Hello lovely friends and welcome back!! Who’s up for another round of smalls today?? It’s been a while! If you’re new around here, welcome! The smalls are all the smaller makeovers I like to stock my booth with that are too small to warrant a post of their own. So, I like to gather several of them and share them in one post every so often!
For this round, I have three pieces from my new haul and three pieces that I pulled from the rest of my stash:
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Mini Makeover #1
Up first is this set of candlesticks I picked up for $3.75 each:
I always consider candlesticks if they are priced right since they are generally good sellers for me.
I started this set with a quick cleaning and then two coats of Vintage Duck Egg Blue.
I knew I wanted to accent the details with black wax and to do that, you first need a layer of clear wax.
I applied that with my Best Dang Brush:
You want to apply clear wax before the black wax when using chalk paint because the chalk paint is porous and will really soak up the dark pigment.
I buffed it in and removed the excess with a soft clean cloth and then applied a layer of black wax:
I buffed that in also and removed the excess with a soft clean cloth, buffing it to a nice sheen:
Dixie Belle’s Best Dang Wax is water-based rather than oil-based which is awesome for a few reasons:
- It has no harsh fumes or smell
- It can be painted over once it cures without having to remove it first
- Clean up is super easy! I just spray a bit of the spray Dawn on my wax brushes and rinse
Their wax also comes in a smaller 4oz size, so you don’t have to break the bank.
That’s it! Wax is a sealer, so this mini makeover was complete!
I love how the black wax nestles in the details!
Mini Makeover #3
Next up is this small box that I picked up for $2.98:
It looked all fancy until I turned it over to reveal a $5 Dollar General sticker on the bottom lol!
I started this makeover like I do many of my smalls…with a quick coat of Rustoleum spray primer:
Priming is not necessary. It’s just a way to get a quick first coat on these smaller projects.
Then I gave it one coat of Dixie Belle’s Tea Rose:
When that was dry, I accentuated the details with silver gilding wax.
It looks so much sweeter now!
I did some blending with Cotton to highlight the open space in the middle there…
And the inside got a little surprise with the help of the Vintage Floral Transfer:
To seal this one, I just gave it a quick spray of Rustloeum’s clear matte spray since it had all those details to contend with.
Mini Makeover #3
This next piece is one I’ve had hanging around my work area for a while…this lamp that I paid $5.25 for back in the fall:
I taped it off and painted it in Cotton, and then it just sat eyeing me form the corner of my work table.
All that was left to do was cheat distress it and match up a shade, so I finally got it done!
I always keep my eyes out for deals on shades at the thrift store.
This one actually still had the plastic on it, and it was only $4.25. That’s way cheaper than I could ever buy one for new!
And here’s a closer look at that cheat distressing…
I do that with Coffee Bean paint and this distressing block.
You can see more on how I cheat distress in this short video:
If you have any trouble viewing, you can see it on YouTube HERE.
Mini Makeover #4
Mini makeover number four started out as this super sweet set of paintings I picked up for $5.75 each:
If only those frames weren’t so darned pink!
I taped them off and gave them a couple of quick coats of Cotton:
I think that did wonders for them!
I am always drawn to paintings and all the detailed work that goes into them, and I thought these were especially sweet.
At first I just saw the little girl and put her right into my cart…
But then, a sweet lady shopping nearby pointed out the little boy:
Thank you, sweet lady!
Mini Makeover #5
Next up is this spice rack I picked up ages ago!
I love the doors on it, but this too had been sitting with a couple of coats of Cotton on it for a while, eyeing me from the sidelines! I was still deciding on what else to do with it.
I finally decided to add a few pieces of the toile transfer that I used on this cool piece I redid a couple of months ago.
I just cut it where I wanted to and burnished it on with the stick that came with it:
I sealed it with clear wax and this makeover was officially complete:
Kind of cute, eh?
My mom has already claimed this one!
Mini Makeover #6
And finally, the last makeover of this bunch is this small tray I picked up for $3.75:
I started this one with a quick spray of Rustoleum spray primer also just to get a quick first coat on it:
You can see in the bottom of the tray were three holes that looked like something had been screwed into the bottom at one time, so I had plans to cover that right up!
But first, I gave this tray two coats of Cotton over the primer and then sanded smooth and sealed with Best Dang wax in clear.
Then, I pulled out one of my favorite Belles and Whistles decoupage paper, this pretty blue floral and cut it to fit the bottom with my rotary cutting set:
This set gives you perfectly straight cuts and the grid mat helps keep everything aligned nicely.
To adhere it the bottom of the tray, I applied a thin coat of Satin Clear Coat with a brush. Then I laid the paper in the bottom and smoothed it out. I bought this tool to help with applying transfers that was perfect:
As it dries, it pulls taut for a lovely finish.
I sealed it with another coat of Clear Coat in Satin.
And while it’s not much from the front…
It is super cute once you get a little closer…
And that’s six more smalls complete!!
