I just love the smalls! I love them especially when I have a huge new haul! These makeovers may be small, but it feels like a big win to knock a bunch out. Sweet friends, I have SIX mini makeovers from my brand new haul coming your way today!
Here’s how they started:
Do any of these scream, “Buy me!” Not really in their current state, but let’s see what we can do with them all!
Mini Makeover #1
Up first is this basket I found for $3.98. It was nice and sturdy:
The only cleaning I usually do on baskets is a good vacuum with my shop vac.
Paint
For this basket I chose to apply a coat of Cotton really liberally with my Belle Brush:
Then, I wiped away the paint with a cloth before it had a chance to dry:
I love this look for this type of basket. I used my Belle Brush here, but the larger Best Dang Brush also makes it easy to get the paint into that weave.
I chose not to seal it as it will harden and cure in about three weeks and I don’t mind the flat sheen for baskets.
The After:
I spy a fury hump in the bottom left corner of that photo…
It’s Lyla! She was fast asleep, and I didn’t have the heart to move her.
Let’s talk about this basket!
I love how updated it looks now with such a simple technique!
You could use this on any basket. Just be sure to work in sections so your paint doesn’t dry before you can wipe it away.
Mini Makeover #2
Next up is this shelf I picked up for $3.99:
That was a great deal for this unique piece!
I cleaned this and everything but the basket with White Lightning. It’s a degreaser and a deglosser for the best paint prep possible.
I mixed one TBSP into a half gallon of warm water and wiped everything down:
These terry cloth applicator pads are awesome for cleaning your pieces, and I can just toss them in the wash and use them over and over again. Once I had everything cleaned, I wiped it all down with clean water to rinse.
Paint
I used Cotton on this piece too. I applied one liberal coat…
And then quickly wiped it away with a cloth.
Seal
To seal, I chose Easy Peasy Spray Wax:
You just spray and wipe away! It’s fantastic for these detailed pieces!
The After
Here is how this one looks now:
So much better than that dull brown color, don’t you think?
This technique could not be easier!
I’m looking for a place to hang this one so I can keep it!
Mini Makeover #3
Mini Makeover number three started out as this clearance tray I picked up for only a dollar:
It looks like one of those metal trays that would have come with a set of candles and maybe some stones to go around them.
Prime
I started this piece and the other metal tray in this mini makeover haul with a coat of Bonding BOSS since they are both metal…
I let them both sit all day and most of the next before continuing on to give them an adequate amount of dry time.
The instructions suggest adding two coats and letting it sit for 24 hours, but I’m testing the durability of one coat. I will have to let it cure before I can give a proper report, but I will definitely report back!
Paint
This smaller one got two coats of this beautiful dusty pink, Tea Rose:
I wanted to add some gold touches and pulled out what was left of this Somewhere in France transfer:
These were the scraps of the scraps ha ha!
Let’s jump to the after…
Here’s what I was able to get from those scraps to dress this tray up a bit:
I added Gold Gilding Wax to the edges as well…
To protect the transfer, I sealed this one with Clear Coat in Satin.
Not too bad for a tray that was only a dollar!
Mini Makeover #4
Next up is the other metal tray. I found this one for $3.99:
There are probably a lot of these floating around out there. It was sold by Southern Living at Home where you could order them from parties your friends threw. I think the ability to shop online ruined it for those businesses, but it sure was a good excuse to get all your girlfriends together!
This one was primed with Bonding BOSS also as you saw above and allowed to dry for almost 24 hours before getting two coats of this beautiful 50/50 mix of Vintage Duck Egg Blue and Cotton:
Such a pretty, coastal blue…
I did a little sanding here and there but not a ton.
This tray was sealed with Easy Peasy spray wax.
Mini Makeover #5
Mini Makeover #5 started out as this lamp that I picked up at the thrift store on clearance for only $1.98!
I’m really surprised it lasted through two markdowns. It would have been sweet in a feminine bedroom.
Instead, it was waiting for me!
Paint
I gave it two coats of Driftwood:
I then decided to highlight those lovely details with white Best Dang Wax.
I just brushed it on and wiped it back, leaving some in the details…
Wax is a sealer, so that was it!
The After
I chose Driftwood to go with this gorgeous shade I scored at Home Goods for $16.99:
I don’t mind having to buy a shade when the lamp is only $2!
I did consider going pink, but in the end, I chose to stay a bit more neutral.
How pretty is that shade?
I love that this lamp had the finial as well. It was painted to match the lamp:
A closer look at the white wax:
This one was such a deal, and it’s all grown up now!
Mini Makeover #6
And finally, I saved my favorite for last! This wasn’t much of a looker to start:
But for $5, I figured I could make it pretty!
Let’s jump right to the after, shall we?
The After
This box already had that medallion thingy on the front, and I didn’t realize the before photo didn’t show it until it was too late.
I painted the whole box, inside and out, in Tea Rose to start.
Then, I added the gold detailing with Gold Gilding wax.
But I didn’t love it, so I decided to paint the Tea Rose white instead and gave it a coat of Cotton.
