Upcycled Easter Centerpiece Box With Faux Wheatgrass
If you're looking for an Easter table decoration idea that won't break the bank, then you'll love this. Today I'm sharing a fun upcycled Easter Centerpiece Box with faux wheatgrass plus how I decorated it with chair spindle carrots and DIY speckled eggs. That's three Easter crafts in one! Everything you need to make it can be found at the dollar store and your local thrift store and I'll show you how easy all three are to make.
I've had this indoor metal planter for over a decade and it came with artificial wheatgrass. I bought it to center above the basement fireplace mantel because the height didn't infringe on the remote control sensor on the television hanging above. There it sat for over a decade collecting dust.
For years I've been telling myself that it's time to get rid of the darn thing until a few weeks ago when I was inspired by Sarah Sadie Seasongoods hobnail milk glass Easter vases.
The faux wheatgrass was the inspiration I needed to upcycle my long-neglected planter and repurpose it into a fun and whimsical Easter table decoration for our dining room.
I love how Sarah nestled colorful Easter eggs in wheatgrass and then I remembered I had a carton of dollar store chalkboard pastel Easter eggs in my stash that I bought last year.
If you've been following me long enough around here, you know that I love to paint everything. With the eggs already pastel colors, I decided to pull out the paint anyway and speckle those pretty eggs.
Then I got to thinking since I'm using an indoor planter, why not plant something in that faux wheatgrass.
I have a stash of antique chair spindles in the workshop and a drawer full of faux greens so I made some fun chair spindle carrots to plant in the wheatgrass too. I'll show you how easy they are to make further down in this post.
The antique chair that these spindles came from is the chair that keeps on giving. I used the chair back to make this DIY Bird Feeder and the longer spindles from the back to make these Wooden Caddies With Chair Spindle Handles. I used the smallest spindles for stems on these Retro Fabric Pumpkins and this Chair Spindle Snowflake decoration.
So as promised, let's get into the nitty-gritty of how made all the elements for these DIY Easter decorations, staring with the upcycled planter.
I've included a supply list towards the bottom of this post. It contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Once the paint was dry I distressed along the edges and over the round divots with 220-grit sandpaper. To protect the finish I used clear wax buffed to a matte finish.
While the wax was curing I set about to clean the dusty faux wheatgrass mats by setting them in the kitchen sink spraying them with the spray nozzle. Spritzing them with a water bottle will also work. Set them aside to dry. I've included a link to artificial wheatgrass in the supply list below.
While the grass was drying on a towel I filled the centerpiece box 2/3 full with pea gravel from the dollar store. Once dry, I set the wheatgrass sheets on top of the pea gravel and it was ready to plant some carrots and speckled eggs.
Squirt a little dark grey craft paint onto a paper plate and dilute with a drop or two of water. Dip the brush into the paint and flick the bristles to spray flecks of paint onto the eggs. That's it, can't get much easier than that!
I set myself up on the work table at the far end of the workshop. Apparently, I was having too much fun with the paint splattering because on the opposite side of the room, I had just finished the last coat of paint on my Pink Ombre Waterfall Dresser.
You probably guessed where I'm going with this.
Not only did I have speckled eggs but a speckled pink dresser too! Panic set in because it isn't quick and easy to get the ombre paint finish, especially considering it was my first time trying the technique.
Thankfully the grey specks hadn't dried yet and I was able to easily wipe them off with a damp cloth.
I was happy to finally put more of my antique chair spindles to good use with these fun wooden carrots. I found the artificial greens to use as carrot tops at the dollar store.
You can see in the photo above that the ends of my chair spindles were uneven and in rough shape. First, clean up the ends by trimming them with a miter saw.
Next, we're going to paint the spindles to look like real carrots with dry brushed layers of paint.
I used paint that I had on hand to paint the wooden carrots. You'll want a dark and light orange and perhaps a mustard yellow too.
Start with the darkest orange paint color (sorry it's a custom color that I mixed ages ago and forgot to label). Once dry to the touch (mere minutes) dry brush a layer of yellow (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in the color Arles). Use the lightest orange color for the final painted layer. If you don't have chalk paint on hand, any craft paint will work as well.