Bonus Makeover!!
Okay, I’ve got one more BONUS makeover to share…this sad tissue box holder that was $2:
My amazing niece was in town a couple of weeks ago and we went thrifting for some goodies she could make over while she was here, and this is one of the items she picked out!
She did a great job on it and she was so proud!
Here it is all pretty on my table in my office:
I grabbed it to take a couple of quick photos before she left. The other side had these cute boots from the Vintage Floral Transfer:
So cute now, right?
I hope y’all enjoyed these mini makeovers!!
And I get to cross three more pieces off my to-do list!
See the hutch HERE if you missed it, and see what I did with the mirror HERE!
I’ll be back with this chair on Tuesday:
Update! The Berber carpet-esque upholstery has been banished! See the after here now!
Have an amazing weekend!!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Line BOIVIN says
Where do you take your stencil it so butitful thank you. Tell me where you buy it thank you 😊
Christy says
Hi Line! Are you referring to a particular stencil or maybe the transfer I used in this post?
Mary Kaiser says
Wow I LOVE all the smalls! Everything turned out so beautiful, I love that your niece found something to make over, I bet she’s hooked now, but with you for an aunt and such a great inspiration she will be doing lots more make overs!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary!! I loved thrifting with her when she was here and her girls had a blast thrifting for clothes! I sent her home with supplies, and she messaged me a day or so later with a table she had painted already ha ha! XOXO
Susan says
I’m always excited when one of your emails arrives! Your work is so tastefully done and beautiful. I really admire your vision.
I loved ALL of today’s small projects, but my favorite might be the spice rack. So cute!
Christy says
Aww I love that SO much, Susan!! Thank you!! I’m so glad you enjoy what I share!! XOXO
Christina says
Wonderful smalls! Yours are amazing as always and your beautiful niece really made that little box sing with joy!!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Christina!! She did such a great job for sure! XOXO
Krista says
Thank you so much for sharing your talent! I’m new and learning! Can you tell us where you have a “booth”. Is it a market you sell your pieces?
Christy says
It is my pleasure, Krista! Thank you! I have a booth at a local antique mall here in Virginia Beach. XOXO
Denise Cox says
WOW!!!! Great line up!!! 😝. And the two ” before ” pieces that were my least favorite turned out to be my llFAVORITES…the box and the spice rack . I really loved the pink color/contrast colors and the transfer inside the box was perfect! I do have a question: what exactly did you” tape ” off”on the lamp?
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! That is so funny! I’m still amazed at what paint can do!! On the lamp, I taped off the brass part that holds the bulb. 🙂 XOXO
Janice Holt says
I always love the smalls and the little pink box and the cabinet are my favorites. I can see why your mom has claimed it. I love anything toile anyway. Have a great week-end.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I really enjoy doing the smalls too! And yes, my mom went right for that rack the minute she saw it lol. I told her to at least let me photograph it first! XOXO
Mariah says
Oh my gosh, that little pink and silver box is beyond adorable! It seems everyone goes for the gold when adding the gilding, but that touch of silver really adds the perfect touch. I think it would look good with those two small pictures too. I also just love the spice rack too, it turned out so cute! No wonder your mom wants it. Anyways, this was a great round of smalls and gave me lots of inspiration. Thanks for sharing!
Christy says
Thank you, Mariah! I’m so glad you enjoyed this round! I do love the Tea Rose with the silver…gives it a different look. Have a great day! XOXO
Nancy Sharp says
I always love your makeovers. This group was extra special. I see this creative ability runs in your family.🥰 Thanks for always inspiring us.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Nancy! I sent my niece home with some supplies and she had picked up a drum table on the way home for $20…she already had it done in about a day ha ha! XOXO
Niki says
I really enjoy the smalls Christy. It is fun to see the variety of items each time you do a new set of them. My favorites this time are the spice rack and tray-because toile and toile-ish Have great weekend!
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoy them, Niki! I really enjoy them too! And those are my two favorites as well! XOXO
Kay says
Love them all!
Christy says
Thank you, Kay! XOXO
Lori says
Wowza! These are super cute & look amazing with the makeover. This gives me inspiration to tackle some projects I have & makes me realize I’m overthinking them & making them more difficult. Carry on!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Lori! Yes…sometimes a simple paint job is all a piece needs! Happy creating! XOXO
Peggy says
All lovely! Best thing is, I can live my “dream” booth in the comfort of my jammies!!!! Thank you, Christy! ❤🤍❤🤍❤
Christy says
Thank you, Peggy! I love that ha ha! XOXO
Diana L Cosgrove says
So refreshing Christy! Keeping all of your ideas … so far I’ve transformed only one thing … a pretty metal photo frame… and I can tell you that I am very pleased with it using Dixie Belle Cotton on it! Still haven’t tackled the large mirror I spoke about ages ago! I have all of my pieces stacked in the corner of our basement and I am not going to buy anything more until I complete these probably 25 items! Just received my new medium size spray painting tent this week… I hope to enjoy my summer painting things!
