Hello dear friends and welcome back! I love when y’all stop by!! Today, I’m sharing what I did with this trinket box I picked up at the thrift store:
It was kind of cute as is, and it was a great price at $4.25 plus an extra 20% off, thanks to my full punch card. It did look a bit sad though. It’s hard not to see a sad face, right? And then the left pull looks like it has an “X” in it, so it looks like he got in a fight. Poor thang!
Let’s get started!
The first thing I did was remove the interesting choice of hardware and give it a quick sanding all over, followed by a good wipe down with White Lightning.
I knew I wanted to try another Silk color, and a light sanding and good cleaning is the recommended prep. (Read more about Dixie Belle’s new Silk paint line, including a comparison to chalk paint HERE.)
For this piece, I wanted to try Salt Water to compare it to Whitecap:
Whitecap is a true bright white, while Salt Water is a tad less bright. It took three coats for solid coverage, allowing each coat to dry at least two hours in between.
I also wanted to try a transfer on the Silk to see how it would do.
Adding a transfer
Because this has a nice flat front, it was perfect for a transfer and I found the perfect one in my stash. It’s from Prima Redesign and it is part of a set of three designs called Bike Rides. I applied it across the front while I had it lying on its back first by using the included burnishing tool.
Then, I stood it upright and continued the pattern on the top:
Transfers are such a simple way to add instant beauty to any project, and it went onto the Silk beautifully! I waited a day in between adding the transfer to be extra sure the Silk was dry.
Sealing the transfer
The new Silk line has a built-in topcoat, but I wanted to protect the transfer, so I chose to apply satin Clear Coat just to the front and top surfaces, using the blue sponge applicator.
As you can see, I painted the inside in this cheery Lemonade yellow. I needed some sunshine after a week of dreary, snowy weather!
The sponge works so well on most surfaces, but it is hard to use it on inside corners like these drawers, so I used a brush to apply it to the insides:
The Final Result
And here is how this little trinket box turned out:
Sweet as can be!
This could hold tea, jewelry, or even makeup!
I chose yellow for the insides, but Farmhouse Green would have been a great contrast also…
The Lemonade appears a bit darker here… the in progress photos are more accurate. It is just lovely in person!
I decided on simple glass knobs for the drawers…
I don’t miss the blue or those knobs at all!
I hope you enjoyed this sweet makeover today!
I’ll be back with my Trash-to-Treasure girls on Tuesday sharing what I did with these extra doors my Dad had:
Have an amazing weekend and stay safe out there!
UPDATE: These doors are done and ready for their big reveal! See what I did with them here!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Mary Kaiser says
That little trinket box is not sad any more!! It is so sweet now. I LOVE how great that turned out, and I love the sunny yellow inside. Oh I need that sunny yellow as I live in Michigan and this time of year we don’t get much sunny skies and we have frigid cold air coming for the next week! You are amazing to bring that sweet little box back to life!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! It is so happy now ha ha! I don’t know how you do it in Michigan. We have had colder than average temps here…20’s this morning, which is probably still way warmer than your area, and it is hard to handle lol! Stay warm, my friend! XOXO
liz says
THAT is just perfect! OMG I love it what a great job (as usual!!). I love working with transfers – such a beautiful turnout with not a great deal of effort.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Christy says
Thank you, Liz!! Transfers are magic makers for sure! XOXO
ColleenB.~TX. says
Your trinket box is absolutely adorable
Christy says
Thank you, Colleen! XOXO
Meg Habasevich says
Yes, I know it’s not even 4am but I couldn’t sleep. I guess I knew you would have something adorable in my email this morning for a day’s inspiration. You did not disappoint!!! Love this cute, cute box.
Meg
Christy says
Aww you are so sweet, Meg! I’m glad I could offer something cheery for you to wake up to this morning! XOXO
ROSE LEFEBVRE says
Ooooooooooo! I LOVE this!!!! You did a wonderful job on it!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Rose! XOXO
Jackie C says
Oh I love this one!!
Christy says
Thank you, Jackie! XOXO
Diane says
I follow you because Jacki is my sister and you have a wonderful talent. That box is a treasure and I would love it down here in sunny South Florida !
Christy says
Hi Diane! Thank you so much, and thank you for following along with me!! XOXO
Sharon says
Wow, I so always look forward to your emails. Absolutely love your pieces, you are a gifted artist… Thank you for sharing your ideas with everyone. 🥰
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sharon! It is always a pleasure to share!! XOXO
Susan says
Lovely job, looks stunning
Christy says
Thank you so much, Susan! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Who would believe that is the sad little box in the before pictures. Just as cute as can be. Great choice of transfer and knobs. Love it.
