Hello, dear friends!! I have a brand new thrifty makeover coming your way today! I’ve redone probably dozens of boxes here on the blog, turning many of them into jewelry boxes, but I don’t believe I’ve ever redone a traditional jewelry box that started out with that purpose! Today’s jewelry box makeover was the perfect candidate to try one of Dixie Belle’s brand new Cottage Collection colors from the chalk mineral paint line:
I’m excited for y’all to see which color I chose!
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Here is the before of today’s project:
I picked it up at the thrift store for $3.99.
I did a quick test to see if the insides would come out easily, and it appeared that they would…
Before getting started on the makeover, I removed the interior since it wasn’t in the nicest shape.
Clean
All painting projects start with a good cleaning, and this one was cleaned with White Lightning. It comes in a powder form and I mix one TBSP with a half gallon of warm water. I actually cleaned this one while I was cleaning the vintage sewing storage table I shared recently.
Paint
Then I was ready for paint!
What color did I choose??
Cottage Door is a lovely salmon color, and these 4oz sizes are perfect for smaller projects!
It covered perfectly in two coats. Then, I sanded all over to smooth with a sanding sponge:
You can see what the insides looked like once I removed everything in that photo. Not so pretty, but not to worry!
Adding a transfer
I had the perfect transfer to pair with this beautiful color!
I used the Bouquet for my Love transfer on this drawer organizer makeover a few weeks back, and it came with these three sheets:
That sheet on the bottom was perfect for this box!
Here is the easiest way I’ve found to apply transfers:
While holding one corner up, start burnishing with the included stick to transfer the image, pulling the clear sheet on top towards you as you go:
This design covered the entire top just about and I let it go over the sides some as well.
The colors were just perfect!
Once the image has been applied, you can use a soft cloth or a finishing pad to go over it lightly and be sure the transfer is adhered well all over:
As you can see, I went right over that gold plate that was in the center.
Gold Gilding Wax
I decided to give the bottom half some gold shimmer using gold gilding wax:
I just did one liberal coat and then pulled the tape away immediately, leaving gold stripes all around the bottom…
FrogTape for delicate surfaces is my go-to painting tape and gives amazingly crisp lines every time!
I also used the gilding wax on these “feet” and this pull I found in my stash:
The feet are actually dowel rod finials and you can find them HERE. I added them with wood glue.
Seal
I would normally seal everything BEFORE adding gilding wax since it is oil based while the Satin Clear Coat sealer is water based, but I forgot. So, the next day I sealed over the gilding wax anyway, and it actually did just fine.
Jewelry Box Makeover: The After
This little box got a big makeover!
It has so much personality now!
This transfer was such a good match!
And how about those cute feet?
The insides
Y’all know I prettied up the insides too!
Here is what it looked like before:
Not so pretty.
Would you believe I had fabric in my stash that was almost a perfect match?
This pretty coral fabric was left over from this mini trunk I redid a couple of years ago.
I line most of my boxes the exact same way. It involves fabric, a glue gun (this one is cordless!), and foam core:
I share step-by-step how to line a box with fabric HERE.
Most of the interior will be completely covered, so it doesn’t have to be perfect before you start.
I love small boxes since the possibilities are endless!
This knob was from an older piece and was perfect for the front after applying the gilding wax:
I’d love to know your thoughts on this new color!
That’s another project crossed off my to-do list!
See anything you may have missed at the links below:
Vintage Sewing Storage Table
Wooden Horse Redo TAKE TWO!
White Painted Drop Leaf Table
Unfinished Wooden Horse Makeover
Updated Candlesticks
Voodoo Stain and Stencil Bench Makeover
Drawer Organizer Makeover
If you enjoyed today’s makeover, you might enjoy 13 more thrifty box makeovers!
See them all HERE!
I’ll be back with my Trash-to-Treasure girls on Tuesday sharing what I did with this mini wall cabinet:
Have a wonderful weekend!
UPDATE: Head on over HERE now and see how fabulous this cabinet turned out!
XOXO,
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Cheryl W. says
Wow! Love it! This color will definitely be on my next order. I love the way you bring the colors and transfers in your shop to life! So many great ideas and inspirations!
Thanks, Christy!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cheryl! I have so much fun playing with everything! XOXO
Shirley Freeman says
Love all the great colors and you o a great job with all your projects.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Shirley! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Ahh it is so beautiful! I love the color, and I just love it when you add feet to the boxes that you makeover. It turned out so good with that color, and I can’t beleive how well the fabric you used matched! I guess that you would use the secret path color, but I guessed wrong, but just coming to your blog to see what you have done makes me a winner!!
