Vintage Milk Can Makeover with a Copper Finish

I did a happy dance when I found this antique milk can at the thrift store a few months ago. I don’t normally find nice vintage goodies like this. Although this might be a replica vintage milk jug, I was still thrilled to find it. Don’t hate me friends, but I decided to change the farmhouse style of it to a more modern vibe with this milk can makeover with a copper finish.

Lately my decor style has veered away from the modern farmhouse vibe to a more eclectic blend of modern, boho and few farmhouse touches here and there.

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Don’t get me wrong, I loved the farmhouse style look of the vintage milk can, but I wanted to give it a more modern and sleek makeover. Let me show you what it originally looked like.

Milk Jug Makeover

I really didn’t like the red color. I thought about painting it white, but like I said I wanted something a little more modern. Then I remembered I still had some hammered copper spray paint left from a previous project.

Before I was ready to paint, I wanted to remove the handles. I had an idea for adding a few “embellishments” but that would require removing those metal pieces.

I took the hammer to it first. It worked to detach one side of the handle.

Next I used a wrench to fully remove the handle off of the metal milk jug.

Once the handles were removed, I made sure to use a fine grit sandpaper to smooth down the area where the handles used to be.

Looking better! You might be thinking it looks worse, but it’s got to get worse before it get’s better right?

Grab the hot glue gun and a few small beads.

I covered the holes where the handles used to be with the beads.

What do you think? I’m loving it so far.

It’s time to spray paint.

It’s been raining cats and dogs outside so I made my own makeshift painting box to shield some of the rain. It worked.

Here is the hammered copper spray paint. I love this stuff.

When I started this vintage milk can makeover, my first thought was to use it in our entryway as umbrella storage.

Remember our entryway with sharpie shiplap?

Do you like it in this space?

I love the new modern twist on the antique milk can!

The best part about this milk can decor- it’s functional too!

We are always looking for space to store umbrellas. We get a LOT of rain where I live.

Or do you think it looks better in our rustic beach cottage mudroom?

I know not everyone will be a fan of me changing the style of the metal milk can. I do love the new copper vibe now!