Christy says
Right?? Thank you, Janice! It’s definitely not sad anymore lol! XOXO
Julie Laidlaw says
Absolutely beautiful! It is nice to know that the silk paint will allow the transfer to adhere. Do you think that you could use a Mod Podge type transfer with this paint followed by a clear top coat?
Christy says
Thank you, Julie! Yes, the transfer adhered beautifully! I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t use a Mod Podge type transfer with it! XOXO
Christina says
Christy, this little box is beaming with joy! Wow! Love the white and transfers. The glass knobs are perfect. Love the yellow drawers which speak to the bee and floral design on the outside. Another winner!!
You have a great weekend as well and stay warm!!
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! It is definitely happy now lol! XOXO
Debbie says
It looks like it was originally a box designed by Hallmark artist Marjolein Bastin.
Christy says
I didn’t see any markings on it, but maybe? XO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! I love this transfer. Now I must get one, if I can find one. I laughed at the poor box in its previous stage. It did look like it had gotten in a fight. You made it beautiful again. I was surprised it took 3 coats to cover it. Hmmm.
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! I found this one on Amazon, and I believe I linked to it. It has two other cute transfers included. And ha ha…it really did look like it got in a fight! I probably could have gotten away with only two coats, but it had an area on the side that looked like it needed another coat, so I just did the whole thing. Three coats is pretty normal for white paint though. Have a great weekend! XOXO
Lori Oswald says
So Pretty, Christy! I love that transfer! Can’t wait to try the new DB silk paint!
Christy says
Thank you, Lori! It is awesome!! XOXO
Shannon Jennings says
Absolutely beautiful! Will you be selling it?
Christy says
Thank you, Shannon! Yes, this will be headed to the shop! XOXO
Shannon Jennings says
Will this be posted in Etsy shop or just available at actual store?
Christy says
It will be available in my booth. 🙂
Connie Bebout says
Just Perfect!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Connie! XOXO
joan says
That little box is so cute. The transfer is beautiful. Definitely one of your best makeovers yet !
Christy says
Thank you so much, Joan! I’m so glad you like it! XOXO
Jen says
Adorable! You always choose the perfect transfer for each piece. Just what I needed on a dreary winter day.
Christy says
Thank you, Jen! Yes, I think we all need a little sunshine right now! XOXO
Mary says
This may be tiny, but it’s one of my favorite of your makeovers! Thanks for sharing so much inspiration!
Christy says
Oh yay! Thank you, Mary!! XOXO
Rebecca - Knoxville, TN says
Darling makeover!
Christy says
Thank you, Rebecca! XOXO
Sharon H says
I love what you did with this, and I am just so in awe of everything you do! Would you adopt me? Lol!
Christy says
Aww ha ha…thank you so much, Sharon! XOXO
Kaycee says
Oh she looks so much better now! I love everything about her new look.
Christy says
Thank you, Kaycee!! XOXO
Tracy Buzzerd says
Would this transfer be large enough to use on the front of a hope chest? Or do you have another one you would recommend?
Christy says
Hi Tracy! If you just want something small, it would be fine. If you look through some transfers online, they tell you what size they are on the label and that should help! XOXO
Michelle says
Christy, you never cease to amaze me! I LOVE it! I so look forward to your inspiration week to week (sometimes twice a week!).
I’m looking forward to trying out the moonshine metallics you used last week. Are the metallics semi-transparent?
Christy says
Aww thank you, Michelle! The metallics do go on a bit sheer, so I recommend using a similar regular chalk paint color first as a base and that works fantastically! XOXO
Shirley says
That little box is adorable. Christy, you really have the touch. There’s an old saying about a sows ear 👂 becoming a silk purse 👛 . That fits you. You are a treasure maker. I look forward to your blog every week.
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Shirley! Thank you! My mom uses that saying all the time ha ha! See ya Tuesday! XOXO
Sharon L Austin says
Thank God you fixed that! I’m sorry, but it was ugly as heck before. LOL And now, it’s been given a new lease on life thanks to you. And the yellow drawers are such a cheery surprise!
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Sharon! It did need some help for sure! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
Amazing! Once again you made a thrift item look like it came from Pottery Barn! I just made over a small chest and all I could think to do was paint it aqua and put a stencil on the 2 drawers. It is so dull compared to your lovely chest. Looking for those transfers now!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! Those transfers sure do work some magic!! XOXO
Sue says
Here in the Pacific Northwest it is raining, no surprise there.
I always look forward to your Thursday email, today’s didn’t disappoint. I love what you did with the sad little box! Wishing I lived local, I would snatch it right up.
