Last week when we were at the Habitat Restore in Nashville, I found a great deal on quarts of paint -- 25 cents each. Painting the exterior of our house had been on the to-do list for a while, so when I found tons of exterior paint, I jumped at the opportunity. Besides the $6 in paint I purchased, we also had to purchase 2 buckets and 2 lids, a 5-gallon and a 2 1/2 gallon, one for the wall paint and another for the trim.
I knew I wanted a dark taupy-gray tan color. Very specific, huh? Well, I knew I would go crazy trying to sort it out, and so this was an escape -- I bought all the tans and dark browns I could find and used a rubber kitchen spatula to empty the quarts into the bigger buckets. I added in the ones closest to the color I wanted first, then added darker and lighter shades alternately until I got a color I liked. It takes a little practice and you have to be very flexible, but it turned out a great color (stop back by Thursday for a preview).
However, for $6 worth of paint & $9 worth of buckets, a total of $15 versus about $250 made it very easy to relinquish complete color control. Now if I could find a way to make it paint the wall all by itself, I'd be good to go!
For more thrifty finds, check out Today's Thrifty Treasures.
For great makeover ideas, see Metamorphosis Monday.
Wanna get your shop on? Check out my new online store, The Shabby Chic Cottage Shoppe.
30 sweet little love notes:
i used to be in charge of set construction for our easter cantatas at church. i'd go all around looking for the oops paints & mix & match to come up with the right colors for the set. sure saved a lot of money.
can't wait to see how it turns out.
in this day & age, you're not cheap, you're chic!
randee
What a steal on the paint. And you are so brave to mix the colors. Thanks for sharing!
So are you liking the color? Did you try it out yet? Can't wait to see.
You've inspired me to go by the Habitat store and to look at the oops paint in the home stores.
Great deal.
Wow, I'm looking forward to seeing some before and after paint photos!!
lol, you describe colors like I do! "I wanted a dark taupy-gray tan" sounds like my, "I want a chocolate brown, like Hershey's, but with a bit more milk."
Way to save!
Clever gal! Dying to see what you did now ... may we peek?
TTFN ~ Marydon
What a deal on paint! We don't have a Porter Paint Store, but I have used it and I loved it.
I love Restore too. That's awesome that you were able to pick up all of your paint there!
Love the color, love the kinship with a caution to the wind paint mixing sister in brushes. I love your shop, too, btw. Be well -
I can hardly breathe. Did you say 25 CENTS per quart? My heart be still....
Awesome deal, cant' wait to see it!
Wow I look forward to how it turns out...I am having a give a-way to celebrate my 1 month Blogoversary.... Please stop over.
I visited a Restore store this weekend as well. Didn't buy anything but they had some great things. I plan to go back often. You never know when they might have something you need.
Visiting from Rhoda's, please stop by and say hello.
Are you going to show us a picture??
blessings on your week.
barbara jean
Oh, I am so SO glad I found your blog! I clicked on a link to you from Twice Remembered and have been reading away! :) I can't wait to see the preview of your house paint color this week! I am really impressed by both the way you went about getting your paint color, and definitely the price you paid! :) I hope you have a good night and a wonderful Monday! :)
I would have never thought! great thrifty tip!
Ok this is such a tease! Get out your paint rollers and start cracking girl. We want to see that paint in action!
Good job on mixing your own paint. Now you have a great deal and the paint will not be thrown away. Gotta love that.
I halways have my eye on the Ooops paint at Lowes. Never know when that perfect for me color will pop up! Great idea to buy the way you did.
Fabulous deal, paint is such a refreshing change for so little $- will be back to see what happens!
Well, aren't you clever...I would have never thought of doing this! I like the idea! Can't wait to see what you mixed up and how it will look! Susan
Hi Gina,
I can't wait to see the final results. I can't believe you only spent $15. I love a great deal. Will be back on Thrusday for the preview. Have yourself a wonderful Monday!
Blessings,
♥Ana
Oh my goodness - you are so brave! I think that this might be a really smart move - not only do you save money, but you won't spend hours and hours obsessing over paint chips trying to find the perfect one and then discover after you've bought the paint and done all the work that the color is off (like I always do!) I can't wait to see how it turns out!
Excellent idea! I can't wait to see how it turns out.
I can't wait to see the finished product. I'm in the process of doing some cool paint things with my own left over paint. I lover reusing. So fun!
Awesome price and it is sure to be a great paint job! Good for you. Hugs, Cindy S.
Wow you are a brave gal to try that! I guess it's not like you would be out a fortune though? Can't wait to see the results. Will be back! Traci
I think that is a GREAT idea!!! I am SO HAPPY I FOUND THIS SITE!! And I know all about the ADD I have so many different ideas from my bartending days ! I a ton of wine bottles and wine corks!! I think I will join in on the list of TO DO THINGS!!
Great Picture and how true!
Jan
bobbypinsboardwalk@yahoo.com
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