Hello, lovelies! I rarely pass up a good deal on a box at the thrift store, and today’s makeover was no exception! I have an elegant black and gold jewelry box makeover for y’all today that started out like this:
It was $5.99 which was a real deal considering Marshalls was trying to get $54.99 for it:
I’m not sure what was so special about it to be so pricey?
This was the inside:
Remove the lining
That lining was in terrible shape, so I just removed it all…
Luckily, the glue was old, so the lining came right out, except I pulled the top apart when removing that lining.
So, a little wood glue and clamp surgery was needed…
Then, this piece sat like that for a couple of weeks while I worked on a few other projects.
Clean
When I finally got back to it this weekend, it was time to clean using my go-to prep for painting (especially wood pieces), White Lightning:
It comes in a powder form that you mix with water (one TBSP to a half gallon of warm water) or a ready-to-use formula. I prefer to mix the powder for a thorough cleaning. Either way, be sure to rinse with clean water after to remove any residue.
Paint
I sold the accessories I had staged with my black painted pieces in my booth, so I needed something to replace them.
And with that, I chose Caviar for this box, Dixie Belle’s blackest black, giving it two coats.
Sand
Then, to smooth out my finish, I sanded lightly with 220 grit sand paper wrapped around an old sanding sponge:
I should have used a fine grit sanding sponge since I didn’t want much distressing on this one. (These are great when you don’t want any distressing.)
I thought I was done with the outside
Since I thought I was going to keep this one simple, and I was pretty much done on the outside, I went ahead and sealed with Clear Coat in Satin:
Except, I wasn’t quite done!
Adding a Transfer
Of course, I could not leave well enough alone and decided to add some pretty with this Golden Serenade gold foil transfer:
I love the combination of gold and black!
And it is totally okay to apply a transfer over the Clear Coat! You just can’t do that with the waxes.
This transfer adhered beautifully!
I added a couple of pieces to the top and then decided the front needed something too, but I made a boo boo! I’ll share what I did in the reveal!
Seal (again)
I applied another coat of Clear Coat in Satin to protect the transfer.
The hardware
I had removed all the hardware but ultimately ended up painting those in Caviar also and sealing with Clear Coat:
Then, I highlighted the details with gold Gilding Wax:
Black and Gold Jewelry Box Makeover Reveal
I’ll keep you in suspense for the inside for now. 🙂
Here is how this jewelry box looks now:
And here is where I messed up!
See the bird perched to the left? It wasn’t part of this piece of the transfer, originally. I had already added the bird’s nest and the branches:
And I was just trying out how the addition of the bird would go. I often peel off the backing of transfers and gently sit them on the surface to see if I like the placement, but when I did that with this gold foil bird, it stuck!
So although I didn’t love it there, too bad so sad..
I do love the placement on the top though…
And I loved that this box still had the key that actually functions, in the bottom:
So you can lock up your valuables, but someone could easily steal the whole box. Or, maybe if you have a house full of girls, and you don’t want them all in your jewelry box, it would keep them out? My boys are not interested in my jewels lol.
The Inside
Now let’s get a look at the inside!
Here is a reminder of what it looked like before:
Nice!
I removed all the lining as I showed earlier and had originally planned on a darker a paper, but ultimately decided on this pretty My Garden Whimsy decoupage paper to line it:
(Before I got started, I used a hairdryer on the WARM setting to remove the folds.)
That lighter paper now required a lighter background, so I painted both the inside of the main box and the bottom of this little tray on top with two coats of Gardenia:
(I had already sealed the Caviar painted areas thinking I was done painting.)
I applied the paper by first applying a coat of Redesign’s Decoupage Gel in Matte that I applied using a 2″ Foam N Dandy brush. Once I had my paper laid, I added another coat on top:
But, I also had these support pieces that were holding up the little tray on top, so those got painted and wrapped in decoupage paper as well:
The Inside After
I just love a pretty surprise on the inside!
