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How to Create a Vintage Trophy Finish

Today, we’re sharing how to create a vintage trophy look!

One of my favorite things to collect is vintage trophies. They are not very plentiful in this area at all though.

In fact, every time I find a vintage trophy or a trophy platter I make sure to scoop them up because I never know when I’ll come across another one again.

I’m not even picky about it, really.  I’ll even take a vintage-inspired trophy or a piece that slightly resembles one.

Case in point, I found this piece at an estate sale.

At the time my bestie S was like, “I don’t get it” which totally gave me the giggles. Sure, the plastic mix of ferns, ivy, and dust was probably a bit off-putting.

But the shape of the vase looked almost identical to the loving cup trophies I’m constantly searching for.

See what I mean?

I knew this vase wouldn’t look exactly like the tarnished trophies my heart pines for but I thought I could get it pretty close.

And it’s super easy so I know you can do it too!

Here’s what you’ll need to create a vintage trophy look…

Supplies:

  • Loving cup style vase
  • Silver metallic paint
  • 1-inch paintbrush
  • Dark wax
  • Clear wax (optional)
  • Lint-free cloth or wax brush
  • Tarp to protect your work surface

Steps:

Gather your supplies together and make sure your vase is free from dirt and debris. Then, start painting your vase with metallic paint.

This is after one coat…

where you can still see a bit of the layer of gold.

And this is after two full coats of metallic paint…

Allow the vase to dry completely.  Then, apply the dark wax directly to the painted vase with a lint-free cloth or wax brush.

You’ll really want to make sure to get the dark wax into all the little nooks and crannies by massaging the wax into the vase.

If you find yourself needing an “eraser” because you’ve used too much dark wax, clear wax will do the trick, just remember a little goes a long way.

Make sure you read the label on the back of the dark wax, so you can allow for plenty of drying time.

The wax will need time to harden and cure before handling.

Decorating With Vintage Trophies:

Vintage trophies or vintage-inspired trophies like this one are really easy to decorate with throughout the year.  They can be used in seasonal vignettes, as part of a tablescape or even styled on a bookcase.

Here’s a look at the vase mixed with vintage trophies…

as part of a simple Spring vignette,

a DIY Fall Centerpiece,

on a Fall tablescape,

holding snowy Christmas branches,

or styled for every day as we did for the master bedroom refresh reveal.

I know it can be hard to see past the “what is” for “what can be” but honestly that’s the most amazing part of being able to make something your own.

So, the next time you’re at a thrift store, charity shop or estate sale try giving vessels and containers a second look.

You’ll be amazed at the possibilities!

Let us know if you’ve ever tried to create a vintage trophy look or if you’ve been DIYing anything fun lately. Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

A Few Other Posts You Can Find Vintage Trophy Inspiration:

Many blessings,

CoCo

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51 Comments

  1. I appreciate that, thank you so much! Hugs, CoCo

  2. I appreciate it, Lisa! I think the reason so many people passed it by was all those plastic plants ha ha. It was over flowing. Hope your week has been a happy one, big hugs, CoCo

  3. Thanks so much ladies, you guys are super awesome! Hugs,CoCo

    1. This is fantastic! I would never think of doing this craft. Thanks for sharing.

      Pinned my friend

      1. It opens up a world of possibilities now, doesn’t it, Cindy! I swear I’m looking out for things that have a trophy shape everywhere now. Hugs, CoCo

  4. I know, right, Angie! Can you believe all of those plastic plants spilling over? I’m always amazed at what paint can do. Sending you hugs for a happy day, CoCo

  5. That looks amazing and I want it! If you die before me, I’m sure your bestie will have looked at it long enough so you can leave it to me in your will. Just sayin. Love it! Pinned.

    1. Ha ha S would ship that thing to you today if I would let her so I have a little piece of scotch tape with your name on it 🙂 Thanks so much for your sweet words, Cindy. I always appreciate you! Hugs, CoCo

  6. I love to visit antique stores and I have quite a few to choose from here in Phoenix… but I have never seen a vintage trophy or a trophy platter that I can remember. So your idea to re-purpose a vase to look like a vintage trophy is absolutely brilliant!

    1. Thank you, Heidi! We live just a few hours from where most of the Derby horses hang out each winter and it’s even hard for us to find vintage trophies. I’ve had the best luck at outdoor events where there are a large number of vendors. Most of the time they sell at market value and sometimes even less which is what keeps us on the treasure trail 🙂 Hope you find some goodies soon. Happy hunting, CoCo

  7. This is such a creative idea! I never thought to even buy former trophies, or restore them but I can see how they would be an interesting decor piece. Thanks for sharing this! 🙂

    1. Thanks so much! They’re super easy to use on bookshelves or as part of a vignette. Plus, if you find the loving cup style trophies you can use the cup as an urn and put flowers or pencils or even feathers in there.

