Trash to Treasure: Transforming Old Coleman Lantern into Patio Gold

Thanks to the power of Rustoleum I got this “crap I keep picking up out the yard” looking like an up-cycled Pinterest worthy piece.

Preparing your metal is key. Using the air compressor I blew off as much dust as I could. Next I knocked off as much rust as I could with a wire brush. Picked out my colors of paint then went to town.

My husband and I restore older homes and that means we come across some interesting things but mostly junk. As any good wife would, sometimes I grab the “trash” as my husband calls it because I see a new purpose in it. Take for instance this worn out 220E Coleman lantern. It 100% has seen better days in its nearly 70yr existence. But as it drove my husband nuts, I wanted to keep it all the more. This seemed like an opportunity to make a centerpiece where he could always admire its beauty.

Armed with Rustoleums Metallic gold and Oxford Satin Blue I painted a two tone pattern. Harbor freight has decent fairy lights with a remote. Since I’m not trying to open my lantern everyday to turn some lights on and didn’t want to see a solar panel… remote was the only way to go. Surprisingly enough the remote works well and the lights look wonderful.

Now I have an outdoor light for our seating and I think it is growing on my husband. He even pulls aside “junk” for me now!!