Christy says
Hi Sue!! Thank you SO much! Your box of goodies is on its way!! XOXO
Terry P says
Beautiful makeover! The little trinket box has gone from sad to so happy now!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Terry! Yes, it is sad no more! XOXO
Sue Mellette says
I love , love this makeover! The color is perfect, the glass knobs are so pretty on this little chest, but my favorite part is the transfer! I love the clock, the bee, the script, and the flower on the top. Of course, I always enjoy seeing what delights await in the drawers! I really like the lemonade and think that makes the chest pop! I think I like your choice of yellow rather than green, but because I am a visual learner, I am sure the green you would choose would be perfect as well! A lucky person will certainly be proud to take this gem home. Thanks for sharing, have a wonderful and restful weekend. See you Tuesday!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sue! I am glad I went with the yellow too…we could all use a pop of sunshine right now! Enjoy your weekend also, my friend! XOXO
Aren Stevens says
Christy you out-did yourself!!! I am so in love with this little piece. You have such a great eye – to visual the potential. This is definitely one I’m keeping in my inspiration folder 🙂
Christy says
Aww thank you, Aren! I appreciate that so much! XOXO
Niki says
Very cute, the Lemonade yellow goes perfect with the French bee on the transfer. I would totally buy this if I saw it at a flea market.
I like French bee’s and I’ve been trying to incorporate them into my home. Possibly my kitchen. I did a whole wedding theme with them, dragonflies and honeysuckle candles for the linen rental/ wedding consultant business I had about 8 years ago.
My bestie has some cute French bee tea towels at her store; but it is also the “trendy” thing right now and they are everywhere- making the subtleness of this transfer perfect for someone like me who has always enjoyed “a little sunshine” as you put it.
Christy says
Thank you, Niki! I am loving bees at the moment also! Sounds like this little box would fit right in at your place! XOXO
Joanne D. says
Another darling rehab! You made it perfect now. Some lucky customer will love it!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Joanne! XOXO
Norma says
This is adorable! ❤️
Christy says
Thank you, Norma! XOXO
Char says
Adorable and I love the yellow pop….it’s a little ray of Sunshine every time you open the top.
Christy says
Thank you, Char! I’m so glad I went with the yellow! XOXO
Donna Nance says
You keep outdoing yourself in the awww, so cute category! This little trinket box is precious.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Donna!! XOXO
Rebecca Payne says
Simply Gorgeous! Great Job!
Christy says
Thank you, Rebecca! XOXO
Kim says
What a change! You have such an eye for what things could be and not what they are. I would have blown right on by that sad little box and it’s interesting hardware! Side note-I just love the names of these colors. Inspiring!
Christy says
Thank you, Kim! If it’s wood, I always give it a second look because paint can do amazing things! I love the coastal-inspired color names too! XOXO
Sonja Hansen says
At the risk of being very corny, I would have to give that sad little piece the new name of, “Bee Happy.” It is a happy piece now. Thanks for sharing.
Christy says
Ha ha I love it!! Thanks, Sonja! XOXO
Robyn D. Wright says
I LOVE it! So pretty and feminine!
Christy says
Thank you, Robyn! XOXO
Christine Hamon says
This is absolutely one of my favorites!
Cheers to you and your creativity…
Christy says
Thank you so much, Christine! XOXO
Heather says
Hi Christie,
Wow! That is one of the most beautiful makeovers I have seen in a while, up there with that amazing black dresser you did.
You are so talented.
Cheers
Heather
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Heather!! I really appreciate that! XOXO
Gwen says
You never cease to amaze me! You are so gifted! I so look forward to your posts. What a gift you share with us, you are my inspiration. Oh how I wish you were my neighbor!
Christy says
Aww you are the sweetest, Gwen, thank you!! XOXO
Michele M. says
Seriously, Christy. How the HECK do you even think of these brilliant ideas?
Do you have ANY idea how good you are?
Oh my gosh. It is astounding. Just wow. Wow. Wow. WOW!!!!
I LOVE that piece!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christy says
You are so encouraging, Michele!! Thank you so much!! It’s the transfers that are the real talent here lol! XOXO
Catherine Cave says
I LOVE this little box….it has inspired me to go looking for one!!
Christy says
Thank you, Catherine! I love that you are feeling inspired! Good luck in your search! XOXO
dodie says
wow, what a transformation! so beautiful!!
Christy says
Thank you, Dodie! XOXO
Becky says
Classy! It looks great now! I love the idea of storing tea in a box like this!
Christy says
Thank you, Becky! For sure…perfect for tea! XOXO
Marietta Walker says
I have to agree with everyone else. This is stunning and gasp-making when you first see the redone box. WOW, WOW, WOW!
I have a question for you. Have you ever done any decoupage on your boxes and had it come out looking as good as your rub on transfers? I have some beautiful papers that are fairly heavy, but I would love to use them and get a nice smooth look.