Christy says
Thank you, Diana! I’m so glad you had a good Dixie Belle experience so far! And it sounds like you have a lot to keep you busy this summer! Enjoy! XOXO
Lucy Caldwell says
That sweet tea rose box reminds me of Cinderella’s Coach! Love it!
Christy says
Right?? It has such pretty details for sure!! XOXO
Bev says
I’m hot a big pink lover. But there is something about the pink box that I truly love. It just feel serene. Great work always
Christy says
I’m so glad you like it, Bev! Thank you! XOXO
Sharon L Austin says
I’ll take the candlesticks, the dollar general box, the tray and the kleenex holder, please!! Love them all!
Christy says
Ha ha! Thank you, my friend! XOXO
Deanna says
Oh! What a great batch of smalls! Always inspiring! I love the lamp and the spice rack just a tad more than all the others. Glad you got to spend time with your niece and her girls. That sounds like fun girl time – thrifting and painting up the smalls. Love her tissue cover box!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Deanna! It was so nice to visit and thrift with someone who enjoys it like I do! XOXO
Constance Colvin says
I love your “smalls” posts! They’re like a mini version of your old March Madness series (which I loved)!!!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Connie! I wish I had the stamina to do another March Madness!! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I love the smalls! I can’t believe you have another stash hidden away, Christy. Somehow, I always think the newest haul happens because you’ve got nothing left to work on 😉
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! I honestly have very little besides my current stash. It consists pretty much of several lone lamps, a bin of wooden odds and ends (lone candlesticks and such), and one very musty old empire dresser that I’ve been dragging my feet on ha ha! Have a wonderful weekend! XOXO
Cyndi says
Jackpot! Six projects at one time! Thanks for all your work, Christy. I know I’m not the only one that looks forward to seeing what you do! These are all beautiful, but I gotta say…I would arm wrestle your mom for that spice rack! Ha ha!
Christy says
Thank you SO much, Cyndi! And ha ha…my mom claimed that rack as soon as she saw it at our house. I had to fight to keep it long enough to photograph it! XOXO
Cyndi says
That is too funny! Go, Mom! 😆
Dawn Shelley says
Christy would love that set of decals you used…..would you send me a price of the decals if you sell them plus shipping to Canada?
Christy says
Hi Dawn! I don’t ship to Canada, but you can search for a local retailer here: https://dixiebellepaint.com/find-a-dixie-belle-paint-retailer/ or there is a Canadian retailer on Etsy that has that transfer in stock here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1084769936/vintage-floral-transfer-belles-and I hope this helps! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! I enjoyed all of them. I loved.tjat little cabinet.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cheryl! I loved that one too! Have a lovely weekend! XOXO
Lizzy says
These are all great. My favorite is the small pink box. So pretty!
Christy says
Thank you, Lizzy! That seems to be the favorite today lol! XOXO
Karen says
I always love your makeovers! These are so fun
Christy says
Hi Karen!! Thank you, my friend! XOXO
Michele M. says
Super super duper awesomely adorable – times 7 with the niece’s bonus!
Loved every single sweet little make-over. The biggest shock was the pink “fancy” box. I mean I had no idea something that, well, just not pretty – paint it up and now it so needs to have pearls hanging out of it in a sweet
French girlie girl’s room.
Well done, Christy – I bet those adorable “smalls” sell super fast.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Michele! That one seems to be a favorite! I’m still amazed at what a little paint can do! XOXO
LORRI says
They all are lovely… repurposed for a new life. Isn’t paint amazing? With your vision, they will find a new home. Are those white tulips real? If artificial ones ..they are beautiful. 😍
Christy says
Thank you, Lorri! Paint is amazing for sure! The tulip arrangement is one I picked up at HomeGoods a couple of years ago. They look so real! XOXO
Cecilia says
It’s always fun to see all the smalls. Love the candlesticks and repainting those pink frames made a huge difference. I got super excited when I saw the spice rack! I have that exact same one…still have the spice bottles too. We got it as a wedding present 40 years ago!
I painted mine white too – what a huge difference it made. Then I made new labels for my spice bottles. I can’t believe you actually found one. So cool.
Love the boot transfer on the Kleenex box. Adorable!
Have a great weekend,
Cecilia
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoy the smalls, Cecilia, thank you! And I love having some history on that spice rack! I just loved it when I saw it! Enjoy your weekend too, my friend! XOXO
Olga says
Love the “small” series! I get coffee and slowly scroll through the post! Thanks for sharing Christy, you always inspire me !
Christy says
Aww I love that, Olga! Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoy them! XOXO
Joanne H says
All the smalls are amazing but I love, love, love the little pink and silver box. It’s always fun to see your smalls.
Christy says
Thank you, Joanne! That was a fun one to do! XOXO