Before and After: Upcycled Vintage Doll Cradles

A Pair of Vintage Doll Cradles Get A Shabby to Chic Makeover

Hi All,

Today was the first day of school for my kiddies. I can’t believe summer is on its way out so soon. I have noticed Fall Decor popping up in all the stores already! It is still pretty hot and sticky here in NC so I can’t even begin to think about pumpkins, witches and apple cider yet.

Today I wanted to share with you an adorable “upcycling” project I recently completed. A favorite client of mine gave me this pair of vintage doll cradles she had no use for. She figured I could do something with them.

As soon as I saw them I was picturing new paint, new bedding…. OH BOY!

Vintage Doll Cradles

I started their transformation with a fresh coat of paint.

vintage doll cradle

The first vintage cradle received a couple of coats of Cottage Green paint with a little distressing for a Shabby Cottage look. To give it some personality,  I added a couple of vintage baby  images and created a “mattress” and doll blanket out of new and vintage fabrics.

upcycled vintage doll cradle

This “shabby to chic” Upcycled Doll Cradle is just too cute now!

upcycled vintage doll cradle

I didn’t want both of them to be identical so I painted the second vintage doll cradle a soft, buttery yellow and added more vintage baby images.

yellow upcycled doll cradle

The handmade bedding was created from a vintage pink chenille bedspread and a vintage bed sheet. It is so darling!

vintage doll bedding

Here is the second upcycled vintage doll cradle all finished and ready for a new home.

yellow vintage doll cradle

I think this pair of vintage doll cradles are so sweet. They would fit perfectly in a vintage inspired little girl’s room. I would have loved these when I was a child. I would spend hours in my room playing “house” when I was a little girl. I guess I have always been domestic. There’s no place like home.

upcycled vintage doll cradles

Well that’s all for today blogland friends. The next time you are wandering around a second hand shop or flea market, don’t pass on that lonely old doll cradle. Bring it home. With a little TLC they can become beautiful again. Just think of all the memories that will be created when a special little girl in your life plays with them!

Thanks so much  for visiting today!

~Lisa

 

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10 Responses

  1. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life

    Oh my goodness, how sweet and precious are these. Fantastic redo, they look wonderful. Definitely captured that vintage feel. I would love for you to link up to my ongoing party – Inspire Me –http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/08/179th-inspire-me-tuesday.html Hope to see you there. Hugs, Marty

  2. Jennifer T

    Love what you’ve done. I just got my cradle passed on to me and the cats love it so much I want to paint it and keep it where they can enjoy it. Who makes the Cottage Green paint that you used?

    • Lisa Hogan

      Hi Jennifer,
      I bought the paint in the mistint pile at Lowes. Valspar at Lowes has a great selection of colors and now they come with primer mixed in which makes our lives so much easier! I always use interior latex in a satin finish. Semigloss does not distress as well and flat paint does not hold the wax as well. I always finish my painted pieces with a coat or two of paste wax. Good Luck! Send me some pics when you are done with your cradle 🙂

  3. Jennifer T

    That was sooo very nice of you to give me such a detailed and informative response. A lot of bloggers aren’t will to share “trade secrets.” I just want to paint the cats’ cradle (pun intended.). It will be about a month before I tackle it but when I’m through I’ll send you a pic or two. Keep up the great posts! I’m a fan.

  4. Joan Merrell

    These are so cute! I love this idea. I have seen the unfinished cradles at craft store, and now I know what to do with them! 🙂
    I found your post on the 5 Minutes for Mom “Tackle It Tuesday” linky for today. I’m glad I stopped by. 🙂

  5. Abby

    These are so cute! I know my girls would love little beds like these to play with!

  6. Amy DeWall

    Hi Lisa
    I live the cradles, they are gorgeous! I’m just getting ready to paint one and using Chalk paint so we’ll see how it turns out. I’ve been frustrated with trying to find a cute stencil template to use and have found nothing! Where did you find your little decals? They are very cute as well 🙂 Thank you for sharing Lisa.

    • Lisa

      Hi Amy,
      Thank you so much! I loved redesigning these cradles. I printed the decals from a collection of vintage baby greeting card images I have. I love working with vintage images. 🙂

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