Once the paint is dry, poke a hole in the top of each spindle with an Awl. Drill a hole for the faux carrot tops with a small drill bit.
Clip the faux greens with wire cutters, put a dab of E6000 glue on the ends of the stem, and slip them into the drilled holes (pictured below).
Artificial Wheatgrass
Small Pea Gravel
White Chalk Paint
220 Grit Sandpaper
Clear Chalk Paint Wax
Pastel Chalkboard Eggs
Graphite Craft Paint
Small Paint Brush or Old Toothbrush
Small Chair Spindles (salvaged)
Dark Orange, Light Orange, Mustard Yellow Paint
Artificial Greens (for carrot tops)
Awl
Small Drill Bit
Drill
E6000 Glue
For more DIY Spring inspiration visit my Spring|Easter Ideas page on the blog and my Spring|Easter Decor Board on Pinterest.
If you have any questions about this Easter centerpiece idea, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top. I love hearing from you!
If you enjoyed this Easter craft, I'd be so thankful if you shared it with a friend or pinned it to your Easter Decorating Board or Spring Ideas Board or Upcycled Home Decor Board on Pinterest.
I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.
Upcycled Easter Centerpiece Box with faux wheatgrass
I've had this indoor metal planter for over a decade and it came with artificial wheatgrass. I bought it to center above the basement fireplace mantel because the height didn't infringe on the remote control sensor on the television hanging above. There it sat for over a decade collecting dust.
For years I've been telling myself that it's time to get rid of the darn thing until a few weeks ago when I was inspired by Sarah Sadie Seasongoods hobnail milk glass Easter vases.
The faux wheatgrass was the inspiration I needed to upcycle my long-neglected planter and repurpose it into a fun and whimsical Easter table decoration for our dining room.
I love how Sarah nestled colorful Easter eggs in wheatgrass and then I remembered I had a carton of dollar store chalkboard pastel Easter eggs in my stash that I bought last year.
If you've been following me long enough around here, you know that I love to paint everything. With the eggs already pastel colors, I decided to pull out the paint anyway and speckle those pretty eggs.
Then I got to thinking since I'm using an indoor planter, why not plant something in that faux wheatgrass.
I have a stash of antique chair spindles in the workshop and a drawer full of faux greens so I made some fun chair spindle carrots to plant in the wheatgrass too. I'll show you how easy they are to make further down in this post.
The antique chair that these spindles came from is the chair that keeps on giving. I used the chair back to make this DIY Bird Feeder and the longer spindles from the back to make these Wooden Caddies With Chair Spindle Handles. I used the smallest spindles for stems on these Retro Fabric Pumpkins and this Chair Spindle Snowflake decoration.
So as promised, let's get into the nitty-gritty of how made all the elements for these DIY Easter decorations, staring with the upcycled planter.
I've included a supply list towards the bottom of this post. It contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Upcycled Metal Planter Box
Just a little white paint is all it took to give the bronze planter a fresh new look for Spring. I brushed the entire metal planter with two coats of Raw Silk Fusion mineral chalk paint.Once the paint was dry I distressed along the edges and over the round divots with 220-grit sandpaper. To protect the finish I used clear wax buffed to a matte finish.
While the wax was curing I set about to clean the dusty faux wheatgrass mats by setting them in the kitchen sink spraying them with the spray nozzle. Spritzing them with a water bottle will also work. Set them aside to dry. I've included a link to artificial wheatgrass in the supply list below.
While the grass was drying on a towel I filled the centerpiece box 2/3 full with pea gravel from the dollar store. Once dry, I set the wheatgrass sheets on top of the pea gravel and it was ready to plant some carrots and speckled eggs.
How To Make DIY Speckled Easter Eggs
You can make these speckled eggs in less than five minutes with pastel chalkboard eggs from the dollar store - no painting required! Of course, you can use the real thing too. You will need some dark grey or charcoal colored craft paint and either a paintbrush or toothbrush.Squirt a little dark grey craft paint onto a paper plate and dilute with a drop or two of water. Dip the brush into the paint and flick the bristles to spray flecks of paint onto the eggs. That's it, can't get much easier than that!
Funny story about my speckled eggs...
