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March 23, 2017 by: Ashley Greenwood

White Lantern Centerpiece from a Thrift Store Find

Lanterns are one of the hottest decorating trends out there. A white lantern centerpiece is a perfect touch for mantels, tablescapes, and coffee tables.

Lucky for me I found a dusty, old lantern at a thrift store that was a perfect candidate for a white, bright makeover!

Spring decorating with a white lantern centerpiece is perfect for a mantel or Easter tablescape! Awesome update of a thrift store find into spring decor.

I know that you love thrift store transformations just as much as I do!

That’s why I’m joining 30 other DIY/Home bloggers to give you tons of inspiration for when you hit the thrift stores next. There is so much talent in this group of ladies and I’m always so inspired after seeing their projects!

Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge

The Rules:

  • Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
  • There’s no monthly theme.
  • There’s no budget to stick to.

Meet the Hosts

Amanda | The Kolb Corner    Erlene | My Pinterventures    Kim | Made in a Day
Dru | Polka Dot Poplars    Maureen | Red Cottage Chronicles    Pili | Sweet Things
Shirley | Intelligent Domestications    Debra | Shoppe No. 5    Marie | DIY Adulation
Chelsea | The Johnsons Plus Dog    Jes | My DIY Envy    Ann | Duct Tape and Denim
Molly | Just a Little Creativity    Ashley | 3 Little Greenwoods    Kimm | Reinvented
Kim | Farmhouse Made    Victoria | Dazzle While Frazzled    Sara | Twelve on Main
Chelc | Inside the Fox Den    Sue | A Purdy Little House    Michelle | Our Crafty Mom
Sherry | Savvy Apron    Jennifer and Vicki | 2 Bees in a Pod    Lora | Craftivity Designs
Ali | Home Crafts By Ali    Denise | My Thrifty House    Colleen | Life on Kaydeross Creek
Toni | Small Home Soul   |   Michelle | Michelle James Designs

Alright.

Back to thrift store lantern excitement!

My children know totally think Goodwill is the “treasure” store. Whenever we turn into the parking lot I always tell them we are searching for treasure.

Not junk. Just treasure.

You can imagine my joy when I found a dirty green lantern! White lantern centerpieces are everywhere in the decorating world and I just knew that I could bring this one back to life.

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my complete disclosure policy.

White Lantern Centerpiece from a Thrift Store Find

thrift store lantern (purchase one here)

white craft paint

foam brush

bird nest (purchase one here)

moss

ceramic birds (purchase a set of three)

Step One: Clean the lantern

Grab some dish detergent and get to work washing away any dust and grime.

Spring decorating with a white lantern centerpiece is perfect for a mantel or Easter tablescape! Awesome update of a thrift store find into spring decor.

Step Two: Lighten the lantern up with paint

Two light coats of creamy white craft completely transformed the lantern.

Tip: If one pane of glass is already missing, save yourself some trouble and remove the other pieces of glass. This will make painting SO much easier.

Spring decorating with a white lantern centerpiece is perfect for a mantel or Easter tablescape! Awesome update of a thrift store find into spring decor.

Step Three: Add a bird nest to the white lantern centerpieces

Start with a base of moss at the bottom of the lantern.

Spring decorating with a white lantern centerpiece is perfect for a mantel or Easter tablescape! Awesome update of a thrift store find into spring decor.

Next add a bird nest. You can purchase this nest (along with a couple of sweet robin eggs).

Or you can head outside, grab a couple of thin vines, and twist up a bird nest like this one.

Spring decorating with a white lantern centerpiece is perfect for a mantel or Easter tablescape! Awesome update of a thrift store find into spring decor.

Top the nest with a sweet ceramic bird.

Spring decorating with a white lantern centerpiece is perfect for a mantel or Easter tablescape! Awesome update of a thrift store find into spring decor.

Now you are ready for decorating!

The white lantern centerpiece looked great last year on our Easter table. Love that flower arrangement? Let me show you how to arrange flowers like a Rock Star!

Spring decorating with a white lantern centerpiece is perfect for a mantel or Easter tablescape! Awesome update of a thrift store find into spring decor.

This year the white lantern found a home on the Spring Mantel I chatted about last week on a Facebook Live. Pop on over for my thrifty mantel and have a listen to my Southern accent!

Spring decorating with a white lantern centerpiece is perfect for a mantel or Easter tablescape! Awesome update of a thrift store find into spring decor.

Did you notice how I added coral polka dot washi tape to the edges of the lantern? It’s a super easy way to add color and can be changed to match any decor.

Spring decorating with a white lantern centerpiece is perfect for a mantel or Easter tablescape! Awesome update of a thrift store find into spring decor.

Spring decorating with a white lantern centerpiece is perfect for a mantel or Easter tablescape. I hope you have been inspired by this awesome update of a thrift store find into spring decor.

 

Don't Forget It! Pin It Button from 3 Little Greenwoods

 

March Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge

Make sure you follow our board on Pinterest for more upcycled decor inspiration!

And now for more thrifty goodness!

Check out what my fellow upcyclers created below!

An InLinkz Link-up


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Visit Ashley @ 3 Little Greenwoods’s profile on Pinterest.

I link up with these fun parties!

