How to transform a dried out leftover holiday wreath to a colorful Springtime fresh one ready for Easter.
I have a colorful post for you today… I challenged myself to try to revive two boxwood wreaths that have been hanging on my front and side doors since Christmas. I wanted to make them into Spring Easter wreaths. They used to be glossy deep green and lush.
But now they still are full in shape, but lost their color. (My front door is going to be getting a new coat of paint and some shiny new hardware this month, so please ignore the peeling paint – it will be history soon.)
I really liked the size and fullness of the wreaths, so instead of throwing them out, I decided to pretend I was back on the job as a display designer and be resourceful and use only what I had on hand to revive them for Spring.
I spray painted them. I was going to use a cool mossy green texture paint, but it didn’t adhere to the leaves.
So instead, I used Key Lime Green Rustoleum paint. It covered beautifully. After painting the wreaths, I could have left them plain, but I wanted to see more spring and Easter color on them.
I found some fake forsythia in my basement stash and added it to one wreath.
Then I went up to the attic and brought down a big box of plastic Easter eggs. I have a lot! When my daughters were growing up it seemed like the eggs multiplied every year, just like rabbits. I chose 6 of each color to add to the wreath for the front door.
I simply hot glued and smooshed the eggs onto the wreath. Once the glue was cool, I hung it on my front door. I figure it will last until Easter and then I can remove the eggs and put the wreath in the compost bin.
Spring Wreath DIY Options
For the side door wreath, I made a bow by looping all the scraps of pink ribbon I had. Remember I was challenging myself to be resourceful and use only what I had on hand. I like the way the pink looks with the lime green painted wreath. It has a “preppy vibe”. I made a bunch of ribbon loops and hot glued them on top of each other.
I found a gold pin in my buckle stash.
And hot glued it to the center of the bow.
One bow looked a little wimpy all by itself, so I made two smaller bows with the rest of the ribbon I had to go on each side of it. I didn’t have a lot, but I made the small amount of ribbon work.
I kept the motto I learned when I worked in display in my mind as I worked – There is always a way to get the job done… you just may have to do it differently than originally intended….there is no right or wrong as long as you like what you create.
The wreaths may not be perfect, but I have extended their life at least for another few weeks.
Kazagucci says
Have 2 large boxwood preserved topiary. They are some years old and starting to go off.,..what can I do to revive them the shape is perfect just need refresh. Can the leaves be sprayed with glycerine and food dye or paint?
Thanks
Diane Henkler says
Hi Karyn – If the leaves still have a little color and are just looking dried, then spraying with glycerine and food dye may work. If they are brown and dried, you could also use spray paint in a green color, but only spray lightly and in random spots. If you spray all over there would be no variation in the color on the leaves. It would look plastic.
Even if you do either of these on the preserved boxwood, it may not help or only for a little while, as they will keep aging.
Terri B says
I just spray painted my Christmas wreath the same green, and was looking on how to make it pop more. Found your Pin and so love the yellow and the bows! You did an amazing job, thank your for the ideas!
Nellie says
Oh yea, also voted for your project on bhg which is how I found you!!
Good Luck to you!!
Nellie
Nellie says
I absolutely love your Easter egg wreath, it is darling and so colorful.
I pinned it, and you were my first pin……….
Thanks for sharing this…………both wreaths were cute but the Easter Egg
one ran away with my heart………….so cute.
Blessings, Nellie
Sheryll & Critters. says
I love them both.
And I am wondering if they might last longer than Easter. I have been thinking about this since yesterday and wondering if you might not spray it once again….. make it really last? What about a wheat color in a month or so to last till Memorial Day and paint it white with some red flowers and navy ribbon? Oh well, just thinking. All of my wreaths are fake, like evergreens and straw and such.
I am waiting to hear about the final contest.
Kim says
The wreaths look great! You are so creative. Good luck in the contest!
Denise says
Love these!
Barbara Freitas says
What a great idea….I love the wreaths, especially the one with the Easter eggs! I think the eggs would also look cute with patterned tape wrapped around the middle (in different colors & designs), and they would look like decorated eggs. Just thinking out loud, because I may do a wreath also. Thanks for sharing….your idea’s are always amazing and inspiring!
Diane Henkler says
Thanks for the idea Barbara – I love hearing how readers but their own style on their projects.
Donnamae says
I love what you did with those wreaths…and I love your can do attitude! As a matter of fact…I’d keep them for a few more years! ;)
anna whiston-donaldson says
Love how fresh and fun these look!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Anna – Thanks. Ed rarely remarks on any of the projects I do, but he loves the egg wreath. That made me smile since he lets me do whatever I want to the house. :)
Mary Alice says
Did you try spraying the mossy green texture paint over the key lime green paint that did stick to the leaves? I wonder if in that way you could have had a more two toned look instead of a solid color which can look ‘flat’. Just my curiosity talking here.
I love the posts where you work your creativity using what you have on hand as you are a tremendously creative person. And as my Dad says, “Anyone can buy.” :)
Diane Henkler says
Hi Mary Alice – I didn’t try the texture paint over the spray paint, but it may work – great idea – Thanks! The can stopped working when it was only half empty. I was not too impressed with it, but I will try again. With a little more effort, it may turn out to be as amazing as I was hoping it was going to be.
Vidya @ Whats Ur Home Story says
Love all the three looks; plain, the Easter egg one, and the bows. Would have never thought about spray painting wreaths to bring them back to life. Pinning. Are those fake boxwood wreaths or dried?
Diane Henkler says
Thanks Viyda – The wreaths are real boxwood. When I first got them for Christmas decorating, they were glossy dark green. They started losing the color at the end of February. Thanks for pinning.
Carole H says
They are both so pretty…Wow never thought of that before. Great job!
linda says
WOW!! How to make worn out boxwood look new again.
Must pass this idea along to daughter who’s boxwood is a little brown.
Thanks!!
[email protected] says
Love how this turned out. I’m always scared to spray paint greenery but it looks gorgeous!