Serena & Lily Vase Dupe

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How I Turned a $3 Thrift Store Vase Into Designer Decor

One of my favorite things about thrift shopping is finding pieces that have great bones but need a little creativity to shine.

This vase was exactly that kind of find. I absolutely loved its shape, but the original color wasn’t something I could see working in my home. And since orange-tag items were half off that day, I picked it up for only $3.

Here is how I transformed it into something that could definitely come out of a high-end store. It only took a few steps with inexpensive supplies.

Now I have a gorgeous addition to my decor that looks like it cost much more.

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Step 1: Clean and Prep

Before painting any thrifted item, I always clean it thoroughly using a mixture of equal parts rubbing alcohol and water. This removes dirt, oils, and residue that can affect paint adhesion.

Once the vase was completely dry, I applied a coat of primer. I always begin spraying pieces upside down first to ensure the smoothest possible finish when I turn them upright.

Step 2: Add Color

For this project, I wanted something inspired by Serena & Lily’s timeless coastal style.

I chose DIY Paint’s Skeleton Key, a gorgeous cloudy blue-gray shade that immediately gives a piece a sophisticated look, you can always use the shade of blue that best suits your style.

After applying a full coat, I checked for missed areas and touched them up to create a solid, even base.

Step 3: Create an Aged Finish

Lately I’ve been loving antique-inspired decor, and this project was no exception.

Using white wax, I worked the product into all the details, grooves, and crevices of the vase. Rather than creating a heavily textured finish, I wanted the piece to remain smooth while still looking beautifully aged. Here’s a similar white wax.

I applied the wax in consistent strokes around the vase and selectively wiped areas back to create natural variation and depth.

Step 4: Seal the Piece

Once I was happy with the finish, I applied clear wax to protect everything and seal the design. Here is a similar clear wax.

The Final Result

The finished vase has the look of a much more expensive designer piece. The soft blue-gray color combined with subtle white wax detailing creates a timeless, collected feel that works beautifully in traditional, coastal, cottage, and transitional interiors.

Not bad for a $3 thrift store find!

And just remember, you don’t necessarily need to go out and thrift something in order to do this. Sometimes we have items at home that we no longer love, and if you have something you don’t mind changing up you can definitely try changing the look of it by using a little bit of imagination and paint.

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