Upcycled Photo Display

Today I am sharing one of the easiest projects I’ve ever done. That’s because I really didn’t do much except spray paint an item I already had and upcycled it into something else. You may have seen this cute little pink elephant turned upcycled photo display in my wedding guestbook ideas post, or in a photo where I showed DIY planter ideas:

Upcycled Photo Display

I know not everyone reading this will have the exact same elephant, but I’m sharing this to show you that you really can take items you already have on hand {or may be stored in a box in the garage or attic}, and transform them into fun home accessories.

You see, it all started several years ago when I became crazy obsessed with elephants. I’m talking every time I saw some sort of elephant knick-knack I had to buy it. Have you ever gone through a phase like this… or maybe you are going through one now?

Well lately, I’m not so obsessed with elephants {although I still think they are super cute}, so the hoarder upcycler in me has kept this elephant in a box of other misfits. So a few months ago when I was going through boxes and trying to do some unpacking {yes we still haven’t completely unpacked since we moved a few months ago, yikes!} I came across this elephant. All of a sudden, the tusks gave me an idea so I grabbed a photo and slid it between them… tada a new photo display! I was so excited that I showed Eric who only gave me a slightly crazy look before he told me it was a cool idea. He’s sorta used to my sometimes wacky thinking.

Anyway, I added some spray paint and that was it. Actually, after I sprayed it with paint, I felt like the color was too pink and less coral, so I wound up adding some custom mixed coral paint to the elephant afterward. I was super impatient so I didn’t cover up the tusks before painting, I only taped over the eyes. However, I’m thinking I may go back in with a small paintbrush and paint the tusks back to white. Either way, I am back in love with this elephant and this it makes such a fun, whimsical photo display, don’t you think? The elephant really didn’t even need to be painted but I figured I may as well add some fun color to the mix for a touch of whimsy.

What random items around your home have you turned into a photo display? If you haven’t, I challenge you to find something and then leave a comment letting me know what you used!

What do you think of the upcycled photo display? Thanks for stopping by!