Christy says
Aww you are the best always!! The Secret Path color might actually be my favorite, but when I found that fabric in my stash I knew I had to use the Cottage Door…it was meant to be lol. Thank you, my friend, for always being a light! XOXO
Jan Fowler says
Christy! This one is absolutely GORGEOUS! You amaze me. Thanks for sharing your talents.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Jan! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one! XOXO
Janie says
Really pretty!
Christy says
Thank you, Janie! XOXO
Barbara Warner says
Love it! You’ve done a beautiful job, again, Christy! I love the coral, the transfer on top, but I’m especially pleased when I see the open box with that cute, print interior. You’ve done a smashing job!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Barbara! When I saw that fabric in my stash, knew I had to use this color! XOXO
Janice Holt says
This box turned out absolutely gorgeous. Love the gold mixed with the coral and the transfer matched perfectly and also the inside could not be prettier. Another great job.
Christy says
Thanks so much, my friend! It is always a treat to work on these boxes! XOXO
Cecilia says
Oh pretty! Not the color I thought you’d choose but so lovely. Perfect transfer for it too. Love the gold accents. Very nice makeover! It’s helpful to see what the colors look like on an actual piece.
😊Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! Already having that fabric on hand helped me decide on that color, and I love it with the gold too! XOXO
Denise says
So cute with the stripes. They add so much personality and fun!!!!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! XOXO
Kim says
This turned out so beautiful! I love the color!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Kim! XOXO
Rebecca says
FABULOUS
Christy says
Thank you, Rebecca! XOXO
Niki says
I like any shade of coral/salmon as long as it doesn’t get too mauve-ish. I also think the transfer goes really well with the color. The fabric is playful and matches perfectly!
Christy says
Thank you, Niki! I really like this color too and the coverage was great. How lucky that I already had that fabric! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
It’s lovely, Christy, and quite a departure in color for you! I love that flower transfer and it is perfect for the paint. But what about the inside? Oh, finally! It’s worth holding onto leftovers, isn’t it? 😁
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! It is different for me and I love it! And ha ha you know I have to pretty up the inside too… I was thrilled to see that fabric in my stash! XOXO
Diana L Cosgrove says
Good Friday Morning Christy… Your photography of all the pretty makeovers you do captures every detail… I really love your perfection on each piece… the lining always looks just perfect. I now have at least six boxes to work on and you inspire me to simply dive in and begin! Your little jewelry box is darling.
Diana
Christy says
Good morning, Diana, and thank you! Boxes might be my favorite thing to recreate…there are really fun to bring to life. Have fun with yours! XOXO
Susan Chermonte says
I love the color and I lov what you did with the box! Beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Susan! XOXO
Debra Hubbs says
So pretty! The gold and feet added so much.
Christy says
Thanks, Debra! I love the gold with this color! XOXO
Michele M. says
This transformation is absolutely stunning, Christy.
Well done. Looks GREAT!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Michele! XOXO
Patty says
Perfect!!💕. Love the addition of the gold. As usual your vision amazes me!🙂
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Patty, thank you! XOXO
Sue Mellette says
Lovely makeover. I really like the transfer against the salmon color paint. I think the additional stripes in gold really makes the jewely box pop! Thanks for sharing.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sue! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one! XOXO
Tracy says
Hi! I’ve been following you for a while, and I am so excited to see the use of color in some of your projects. Thanks for the link to the “how-to” on lining with fabric.
Christy says
Thank you, Tracy! You’re welcome! I appreciate you following along with me! XOXO
Shirley says
Funny how we stick to something we love all our lives and then one day things change. I’m sure it’s not a permanent thing for you but I’m so glad to see these colors in your color choices! This really caught my eye because I’m trying to create a time period in my living room that gives me the era I’m going for and this would fit in pretty darn well..lol! Love the color scheme and the fabric just makes it shine! As usual, color or not, I love your work!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Shirley! I do LOVE to paint with color, but I also have to sell the things I paint, so while I do personally love white, it also sells quickly for me. I really enjoy playing with color though, and I plan to use a couple more colors from this new collection yay! And the color combination here is lovely…I could absolutely see it as a jumping off point for a whole space! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
So cute and the colors work so well together!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Rose! XOXO
Karen Moore says
Gorgeous!! Beautiful color and perfect transfer.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Karen! XOXO