I have never decoupaged before, nope never, not on anything, but I so want to do it on this project.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Marietta! I have used Mod Podge to decoupage paper inside drawers, but it is difficult to apply it and have it turn out wrinkle-free. I have had success applying fabric with Mod Podge though as you can see here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/stinky-dresser-makeover/ The weave in the fabric allows the air bubbles to escape and leaves it perfectly smooth. Hope this helps! XOXO
Debbie says
Stinkin’ cute! I lurve it!!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Debbie! XOXO
Janina says
What an amazing difference! These transfers are so wonderful, too! I love how the Lemonade colour goes with the bee on the transfer. You do such lovely transformations!
Christy says
Transfers are amazing! Thank you so much, Janina! XOXO
Sandra says
girl, you knocked it out of the park with this one!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Sandra!! XOXO
Kathy Blumenberg says
Are you kidding me? Girl!!!! You have more creativity in your little pinky than what I have in my brain!!! This little trinket has become my favorite transformation! You are awesome!!! Keep them transformations coming… I learn so much from them.
Christy says
Aww you are so sweet, Kathy! Thank you!! XOXO
Cherilyn says
I am new to your site ,but that trinket box is the best yet ,genious …..
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cherilyn, and welcome! XOXO
Vicky says
Christy you hit it out of the park as usual. I have the transfers ordered but have never used them. I am sure it comes with good instructions but am wondering how you did the front. Did you lay the transfer on the entire front and then cut it after or before? Maybe you have already done a tutorial on transfers. Any help would be appreciated. I have also read about transfers being cut apart and pieces used to do several makeovers. Is this one of those too?
Christy says
Thanks so much, Vicky! For this small piece with a very flat front, I laid it on its back and added the transfer across the entire front. After burnishing it in place, I used a razor knife to cut the transfer around the drawers. If I am doing a larger piece like a dresser, I will cut the transfer apart first like I did here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/60-thrift-store-dresser-with-transfer/ I hope this helps! XOXO
Vicky says
I just had a duh moment and realized that the transfer is not paper so no need to cut apart to adhere to front. Keep up good work. Create on!!!
Christy says
No, it was actually a valid question, because the edges of the transfer can look jagged if you don’t cut them apart. 🙂
Sheila Kennedy says
I ordered 4 containers of the new silk paint in snowcap. Now that you’ve used sea salt I wish I’d ordered that. Any chance of swapping it out??
Christy says
Hi Sheila! I responded in Etsy…did you receive my message?
Marcie Lovett says
Christy, you are like a kid who’s always bringing home a stray animal. It amazes me how you manage to keep finding sorry looking objects and transforming them into gems! The only redeeming feature I could see before was the birdhouse knob, which I’m sure you’ll find a use for eventually. Everything about it is fabulous now – the colors, the transfer, the knobs that practically disappear. I know you can’t keep everything, but this is one I truly wouldn’t be able to sell. Someone is going to be so happy to bring it home.
Christy says
Oh that is so funny, Marcie, and a perfect description of me ha ha! Thank you! It is definitely hard to let some things go. Have a great weekend! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Turns out Debbie was right, it was a Marjolein Bastin piece (I do tend to get caught up in research). By the time you found it, though, it had lost its original charm, and you redeemed its thrift shop existence!
Pam Lawson says
I love this little box! I love bees and French reproduction ephemera so two of my favorite things combined. I love the glass knobs and how they fade into the design rather than compete with it. In fact when I saw the first picture I wondered how it was going to be opened. Its beautiful and I hope I can find one of these to redo! Your work is always so beautiful.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Pam! Best of luck in your search! XOXO
Kerryanne says
Totally adorable trinket box Christy. It turned out beautifully and I love that transfer you used too!
Thank you for sharing this project at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring your trinket box make-over at tonight’s party and pinning too.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! I really appreciate that!! XOXO
Cheryl says
Jeez…how did I miss this little cutie ??
A-dor-able !!!
Transfers make such a huge impact (even on a wee sweet trinket box). So cute Christy 😍
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! Glad you found it eventually ha ha! And yes, transfers are magic makers for sure! XOXO
Gail Cole says
I love everything you create! You are so inspiring!
I am curious about something… I love all the knobs you use and have purchased a few for my future projects. Some of them come with an overly long metal screw to attach to the drawer. How do you cut them down so they aren’t so long? Do you use the nut on the back to secure them into place or cut them then glue into place? Thanks in advance for your help with this!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Gail! I use a small tool like a dremel from Black and Decker to cut off the excess. You can see it here: https://amzn.to/3dJnOpw It works great! I don’t recall if the metal cutting wheel comes with it, but I buy these: https://amzn.to/37K6BZ3 I hope this helps! XOXO