Vintage Cooler Makeover: For the 4th of July
I have a very simple but transformative project today that’s perfect for summer entertaining. I bought a cooler at a garage sale a few weeks ago for a buck. Big, red, and chippy, I knew I had to bring it home with me for a vintage cooler makeover.
With Memorial Day around the corner and July 4th not far behind, I decided the time had come to use a new “America” stencil I purchased a few months ago from Homestead Stencil Company for $1.99.
I have to say, I’m in love with it! Do you love it, too?!! Is it just me?!!
One little stencil took a pretty bland Thermos brand cooler from drab to fab in about five minutes flat.
Perfect for any occasion, patriotic or otherwise, and an added benefit? It makes for great extra seating. Add a cushion and you have a nice, comfy bench.
I have it tucked under an old table on our deck that holds plants (or food during a BBQ). It’s really a nice touch out there.
Oh and I gave it a couple of coats of matte finish polyurethane spray to protect the stencil from damage.
What other vintage pieces could this stencil be applied to?
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I have an old cooler similar to yours in the basement. My company gave them to employees as a safety award in the late 70’s or early 80’s. I thought it was long gone but my daughter spotted it up on a shelf in the basement last week. She said ” Do you remember that old cooler you and Dad used to drag everywhere? Well it is in the basement high on a shelf. Do you want to get ?” Of course I said Nooooooooooo! Now I’m going to have to pull it out to see if we can use it on the deck. Love the stencil you put on your cooler.
It was such a simple, crafty little upgrade. At first I was going to stencil “Cold Drinks,” but when I remembered the “America” stencil, and with Memorial Day coming up, I went with the patriotic choice, and I’m glad 🙂
WOW! I Love this cooler! $1??? It was great before the stencil, but even better now! I’m quite jealous! xoKathleen
Charm Bracelet Diva {At Home}
Thanks, Kathleen–so glad you like it 🙂 I’ll be hoping you find one of your own…
thanks for your post. I went to the website and ordered several stencils for myself. you should let them know that you are getting some business for them. Sharon
You’re so welcome, Sharon! I’ve been very pleased with their stencils–they have SO many to choose from. I’m always happy to send customers to companies I use and like myself 🙂
I have an old cooler like this that I keep sunflower seeds for the birds in. You’ve given me the idea to spruce it up a little..
Takes almost no time at all, Jan–good luck with yours 🙂
Oh I love this project! It looks so cute now!
Tania
Thanks Tania!
There is one of these in my parents’ basement. In fact, I think there may be one of these in our garage! Super idea to spruce it up with this stencil. This would look nifty, I think, on a little red wagon as well.
I’m glad you like the idea, Mrs. T 🙂 You’re right; it would look great on a red wagon–something else to hunt for now!
It’s PERFECT!
Thanks Cynthia!
Perfection! One lovely touch was all it needed. It’s nice to be reminded that not everything needs to be complicated when you want to be creative.
I know; sometimes it’s so easy to overdo it. As I was writing this post, I felt kind of silly because it was so simple and easy, but I just loved how it turned out and it was a little different, so I just went with it. Glad I did now 🙂
Great stencil, you will get a lot of fun out of it. I like how you perked up the cooler with it. What a nice touch.
Thanks so much Debra–it was definitely a fulfilling project 🙂
Love the stencil Diana! I have an old one that I found at a yard sale. I had to dish $20 out for mine though. The top is quite rusty and I’ve toyed with the idea of repainting it.
hugs,
Jann
What a steal, Diana! I loved the cooler before but your stencil upcycle makes it perfect!
This is so darn cute now – and easy too! If you didn’t need it as a cooler, it would make an adorable flower planter too! Thanks for linking it up at Talk of the Town – I pinned it to the Knick of Time party board and am giving you a shout-out on Facebook tomorrow. 🙂
What a bargain! I love your quick and easy makover; perfect for 4th of July and all summer long. Thanks for linking up with Talk of the Town.
Very cute project! Will be perfect for the the upcoming patriotic celebrations…. or most anytime! 🙂 Coming from Talk of the Town Party! ~Rhonda
I think it’s great and I love the America stencil. The cooler brings back memories!
So simple and so fun!
Thanks for sharing at SYC.
If the Thermos company saw your stencil, they’d be like, “Why didn’t we think of that?!” Looks like it was manufactured that way. Love it!
because this was the first time on your blog i didn’t realize the ‘after’ photo was the finished project and i thought, “oh no, what did she do th that cute, but LARGE, cooler.” so i was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was the AFTER photo! what a simple project and it turned out really nice!
I really like the idea of using stencils on the cooler. I have a vintage cooler at the lake and I should do something like that with it.
Love that you gave it a face lift but retained the vintage look! Thanks.
Oh, yeah, that little stencil makes all the difference! Inspired, Diana!