Amazing friends, I hope you are well! With this craziness going on, I almost forgot today was Saint Patrick’s Day! I hope y’all don’t mind if I just keep showing up here? I don’t know about you, but I sure could use some normalcy, so I’ll still be here on Tuesdays and Thursdays doing my thing. I sure hope y’all keep showing up too!
Before I get to today’s project, I want to remind you that my CRAFT JUNK GIVEAWAY is still going on until Thursday at 12:00 am! This sure would be a great time for a box of craft junk to show up at your door, am I right?? You can enter to win every day until the contest is over!
I only have a few pieces left from my Winter haul and today I’m sharing what I did with this flatware box I picked up for $5:
You know why this is one of the last things to be tackled, right? If you’ve ever redone one of these flatware boxes, then you know what a pain it is to get the insides out! Luckily, this one ended up not being that bad at all. Thank goodness!
Once I got the insides out, I gave it a good cleaning with my wipes. Crazy how they are such a hot commodity now, right? I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
I then painted the areas that I did not plan to cover in fabric, with two coats of Caviar by Dixie Belle. The drawer front got a couple of coats of Fluff.
Then I decided to add a stencil to the top and this one with a fun, Frenchy vibe fit perfectly…
I use spray adhesive on the back of my stencils to hold them in place and then I fill in the stencil with a small flat brush and craft paint. This was after one coat. I gave it three coats. I try to brush away from the edges as much as possible. The spray adhesive helps give nice crisp lines…
Then I go back and fill in the breaks that make it look like a stencil using a script liner brush:
You can see this process in action when I added this same stencil to a tray last Spring:
If you have trouble viewing, find it on YouTube HERE. (Subscribe while you’re there to receive my new videos!)
When everything is dry, I sand across the whole surface with 220 grit sandpaper:
The finish will look super chalky, but the sealer will take care of that. A question I get asked often is how to prevent the lettering from smearing when sanding. I use Ceramcoat by Delta brand craft paints and they have never smeared for me while others have.
I sealed with two coats of Dixie Belle’s Clear Coat in Satin that I applied with their sponge applicator.
And here is what it looks like now:
Now you can see why I painted the drawer in Fluff first…
I still had some of this sweet gingham transfer left that I used on the secretary desk I redid as the first piece from this haul and thought it would be fun here also.
As you can see. I also changed out the tiny brass knobs for these pretty glass ones from Hobby Lobby:
That back plate came with another knob, also from Hobby Lobby.
Here you can see how smooth the stencil looks after a light sanding…
And here is the inside before:
I really channeled that secretary desk for this box because I used the same fabric to line the inside as well!
I originally found this Waverly fabric at Walmart to use on the secretary, and I knew then that I wanted to use it on this box also. I just love it!
You can see how easy it is to line a box with fabric in this tutorial.
The handles that were original to this box gave it a dated feel. I found a large pack of these detailed cup pulls at HomeGoods a couple of months ago that were perfect for this box…
I had fun with this one…much like the secretary, I love the mix of patterns.
One more down, only four to go!!
See any you might have missed or revisit a favorite below:
How to Paint Furniture with Chalk Paint ($10 Thrift Store Night Tables)
$4 Thrift Store Case Repurposed
$25 Thrift Store China Cabinet Makeover
$3 Lamp Makeover (& How to Rewire a Lamp)
Windsor Chair Makeover (& Drop Leaf Table Take Two)
How to Wet Distress (& a $5 Lamp Makeover)
$5 Thrift Store Chest Makeover
I still have the desk, the oar, a tray, and the large mirror at the back to do and then I’m done!! I’m saving the desk for my Furniture Fixer Upper crew next Thursday, so I’ll be sharing the rest in between. Up for Thursday is the lone oar:
Until then, stay safe and healthy, my dear friends!!
UPDATE: The oar is done and cuter than ever! See it HERE now!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Christine DiTrinco says
Love this cute box!! Iron Orchid Designs (IOD)has “stockists” to sell their transfers, just a thought! I plan to check out Prima though, I hear so much about that brand!