Well, it wasn't so funny at the time.I set myself up on the work table at the far end of the workshop. Apparently, I was having too much fun with the paint splattering because on the opposite side of the room, I had just finished the last coat of paint on my Pink Ombre Waterfall Dresser.
You probably guessed where I'm going with this.
Not only did I have speckled eggs but a speckled pink dresser too! Panic set in because it isn't quick and easy to get the ombre paint finish, especially considering it was my first time trying the technique.
Thankfully the grey specks hadn't dried yet and I was able to easily wipe them off with a damp cloth.
How To Make Chair Spindle Carrots
Now onto the fun chair spindle carrots and how easy they are to make.I was happy to finally put more of my antique chair spindles to good use with these fun wooden carrots. I found the artificial greens to use as carrot tops at the dollar store.
You can see in the photo above that the ends of my chair spindles were uneven and in rough shape. First, clean up the ends by trimming them with a miter saw.
Next, we're going to paint the spindles to look like real carrots with dry brushed layers of paint.
How to dry brush layers of paint
To dry brush, all you do is dip just the tips of your paintbrush into the paint and dab the excess onto a paper towel. Simply glide the brush over the spindles with very little pressure on the brush in random brush strokes. You want to see the dark stain underneath the paint.I used paint that I had on hand to paint the wooden carrots. You'll want a dark and light orange and perhaps a mustard yellow too.
Start with the darkest orange paint color (sorry it's a custom color that I mixed ages ago and forgot to label). Once dry to the touch (mere minutes) dry brush a layer of yellow (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in the color Arles). Use the lightest orange color for the final painted layer. If you don't have chalk paint on hand, any craft paint will work as well.
Once the paint is dry, poke a hole in the top of each spindle with an Awl. Drill a hole for the faux carrot tops with a small drill bit.
Clip the faux greens with wire cutters, put a dab of E6000 glue on the ends of the stem, and slip them into the drilled holes (pictured below).
Now you're ready to plant some carrots!
Push the carrots through the grid of the artificial wheatgrass and then through the pea gravel to hold in place. Nestle the speckled eggs in the grass and you now have an adorable Easter centerpiece.Supply List
Rectangular Metal Box (wood or glass)Artificial Wheatgrass
Small Pea Gravel
White Chalk Paint
220 Grit Sandpaper
Clear Chalk Paint Wax
Pastel Chalkboard Eggs
Graphite Craft Paint
Small Paint Brush or Old Toothbrush
Small Chair Spindles (salvaged)
Dark Orange, Light Orange, Mustard Yellow Paint
Artificial Greens (for carrot tops)
Awl
Small Drill Bit
Drill
E6000 Glue
For more DIY Spring inspiration visit my Spring|Easter Ideas page on the blog and my Spring|Easter Decor Board on Pinterest.
If you have any questions about this Easter centerpiece idea, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top. I love hearing from you!
If you enjoyed this Easter craft, I'd be so thankful if you shared it with a friend or pinned it to your Easter Decorating Board or Spring Ideas Board or Upcycled Home Decor Board on Pinterest.

I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.

By: Marie | Interior Frugalista
Tag:
DIY Decor
How sweet, I love your little carrots! I have some spindles and was looking at them the other day, thinking of making them into carrots too... thing is they are very long and I can't bear to cut them down the amount I would need to... I'll have to look at them again though... yours are SO cute!!
ReplyDeleteTania
Thanks Tania! I have some longer spindles too and couldn't bring myself to cut them down. But if they will work by cutting them in half, at least you can get 4 carrots from just two spindles.
DeleteMarie the centerpiece is definitely better in white. Those spindles are doing great disguised as carrots and I never would have thought to do that. I also like the idea of the speckled eggs, I think I may have a few plastic ones around that I can also update. Happy Easter dear friend. It seems as if time is just flying by.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary, I think the centerpiece box looks so much prettier in white too! I can't believe it took me ten years to think of using it for Easter. Don't do what I did when speckling your eggs! LOL Yes my sweet friend, time is just flying by.
Deletethis project puts a smile on my face Marie! Its ahhh-dorable and such a clever idea! XO
ReplyDeleteThank you Denise 😊 I'm happy to finally put the metal planter box to a better use! My grandson is going to love it when he sees it on the dining table.