I had planned to paint the top white too, but I loved the combination of both colors and decided to leave it as is.
I added the little feet I found on Amazon HERE to the bottom:
They screw in from the bottom.
A peek at the inside…I used more of those scraps of transfer here…
This box was sealed with Clear Coat in Satin.
And that’s SIX more mini makeovers complete!!
And Six more I get to cross off my list!!
Want even more smalls inspo?
Check out 30 more smalls HERE!
Do you have a favorite from today’s round?
I’ll be back on Thursday with my Furniture Fixer Upper Girls sharing what I did with this cabinet:
I hope to see you then!
UPDATE: This cabinet came a long way…see it HERE now!
XOXO,
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Sue says
You have been busy! I love them all and would have a hard time letting them go but I do love the trays. How you used the transfers as a surprise design inside the trinket box is always awesome!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Sue! I really enjoyed redoing them all! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Wow, you always make the smalls so beautiful! My favorite is the the last one, the box! That turned out so cute and I love small boxes like that for secret chocolate storage. LOL!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my sweet friend! That box is my favorite too and yes, a perfect chocolate stash box lol! XOXO
Robin Simonds says
I loved every one of these make overs! So inspiring 🩷🤍💛
I thought the lamp should have been dusty rose as well until you said that it was your thought as well and switched up to drift wood which was a perfect choice in the end. Please continue all your creativity. You are our inspiration 💓
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Robin! That lamp could have gone either way for sure, but mainly for resale, I chose the neutral. Thank you! XOXO
Kathy says
Good morning, Christy. I love your favorite little box!! What a pretty transformation. I also loved that you kept the pink on the lid. I am always amazed at your creativity. Wish I had some of that!! My favorite was the pink tray with the gold transfers. You have me hooked on transfers!! I want to add a transfer to everything I paint now. Lol. Thank you for all the inspiration. You’re extremely talented.
Kathy from Missouri
Christy says
Good morning, Kathy! Thank you so much! I loved the tray as well. It is so far from where it started! Aren’t transfers so fun to create with?? Sometimes I wonder what I did without them ha ha! XOXO
Janet Huey says
I actually had that thoughtabout DB Cotton and you while reading this.post:)
Christy says
Aww I love that so much! 🩷
Sue says
All are lovely, as usual, but the addition of that beautiful shade makes the lamp into something very special.
Christy says
Thank you, Sue! That shade was such a lucky find! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Aww….love the smalls, and I knew the box would be your favorite. I love that lamp…it would be coming home with me if I was in VB. I’ve never seen a shade like that in Home Goods, so you really scored a fantastic find. Cheers! I cant wait to see what you are doing for Thursday.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! Isn’t that shade so pretty?? I picked up one more that has a design on it also that I will likely use with one of the other lamps. Have a great day, my friend! XOXO
Janice Holt says
I always enjoy the smalls and the lamp is my favorite. Such a pretty shade to go with it. Great job as usual.
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoy them, Janice! Thank you! It feel so good to knock a bunch out at once. That shade was a fantastic find! XOXO
Shawn says
I love the smalls that you do. I get lots of ideas from your creativity. One big question for me is how do you get the lip of boxes and drawers so clean? Do you tape them every time? Thanks
Christy says
Thank you so much, Shawn! I love that! I don’t always tape them off on smaller pieces, but I tend to brush the paint towards the side I have not painted, so any paint that would get on the side gets on the side I have painted. Then I run the tip of my brush lightly across the lip/edge to smooth it out. For something larger like drawers, I might tape those off. I hope that makes sense! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Each one is a treat to see.
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
Nana Diana says
Like them all but that lamp with that floral shade gets my vote. The trays are wonderful, too. xo Diana
Christy says
Thank you, Diana! That shade was definitely coming home with me lol! XOXO
Jackie C says
Loveee them all but my faves are the trays and shelf! I need that shelf! I have a beautiful heart leaf philodendron that’s screaming for that to cascade from!
Christy says
Oh yes! I can totally picture that! I am trying to find a spot for that shelf…I just love how it turned out too. Thank you, my friend! XOXO
Cecilia says
I always love seeing all the smalls done. Ha, I figured the box was your favorite- it had the details, but needed your special touch to bring it to life. The shelf and lamp are my favorites. Love the lampshade and the color you chose for the base just makes it look so elegant.
😊Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I think the box was my favorite because I wasn’t loving where it was going at first, but I finally got to a place where I was happy lol. The lamps seems to be the winner today though…that shade was such a lucky find! XOXO
Lizzy says
These are all so pretty!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Lizzy!! XOXO
Shirley says
This was a difficult favorite pick. The shelf and the lamp fought it out and the lamp was the winner 🏅 The shelf had a lot of detail and it is a bit different. I love detail; the more the better. You brought it out beautifully. But that lampshade is a show stopper. As usual, you made them all winners in their own right.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Shirley! That shade was a winner for sure…so glad I found it! And I am looking for a place to hang the shelf! 😀 XOXO
Cyndel says
Especially like how the lamp turned out. I’m waiting to see what you do with the foot from the shoe polish box — I don’t think for one second that you just threw it away.
