Faux Concrete Paper Mache Easter Bunny

Do you have seasonal decor that you've been putting out for decades without giving it a second thought? Every spring I put out a paper mache bunny that I made almost three decades ago. It's been a mainstay in our home every Easter since our kids were little. Used to hold mini chocolate egg treats that our kids and now grandkids have grown to expect each year.



Recently I pulled it out of the Spring decorating bin and finally looked at that poor bunny for what it is. TACKY! Not having the heart to toss the sentimental hare, instead, it was transformed into a  faux concrete paper mache Easter Bunny. If you have any sentimental seasonal decor in dire need of a refresh, I'll show you how easy it is to update the look.



A faux concrete paper mache Easter bunny gets a brand new look. How to refresh dated spring decor inexpensively with hand painted faux cement.

Upcycled Paper Mache Easter Bunny

Remember last month when I turned a ceramic hand into a concrete succulent planter? Well, I kind of gave our little bunny the same look but instead of quick-set concrete, I used a sea spray texture additive.



A faux concrete paper mache Easter bunny gets a brand new look. How to refresh dated spring decor inexpensively with hand painted faux cement.

Oh, and the wooden carrots are also handmade recycled chair spindle carrots. Let's take a look at the pathetic-looking paper mache Easter bunny before the makeover. Can you believe I had this on display for over thirty years!



A faux concrete paper mache Easter bunny gets a brand new look. How to refresh dated spring decor inexpensively with hand painted faux cement.

I enjoyed working with the sea spray product much more than I did the quick-set concrete. It went on so much easier with just the right amount of texture. You choose how much or how little texture you want on your project.



A faux concrete paper mache Easter bunny gets a brand new look. How to refresh dated spring decor inexpensively with hand painted faux cement.

In fact, I had so much fun with this little bunny that I gave a glossy black ceramic bust statute from Goodwill a makeover too with the leftover texture additive. The pretty pastel color books I've displayed the Easter bunny on are old handpainted hardcover books for Spring decorating.



Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to cover decor in faux concrete, almost all of the DIY projects shared here at Interior Frugalista have step-by-step tutorials so why not get your budget DIY on and subscribe. You can also follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.



Here's How I Made It

In hindsight, I wish I had tried to remove the top layer of newsprint strips. They've been on there a long time so my concern was that I might ruin the paper-mache bunny form underneath.



Instead, I covered the newsprint with one coat of paint before moving onto the texturing step. At this point, I also painted the inside of the egg with the color Upper Canada Fusion Mineral Based Paint that I had on hand.



A faux concrete paper mache Easter bunny gets a brand new look. How to refresh dated spring decor inexpensively with hand painted faux cement.

I mixed 1/2 cup of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in the color French Linen that I had on hand to 1 scoop of Dixie Belle Sea Spray Texture Additive. Mixed well to a brownie batter-like consistency.



A faux concrete paper mache Easter bunny gets a brand new look. How to refresh dated spring decor inexpensively with hand painted faux cement.

Use an inexpensive chip brush to pounce (stipple) it on. It gets tacky as it dries and this is a good time to knock down any texture that is too pronounced. Let it dry completely before applying a second coat. Here's a close-up photo so you can see the texture.



A faux concrete paper mache Easter bunny gets a brand new look. How to refresh dated spring decor inexpensively with hand painted faux cement.

I was surprised how after just one coat the paper mache bunny was looking just like real concrete. I could have kept it just like this but I decided to add more dimension to the faux concrete with a light grey paint color.



Without adding more sea spray to the French Linen mixture (because I didn't want more texture), I added one scoop of Paris Grey and one scoop of Pure White Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to lighten the color. I randomly dabbed the lighter grey with the same chip brush being sure not to completely cover the French Linen color underneath.



A faux concrete paper mache Easter bunny gets a brand new look. How to refresh dated spring decor inexpensively with hand painted faux cement.

Last but not least, I brushed a clear coat sealer that I had on hand over the paint to protect the finish. Use a water-based clear coat in liquid or spray finish.



That's it, big difference, right?



A faux concrete paper mache Easter bunny gets a brand new look. How to refresh dated spring decor inexpensively with hand painted faux cement.

I can't wait to see the expression on my grandson's face when he goes to grab some chocolate eggs from Grandma B's easter bunny. We'll see if my kids notice the change too. Now that I see how much better the little rabbit looks, I'm so embarrassed I had it looking so sad for so many years.



Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by my upcycled paper mache bunny refresh. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!



If you enjoyed this DIY Faux Concrete Easter Bunny, I'd be so thankful if you shared it with a friend and pinned it to your Easter Decoration Ideas or DIY Easter Bunny Decor board on Pinterest.




A faux concrete paper mache Easter bunny gets a brand new look. How to refresh dated spring decor inexpensively with hand painted faux cement. #fauxconcretebunny #bunnydecor #cementeasterbunny

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Comments

  1. The after of these is so perfectly fresh, Marie. I love your carrots too!

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    1. Thank you my friend! It's so much better than it was before, eh!

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  2. Such a lovely idea. You are very creative. Thanks for stopping by my site.
    Have a lovely weekend :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank YOU for stopping by for a visit, Kimberly! Thank you for your kind words and wishing you a lovely first weekend of Spring. 🌷

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  3. Awwww Marie, I think you're too hard on yourself with your paper mache bunny. He had and still has loads of character and you can see how well loved the little guy was. I do love his new coat of faux concrete though. I would love to hear what the kids say about his makeover.

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    1. Michelle, the problem with this little bunny is that it's always filled with mini chocolate eggs *wink* for the grandkids *wink* but for some mysterious reason, by the time they come to visit it's in need of replenishment. Dam bunny!

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  4. This is super cute and I love the carrots made out of chair spindles. Genius. Happy Sunday. xoox

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Kris, I'm no longer embarrassed to display our traditional Easter Bunny. Happy Sunday back to you! xo

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  5. I’m working with the same Sea Spray on a dresser right now so thanks for the tips! This concrete bunny is adorable! 🐰 💙😊

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    1. Oh how fun! I've never used it before and I'm very pleased. So much so that I'm looking for anything around the house that can be seasprayed. LOL I can't wait to see your dresser, Denise.

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  6. Marie, I saw your bunny go by on Facebook and Instagram and he's just adorable. So glad you found a way to keep him in the family!!

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    1. Thank you Kim! Yup, this little hare has been making the rounds on social media this week. LOL I'm thrilled we could keep him in the family too!

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  7. Thank you so much for the shares, tweet, and pin, Marilyn, it is very much appreciated! xo

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  8. I love this! I hope to have time to try it. Thank you for sharing :).

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    Replies
    1. Oh I hope you do, Christine but be forewarned, you'll want to faux concrete all.the.things once you try this. LOL

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