As the warmer weather is upon us, it brings many new activities: outdoor games, picnics, beach time and - best of all - garage sales. People are purging what they don't need or no longer want. It's the perfect opportunity to turn their trash into your treasure. From outdated odds and ends to forgotten furniture, there is a wealth of worthy items just waiting to be found, re-imagined and re-purposed.
Pretty in paint
Rusty metal, chipped paint, colors from another decade - they are common sights for the garage sale shopper. But when you look beyond these imperfections - and at their spray paint potential - you'll soon find some diamonds in the rough.
Metal products, such as tables, chairs, garden tools or even watering cans, can receive an easy and instant update with Rust Protector spray paint from Krylon. The product, available in a variety of colors and finishes, dries in just eight minutes. As you create your new masterpieces, you won't have to worry about grass, leaves or other particles getting stuck in your fresh coat of paint. Plus, the paint provides the ultimate protection against rust, keeping your new treasures looking amazing, regardless of the elements they face.
If it's color you desire, look no further than Krylon's new ColorMaster spray paint with bold, bright or basic hues to update your new findings. Turn blah and bland wood chairs, dusty and drab dressers or awful accessories into amazing furniture or accents with the extensive line of color and finish choices. Covermax technology provides premium coverage and brilliant color. It's a new formulation that achieves better hide without relying on shading or fillers that can darken or wash out colors. The result is hues that are clean and crisp.
New uses for old things
The key to finding items at garage sales is to look at how they can be used in new and different ways. Don't view that dusty, broken typewriter or vintage camera as mechanical pieces you have to fix, but rather as interesting design elements to be admired on bookshelves and mantels.
Even old books can add a level of sophistication to your home. Grab a handful in coordinating colors to stack on a dresser or end table for instant eye appeal. Buy an old ladder and prop it against the wall to drape blankets. You can even spray paint an old coffee mug rack to create a fabulous jewelry organizer to hang all your favorite accessories. The possibilities are endless.
Turning up treasures
If your main reason for getting giddy over garage sales is to make a quick buck, you're not alone. Valuable items could lurk at every turn, and they are just waiting to be snatched up by eager buyers.
Before you head out to garage sales, however, do your research and read up on collectibles. Generally, pieces with high nostalgia will fetch a higher price tag. Think classic lunch boxes, comic books, sports memorabilia or board games - things you loved as a kid that never seem to go out of style. You can also enlist the help of a collectibles expert, who can tell you everything you need to know.
As you head outdoors this summer on a hunt for some bargain fixer-upper or forgotten gems, keep your eyes peeled and your mind open. The perfect addition to your home is right around the corner. You just have to use your imagination and bring it back to life. For more information on Krylon products or project ideas, visit www.krylon.com.
