Disclosure: This is a sponsored post from Zibra Brushes but the opinions and projects are mine all mine!} Calling all my bargain shoppers! Love those inexpensive wood pieces you find at mass craft stores but don’t like the color? Grab some Zibra brushes and create your own farmhouse chic home decor to brighten up any space!

I bought this pair of lanterns on clearance last year I wasn’t in love with the brown wood (I am a bright white and lots of color girl) but couldn’t beat the price! Of course, I justified it by telling myself I’d paint them, but every time I thought about the process of taping off the glass panes and getting into the nooks and crannies and curves of these intricate lanterns I just pushed the project further down my to-do list. Until Zibra Brushes came into my life! {FTC disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links which means I may make a small commission on any sales at no additional cost to you.}

In the past, I have been a spray paint girl (cough cough lazy painter cough cough) so have shied away from projects like this. However, as much as I LOVE spray painting, it didn’t seem like a great idea for this particular project. This is because when you have a piece with so many angles and curves it is hard to get even coverage in some spots without over-painting others.

With these Zibra brushes I was able to choose the brush I needed for the shape of each part of the lantern and it was a total game-changer. Now I can’t wait to paint all the intricate things!

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• wood lantern
• paint of your choice
• scrub brush
• The Zibra Fan Brush
• Zibra Square Brush (they also have a Triangle Brush that would be great for similar detailed work)
• The Zibra 2” Palm Pro Cut In Brush
• screwdriver
• rag or towel (or painter’s tape if you want to tape off the glass)
• paint scraper
• Optional: items to fill your lantern

NOTE: Are you looking for some fun ideas on how to fill your decorative lantern? Then make sure you scroll to the end of this post to see some lantern ideas!

HOW TO MAKE FARMHOUSE CHIC PAINTED WOOD LANTERNS:

1. CLEAN LANTERNS: Lightly brush and clean the lantern and remove any debris. Make sure you also clean the inside of your lantern because we will be painting the inside.

The surface was textured enough that I didn’t need to do any sanding, but if you are painting a lantern that has a super smooth surface (like metal lanterns) just give it a light scuffing with some sandpaper.

2. REMOVE HARDWARE: Remove hardware as desired. I wanted to paint the hinges on the back but leave the front clasps the original metal for a little pop of color. So I took them off and set them aside.

3. PAINT LANTERN SECTIONS: Begin painting each section of the lantern. For our lanterns, I wanted to create a set of white lanterns because our home has a farmhouse coastal theme. However, you can paint your own lanterns in whatever color scheme fits your decor style.

Also, in regards to painting, here are a few tips:

With each section you paint/brush you use, make sure you are painting in the same direction. For example, when I was painting the decorative/curved top I moved the brush horizontally around the top. When painting the broad part of the lid I painted top to bottom, and the angles/corners of the lantern I painted from bottom to top.

The Zibra Fan Brush was perfect for the molding and detail at the top of the lantern. It brushed beautifully over the detailed cut outs without “gooping up” (that is the technical term) in the openings. The coverage was perfect the first time around!

I’d never thought about the comfort level of a paintbrush – I just chalked up cramped fingers to “that’s just how it is”. So I was SUPER surprised with how much better the Palm Pro Brush felt in my hand! Rather than having to grip a thin handle I could rest it in the palm of my hand or across several fingers, and it made my painting a lot smoother too. Added bonus!

The Square Brush was AMAZING for the angles and corners of the body of the lantern. I worried about getting good coverage on both sides of the angled pieces and having to do twice the work – but the square brush actually cut my work almost in half. We are getting ready to repaint some of the rooms in our house and I can’t wait to try this brush on the corners.

The brushes gave me so much control over the angled pieces of wood we didn’t even worry about taping! We used outdoor paint (since I think these are going to live by my front door) so we were able to easily scrape off any paint that got on the glass with a paint scraper.

This is something to keep in my when choosing paint because you want the paint on your lanterns to last. So, when looking at paint, I recommend checking the label to see if it’s for outdoor use, indoor use, or both.

Also, the biggest lesson learned – when working on the inside of the lantern start painting from the bottom and work your way up. Your sleeves will thank you!

4. REATTACH HARDWARE: Reattach the hardware and enjoy decorating your home with your newly painted lanterns. Can you believe the difference?

I just loved how this group of lanterns turned out and think they look so cute by my front door!

LANTERN DECOR IDEAS: DECORATING THE INSIDE OF YOUR LANTERN

When it comes to decorating the inside of your lantern, think of it as a little display case. You can fill it up with almost anything, so experiment with different items to see what you like best. It also may help to think about where you will be displaying your glass lantern in your home. For instance, is it going to be in your living room, on the coffee table, or on the dinner table?

For my lantern, I ended up using some common materials that I already had at home. The times that I used were white flameless candles and faux greens. However, below are some other ways that you can decorate the inside of your lantern!

• Seasonal Decor – For example, use fake pumpkins to create a fall lantern or a fake small tree to create a Christmas lantern.
• Fairy Lights or Party lights – If you are using floor lanterns, this would be a great option for creating a ”light-up pathway”.
• Air Plants – If you are a plant lady, displaying some air plants is an easy way to show off some of your favorite plants.
• Faux Succulents – Don’t have a green thumb? Then faux succulents are a great way to bring in some greenery without worrying about keeping them alive!
• Classic Candles or LED Candle – This would be really pretty as a table centerpiece or even a wedding decoration.

If you are loving this farmhouse chic style, then check out our DIY Flower Vase with Recycled Glass Jar!