  8. I have pinned and will definitely try this! What a great idea CoCo! I have so many pieces that just don’t look vintage enough. so they are in the garage! Thank You for the tip!

    1. So glad you like this post, Kim! This was super easy to do and I know you could put your own spin on it and totally rock it too 🙂 Sending you hugs and hoping you’re having a great week, CoCo

  9. This is a great tutorial! I will be docorating my trophy like yours!

    1. That’s so exciting to hear, Diane, thank you! It’s such an easy piece to dress up or down. We use it all over and the house and in different seasons too. Happy DIYing, CoCo

  10. This came out great! You have done a great job decorating it through the seasons too. I love it!

    XO- MaryJo

    1. Thank you so much, MaryJo, I really appreciate it! Hope you’re having a great week, CoCo

    1. Thank you bunches, Anita! It was definitely a fun piece to create. Hope you’re having a great week, CoCo

  11. I’ve always been a big fan of vintage trophies — especially horse trophies! I l live in an “equestrian community” so sometimes I luck out and find vintage goodies like riding helmets, ribbons and one time even an engraved sliver box that was given out as a prize at one of the horse shows in the area many years ago. I’m a huge fan of loving cups as well, and I’ve found a few over the years at thrift stores and vintage shops. I LOVE what you did with this urn — it’s totally transformed! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm:) xo Kathleen

    1. That is so awesome, Kathleen! I seriously need to come hang out and shop with you sometime. Vintage horse trophies and ribbons are so hard to find in this area so we scoop them up as soon as we see something. Last Fall, I found some antique wooden riding boot forms and they were almost $900. Needless to say, I had to leave them there but equestrian stuff definitely has our heart too. Hope you find tons of goodies soon, CoCo

  12. This is just so inspiring!! I love your vision and seeing all the ways you use the piece!! Thanks for sharing this week at Charming Homes & Gardens!

    1. Thank you, Kristin! I know you love vintage trophies too and this upcycled vase is just as neutral and easy to use too! Hope your week has been a happy one, CoCo

  13. CoCo you have the best makeover ideas! I never would have looked twice at that vase, and now it looks like it belongs with all your other treasures. I’m excited to share your post this week on Tuesday Turn About Link Party. Hope to see you there!

    1. Aww thank you, Michelle, I really appreciate that! I’m constantly looking for vintage trophies but they’re either hard to find or super expensive so this felt like an easy solution. Heading over soon and sending you lots of hugs and thank yous for the feature, CoCo

  14. OMG! I LOVE this! I am always looking for trophies and loving cups but they are SO expensive. I never thought to do this. You are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing!!!

    1. Thank you so much, Mary! We’re always on the hunt for vintage trophies but you’re right they can be super expensive. Thankfully, this is a super easy (and thrifted) alternative we can enjoy until we find trophies at reasonable prices 🙂 Hope you’ve had a great week, CoCo

    1. I really appreciate it, Laura, thank you so much! Hope you’re week has been a happy one, CoCo

  15. We are so excited that you participated! Thank you for sharing your creativity! This is so cute!

    1. Thank you so much, Meg! It’s fun to see all the creative things everyone is sharing at your party 🙂 Hope you’ve had a great week, CoCo

  16. My daughter and granddaughter are horse nuts; everything today is plastic for trophies! I loved the bare bones of that urn. I scrolled back to try and figure out what it would look like upside down to use as a candlestand! Your tutorial was great. Since reading blogs, I know I have been able to see the potential in objects-to-be-repurposed much more! Last week I took a “candlestick” that was formerly a Wal-Mart lamp and topped it with a 5×7″ picture frame (both from GW) with several pieces of interchangable wallpaper (to match thecolors of the candlestick) to make a small raised tray. I refuse to spend my retirement time just doing housework!

    1. Thank you so much for your sweet words, Kathy! I really appreciate it. I love that you were able to repurpose the lamp, picture frame, and wallpaper too. It sounds like such a fabulous project. I’m totally with you on making time to be creative. Life is way too short to do housework all the time 🙂 Sending you hugs for a happy weekend, CoCo PS: Yeah for horse nuts! We can definitely relate 🙂

  17. I always love all of your DIY projects CoCo and this one looks amazing.
    Thank you for sharing your DIY for creating a vintage trophy look at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I love the fall vignette too and I’m delighted to be featuring it at tomorrow’s party and pinning too.
    Hugs,
    Kerryanne

    1. I appreciate you so much, Kerryanne, thank you! We use this piece all the time and in multiple seasons because it’s so versatile. I’ll have to get creative to see how I can dress it up again for Fall. I can hardly believe it’s time. Sending you big hugs and lots of thank yous, CoCo

  18. Wow I love this finish! I’m definitely going to use it to “update” some of my vases and such. Thanks so much for sharing this at Farmhouse Friday!

    1. So glad you like this post, Michelle. This technique was super easy to create and you’re super talented so I know you can knock this project out of the park with the pieces you have! Hope your weekend is a special one, CoCo

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