Monica and Jess are back adding a little urban feel to their living space. Today Jessica shows you how to create some industrial looking metal letters with spray paint.
Hey friends! It’s Jess and Monica from East Coast Creative and we’re happy to be back bringing you a cheap easy way to add a little industrial flair to your home!
I’m a big fan of mixing in some industrial elements in my home. Since I just added these lights to my dining room that connects to the living room, I thought it would be fun to mimic the tone of the lights somewhere in the living room.
I had ordered this phrase from one of our favorite shops, 163 Design Company, and had originally painted them three different shades of yellow before finally decided that yellow was going to be the death of me. Thankfully, having a best friend with a good eye (*ahem, Monica) came in handy when she suggested trying a metallic look. Since I didn’t want just a flat metal look, I decided to try my hand at faking that awesome, full-of-character industrial look. Here’s what you need to do to bring some metal into your life:
1. Lay your letters on a drop cloth and spray paint them in Krylon’s Stainless Steel. It took about 3 light, even coats to cover all that hideous yellow. (Sidenote: I’m a huge fan of using spray paint whenever possible, since it’s fast and easy and I’m lazy. )
2. Using Valspar Brown Velvet spray paint, lightly spray the letters from a good distance. You don’t want to be up real close to the letters when you do this. Splotchy and imperfect are the looks we’re going for here! This step takes away a bit of the shine from the stainless steel.
3. Using a makeup sponge or paint applicator, dab black acrylic craft paint on the edges and corners of each letter. There is no exact science to this. I just dabbed it on, rubbed it in and and, on some occasions, used a damp cloth to wipe it down. If you’d like to add a rust effect, use Burnt Sienna craft paint on the corners and areas that would naturally rust. I didn’t do this as it made it a bit too warm for me. That’s it!
To hang my letters, I used picture hanging command strips. After measuring, leveling and measuring some more (that’s a whole OTHER tutorial), I was finally happy with the arrangement!
I’m loving the look of my new “old” metal letters. Other surfaces in my house, better watch out! I’m on an industrial metal rampage!
Monica used 163 Design Company to create a unique statement in her entryway, too!
We’d love for you to come to see what’s going on with the Creating with the Stars contest we’re hosting RIGHT NOW! Did you happen to see who Beckie’s partner is?? She’s fabulous and we can’t wait to see what they come up with!
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How fun and clever. Those letters are so full of personality!
Love this! Looks great!
LOVE IT!
Wow! I love the way that looks- really fools the eye!
Those letters are amazing! I LOVE the industrial look.
And I have to say, I’m totally frustrated…I have the word EAT in made-to-look-like-metal-wood letters from my last house. BUT when I went looking for them in my decorating stuff boxes, the letters were nowhere to be found!! Ack!
Okay, really I love your letters and I may just have to make myself some more!
xo,
Shannon
Wow…..That is such a great project! I love how it turned out and how you perfectly hung all those letters. Great quote to put on an empty wall.
Wow! I cannot believe how really metal like these letters look. I would have never known about the velvet spray either. I am inspired to add something like this to my home, especially the one about shutting the door!
What are the letters made out of?
You can read more about the letters they used here: http://www.163designcompany.bigcartel.com/abut-the-products.
hi there,
love this!! totally going to try!!
I was wondering what the letters were made of??
thanks
Hi Aimee, The girls from ECC say they got the letters at 163 Design Company. You can visit the site to get the specifications about the letters. Hope that helps!
love this! this was actually the name of one of the songs emmy danced to for her recital. 🙂