Thrift Store Artwork | Cafe Terrace at Night

While I was thrift shopping, I wasn’t looking for artwork. But when I saw Vincent van Gogh’s Cafe Terrace at Night, I was drawn to the iconic painting’s colors. My friends often refresh thrift store artwork for their personal use. That was my plan, but plans frequently change, right?

This painting, created in 1888, was Vincent van Gogh’s first painting of a starry night. The following year, he completed his famous “Starry Night.”

You may be surprised to find out what a bargain this painting was. All wall decor is regularly priced at three dollars at this thrift store. Like many other charity thrift stores, they often have a color of the day. However, you get the sale price if your purchase includes the day’s color. I can’t remember the day’s color, but because this Cafe Terrace at Night painting has so many colors, it was even more of a bargain at 25% off.

How to Refresh Thrift Store Artwork

I removed all the staples that secured the artwork in the frame to protect the canvas artwork during the refresh. A heavy-duty arrow staple remover was perfect for this task. I highly recommend it.

The canvas quickly popped out of the frame when all the staples were removed.

After removing the paper backing, staples, and wire hanger, the frame is ready for a new color.

Preparing the Thrift Store Artwork Frame for Paint

Most of the paper was removed with a scraper; however, I used my orbital sander to smooth the surface.

You never know what a thrift store project has been through, so a thorough cleaning is always in order. I reached for my HTP Surface Prep Cleaning Wipes. I wiped off the entire frame, including the back, to remove sanding dust.

Painting with a Small Paint Roller

A styrofoam plate is an excellent substitute for a paint tray when painting with a small foam paint roller.

A job well done makes me smile. It pays to go the extra step with cleaning, sanding, and painting the back of the thrift store artwork frame.

The first coat should always be a thin base that allows the subsequent coats to adhere nicely.

Although the frame is cheap and likely covered with paper, HTP All-in-One Paint is up for the job. However, using the right tools will easily complete this task. One of my main reasons for using the small roller and the tiny artist brush is the small amount of paint that is washed away during the cleaning process. My goal is always less waste.

Allow New Paint to Cure Fully

It’s vital to allow the paint to cure fully before reinserting the canvas artwork. Before the paint is thoroughly cured, the frame may stick to the surface where it’s resting, in this case, the carpet. I place a piece of waxed paper under the frame to prevent this. This technique also works for the surface of furniture pieces by placing waxed paper under the base of anything rested atop. Paint typically takes about thirty days to cure.

Reassemble Thrift Store Artwork

I’m good at many things, but one thing I have never mastered is the staple gun. I tested these two to see which one worked best.

I’ve never successfully stapled anything without a hammer! This hammer is personalized using an easy tape transfer method.

I replaced the original wire hanger.

I considered highlighting the small trim on the thrift store artwork frame, but ultimately, I liked it well enough.

Here’s a nice tidbit of history: Van Gogh painted the night sky without black paint. Instead, he achieved night’s depth using contrasting colors, like deep blues, rich yellows, and oranges, which give the painting distinctive vibrancy and energy.

The Cafe Terrace at Night thrift store artwork was difficult to photograph to capture its beauty.

In real life, the black frame is stunning with all the colors in the painting.

Do you remember what I said about planning to keep this bargain thrift store artwork? My home is too small, and I don’t have a place to hang this enormous piece. The overall size is 30×38. So, off it went to my booth.

As promised, here are more outstanding, easy thrift store projects to inspire you.

• Refresh Thrift Store Artwork (you are here)
• Upcycled Brass Christmas Bell Decoration
• Repurposed Santa Mug
• Decorating With a Vintage Tool Box
• Refresh Outdoor Lanterns for Indoor Decor

Related Content: 100 Thrift Store Decor Ideas