Here it is without the tray:
I might like the inside better than the outside lol!
But the outside is pretty too…even if I messed up the transfer…
These dainty little feet I added that I picked up on Amazon elevate it just a bit more:
Those are held in place by tiny screws as well as E6000 Glue. I pre-drilled the holes first to make it easier to attach them.
And that is the makeover of this thrift store find!
Another piece I get to cross off my to-do list!
See what’s been completed from this haul so far below:
Painted Dresser with a Stained Top Makeover
Lamp Set Makeover
Painting the Smalls #36
Painted Lingerie Chest Makeover
Update an Upholsterd Bench
Update a Mirror with Paint and Transfers
Painted Drop Leaf Side Table
Painting the Smalls Yard Sale Edition
Vintage Cane Chair Makeover
Dated Coastal Lamps
Home Interiors Shelf Makeover
How to Change the Bottom of a Dresser
$3 Yard Sale Wall Shelf Makeover
Plant Stand Makeover
Freebie French Chair
Oak Pedestal Table
I’ll be back with this table on Thursday. It got the perfect summer makeover!
UPDATE: Wait until you see this sad table now! You may not recognize it..see it HERE!
See y’all then!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Wow, so beautiful! If you wouldn’t have told me that you messed up the bird placement I would not have known! It is beautiful and even when you think you have messed up, it still turned out beautiful! I love the paper inside, and I think the inside is my favorite also!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! I appreciate that. And yes, that paper on the inside is so pretty! XOXO
Cyndi says
This turned out beautifully! Black and gold is one of my all-time favorite combos, and that paper on the inside is gorgeous too. I think the grab-y transfer worked out just fine. So pretty!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Cyndi! My eye goes right to that bird lol. I do love the black with the gold as well though! XOXO
Kathy W says
Hi Christy – You’re funny!! You told on yourself and you didn’t have to. I am sure nobody would have noticed your “boo boo” since it looks perfect. I do appreciate it, though. It’s a helpful tip for me, a not so talented diyer like yourself. Thank you!! You’re so kind to let me/us know little “boo boos” happen to you but I still think you are a “DIY SUPER HERO”. Oh, by the way, I LOVE the jewelry box. In my opinion, you could put black and gold on anything and it would look AMAZING!!!!
Kathy W
oxox
Christy says
Ha ha I know! It’s all I can see ha ha! I’m so glad you still like it though. Yes, black and gold can rescue just about anything! Thank you!! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Christy, one would never know the bird is misplaced. This is a real gem for anyone’s gems! Gorgeous.
I love your surprises…can’t wait to see the table!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! I’m glad it still worked out! See ya Thursday! XOXO
Laurie says
Oh my goodness, I love the black! It’s so encouraging to see something other than white. White is a great summer color, but, going into fall, it is wonderful to see you switching to the darker more colorful tones. Beautiful job!
Christy says
I’m so glad you like it, Laurie, thank you!! XOXO
Geri Davis says
I love it! I think the bird looks just fine (and I’ve done that too haha)!
Love the black and gold pieces they look so classy! Got my order the other day, excited to try out the Dixie mudd on an upcoming project as I have had trouble with wood fillers!
Christy says
Thank you, Geri! I appreciate that…and it happens to the best of us ha ha! Dixie Mud is awesome! XOXO
Cletia says
Lovvve this! Now it’s worth more than the price tag!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Cletia!! XOXO
s says
Hi, loving the box and your treatment. If the front is still bothering you, I think a little bit of more gold in the lower right or on the base right, might balance it out. It’s the old thirds balance…the image takes up half, maybe just a few leaves or branches will balance it out, like you did on the top only less. Gorgeous box though!
Christy says
Thank you, S! I think you might be right…it looks unbalanced. I was trying to keep the design about 1/3 of the way across the bottom, and the addition of that bird took it too far over to the left, taking up almost half. I may do that! Thanks, again! XOXO
Jackie says
Ooooh! I really like this one! The gold really pops against the black, and the inside is a nice surprise.