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndel! I do still have that piece…I was thinking on it this weekend…it’s a tough one! XOXO
Caye Cooper says
Lovely! Inspiring! Creative! You always come up with the perfect answer to every project. Seriously, I can’t pick a favorite because as soon as I see one and say, “oh, that’s gotta be my favorite”, I get to the next one…. If anything stuck out at all, it would be that lovely lamp shade. So pretty and a great match for the lamp. Keep on keepin’ on, Sister!! 🙂 XXOO
Christy says
Aww I love that so much, Caye! Thank you! That shade was an amazing find! They had two…maybe I should have grabbed the other one lol! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
All of these littles are so well done. My favorites are the coastal blue tray and the lamp. You have such a talent for renewing items.
Christy says
You are the sweetest, Rose, thank you!! The lamp seems to be the winner of this bunch! XOXO
Gillian says
I have been following you for what feels like a very long time. I love your posts and how you stage everything, and I can tell my husband I’m not the only one that has rooms filled with furniture waiting to be worked on. I love how you finish things, and you give me inspiration to try different finishes etc with the projects I am working on. and you make it look so effortless…we both know there is a bit of work involved. Thanks so much for all of your input!!!
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Gillian! Thank you! I’m so glad that you find what I share inspiring and helpful…that means the world to me! Happy creating!! XOXO
Michele M. says
WELL DONE, Christy! WOW! Your smaller pieces really turned out well.
I like my fav is actually the trays – love the Tea Rose color and the blue looks so gorgeous styled against all that white. Really nice looking pieces!
Christy says
Hi Michele, thank you!! You can never have too many trays! XOXO
Bonnie says
Another beautiful set of the smalls. I loved the one tray because it already had the handles and the color is always one of my favorites. I reckon I will have to get on the wagon of the lamps because that is my favorite. Loved it even before the shade but that was perfect topper. I collect baskets, lamps and chairs and my daughters get tired of me bringing them home😲
Hugs
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Bonnie! Thank you! I loved that the blue tray already had handles too…that really helps the bottom line. And that lamp is surely the winner of the day lol. Like you, I drag home all the lamps and baskets, but I have had a hard time finding chairs lately! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! I like the basket and the shelf the best but that shade for the lamp sure is pretty. I didn’t think the shelf was that big but it is perfect. All great makeovers!
Christy says
Yay! A vote for the basket! I really like how different it looks with such a simple makeover. And that shade does work so nicely with the lamp. I’m trying to keep the shelf lol. Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
Shanny says
Greetings, Christy! I’m THRILLED to have found your website! Honestly, I get way too many emails of the DIY kind — just hoping to find some that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE… and, HERE YOU ARE! Christy, EVERYTHING you do has the WOW FACTOR! THANK YOU for sharing your talent! Now I have to spread the word about “Confessions of a Serial DIYER” with my friends! You’re AMAZING! God bless You and Yours! Joyfully His, Shanny
Christy says
Thank you SO MUCH, Shanny! I LOVE your joyful energy!! I am so glad you found me too!! XOXO
Robyn Wright says
The box and the square tray are my favorites. it couldn’t have been easy to add the decal to the bottom of the box.
Christy says
Thank you, Robyn! I love hearing everyone’s favorites. Adding that transfer wasn’t too bad, actually! XOXO
Shannen says
All so Fabulous!
But kitty most of all. So cute!
I have some DB Tea Rose just sitting around waiting for inspiration to take hold. Now after seeing the metal trays here, you’ve inspired me. The search for a tray is on! After leaning towards using silver gilding wax with tea rose, I’m now torn between it or the gold. Hmmmm….
Christy says
Thank you, Shannen! Lyla definitely is the winner lol! I just love Tea Rose…it looks great with both silver and gold! XOXO
Susan Pease says
Love love love the lamp and trays! Perfect floral joy: that lamp!
Christy says
Thank you, Susan!! That shade was such an awesome find! XOXO
Zoya says
Hi Christy, I have a question about painting on wicker or rather FAKE WICKER. I bought a small free standing tiered shelf for my bathroom, and I am not sure about the color of it with the other wicker in my bathroom.
question- have you ever painted on fake wicker? It says made in Vietnam and is definitely vinyl wicker. Do you think it would paint up/dry brush okay with chalk paint?
my concern is that the paint won’t stick well.
what do you think? thank you so much for your thoughts!
Christy says
Hi Zoya! I think it would paint up just fine. If it is vinyl, I have used chalk paint on several vinyl suitcases, and it they have painted up beautifully. I sealed them with the clear wax. XOXO
Corrine Brzys says
Loving all the smalls! As usual, you’ve done a fantastic job of making what would be considered “junk” into desirable home decor pieces. The colours are perfect for resale or spending some time in your home first (heeheehee).
♥️Cory
Christy says
Thank you, Cory! I really enjoy redoing these smaller pieces, and yes, I get “new” decor all the time ha ha! XOXO