Vintage Tea Cart Painted with a Fun Pattern

This tea cart was made in the 1960's and is in good shape for its age.

Vintage 1967 tea cart prior to painting.

I painted the four support spindles as well while it was upside down to assure that I got in all the nooks and crannies. I did a few touch ups after I flipped it right side up.

Painting spindles on a vintage tea cart.

Next I turned it upright and finished painting a base coat of Coco on the top and two shelves. I planned to have a worn vintage look for the final finish, so I only used one coat of paint.

Base coat of Coco applied to the entire tea cart.

Now for the fun part: painting a diamond pattern on the top. First I placed a yard stick from corner to corner.

Painting a diamond pattern: First I placed a yard stick from corner to corner.

Using a pencil I marked off the line. Then I repeated the process for the other two corners creating an "X".

Using a pencil I marked off the line. Then I repeated the process for the other two corners creating an "X".

I used a piece of trim molding that I had on had as a guide for my pattern. I lined the board up with my first line and continued to trace the pattern. I repeated this step for the opposite angle until the top was filled with the diamond shapes penciled in.

Painting a diamond pattern: I used a piece of trim moulding that I had on had as a guide for my pattern.

I roughly painted in the diamonds with Duck Egg blue and Old White. Then I sanded back the painted pattern.

Sanding blurs the lines and gives it a charming finish.

I added some more hints of Duck Egg and Old Ochre to the spindles to help with color balance. Then I sealed it with clear wax. I added touches of dark wax here and there.

After:

Vintage tea cart painted in Coco, Duck Egg Blue, and Old Ochre.
Vintage tea cart painted in Coco, Duck Egg Blue, and Old Ochre.

Painted vintage tea cart.
Painted vintage tea cart.

The back end has a handle for pushing the cart. It can be slid underneath when not in use.

Coco, Duck Egg Blue and Old Ochre.
Coco, Duck Egg Blue and Old Ochre.

Painted tea cart wheel.
Painted tea cart wheel.

Here's a closer shot of the details painted on the spindles. I used Duck Egg Blue on the "rings" and Old Ochre on the flat parts.

Details painted onto spindles.

The front of the tea cart has a small drawer for extra storage.

Small drawer on front of vintage tea cart.
Small drawer on front of vintage tea cart.

I continued the accents of Duck Egg Blue and Old Ochre onto the wheels.

I continued the accents of Duck Egg Blue and Old Ochre onto the wheels.
I continued the accents of Duck Egg Blue and Old Ochre onto the wheels.

Each of the sides can be opened up for additional surface space as needed.

Tea cart with sides extended.
Tea cart with sides extended.

Here's a closer look at the hand-painted diamond pattern. Perfectly imperfect.

Here's a closer look at the hand-painted diamond pattern. Perfectly imperfect.
Perfectly imperfect hand-painted diamonds.


Vintage tea cup collection.
Vintage tea cup collection.

Vintage tea cups on tea cart.
Vintage tea cups on tea cart.


I hope you enjoyed my project. A supply list is below for your convenience.

Supply List:

Below are the supplies I used for this project. Some links are affiliate links which  means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. It doesn't cost you extra, but it helps support the time and effort of maintaining the blog.

Vintage tea cart painted with chalk paint.


Comments

  1. Patricia, you do such beautiful work! Your vintage tea cart is gorgeous. Distressing the diamond pattern on the top adds so much charm to this piece and I love your application of color and dark wax. Pinned and sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Marie! I appreciate your kind words. Thank you also for pinning!

      Delete
  2. The tea cart is exactly the one I inherited from my mom. Have been wondering what to do with it. Now I have a pretty good idea what I want to do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good luck with your project Cheri! I hope it brings you lots of happy memories of your mom.

      Delete

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