Christy says
Thank you, Jackie! I’m so glad you like it! I am in love with that paper on the inside! XOXO
Lizzy says
It’s gorgeous. I love the way you make over small boxes.
Christy says
Thanks so much, my friend! They are especially fun because of all the possibilities! XOXO
p says
Black and gold is always striking and a touch of elegance.
I love those feet. so delicate. I also love that it has a key. Love the detail and it adds a sense of ‘special’ to whats inside.
As always – you have added all the sweet details inside. Gorgeous !
Guess I like cutsie boxes. 🙂
I have an old primitive heavy wood box w/ a mirror inside the lid – was my grandma’s.
I tried to sand it – and it just gumms up. Do I need to use stripper. (Ugh)
If I can get it cleaned up – then I can review all your smalls for the perfect inspiration.
I always love your smalls….
Christy says
I agree, P, thank you! Black and gold is such a classic combination that always works! I’m so glad you enjoyed all the details on this one. I was pleasantly surprised to find the key in the bottom! I wonder if you clean your grandma’s box first with White Lightening? It is a degreaser, so maybe there is some sort of buildup on the box? How special it will be when you can make it your own but still cherish something that was hers! XOXO
Sheila Pack says
I think it’s gorgeous! Just call it a ‘happy accident’, it’s all good!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Sheila! I appreciate that! I think someone will still enjoy it! XOXO
Cecilia says
Gold and black just look so good together! I don’t think we would have known you messed up if you hadn’t have told us. 😊 And you know I love that paper! It’s definitely my favorite part. I’d just want to leave it opened so I could admire the prettiness!
❤️Cecilia
Christy says
I agree…I love black and gold together! And that paper is so pretty…my favorite part too! Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
Caye says
It looks wonderful, Christy. That gold is just scrumptious. I’ve had that “disaster” with a transfer sticking to where it shouldn’t be. I wasn’t as lucky as you, however. Since this turned out so well, I guess it was just meant to happen. Kudos on a lovely finish!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Caye! Usually when I make a mistake, I can steer it in another direction and keep going. There was nothing I could do here lol, but yeah…it wasn’t so bad! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oh, Christy – that is absolutely stunning. What a GORGEOUS re-do. WOW!
And that isn’t a boo-boo – it looks great. Truly. NO ONE would think it is wrong in your eyes. What a gorgeous box. There really is something to a deep black with gold – so classy and timeless. I adore that box!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Michele! I appreciate that so much! And yes…black and gold is always so elegant! XOXO
Deborah Mealus says
Of course your project is beautiful as they all are! If you hadn’t said you “messed up”, no one would ever know! You inspire me all of the time and I love how your knowledge, and how your share it, gives me the confidence to get going on my projects! 🙂
Deborah
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Deborah, thank you!! That means so much! And yes, the mess up definitely could have been much worse! XOXO
Tia Trevallion says
At $5.99 you definitely got a bargain because I purchased the exact same box (except it has a red velvet interior) for significantly more at an online estate sale AND I had to get in a bidding war to get it!
The black and gold is beautiful.😍 After seeing what you went through trying to strip out the inside, I think I will leave my insides alone since it is still in great shape. Your interior looks so much prettier though. Well done! I love your box do-overs!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Tia! Well now I feel even better about the deal I got on this box! The insides of this one came out pretty easily since the glue had lost its stick, so that was a bonus! Have a great week! XOXO
Kathryn Buckland says
Christy, I too love Black and gold together…and I feel your pain about the transfer sticking. Oh I have had them stick to the wood and to each other!I hate to admit that I have ruined some sheets so I am much more careful now.
Christy says
Thank you, Kathryn! Yes, I too have learned to be careful lol. I usually don’t seal before applying my transfers, so I have a little more wiggle room when placing them. Since I sealed first this time, it really wanted to stick! XOXO