I know this seems a bit crazy on the surface, but hear me out.

First of all, let me give you a little backstory. I have been looking for a carousel horse like this for years! Since before Will was born.

Why?

Because my Grandma Betty had one in her bedroom and I have very vivid memories of taking naps in her huge bed (it was just a queen) with the windows open (they lived on a farm and this was most likely in early summer or late summer when my mom was at work and I wasn’t in school) where I could feel the warm breeze and hear the birds and such outside and… the music from the carousel horse that she would wind up and then come back in and wind up again, because I never fell asleep the first time. It’s just a super clear picture in my head that I wanted a little piece of to hold onto forever.

So, I have wanted one to recreate that memory for myself and I’ve been looking and looking at thrift shops for years. I knew I could find a way to modernize them a bit with some paint. Yep…look away now if you’re afraid I’m about to ruin my childhood memories or a priceless antique.

Finally, earlier this year, I found several! Right next door at our neighbor’s garage sale! And though it caused some eye rolling from Wyatt, I bought three for about $1.50 each—score!! Two that play the same exact song the one my grandma had played, and one that plays a different one but also spins, which Will liked. I was so excited! But…let’s be honest. They didn’t exactly fit my usual style aesthetic and I knew I would get tired of displaying it after the initial sentimental attraction wore off.

(Also, I’m an expert blogger and didn’t get any photos of these before I took them apart…so this google image screen grab will help you in case you have no idea what these things look like. #oops)

So, anyway…it was time to get out the spray paint.

I chose a few colors to start with…but because it’s spray paint, they can always change. But for now, I went with navy, a blush pink, and a poppy yellow. Because, well, they are my favorites right now.

The horses were actually very easy to take apart (I was worried, I’d have to tape off everything) by unscrewing the poles the horses sit on. There were a few small foam or plastic washers so just keep an eye so you don’t lose those.

And then, I just gave them a bunch of very light coats letting them dry 3o minutes to an hour in between each one.

Ta-da!

For now, I left the wooden bases, but…I may paint them in the future, too if I decide that would look better. maybe white? Or gold? Or the same color as the horses? Can’t decide.

This project is especially meaningful to me because it’s now been a year since my Grandma Betty died and I find myself thinking of her sometimes and going to wind up the carousel horses to reflect on her life and spunk and legacy.

For now, these are living in the shelf above Emma’s dresser, and I do love them there. But, I think they may end up in Will’s room after we clear off some space on his shelf because he likes them a lot, too. Or maybe they’ll each get to pick their favorite and I’ll keep one for myself. Or maybe I’ll ask my neighbor if she has any more and I’ll make a couple more so they can both have a few!

What do you think? Will my neighbor be upset if she sees these? Would you ever paint something like this?