I have a favorite antique shop. I’m telling you, this guy is awesome. It could be because I’m a stay at home mom that doesn’t get out much to socialize with adults, but I really think Paul, the shop owner, has a special fondness for me. He always has something that I like and always gives me a price that I can’t resist. One time, last year, I stopped in with wild abandon to snatch up an iron bed for my mom. When Paul said he thought of me when he found it, I knew I was part of the inner circle. Made my whole week. Really, though, the guy probably thinks I’m nuts. He must wonder what I do with all my treasures that I drag home. He rarely asks. Last week, he had two typewriters stashed in the shop. I asked how much he wanted for them, but I had to leave them behind. See, I have a rule that I have to come up with a legitimate use for an item before I drag it home. Mostly, I need a good story for my husband. A “this is why I’m stashing another old, dusty thing in the garage” sort of story. So I came up with a “good use” and went to get one of the typewriters. I was so excited, this treasure went straight to the top of the project list. I cleaned the cobwebs out of it with a toothbrush and taped it up good. A few coats of pink spray paint and I have a great little photo prop.
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| before |
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| after |
It’s funny because Paul actually asked what I was going to do with the typewriter. I mumbled something about painting it pink. I don’t think that was the right answer; he seemed to cringe a little. Oh well. I think she came out preeeeettty. That’s a good use, right? To look pretty?
What do you think? Do you like the pink typewriter?? Do you have a favorite antique shop? Why is it your favorite? Does anyone else ever pretend they’re part of an inner circle?
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| Roses are ‘Abraham Darby’ by David Austin |
Comments & Reviews
Tina says
love love love….just picked up this exact same typewriter tonight and did all the cleaning and wanted to paint it when i came across yours…eeekk
Can’t wait to get the paint now!!!! Mine will be used in staging for furniture I sell…did i mention I LOVE IT
Michele says
Really love this project, but I wouldn’t have the courage to do it! I think the pink is perfect…..although turquoise would be good too. I have an old Ernest Hemingway typewriter that I love, just wish it would work a little better.
And the David Austin roses!! I could write a paragraph on them alone. Thanks for sharing
Kelly Vickers says
I see these old typewriters at yard sales nearly every weekend, and now have four of them (all bought for under ten dollars), and they work….especially after installing a fresh ribbon. I am totally going to copy your idea. The transformation is amazing, and pink is perfect.
R says
Beautiful! Anthro was selling repainted vintage typewriters for $700 a piece (http://kasbahmod.com/)
alicia says
cool
Claire La Secretaire says
Well done this looks amazing! You can also make the keys white, I often transform the keys on mine to white and putting an accent colour on the shift keys. Like the ones here: http://www.clairelasecretaire.com/gallery/4579073878
Kalena says
Its gorgeous! What a great job you did. May I ask what color pink you choose and brand of spray paint.
girlinspired says
Thanks Kalena, I can’t say for sure because it was so long ago, but knowing myself, I think I probably used Rust-o-leum spray paint and there aren’t too many options for the color. It would be whichever is a baby pink or soft pink, something like that.