• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • All DIY
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Houses
Petticoat Junktion
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • All DIY
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Houses
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • All DIY
    • Recipes
    • Travel
    • Houses
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Crafts » How to Revamp A Tacky Pink Flamingo Wood Planter

    How to Revamp A Tacky Pink Flamingo Wood Planter

    Modified: Apr 21, 2023 by Kathy Owen
    This post may contain affiliate links

    Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Twitter <use href="#<svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 32 32" class="scriptlesssocialsharing__icon flipboard" fill="currentcolor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" role="img"> <title>flipboard</title> <path d="M24.997 13.001h-5.998v5.998h-5.998v5.998h-5.998v-17.995h17.995zM1.004 1.004v29.991h29.991v-29.991z"></path> </svg>" xlink:href="# flipboard "> Share on Flip it

    Here is how to revamp a tacky pink flamingo wood planter.

    I found the cutest pink flamingo wood planter but it needed work, a lot of work. It was old and faded and just begged to be modernized. I spotted the pink flamingo planter online and knew I had to have it. I was also planning the makeover in my head. Bold paint and one simple addition took this cute flamingo to a whole ‘nother level.

    flea market flamingo needs a paint makeover

    This flamingo was not bold and bright and I have to say the metal flowers were a bit tacky or trashy, whatever. Maybe tacky is not the right word or a very nice description. I would just say the flowers are not my style.

    Well, I took care of that. Or I should say the JTS took care of that. I pulled out one of the metal flowers but couldn’t get the rest of them out of the stand. Too hard for me but not for hubby. I asked him to leave the metal butterfly.

    custom mix of colors to make coral color paint

    The next step was to paint the flamingo. I didn’t have the right paint color so I grabbed paints and started mixing. A pretty corally pink was the color I was going for.

    mixing custom paint colors at home

    It took a few tries to get the color just right. I kept mixing the paint until it looked about right. The first color swatch on the neck of the flamingo was too light and the sample on the bottom is the color of the final mix. Don’t be afraid to mix paints to make your own custom colors. I try to use the paint I have before going out and buying more.

    painting a pink flamingo

    This is how the flamingo looked after one coat of the coral/pink paint. You can see it looks a little flat. After all, it is just one paint color, no shading, no distressing, to break up the solid color paint.

    adding a second or third paint color adds depth to a paint project

    Adding Depth To Paint With Shading

    I grabbed a small bottle of red paint and started wiping it on the flamingo's body with a paper shop towel. I rubbed and rubbed to blend the red in with the coral. On small areas of the lower half of the body, I wiped a flesh-colored paint for shading.

    painting the base of a wood flamingo

    The base and the grass needed painting too. I mixed two green paint colors together to get the perfect green and did a bit of shading on the grass just as I did on the flamingo.

    pink flamingo planter before adding artificial greenery to the base

    Now that flamingo looks a heck of a lot better. But it still needs something.

    artificial greenery

    It needs…..artificial greenery. This bush has been around longer than my kids…..and they are grown and have kids of their own. Seriously, I don’t know how old this thing is.

    adding artificial greenery to a wood flamingo planter

    I cut pieces from the bush and stuck a few down into the crevasse between the two grass layers. There was just a bit of an opening, so I had to figure out how to add more grass.

    using a staple gun on DIY projects

    I turned the pink flamingo around to the backside and stapled the artificial grass to the wood grass (insert Kathy smiley face).

    how to paint a pink flamingo planter for outdoors

    The top part of the beak was too white and I brushed a bit of soft flesh-colored paint over the white. The flamingo legsalso  got just a bit of flesh-colored paint in some areas to provide a bit of contrast. I updated the butterfly by dry brushing it with two shades of blue paint and leaving some of the original glitter finish showing.

     

    how to remake and repaint a wood pink flamingo planter

    She’s a stunner now if I do say so myself. In a couple of weeks, I’ll be finding a pretty plant and moving the flamingo to the front porch.

    pink flamingo planter for the lawn

    You guys know I have a thing for pink flamingos. I always liked them and I was definitely hooked after our years in Florida. I don’t have any flamingo décor in the house now but when we lived in Florida, I sure did. Flamingo décor should be bold and bright or that’s my thinking anyway.

    paint a pink flamingo

    Paint a pink flamingo planter

    The flesh-colored beak looks a lot better than the glaring white. I didn’t touch up the black paint at all. And the gray-looking areas you see are the original distressed areas.

    before and after photo painting a wood pink flamingo planter

     

    That’s a major difference huh? Do you think the flamingo looks better now? What’s your favorite part of the makeover? Leave a note because I read every single one. Thanks for being here, and have a great day, Kathy

    Kathy Owen
    Website

    Author: Kathy Owen (Petticoat Junktion)
    Kathy is the founder of PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, old hardware, rusty stuff, and thrifty finds into unique home décor. Kathy’s projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines. Read more about Kathy here.

    Similar Posts For You....

    • feature image with text coastal home decor
      13 DIY Coastal Style Decorating Ideas For Beach Lovers
    • Chic DIY Bird Feeder made with tea cups and an iron candle holder
      Chic DIY Bird feeder: Tea Cup and Candle Holder Repurpose Idea
    • feature image collage jewelry projects
      13 Recycled Jewelry Projects
    • Red White and Blue Memorial Day Decorations pin collage with text
      13 Patriotic Red, White And Blue Decor Ideas For Memorial Day

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karolyn

      April 24, 2023 at 6:26 pm

      She looks gorgeous!! I think the artificial grass just makes her look like she is standing in water!! Loved everything about her!

      Reply
    2. CeCe

      April 23, 2023 at 2:56 pm

      Thanks Kathy - she really made me smile!

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        April 24, 2023 at 6:23 pm

        me too

    3. angela carrera

      April 21, 2023 at 3:37 pm

      I have a metal pink flamingo that sits by my little fish pond. and I have not touched 'her' up in a few years BUT....gonna do it this weekend!!! again, thanks for the inspiration. yours looks great and not so tacky!!! thanks!!!

      Angela (from NJ)

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        April 21, 2023 at 8:26 pm

        Thank you Angela!

    4. Pam smith

      April 21, 2023 at 1:56 pm

      I love flamingos!! I have my travel trailer decorated with them. They just make me smile!

      Reply
    5. Barbara Gardner

      April 21, 2023 at 9:55 am

      I love the coral pink color. She looks beautiful!

      Reply
    6. Carolyn G

      April 21, 2023 at 8:17 am

      This turned out so cute! 💕 Waaaayy better now! 😃

      Reply
    7. Rita

      April 21, 2023 at 6:47 am

      Now that Flamingo looks like it should. The color you mixed is perfect. I like Flamingos too but I have controlled myself in not buying everyone I see. Which isn’t easy living in SWFL😊

      Reply
    8. Gina

      April 21, 2023 at 6:28 am

      That's much improved! Where will you perch him/her?

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Kathy!

    The creator at Petticoat Junktion and I love decorating my home. My decor is an eclectic mix......

    More about me →

    Popular

    • weathered coastal style furniture
      How To Weather Furniture: Painted Sideboard Coastal Or Nantucket Style?
    • favorite furniture makeover
      Exceptional Painted Furniture Makeovers

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home.

    SUBSCRIBE
    • About
    • All DIY
    • Tutorials
    • Shop
    • Crafts
    • Home Decor
    • Painted Furniture
    • Projects

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 · PETTICOAT JUNKTION · PRIVACY POLICY