DeleteHi Marie! Your Easter centerpiece is just adorable!! Thanks for such a fun project. I've been looking for a planter similar to yours for some time. I guess I need to get to some auctions. I live in farm country so there are always very cool metal or wood containers auctioned off, although sometimes the dealers in the area run the price higher than I'd like! lol
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm glad you like this idea for Easter. I hope you find just the right container at a decent price to make one. How fun though to attend farm country auctions. I bet they have some amazing stuff!
DeleteI am absolutely loving those chair spindle carrots-so stinkin' cute! And I've got a pot of grass like that too...I might be doing this whole thing!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like my spindle carrots Lora! I know you have the spindles but yippee that you have the grass too! Have fun making yours 😊
DeleteWhat a fun centrepiece. I love the way you made those carrots and the speckles eggs, although I would have had a heart attack if I saw the speckles on the ombre dresser. Thank goodness you could wipe them off in time.
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle! I can't wait for my grandson to see the carrots because he'll get a huge kick out of them. Yeah, a few colorful words may have been strewn during the speckled dresser debacle.
ReplyDeleteSo cute. Those spindles make perfect carrots. So clever.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I was happy to finally put the metal planter to a good use!
DeleteHi Marie!
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference paint can make, is right! This is so cute! I love the touch of whimsy that the chair spindles give the carrots. And I just happen to have chair spindles upstairs from an old chair we had that fell apart. ;)
>>> Kim
Thank you so much Kim 😊 I'm enjoying having a whimsy on our table this year for Easter. Now you know what to do with those chair spindles. LOL
DeleteSeriously Marie, who other than you looks at a spindle and thinks I will make into an adorable carrot for a Easter centerpiece. Your amazingly creative lol. Right now I am working on an old box in the same shape I am trying to turn into something to hold garden tools. I should have tried something like this. Wish me luck
ReplyDeleteThe inspiration for my whimsy centerpiece came from the faux grass that I never knew what to do with for almost a decade and everything fell into place from there. I smile every time I see it on the dining room table. Good luck and have fun with your wooden garden tool box!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pin and share, Marilyn!
DeleteThank you for sharing at #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Pinned and shared.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marilyn 😊
DeleteSo dang cute, Marie! Thanks for sharing at Homestyle Gathering! Your chime is super cute, too! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Julie, I'm glad you like them. Happy Easter!
DeleteOMGsh! That's THREE DIY's in one post! And they are all BRILLIANT IDEAS! Thanks for the inspiration! LOVE the Spindle Carrots!
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth, I'm so glad you like them! The spindle carrots were so much fun to make and super easy too. I'm thrilled you found some inspiration in this post 😀
DeleteLove love love the idea of using the spindle as a carrot! I have got to try that! You are so creative and I'm glad you share your ideas with us! God bless!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet comment, you made my evening! Glad you like this idea and if you decide to make some, have fun 😀
DeleteLove the spindle carrots. You are so creative my friend. Looking so cute for Easter. Happy Weekend.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Aww, thank you so much, Kris, I'm glad you like them! Happy weekend to you as well. xo
DeleteMarie,
ReplyDeleteI love your centerpiece. Those carrots are adorable. Congratulations, you are being featured on Over The Moon Linky Party.
https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2020/02/over-moon-linky-party_23.html
Hugs,
Bev
Hi Bev, thanks so much for the feature! xo I'm glad you like my budget-friendly Easter centerpiece idea 😀
DeleteLove it! Very cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Robyn, glad you like it 😀
DeleteSorry I am late! I have been running behind this making memories! Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
ReplyDeleteMy turn to be running late replying to your comment, Marilyn. Thanks a bunch for the pin and share, always appreciated!
DeleteWell, I like the after way much better! In fact I love everything given a splash of white, so there you go :) I fell in love with this - such a great idea for Easter, especially the "carrots"!
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch, Maya! Glad you like the planter box upcycle and the spindle carrots 😄
DeleteThis is just adorable, Marie! I made speckled eggs recently, too, and it was hard to control the speckle! Ha! I love all the DIY pieces of this project. Wonderful, as always.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear I'm not the only messy speckler, Crissy! LOL Glad you like my budget-friendly Easter centerpiece idea. 😀
Delete