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DIY Painted Wooden Spoons

I have pinned so many inspiring ideas to my “DIY to Try” board on Pinterest that I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I’ve noticed how much longer the “to try” list is than the “My DIY Projects” board I started.  To remedy that, I’ve been chipping away at the ideas/projects I’ve pinned.  Last week I made a simple abstract, inspired by a painting I pinned and loved.  More recently, I tackled some wooden spoons.

I saw these gorgeous wooden spoons from Milk Farm Road and was instantly smitten.  Pinned!  I think gussying up the handles of wooden spoons with paint, or even stain, is such a simple but clever idea.

Milk Farm Road vintage painted spoons

Feeling emboldened, I rummaged around in my cooking utensil drawer and found two, inexpensive dollar-store wooden spoons to experiment on.  Because the spoons weren’t varnished or coated with anything, I didn’t need to sand and I didn’t bother priming.  Lazy!

I taped off where I wanted the colour to be and, using the same acrylic paint I use for my artwork (I actually did these while tweaking the bedroom abstracts), I painted on two, super thin layers of paint, letting each coat dry for about an hour.  I used Hubby’s work bench to keep them upright as they dried.

The next day, I remove the tape and applied a super thin coat of water-based varathane finish (we have tons left over from our DIY desk project).  I applied the finish just slightly over the painted surface because I didn’t want a really pronounced edge of where the paint and clear coat begin.  I let the spoons dry overnight (but will have to refrain from using them for another two days, as per manufacturer’s instruction).

This photo captures the glossiness:

And voila!  I want to grab every single wooden spoon and paint the ends.

I think this would look so cute for wood serving ware, too, like wood salad tongs.  And you can use craft paint, leftover wall paint – even stain.  I plan on running these through the dishwasher and I will keep you up to date on wearing/fading.  It is probably best to hand wash these, though, and I don’t recommend painting any part that touches food or using a toxic, lead-based paint.

EDIT: Yep, hand washing is best.  The dishwasher did not get along with these painted spoons.  No biggie – nothing a little touch-up won’t fix!

How about you – are you tackling any projects you’ve pinned on Pinterest?  Can we all agree that simply pinning something is productive?

P.S. I linked this project up to the DIY Project Parade at the DIY Showoff!

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36 Comments

  1. Faith Pike
    March 7, 2012 / 3:23 pm

    Simple but cute! We have a few wooden utensils. I might just have to try this!

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      March 7, 2012 / 4:14 pm

      Thanks! It would probably be an easy enough project to try with kids, too.

  2. Lets just build a house!
    March 7, 2012 / 4:35 pm

    Ohhh cute. Now I want to do this to match my fiesta ware!!

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      March 7, 2012 / 5:41 pm

      That would look so pretty! I am jealous of your Fiesta ware.

    • Lets just build a house!
      March 11, 2012 / 10:33 pm

      Thanks! I can't wait to unpack 75% of it when we move this summer, it's mostly in boxes in our basement in our rental!

  3. Chris Loves Julia
    March 7, 2012 / 5:22 pm

    The wooden spoon is my most favorite kitchen tool. And after this–I am gonna love it even more!

  4. Jae
    March 7, 2012 / 6:20 pm

    Erin from House of Earnest did this recently too! I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE the colors you used!

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      March 7, 2012 / 6:42 pm

      Really?!? Cool, I will have to check that out because I haven't ever seen her blog. Thanks for the info 🙂

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      March 7, 2012 / 6:45 pm

      Cute, I just saw her post. She used a food safe shellac because she painted part of the handle that would touch food. Smart! I only painted the ends of the handle that won't reach into a pot, specifically because my varnish is not stamped "food safe". I LOVE the colours Erin used. Here's the link for anyone else curious:http://www.houseofearnest.com/2012/02/29/have-make-dipped-wooden-utensils/

  5. melissamevans
    March 7, 2012 / 6:23 pm

    Loving this DIY project, ALOT!

  6. mistergandme
    March 7, 2012 / 7:09 pm

    Wow! Your spoons are fantastic! I love your colors 🙂 And your work bench!

  7. Dana@Mid2Mod
    March 7, 2012 / 8:16 pm

    That completely eliminates the need to buy expensive colored spoons from stores like Williams Sonoma and Chefs Catalog. Great idea!

