Hello, lovelies!! Today, I have the prettiest hatbox makeover to share with you! You definitely won’t recognize it when it’s done! I originally found this hatbox at the thrift store for $4.99:

I pushed it around in my cart for a bit before I decided to put it back due to the damage you can see on the edges there. I stopped back in at that shop not too long after on a Monday, and all yellow tags that day were only ONE dollar!

This box was still there, and for that price, I had nothing to lose!

I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.

Clean

Like most makeovers, this one started with a good cleaning using my go-to paint prep cleaner, White Lightning from Dixie Belle. I simply mix 1 tablespoon into a half gallon of warm water, and I’m ready to go.

These terry cloth applicator pads are perfect for the job and can be tossed in the wash:

White Lightning is a degreaser and a deglosser and gloves are recommended.

Once it was good and clean, I rinsed with clean water and I was ready for paint.

Paint

I chose this lovely Tea Rose color for this piece:

Y’all know I love this color! Some of my favorite pieces like this one HERE and this one HERE have been redone in this sweet color!

I gave it two coats for solid coverage inside and out.

Adding details with moulds

Then, I started playing around with what moulds I wanted to use to embellish this box. I ended up choosing to use the Enlightened Etchings mould:

I cast about five pieces using using Amazing Casting Resin which is so EASY to use! Just mix equal parts of both liquids and pour. In about 12 minutes or so, the casting is ready!

I removed them right away while they were still warm and laid them over the side of the box like so:

I left them to cure like that for a bit, so they would  be easy to add to my box. You can usually use a hair dryer or the microwave to warm them up which will make them pliable, but this is much easier.

Next, I attached them to the top of the box all the way around using Titebond Quick and Thick Glue:

My Dad’s spring clamps that he passed along to me are perfect for this! Thanks, Dad!

I also added these pieces to the center of the top, made from the Regal Flourish Mould:

I did cut the ends off. And then from the same mould, you can barely see the outer edge molding that I taped in place as it cured.

Everything got painted in Tea Rose also…

Seal

To seal over all that detail, I used Clear Rustoleum spray in the satin finish.

Highlight the Mouldings with Gilding Wax

Finally, to highlight all that gorgeous detail, I used Antique Gold Gilding Wax:

That beach vacation manicure is hanging on for dear life ha ha! And you can see the thinner trim I added to the edges (from that same Regal Flourish mould) better here.

Gilding wax is oil based, so it can go on last, but I have forgotten in the past and added it before sealing, and it has done fine.

The Prettiest Hatbox Makeover Reveal

How about this hatbox now??

It almost looks like a cake, doesn’t it?

The detail around the edge is my favorite and that alone adds so much!

But the more narrow trim around the edges, while subtle, adds so much too!

And it covered right over the damaged areas.

I decided to add a glass knob to the top for a little more pretty!

The inside

Of course I had to make the inside pretty too!

I just got the Timeless Blooms decoupage paper back in stock, and I couldn’t wait to use it here:

You may have noticed that the price of the decoupage papers has recently gone up. That is Redesign’s choice, not mine, but for the impact they have, they are still reasonable!

Lining the Inside with Decoupage Paper

This is the only before photo I have of the inside, and as you can see I started by painting the interior first…

Then, I cut a circular piece for the bottom of the inside. I traced around the lid to get a piece slightly larger than the actual bottom.

I applied a coat of Redesign’s matte Decoupage Gel and then laid my paper. I then used a balled up piece of plastic wrap to smooth the paper in place…

For the sides, I used my rotary cutter, cutting mat, and straight edge to get nice, straight cuts:

I applied decoupage gel once again, and I ended up using a synthetic chip brush this time which worked really well!

Once I had all the paper smoothed into place, I sealed with Clear Coat in Satin using one of my Mini Angle brushes:

You can also use the decoupage gel to seal.

It’s so pretty!!

I was thrilled to see this paper coming back!

 

And that’s the prettiest hatbox makeover!

Definitely worth that dollar spent now!!

And one more done!!

See anything you may have missed below:

Painting the Smalls #42

Painted Hutch Makeover

Update Thrift Store Lamps with Paint!

Vintage Telephone Table

Repurposing Hobby Lobby Art

Unfinished Wood Table Makeover

Apothecary Empire Dresser

As we will be celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary this Saturday, I’m not exactly sure if I’ll get something new done, so we’ll see! I’ll be back on Tuesday with something either way!

Happy Independence Day to all my friends in the USA!! Be safe and stay cool out there!! ❤️🤍💙

XOXO,

 

 

 

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