Willow Basket Makeover

A-Tisket, A-Tasket, 

A giant Willow Basket

In honor of May Day and Spring, 

today's post is a simple Spring Basket mini-makeover...

It started with an irresistible willow basket 

that I found at the Kane County Flea Market last month.

Darling Daughter had come home from college for a "Reverse" Mom's Weekend. 

There's just so much more to do around here than on campus 

(especially if one of you is still under-age....)

We went to see "Cinderella" on Friday night and loved it.

Then we hit the flea market on Saturday afternoon 

and had fun hunting for treasures together.

I spotted this basket and snagged it for a pretty good price.

Willow baskets can be spendy and this one is huge.

It's over three feet long.

It had been half painted an antique gold.  

It must have been on a shelf someplace where the back side didn't show.

I wanted it for my new island and I needed something big-

Sort of a "Statement" basket.

I like that it has a handle and will be easy to move 

when I actually need to use this end of the island.

I bought some trusty Rustoleum spray paint, in Flat Brown.

I knew I didn't want the finish to be glossy 

and I wanted it to coordinate with the domed basket above the refrigerator.

Ten minutes later, 

Voila!

I sprayed it really lightly so some of the old lighter color could show through.

I think it works well with the other basket.

(And I'm still in love with my star mullions...

You can read about the kitchen re-do here.)

I love it when a plan comes together...

I bought some big beautiful ivy plants from my friend Heather

(you can read about Heather here)

and a fuchsia plant for some color.

I think the fuchsia might do well in this spot, 

getting some nice light from our skylights.

Then again, it might make a constant mess....

The sheer brilliance of my plan 

is how easy it will be to change the plants around 

in different seasons or just in different moods.

Here's the view from what I like to call my "Throne"...

I like how the basket helps screen the sink from the rest of the room.

Here's the view from my sink.

Don't judge the wall art.  

I'm still searching for the right thing(s) to put on that back wall...

Suggestions, anyone?

Linking to:
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style