Christy says
Thank you, Christine! I would love to carry transfers and have looked into it, but they are a bit harder to work with. Maybe as I grow though? I love Prima, but haven’t tried an IOD transfer yet…they have some beautiful designs! XOXO
Christina in SW FL says
Oh Christy, tres magnifique! What a wonderful surprise with the beautiful choice of fabric inside. Love the new hardware. The stencil is perfect and you do such a flawless job filling in the stencil breaks.
Glad to hear everyone in your house is healthy. Here’s hoping the craziness passes quickly.
xoxo
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! I love this fabric, so I’m glad I got to use it on something else! Yes…hoping this craziness passes quickly too! Stay safe! XOXO
Elizabeth K Downes says
Good Morning Christy! Thanks so much for all the wonderful ideas that you share…..I have this very same box in a closet here somewhere…ha ha…It held the silver flatware my mother gave me as a wedding gift back in 1973! I think I will find it and redo it into a jewelry box like you have done…it can hold all my precious jewels! ;o) Have a great day
Christy says
Good morning, Elizabeth! You are so welcome! I redo these all the time, but it would be so much more special if it was my own that came to me as a wedding gift! Yes…redo it and you can enjoy it everyday! XOXO
Rosie says
So pretty! I love how it turned out. Always looking forward to your projects especially now with what we are all going through. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and I am sure to your other followers. Take care and stay safe❣️
Christy says
Thank you so much, Rosie! I am fortunate that I can still work and be safe at the same time, so I’ll still be here! You take care too! XOXO
Margie says
I love the mix of fabrics,this turned out sweet. Thanks for staying on here. Be well.
Christy says
Thank you, Margie! I’m lucky that I can work from home, so I’ll still be here! Stay safe! XOXO
Linda Petersen says
Love it!❤ The liner is so pretty & really sets it off.
Christy says
Thank you, Linda! I love this pretty fabric too! XOXO
gwen says
another great box Christy! i love the combination of fabrics. i’ve been keeping my eye out for one and have only seen one for $20, so i’m patiently waiting. maybe when all this “social distancing” is over and Spring has sprung i’ll be able to find one at a garage sale. stay safe!
Christy says
Thanks, Gwen! Someone was saying that we are going to have a ball at thrift stores when this is over because everyone who is stuck at home is purging lol. Here’s hoping! Stay well! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Christy!!! This is my favorite flatware box that you have made! I absolutely love everything! that fabric is just perfect. I hope i can find something similar to yours. Thank you so much for sharing. Keep safe and keep creating.
Christy says
Aww yay! Thank you, Cheryl! This is a fun combination. You stay safe too, my friend! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Yes girl you just keep your lovely projects coming. With this virus we don’t have a lot to look forward to so believe me this helps. We have had so much rain and dreary weather here in NW Alabama, we need some brightness in our lives; enough of that. Love the box and the lining is just gorgeous. Another good job and look forward to Thurs.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I know I need some things to just stay normal lol! See ya Thursday! Stay well! XOXO
Sandi Allen says
Oh, I Love this makeover. You are so inspiring!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Sandi! XOXO
Marie says
What a pretty flatware box upcycle, Christy! The black & white gingham is such a pretty touch and the surprise waiting inside is so pretty. You always do such a gorgeous job on these!
Christy says
Thank yo uso much, my sweet friend! I was excited to use this pretty fabric! XOXO
LORRI RAUSCHER says
As always, your box looks lovely❤ Was surprised when I saw the black gingham on the bottom. Tres chic! The fabric inside looks lovely as well. I always enjoy seeing where your creativity leads you. 😋Take care and be safe.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Lorri! This is a fun combination of patterns…I can’t always do that with furniture so this was fun! You take care too! XOXO
Kellie says
I absolutely love all of the flatware boxes you have done. I have my grandmothers silver in a flatware box. You have inspired me to paint the outside of it and I think I will add the little feet to it. It will give me something to do while we are all stuck inside for awhile!
