Vintage Carriage Clock Makeover
Hi everyone! I hope you had a great weekend 🙂 I shopped one of my absolute, all-time favorite town-wide garage sales on Saturday. My sweet husband served as chauffeur, and we filled the van. Literally. Filled. The. Van. He was very happy with his finds–several bottles of manly shower gel (like Irish Spring and Dial) for two dollars each, along with boxes of 18-count, brand-name K-cups for three dollars–woo woo. Plus he ate a foot-long, rare roast beef sub for lunch. (I like to keep him happy.) Drop by on Wednesday for a look at some of my vintage finds. Today I have a vintage find makeover: a drab to fab carriage clock in a few simple steps.
Yes, it’s another paint project–I can’t seem to stay away from them!
But let me ask you, how could anyone pass up this neat “vintage” (1970’s-80’s) carriage clock for a buck?!! I’m sure you all see its potential, just like I did. However, I have to admit, it sat in my workroom doorway [in the way] while I procrastinated finding the right tiny screwdriver to remove the door hinges. I’d look at it every day, stop to remember why it was just sitting there, and then I’d move on to the next project. Finally, enough was enough. It was time get this puppy done and over with!
I applied petroleum jelly to all of the brass parts, like this door knob, that could not be easily removed. This made paint clean up a breeze–just a swipe with an old rag and paint splotches came right off.
I gave it two thin coats of ‘Antique White’ Valspar oops paint, followed by some distressing with a sanding block and a coat of paste wax.
And now it’s an attractive piece that would nicely accessorize modern/traditional or farmhouse home decor.
The antique white did wonders for its appearance. I would have loved to change (or paint) the clock face, but access was nearly impossible.
The front “door” swings open to reveal a necklace hanging nook, which I decided to leave unpainted. There’s a lot going on in there, and on the back of the door as well, most of which couldn’t be removed for painting. I think it makes a good hiding place for valuables.
The handle on top of the clock allows one to carry it easily from room to room.
A Frenchman, Abraham-Louis Breguet, “invented” the carriage clock, a sturdy time piece that could withstand the rigors of a journey by carriage. They were the first travel alarm clocks(!). Most popular during the 19th century, most early carriage clocks would have been made of brass. Read more about them here: Your Guide to Buying a Pre-1900 Antique Carriage Clock.
Thanks for stopping by to read about my little makeover. Don’t forget to come back Wednesday to see some of my amazing vintage finds from this past weekend 🙂
The month of May seems to have a “clock” theme.
Read about the farmhouse clock I made earlier in the month:
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A retired clock repair shop was clearing out old stock, so I bought 6 empty mantle clocks. The wood was really pretty, so I cleaned them up, added hangers and electric votive candles, and hung them on the wall! I can’t attach a picture, but they look great! I’ll send a pic if you would like to see it!
Hi Lois! I would LOVE to see them!! You could message them to via Facebook or send me an email and attach them: adirondackgirlatheart [at] gmail [dot] com
Wonderful makeover!
One question – does the clock work? Would you buy a clock just for the ‘look’?
Thanks Gladys! Yes, it does work, but yes, I’d probably buy it just for the look 🙂 I have a rather large collection of alarm clocks–some work, some don’t, lol.
Love it; who woulda thunk that 2 coats of paint would revitalize it so nicely. And the clock could go well in any room. When I first saw it, I thought you could have made it into an empty box; I am always looking for containers to turn into dollhouse roomboxes. I would have made the back into a clock shop! Guess I don’t have enough valuables! LOVE the Vaseline trick but I’m afraid I’d smear stuff! Great job!
It would have made a darling clock shop, Kathy!
Another item to add to my “look for” list….so pretty! Does the clock work?
Hope you find one! Yes, it works–
Night and day difference…paint transformed it!
Agreed!
Really lovely and a charming idea!!
Thanks so much Kathy–kind of you to say 🙂
The clock is a very sweet makeover. I love the idea of petroleum jelly on hardware. So much easier than trying to tape those tiny parts!
It was a huge time saver, AnnMarie and it really works!
Nice! Does the clock work?
Thanks! Yes, the clock works 🙂
Beautiful job, Diana!
Thanks Cecilia!
What a change! From ho-hum bordering on blah to wow, that’s cool! You’ve done it again, Ms Diana!
So sweet of you to say, Naomi!! Thank you 🙂
Manly, yes, but I like it too! lol…..your clock turned out great. There’s nothing that a bit of white paint can’t fix I always say:) xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home
I agree, Kathleen!! Thanks for dropping by 🙂
It looks splendid Diana! Pinned.
You gave your carriage clock a wonderful makeover. I love that it has a hiding place! Thank you for sharing at the Snickerdoodle Create~Bake~Make link party! I am featuring your clock tomorrow at Snickerdoodle.
Thanks so much for the feature, Sharon–such an honor 🙂