February 11, 2011

Repost....ORB light switches and vent covers

Since this was one of my very first posts, I decided to re-post it.....it's so helpful and many of my newer readers may have missed this idea....



When I first started reading decorating blogs, I kept seeing the initials ORB and I had NO idea what they stood for.  Little did I know how those three little intials would change my life.....it has begun a love-affair with spray paint!


(I am sure that my neighbors think that I am absolutely INSANE.....the fumes from spray paint always lingering out from under the crack in the garage door that gives me a slight stream of fresh oxygen....the constant clanging of the metal ball in the can.....)


ORB stands for Oil-Rubbed Bronze and yes, it can change your life too.  Take for instance my vent covers and light switches....





After I finished my "fake" wainscoating in our hallway, I realized that my off-white light switches looked drab compared to the white bottom. So....Krylon's ORB to the rescue.



After a quick trip to our local True Value to see what their $8.00 switch plates look like, I realized that I could do it.

First...prime the switch plate with any Krylon primer.  I had a grey color left over so I used that.  Then....spray with Krylon ORB.  Because little fingers touch this plate alot, I sprayed it with a Krylon clear acrylic sealer.

Tip:  Do NOT drop it on the garage floor upside-down or it will look like THIS! (Oops!)



Go back to the hardware store, buy another switch plate and start over!


And the reveal.....





....it just completes the overall look that I wanted!!






I'm in the process of converting my boring brown...kind've starting to rust vent covers.....and they look GORGEOUS!!  


Here it is the ugly brown:




And with a dash of ORB:


You can't see the flecks and it's true color, but it's beautiful!


And really...even if they start to chip....what's the big deal to spray over it again!  It's SO much cheaper than buying a new one!!!

Cheap and easy!!

6 comments:

Melanie said...

What a great idea! I love easy fixes like this. It can transform the look of a whole area for a coupole of dollars! I'm your newest follower.

Melanie
youmadethat.blogspot.com

Dixiejet said...

We are remodeling our ENTIRE HOUSE and I plan on buying the cheap switchplates and outlet covers and doing this exact thing.

Style, Decor & More said...

Beautiful! What a difference a little detail can make!

Lisa said...

ORB and ziploc bags the two best inventions ever!!
I just remodeled our basement bathroom and was not going to spend 23.99 on a toliet paper holder!! ORB and a fan (it's 29 degrees here) and the fixture looks amazing!
PS Do spray in outside (inside a box) when it's this cold and after a few minutes bring it in with the fan and let it dry. It won't dry if you can still see your breath outside!!!

willowbird35 said...

Thank you so much for this re-post! I have a very ugly, rusted floor vent in my kitchen, right in front of the dishwasher where everyone can see it! I don't have the money to replace it but I do have spray paint! Yeah!! -Karen

resyds said...

I love this! I want to do it throughout my house. Do you any of you know if it will work on the brass-looking light fixture covers? I was worried about the heat resistance of those vanity lights. Any input is appreciated if you know. I can't wait to get started!

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