Christy says
Thank you, Kellie! Great idea! There’s no reason your box can’t still hold your Grandmother’s silver and be beautiful at the same time! Have fun! XOXO
Kathy L Bowles says
This! I did a little happy dance right here in my office chair! I LOVE everything about it! You make me want to overcome my fear to try a project like this. One of my favorites for sure.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Kathy!! I love smaller projects like this because you can have a bit more fun with them than you can with larger furniture pieces! XOXO
Kathie says
i am a 68 year old hard core subscriber. i have asthma and haven’t been out of the house since last friday, so yes, please, keep up the normalcy!! you are my lifeline right now. can’t go thrifting so i have to live through you. this is one of your best “do overs”!! i always say every room needs a little black. it’s like eyeliner. thank you for your blog. it’s one of my favorites…..
Christy says
Oh my gosh…if I could hug you right now, Kathie, I would! Thank you!! Yes, please stay home and stay well! I will still be here and I have hundreds of makeovers on my blog for you to shuffle through if you get bored! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one…a little black is always so elegant! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
This box is the bomb! I love the checked against the floral. One question though. Why do you not want the stencil to look like a stencil? I haven’t used many stencils on furniture but thought that was the look it was supposed to have. I hope everyone in your family stays strong and healthy; maybe this horrific crisis will be over soon. It is strange but I have sold more this past 2 weeks in my booth than most months. I guess people feel safe among other thrifters!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I think it depends on the design. In my secretary desk, I left them to look like a stencil, but for this one, I think it looks more like it was hand-painted and less like a stencil with the breaks filled in. I hope you and yours stay healthy too, and congrats on the sales! XOXO
Micah says
Beautiful results! I agree that ripping out the insides can be a pain (all that glued on cardboard!) but I find the relining even more intimidating. = ) You certainly have some major skills! Thanks for the great makeover!
Christy says
Thank you, Micah!! I hope you checked out my tutorial for lining a box with fabric that I linked to…it makes it so much less intimidating, I promise! XOXO
Elise H. says
Christy, I love this little flatware box. And I want to do a “shout out” to say how easy and wonderful you website/blog is to navigate. I am a dinosaur with technology, so I appreciate that! How you link past projects that relate to present projects using those blue letters, yes! So. . . If you have a winning combo of drawer fabrics; then it is only smart to use it again! And you are one smart and creative cookie! I also totally “second” that a little normalcy is much needed and APPRECIATED by me in these panicky virus times. May you and yours stay healthy. Hugs from San Diego.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Elise! That means a lot! I do love this fabric combo and I’m so happy I was able to use it again here! Stay well on the West coast! XOXO
Carol S says
I absolutely love this box, Christy. Definitely one of my favorites. Thank you for the inspiration!
Christy says
Thank you, Carol!! XOXO
Gail says
*Hope my questions about the paint color you used for your sister’s(?) table went through. The cutlery project is beautiful and the inside fabric REALLY sets it off! We plan to help out some friends soon with their 2nd-hand store. I can’t wait to try some of your techniques on the (otherwise, junky) stuff they “inherit” when they buy out a storage unit! They definitely get these type cutlery cases!
Christy says
Hi Gail! I just answered your question on FB. 🙂 Thank you! Sounds like you have a lot of fun projects ahead of you! XOXO
Carla says
Yes, please continue to share your creative projects with us! I love the floral fabric!! It really makes the box ‘pop!’
Christy says
Thank you, Carla! I’ll still be here truckin along lol! Stay well! XOXO
Mary says
Oh goodness…I didn’t think you could top the last one you transformed, but this is just breathtaking! Love this! And your consistent attention to detail, by transforming the inside of the box, to be just as beautiful as the outside, that is your signature and reflects your heart in your projects. 🙂 So grateful you are still sharing your projects during this pandemic 🙂 Keep shining your light of inspiration Christy!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Mary! You are so sweet!! I’m so glad you like this one! I feel so blessed that I can stay home and still do what I love, so I will be here carrying on as usual! Stay well! XOXO
Janina says
Yes please, keep showing up in my in-box to inspire me, now that I have (almost) all the time in the world!
