Happy Tuesday, amazing friends! Today’s makeover is a small one. A little wood box has so many potential uses, so pretty much any time I see one, I buy it.
This one was probably the saddest one I’ve come across:
I’m not sure what purpose this served, but what was up with that faux wood contact paper? Or maybe we should be asking why this faux wood contact paper was ever even a thing? Actually I think I remember this look being in our kitchen growing up…I think we had counters that looked like this ha ha. Maybe that’s why I was drawn to it?
The thrift store thought they could get $4 for it…now that’s being optimistic. 🙂
Luckily I found it on clearance, and you know that contact paper was the first thing to go.
I wasn’t sure what this little box was used for before, but I knew it could be a cute storage bin of sorts…
What contact paper?
Now it looks more like a repurposed drawer. This is Behr’s Bit of Sugar. (DIY chalk paint recipe HERE.) It is a tad less bright than Ultra Pure White, and I love it!
After sanding a bit and sealing with Annie Sloan’s clear soft wax, I decided to line the inside with some leftovers of one of my favorite fabrics.
I used to purchase this fabric from Hancock Fabrics, but have been unable to find it since they closed their doors.
After cutting the side pieces with enough fabric to fold over at the top and enough to hang over at the bottom about 1/2″ , I hot glued the folded-over top edge to the top of the inside of the box:
I also glued the bottom edge in place as well.
Then I cut a piece of foam core to fit the bottom inside of the box, and wrapped it in the fabric:
I secured the fabric to the foam core with hot glue, then glued it to the bottom of the box:
Perfect! You could line a trunk the same way.
The pull was one I removed from another piece, I gave it a quick paint job as well…
The arched frame in the background was one of a pair of mirrors that I bought at a local church yard sale…
They were very yellowed when I bought them and the mirrors were Falling out. I painted one of them white, but haven’t committed to doing anything else with them just yet. This one makes a good photo prop for now.
I used this box to hold note cards here, but there are a ton of potential uses for a pretty storage bin. 🙂
Got any boxes that could use an update?
If you liked this, you might like how I updated this curbside suitcase too!
I’ll be back on Thursday sharing some booth updates!
UPDATE! Check out what my booth has been up to the last few months HERE. 🙂
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Nancy @ Slightly Coastal says
That turned out so great! I was worried when I saw the before because it was so sad. But, you work wonders with these projects. I hope this one hops out of your booth quickly.
Nancy
Christy says
Thank you, Nancy! It really was so sad before…I’m kind of surprised someone even donated it ha ha! XO
Melanie says
I love how you gave a complete explanation of what you did! So pretty!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Melanie! 🙂
Christina in FL says
Christy, this little box turned drawer is perfect. Love how you solved the covered bottom. Love the fabric too! I wonder if Hancocks website might have some of your favorite fabric?
Thanks again for all the details!
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! Hancock Fabrics has gone out of business…even online boo hoo! I did a search for the fabric trying to find it elsewhere with no luck. Hopefully I’ll eventually come across something comparable. 🙂
Christina in FL says
Hmm… interesting about Hancocks. I knew their brick and mortar stores closed but their website seems to be active.
Fabric.com is a great source as well as FabricDepot.com I’m sure you have your favorites.
For kicks and giggles, try this one on and see the alternatives on the side bar to the right.
Maybe you’ll find a new favorite. :)))
https://www.fabric.com/buy/up-405/premier-prints-french-stamp-onyx-natural
xoxo Christina
Christy says
I just looked up Hancockfabrics.com and it says their online store is coming soon! YAY!!! I’m SO glad you mentioned that or I never would have known…thank you! Checking out that link now. 😀
Marcie Lovett says
They should have paid YOU to take that sad box, Christy! Definitely worth more than .98 after you’ve had your way with it. That’s going to fly out of the booth, no doubt.
I vote for another chalkboard for the frame, although a sign would be fun, too. It’s got a beautiful shape, looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
Christy says
Ha ha yes they should have! I’m surprised someone donated it. Love the idea to make the frame a chalkboard…that is probably what I will end up doing with it. XOXO
Ange says
I love ❤️ the fabric you used for the cute box.
Christy says
Thanks, Ange! One of my favorites! 🙂
Cecilia says
So much better! Who would even know it was an ugly duckling before? And I hear ya on the contact paper! Good grief! Lol.
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! Yes that contact paper was a hit in the 80’s…hard to imagine ha ha! 🙂
Roberta says
I love ALL of your work. I don’t know what it is about your special touch, but all the pieces end up looking like they were exactly meant to be that way. When I look at other sites, they look like “painted furniture”. I have a piece I want to chalk paint but am afraid to start because I want your look, not a painted night stand look!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Roberta! What a lovely compliment! If you haven’t chalk painted before, try something small as a test piece. Chalk paint is very forgiving, so I know your night stand will turn out great. Here’s my chalk painting tutorial that you may find helpful if you haven’t used chalk paint before: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/how-to-paint-furniture-using-chalk-paint/ XOXO
Kathy says
Love love box and frame too…enjoy seeing what u make always!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Kathy! XO
Becky says
Very pretty makeover! I really don’t understand wood-look contact paper. A washable surface? Yes, but why would (haha) you chose a fake “wood sticker”? Nice save! What a pretty arched frame too!
Christy says
Thanks, Becky! Yeah I don’t get this contact paper at all ha ha. I think our kitchen counters were these exact colors in the 80’s…nice! 😀
Tina Matteson says
This is so pretty! I think I need to go to the thrift store and look for an ugly wooden box. I love the arched frame too.
Christy says
Thanks, Tina!! Ha ha yes keep your eye out for random wood boxes! XO
chris aka monkey says
christy, you amaze me with your makeover, even a crappy box turns into something gorgeous with your touch xx
Christy says
Aww thanks, Chris! You are so sweet! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
definitely an improvement!
Christy says
Ha ha yes! Thanks, Rose! 😀
Gina says
I love how that turned out!
Christy says
Thank you, Gina! 🙂
Marie|The Interior Frugalista says
Christy, only you could turn a sad little box into something so beautiful!
Christy says
Aww thanks, Marie! <3
Jeri says
Christy was the Behr paint Bit Of Sugar already mixed that can be bought off shelf or was it mixed for you, then you made it into chalk paint?
Christy says
Hi Jeri! I had it mixed. 🙂
Jackie says
I LOVE the way you answer all my questions without me asking! The detail you include on how you did everything, where you get supplies and tools, paint colors, along with all the links to be able to complete a similar project is fantastic! This is exactly why you are my favorite blogger of all time, forever and ever… amen!
Christy says
Aww Jackie…that totally made my day!! You are so sweet thank you!!! XOXOXO