DIYer Completely Transforms A Vintage Towel Ring Into A Decor Display Piece

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Do you love going to auctions or slowly wandering up and down every aisle of your local thrift store? Dreaming about what unique finds you might come across or imagining the stories behind each piece you see on the shelf is a true vintage-lovers delight. If you also love transforming your discoveries into decor for your home, you'll want to keep an eye out for towel rings the next time you're on the antique hunt. We found a simple DIY thrift flip you can start and finish in one weekend or even in a single afternoon.

DIYer Sarah Colglazier (@ampersanduniquegifts) shared on TikTok that she got a towel rack set at an auction and repurposed the towel ring into an adorable bit of vintage decor, a creative way to style thrift items for unique decor that we just had to share. She displays the towel ring shown in her video on a small wooden easel, but you could just as easily use the piece anywhere in your home, like on a wall alongside other antiques or displayed as a decorative piece on a bookshelf. You can even use it as a frame for family photos or kids artwork. Including vintage pieces like this throughout your house is a fun way to add a splash of personality to any room.

Once you've found your towel ring, you can get started on this latest piece of vintage decor. Now, you might notice that the antique ring you picked up looks a little dull and grimy, which is another great reason to repurpose it instead of hanging your nice clean towels on it (ick). We're going to take a tip from @ampersanduniquegifts and use some Gold Liquid Patina to breathe a little new life into it. Liquid patina gives it a worn, lived-a-long-life look, without the rust and dust that comes with actually being super old. Use a clean cloth or brush to apply the paint over the ring's entire surface.

To really bring home the antique vibe, use a little Dark & Decrepit Liquid Patina on any parts of the ring that have detailed etching or decorative joints. After applying a thick coat of the dark patina, immediately wipe it off with a cloth. This technique allows the patina to settle into all the nooks and crannies, darkening those spaces and giving it old-fashioned appeal. Alternatively, you can save a little money by taking the reverse approach and starting with a coat of black spray paint on the ring. Then, brush over it with AMACO Antique Gold Rub 'n Buff, covering the high surfaces so the black still peeks out from the crevices. Allow the towel ring to dry completely before placing it as a decor item on the wall or on a shelf. You could use this process to repurpose other thrifted items as well, like old picture frames, mirrors, and metal vases or canisters.