Oopsy Daisy: A Monochromatic Centerpiece that Will Make a Bold Statement for Spring

With Easter only a week away, I wanted to share a DIY decorating hack that I use for entertaining, that may be helpful for those that are getting their Easter on next weekend (or other spring parties). It’s a monochromatic DIY idea that is completely fool-proof, so whether you’re an experienced DIYer or a total novice, you got this! Pinkie promise.

The idea is simple, gather items from around the house that are similar in color (all yellows, all blues, etc) and create a statement tablescape or entryway welcome tray for party guests to enjoy. Don’t have many items that are all the same color? No worries, neither did I. So, I came up with a solution that solves that problem with a can of paint.

I’ve teamed up with the awesome folks at Valpsar once again, to bring you colorful content all year long – starting with this monochromatic tablescape idea. And to celebrate Ace Hardware’s 31 Days of Color campaign, I used today’s Color of the Day, Oopsy Daisy, to create this DIY bold statement for spring.

More about 31 Days of Color: Visit ThePaintStudio.com every day in March to uncover the Color of the Day from Ace’s exclusive Valspar^® paint line, along with expert tips and inspiration. Once there, you can also enter the 31 Days of Color Sweepstakes (daily) for a chance to win a $10,000 paint makeover and daily gift cards up to $1,000. No purchase necessary. Ends 3/31/16. 

Click through for the full tutorial…

Materials:

• one quart of Valspar Optimus Paint (I used Oopsy Daisy in a flat finish)*
• paint brush
• old vases, containers, recycled soup cans, and small decorative objects
• decorative tray that can be painted

*Normally, I’d say to use any kind of paint you’d like for a project, but in this case, I would specifically recommend Valspar Optimus because of the OptiColor Pigment Technology, which basically translates to brilliant color and a smooth, flawless finish (perfect for different surfaces that you’d be painting for this DIY idea).

Also… I actually bought a gallon of paint, but in hindsight really only needed a quart, since the majority of the pieces only needed one coat of paint. Paint and primer in one is where it’s at folks!

Instructions:
1. Gather up old and/or inexpensive vases, containers, and small decorative items, along with a large tray. And style them (as is) inside the tray. This will help you get an idea for the exact pieces that will work and which ones won’t, before you even get started. That way, you’re only painting the items that will look best set up in the tray. And you can save the rest for other projects, etc.

Styling Tips: Keep your tallest items in the back, but vary the heights for each piece for a well rounded display. Don’t forget to leave room for snacks and beverages too, if desired.

2. Take a picture of the tray set up, just as you like it, so you can remember where everything goes when you’re ready to reassemble everything at the end.

3. Now, it’s time to start painting! Depending on the surface you’re covering, you’ll need 1-2 coats of paint. Aside from a couple of stubborn surfaces, the majority of my vases and containers only needed one coat. If any of your items need more than one coat, however, be sure to let the paint dry according to the instructions on the can before painting a second coat.

4. Once the paint is dry, arrange the objects on the tray. Use your picture guide from step #2 to quickly set everything back up the way that you like it.

5. Then fill vases and containers with fresh flowers and/or wheatgrass (which I especially like for Easter or a spring get together). And lastly, add bite size treats (like macarons or cookies) and water or other beverages, so guests can grab something quickly.

Side Note: You could easily replicate this project without a tray as well, if you prefer. I like the tray aspect because it’s easy to move everything at once and you can bring it to another location if necessary (like from the entryway to the dining table or the dining table to a coffee table, etc). But I wouldn’t let it stop you from recreating the project if you don’t have one.

Photography Amelia Tatnall and Rachel Brewer
Styling Brittni Mehlhoff

What I love most about this DIY idea is the endless possibility for customization… You can get a totally different look with a different color of paint / selecting different styled objects, etc. I’m really curious to know how you would change up this idea to make it your own.

What color would you paint your objects? What kinds of things would you bring into the mix to make it uniquely your own?

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This post is in partnership with Valpsar. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper & Stitch running.