was also out of our budget. Last year, I bought an umbrella from Target (at the end of the season on clearance) and it has not held up well.
It actually looks better in that picture than it does in person. So, I decided that I didn’t have anything to lose in trying to remake it into the Urban Outfitters one.
So, I started with a roller and latex paint.
I quickly learned that I picked the hardest way to paint an umbrella. Learn from my mistake. Don’t use a roller on thin, wobbly fabric. Once it dried, it looked like this:
Yikes, right? After that, I waded through a few paint cans and found two half cans of white spray paint. I used those and quickly realized that I needed many more coats of coverage. I could have bought two cans of spray paint and called it a day, but I really wanted this to be a cheap project. So, I busted out my spray paint gun and used some white latex that I had leftover from our kitchen. It took about three coats with the gun, but I had a relatively even finish.
From there, we found the middle of each section and taped it off. Then Luke eyeballed the circle spacing on each side of the tape. He used a circle form (the painter’s tape form) to draw the circles.
Next, Luke hand-painted the circular floral designs on each section. This part took quite awhile, so we knew that we needed to figure out a way to make it go faster.
He had the idea to make a paper stencil for the next part. He copied most of the stencils on each of the sections and then we painted them at the end.
I painted all of the straight lines (go me!) and he finished off all the petals.
Of course, the straight lines were much easier to do. So, when I was done I actually worked on a project that has needed done for quite some time : gutter & window washing!
(Can you believe the difference on the left versus the right?)
After we finishing painting, I hot glued the pom pom trim on and set it up. Instant gratification. Holy moly, it’s just beautiful!
I.AM.IN.LOVE.
For $20 (the cost of the pom-pom trim), this project was super cheap and highly effective in creating a much more cohesive, beautiful space. I’m really hoping that it holds up well with the weather, but only time will tell.
Ok, are you ready to see what the other ladies have come up with?
Orgami Inspired Ring Holder – Jennifer from Brave New Home
Knock-Off Vase – Katie from Upcycled Treasures
Prisma Wall Decor – Amy from Delineate Your Dwelling
Knock-Off Wall Hanging – Brynne from The Gathered Home
Knock-Off Clothes Pins – Tasha from Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body
Linking up to:
C.R.A.F.T., The Makers, The DIY’ers, The Winthrop Chronicles, Home Stories A-Z, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Work It Wednesday, Fry Sauce and Grits, Liz Marie Blog, The Inspiration Gallery, Creativity Unleashed – The Bold Abode, Remodelaholic, Whipperberry, The Creative Collection, Tatertots and Jello, Link It or Lump It, Sunday Soiree, Look for Less, and Frugal Crafty Blog Hop.
That turned out great!! Love it in your outdoor space!
Thanks Charlotte! It was so much nicer out there after I cleaned it! Probably should have done that before you guys came. lol
Wow, you were dedicated! It turned out so lovely and makes such a beautiful impact to your back!! Love it.
Thanks Amy! It definitely wasn’t the fastest DIY to be sure!
How awesome! I love those designs and can’t believe you hand-painted them all!!!
Thanks Brynne!
Holy cow, what a transformation! That paint did wonders and I never would have guessed it was the same umbrella! Those pom poms are my fave! This knock off truly is a knock out!
Lol, thanks Katie!
Ashley! I am SO IMPRESSED! I can’t believe the umbrella was painted with spray paint and kudos to you both for your patience in stenciling on the pattern. It looks so much like the UO umbrella for a fraction of the price. Love it!
Thanks Tasha! The paint sprayer was definitely the way to go! I’m really hoping it holds up well, because it just adds so much to the patio!
Wow, from seeing the finished image I never would have guessed what you started with! How nice of your husband to help out : ] Great styling in your photos!
It was pretty sad looking! He’s generally pretty good about helping. Thanks for the compliment on the styling. I feel like I need some help with that overall.
Yes! I’ve been waiting for this one! I love the way it turned out! The yellow pom poms are the best. Yay for sweet DIY umbrellas.
Thanks Alexis! I felt kinda bad when I saw it on your IG because I knew they were going to be pretty similar! Love how you did yours as well (and that you didn’t make the mistake of trying to roll it!). lol.
This came out gorgeous! I love the addition of the pom ribbon on it! My umbrella is perfectly fine, but maybe I should try to get it to fade a little so can have a pretty one like this;)
Thanks Katie! Wait another year or two and then give yours a transformation. =)
I love that you reused an old faded umbrella for this project! Who knew? It turned out so great. Thanks for linking up at The Makers. It is always great to have you.
Thanks Corey! Sometimes it works to be thrifty… =)
This turned out great! So much better than the original, in my opinion. I’d love it if you’d link up to my Look for Less Design Challenge. By linking up, you’re entered to win a $60 Target Giftcard too! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2014/07/diy-x-leg-ottoman.html
Thanks Kayla! Will do!
This is beautiful, Ashley!! I was wondering if those could be repainted. (Because I am sure the sun does a number on the color! Awesome job!
Thanks Kristi! So far so good with the paint, but I do wonder how long it will last!
Great job, Ashley and Luke! Out of curiosity, how does the fabric lay when the umbrella is collapsed? I’d like to try this, but need to be able to close it for storms, etc.
Thanks Frank. The umbrella collapses just the same. It doesn’t lay quite as flat when it’s down, but it’s definitely not noticeable.
So, about the time you get the project done, your weekend is over and it is time to go back to work.
Yep, the life of a DIYer!
Hi. What is that puffy leaved plant….way cool.
Hmm, the bigger one? It’s lemon grass. We have it to hopefully repel mosquitos.
1. I never would have thought of using spray paint on fabric!-I wouldn’t think it would dry smooth. But it looks great!
2. Didyou make or buy the outdoor cushion for the wicker bench?
I wouldn’t recommend using the sprayer on pillows, but for a thicker fabric like the umbrella it worked great. I recovered the bench cushion in just some leftover curtain panels that I had around the house. Thanks for stopping by!
What a beautiful umbrella. So much more beautiful then the original.
I just found your blog. And I really like it.It’s so lovely and creative.
Thanks Evelyn. We love it.
Hi! Remodelaholic sent me over for this post! How is the paint holding up on your umberella? 🙂
It’s holding up great! We have it out from May-Oct and then take it in through the winter. I did wonder if it would hold up but so far we have had no issues. Good luck with yours and if you try it… send me a pic!