Help us stay sane. And speaking of sane…this box transformation is insanely creative! I loved the gingham transfer with the black paint, and the beautiful Waverly fabric liner!!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Janina! I will still be here…business as usual, my friend! XOXO
Ellen says
I see that you like to use spray adhesive on your stencils and that it helps make cleaner lines. How do you clean them after you are finished with a project? Does it clean easily? Thanks.
Christy says
Hi Ellen! I do like the spray adhesive very much! I wash the paint off in the sink and leave it face down/sticky side up on a paper towel to dry. Then I lay it on top of the rest of my stencils in my cabinet. I’ve never tried to clean off the sticky residue. I just pull them out again the next time, peel them off of the stencil below (they are only tacky at this point) and give them another spray when I’m ready to use them again! XOXO
Phyllis says
Love the knobs, the hardware, the interior, the transfer – the box. Great job. Thank you so much for continuing. I need something normal to look forward to ‘drooling’ over.
Christy says
Thank you, Phyllis! I’ll still be here ha ha…I need some normal too!! XOXO
Sandra D Camp says
Gosh girl, I don’t know where you got all this talent but you are an outstanding designer! I love the fabric and all the different patterns together. Somehow they flow together to create a fantastic look. I love it, (can ya tell?), haha! Thanks for sharing your talent!
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Sandra! Thank you!! XOXO
Jo Ann says
I love this! You are so creative and inspirational. When I do have an opportunity to go thrifting I really take my time and try to look at things through your eyes! I had an old table that I painted and stenciled last summer anticipating that I would add it to our fall garage sale pile. Well my husband saw it and said oh no, we are keeping that! LOL.
Christy says
Thank you, Jo Ann! Oh that is funny! It makes you feel good when the hubby approves! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Another beautiful box, Christy! Love the crispness of the black and the beautiful fabric inside. I have been holding onto that very same box for a very long time, waiting for inspiration to strike. Each time you redo one, I say that’s such a good idea, I should do something like that 😁
Now that there’s not much to do elsewhere, I might actually get to it. Wishing good health for the entire family.
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie!! Yes, you should go for it this time lol! You stay well too! XOXO
M. Constance Colvin says
Thanks for sharing Christy! Awesome as per usual!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Connie!! XOXO
Phoebe says
WOW!!!! What a difference. I love your vision, and how you are able to transform things from nah, to OH-YEAH!! Keep up the creativity, as your so inspiring, and uplifting.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Phoebe!! XOXO
Toia says
Hi, Christy! So glad to come here for inspiration while being home. I also have a question on spray adhesive. Do you ever have a sticky residue left on your project piece? Any ideas how to get it off? Maybe my adhesive is a bit old…🤔 thanks!
Christy says
Thank you, Toia! I have not had any issues with this brand/strength of adhesive, but I have had that happen in the past with another brand. At the time I was using wax to seal my pieces, and luckily, it buffed right off as I was buffing my wax. I wonder if you could just take a clean cloth and buff over the surface to remove any residual adhesive and maybe the cloth will pick it up? I also use rubbing alcohol to remove anything sticky like sticker residue and I wonder how that would do on an already painted piece? Maybe try that in an inconspicuous area first and make sure it doesn’t remove the paint. XOXO
Robyn Wright says
LOVE flatware box makeovers! Question, does gthe spray theasive ever leave a film on the painted surface? Stay healthy and keep doing the makeovers!
Christy says
Thank you, Robyn! I have not had any issues with this brand/strength of spray adhesive leaving a film behind, but I have had that happen in the past with another brand. At the time I was using wax to seal my pieces, and luckily, it buffed right off as I was buffing my waxed surface. You stay well too, my friend! XOXO
Toby says
This is beautiful! You have inspired me so much with all of your projects! I actually have one of these flatware boxes to diy myself–might even be the same one! I can’t wait to try! Love all your projects! Keep them coming!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Toby! I LOVE that you are feeling inspired…that is the best!! Have fun! XOXO
sharon austin says
Turned out so cool, and different! I really like the colors. I have two silverware chests waiting for my attention, and this is giving me the inspiration to do them!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! They are fun to work on! XOXO