  8. Sheila @SZInteriors
    March 7, 2012 / 9:12 pm

    I LOVE these, and actually repinned your pin today!!! Something so simple to add an individual touch to your space – what's not to love? Just read on YHL that the Winter Pinterest Challenge is back! I've been watching for it – it forces me to act on all my pinning inspiration 🙂

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      March 7, 2012 / 9:48 pm

      I spotted the Pinterest Challenge on YHL too. I can't wait to link up my two pinterest-inspired projects but hopefully I have time to make something new, too. I can't wait to see what you create!

  9. Martina
    March 7, 2012 / 10:08 pm

    These turned out great! I love how simple yet personalized they are; love the colours you picked out.

  10. Carol@TheDesignPages
    March 7, 2012 / 11:30 pm

    Really cute and simple.

  11. Grace @ Sense and Simplicity
    March 8, 2012 / 1:03 am

    They look vintage – well new vintage (if you get my meaning) without any chips. I love them.

  12. Keira
    March 8, 2012 / 3:36 am

    Love this idea! So cheery!

  13. SamanthaJoy
    March 11, 2012 / 8:25 am

    oooh. so cute. i love the idea. xo samantha

  14. Krista @ Nook of Wellington
    March 12, 2012 / 11:56 pm

    Oh my God, how cute are these?! Thanks for the inspiration Tanya, I think I'll dip my spoons this coming weekend! 🙂

  15. kelly@refresheddesigns.
    March 14, 2012 / 1:44 am

    Just catching up with your site and these are so cute! Well done- yours look even better than the inspiration pic.

  16. Lauren
    March 14, 2012 / 9:54 pm

    I LOVE this!!!! I can imagine my kitchen filled with these now, lol! Your project turned out great.MyersMaison.blogspot.com

  17. Andrea
    March 15, 2012 / 1:14 am

    I love this project! I'm going to be on the hunt for wooden spoons now!

  18. DecorandtheDog
    March 15, 2012 / 1:29 am

    Cute idea! But you lost me at no dish washer.

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      March 15, 2012 / 3:32 am

      Awww, I hear ya! I dishwasher my vintage pyrex and good china. Alas, these are not dishwasher safe. But perhaps with a stain? Wood spoons and bowls tend to dry up in the dishwasher anyway . . . even sans paint.

  19. The Adventures Ashley
    March 15, 2012 / 3:19 am

    I've got this one pinned too…love it!!

  20. Tamsyn
    March 15, 2012 / 8:06 am

    These look so great Tanya. I'm so inspired to do some of my own 🙂

  21. Catharine
    March 15, 2012 / 4:16 pm

    These are absolutely adorable! I just love how they turned out! :)xo Catharine @ Your Modern Couple

  22. Laurel Stephens
    April 1, 2012 / 7:01 pm

    What a GREAT idea, and thanks for sharing!

  23. Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made
    April 2, 2012 / 11:43 am

    What a cute idea! Would be great for a wedding gift to coordinate with the brides kitchen colors!

  24. Meagan
    April 4, 2012 / 2:23 am

    Tanya! I did just see your spoons last night when I was getting caught up on my reading (I do my reading in bulk!). I read often but don't always comment as my browser doesn't like Blogger so I can't comment unless I am using a different browser – odd I know!Meagan

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      April 4, 2012 / 2:33 am

      Don't even get me started on browser problems, and blogger problems and wordpress comments. Sigh, I hear ya! I just wanted you to see because we're clearly both loving all things colour blocked!

  25. cred
    May 29, 2012 / 2:44 pm

    I love the dipped-dyed effect- really love. I am doing this to all my wooden utensils, too. Is there such a things as too much dipped-dyed? I have done several baskets in kitchen and bathroom, now I am thinking the bar stools, too. Yikes! I am quite taken with it. Thanks for the inspiration!

  26. Amelia @ House Pretty
    December 14, 2012 / 5:48 pm

    I'm going to try this for a Christmas gift – wish me luck!

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      December 15, 2012 / 3:32 pm

      GOOD LUCK!! Remember to make sure they don't put it in the dishwasher – handwash only 🙂

  27. Rue du chat qui pêche
    March 17, 2013 / 8:06 am

    What a gorgeous blog!I love this idea! Such a simple idea and it would make a great activity or the cold easter weather we are having.Check out a similar post of mine that might give you more ideas…http://rueduchatquipeche.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/diy-how-to-dip-dye-cutlery.htmlXoxo

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