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and/or is a sponsored post. I may receive compensation in the form of monetary compensation or product compensation in exchange for my review. I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. And while this post is sponsored or contains affiliate links, all the opinions are my own. Why do I do this? It will help me keep this DIY’ing Mama crafting for another day! For more on my disclosure policy click here.

More from my site

  • Holiday Thrift Store SwapHoliday Thrift Store Swap
  • Chicken Wall Art to DIY Tray {Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge}Chicken Wall Art to DIY Tray {Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge}
  • How to Upcycle a Thrift Store PaintingHow to Upcycle a Thrift Store Painting
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China Cabinet Makeover without Painting
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Comments

  1. 1

    Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says

    March 23, 2017 at 8:36 am

    Great redo of plain lantern. You can decorate it now for the various seasons and holidays! Visiting from Thrift Store Upcycle.

    Reply
    • 2

      Ashley Greenwood says

      March 23, 2017 at 1:16 pm

      I know! I can’t wait to use the lantern for holiday decorating.

      Reply
  2. 3

    Shirley Wood says

    March 23, 2017 at 9:26 am

    The pretty washi tape really set it off. I may have a couple of these lanterns left from my daughter’s wedding and they are black. I know what I’ll be doing!

    Reply
    • 4

      Ashley Greenwood says

      March 23, 2017 at 1:15 pm

      YAY! So happy you were inspired by my thrift store lantern makeover. Isn’t paint the best?

      Reply
  3. 5

    Erlene says

    March 23, 2017 at 3:25 pm

    This was a great find and it totally looks brand new! I really like the washi tape idea to change it up.

    Reply
  4. 6

    Michelle James says

    March 23, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    What a great makeover. I love lanterns and this is a perfect Spring display!

    Reply
  5. 7

    Colleen says

    March 23, 2017 at 5:26 pm

    This turned out so cute! I especially like the washi tape detail. Perfect for spring!

    Reply
    • 8

      Ashley Greenwood says

      March 28, 2017 at 1:01 pm

      Paint and washi tape are my favorites! Thanks so much for your sweet comment!

      Reply
  6. 9

    Michelle James says

    March 25, 2017 at 8:52 am

    I have some white lanterns that I love too. I am impressed with the different versions of your and I love the little nest and the bird. Very creative!

    Reply
  7. 10

    Sue Purdy says

    March 25, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    I’m loving your sweet little lantern. It’s beautiful and I also have a thing for bird’s nests, so this is right up my alley. I’m going to be on the lookout for lanterns on my next thrift store adventure. Pinning this for sure.

    Reply
  8. 11

    Amanda @ The Kolb Corner says

    March 26, 2017 at 1:19 pm

    What a find! I have been searching for just a plain lantern to add to my decor. I love the addition of the washi tape too!

    Reply
  9. 12

    Kim says

    March 26, 2017 at 11:38 pm

    I can’t get enough of this, it’s so cute! I need a lantern, stat!

    Reply
  10. 13

    Lora says

    March 27, 2017 at 8:59 am

    What a sweet idea for filling a lantern!

    Reply
    • 14

      Ashley Greenwood says

      March 28, 2017 at 12:59 pm

      Thanks so much, Lora! I might have to make a few more of those little birds nest. 😉

      Reply
  11. 15

    Kim~madeinaday says

    March 27, 2017 at 10:13 am

    This came out adorable. I would of just painted black and called it a day. I love that you chose white! Very springy! Love the nest too.
    Kim

    Reply
    • 16

      Ashley Greenwood says

      March 28, 2017 at 12:58 pm

      Thanks so much for your sweet comment!

      Reply
  12. 17

    Toni | Small Home Soul says

    March 27, 2017 at 11:22 am

    This is so beautiful, what a great way to use a lantern all year round. I do love the addition of the washi tape on the edges. You can change that out for the various seasons with any color you desire. I love it, and that little bird and nest are precious!

    Reply
    • 18

      Ashley Greenwood says

      March 28, 2017 at 12:58 pm

      Holiday decorating is going to be so fun with this lantern! Thanks so much for your sweet comment!

      Reply
  13. 19

    Lila Crotwell says

    March 27, 2017 at 2:18 pm

    love your upcycled lantern! I have a couple in the garage and I am so doing this! Thank you so much for all your good ideas!!

    Reply
    • 20

      Ashley Greenwood says

      March 28, 2017 at 12:57 pm

      YAY! So happy you’ve been inspired!

      Thank you so much for leaving a comment. It means the world to me!

      Reply
  14. 21

    Debrashoppeno5 says

    March 27, 2017 at 8:07 pm

    This is so pretty. What a transformation white paint can do. I love the little bird’s nest also.

    Reply
    • 22

      Ashley Greenwood says

      March 28, 2017 at 12:57 pm

      Paint is the best, isn’t it? Thanks so much for your sweet comment!

      Reply
  15. 23

    Wendi@H2OBungalow says

    April 18, 2017 at 9:22 am

    This is so sweet and I love that it was thrift store…aka budget friendly! Pinned and now looking for a lantern too 🙂

    Reply
  16. 24

    Linda at Mixed Kreations says

    September 2, 2017 at 10:01 am

    I love the new makeover of the lantern, and how you used it as a centerpiece with the flowers, nest and bird. Very pretty!

    Reply

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