Hello beautiful friends! I’m back today with a thrift store box makeover! This post is titled Pretty in Blue Box Makeover, but it’s actually not blue. I used the Pretty in Blue transfer on it!
Here is the box I’m transforming today:
I paid $6.95 for it which before the pandemic would have been way too much. These days though, I guess that’s a deal lol.
Clean
Most projects start with a good cleaning. This one wasn’t too bad, but I gave it a quick wipe down while I still had my tub of White Lightning mixed up for the chair shelf I shared on Tuesday.
I add one TBSP of White Lightning to a half gallon of warm water…
Another quick wipe down with clean water, and this box was ready to be transformed!
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Next, I got out my favorite spray primer from Rustoleum and gave this box one coat inside and out:
I like to do this just to save some time by getting a fast first coat on these smaller pieces. Chalk paint does not require primer!
Paint
Then, the outside was painted in two coats of Cotton:
As you can see, I had my Handy Heater on in the background. That was to help the Dixie Mud dry more quickly on my last project, but I use it for paint sometimes too. Although chalk paint dries really quickly, the cold and rainy weather can make things take longer to dry.
Y’all know I love white, but one of the main reasons is because it is always a great background for whatever I want to add to my project.
Embellishing with transfers
I used the leftovers from two different transfers to dress this box up.
First, I cut a couple of pieces I had left over from the Somewhere in France transfer…
And then I pulled out the leftovers of the Pretty in Blue transfer I had left from this desk I shared not too long ago:
My nail polish was on point with this project lol!
I loved the gold and blue combo so much on that desk that I decided to go with the same look for this piece, adding and layering both transfers…
Transfers are definitely my favorite way to embellish a project! You can mix them, cut away the parts you don’t want to use, and add small pieces to fill in areas as you will see I did to the bird in the next photo.
I have over 130 transfers in my Etsy shop to choose from!
Once I had it how I wanted, I shabbied up the hardware a bit with my fingernail.
seal with wax
Then, I sealed the outside with Best Dang Wax in clear, applying it with my smaller La Petite Brush:
I buffed away any excess with a clean, soft cloth. You can also apply it with a soft cloth if you don’t have a brush.
I toyed with the idea of adding black or gray wax to add more depth to this box, but I loved it as is, and I didn’t even distress it this time other than the hardware.
The after
Here is how this thrifty find looks now!
I could have kept going and going with the transfers and filled in the whole center space but decided to keep it simple.
I always like a little shabby, and I just did that on the hardware this time…
The inside
Of course I had to make the inside pretty too!
This blue is actually a bit more bold than it looks…this is Bunker Hill Blue, and it is a gorgeous deep blue.
I sealed the inside with Gator Hide using a small brush to apply it.
*NOTE*
It is not recommended to seal transfers with Gator Hide as the water repellent properties can cause transfers to lift. If you want the maximum protection over a transfer that Gator Hide offers, be sure to apply a coat of Clear Coat first before applying the Gator Hide.
And here’s a quick peek at the back:
I hope you enjoyed this simple makeover today!
I get to cross off another piece from my brand new haul!
See what I’ve done so far at the links below:
Painting the Smalls #20
A Great way to Repurpose a Chair
White Painted Desk with Transfer
I redid this similar box a couple of years ago:
See what I did with that one HERE!
I’ll be back on Tuesday with this table that was given to me by one of my very sweet former neighbors:
UPDATE: This table got a splash of color! See what color I chose HERE now!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Oh so pretty! Sometimes less is more, as in the case of this box! I just love how it turned out, and that deep blue inside the box is strikingly beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I agree…it can be really easy to get carried away lol! Have an amazing weekend!! XOXO
Janette says
Its so pretty now, when I first saw it I thought it looked awful, sorry it just did. So glad you worked your magic.xx
Christy says
Thank you, Janette! Ha ha yes…paint is magic for sure! XOXO
Julie A. Henry says
Good morning! Quick question, if you can scrape off some paint with your fingernail as you did on this project, will the paint scrape off once sealed with wax? Thank you for sharing another beautiful box! Every time I see one at the goodwills I think of you and can imagine what you would do to make it beautiful. Have a wonderful day/weekend….Julie
Christy says
Hi Julie! I scraped it the day after painting, and I really had to scrape hard to get it off. It was on their good and will continue to harden and cure for up to three weeks. Thank you so much…I love that ha ha! XOXO
Jackie says
so good to know about gator hide over transfers. I had no idea. Super cute box.
Christy says
Yes, I don’t think to mention it that often because I hardly use Gator Hide, but I try to when I do! Thank you, my friend! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Now what a cute box; I love anything French Country and that’s what I call this. I looked back on the other one you did and remembered it after I saw it but it’s still pretty. Can’t wait to see what you do with the pretty table next week. Have a great week-end.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! Me too!! And yes, I would call it that also. Enjoy your weekend too and I’ll see you Tuesday! XOXO
Cindy Lee says
So gorgeous Christy! I love how when I find or see something at the thrift store, I can always search your site and find an amazing inspiration piece that you have done! I have a similar box with a half-glued band. What would you use to adhere the band securely to the box? Thanks so much!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Cindy! I love that!! I would secure it with E6000 glue. They make a no stink formula now, and it’s super tough. You can find it anywhere you can buy superglue. Then use a clamp or place something heavy on it while it dries. 🙂 XOOX
Edna says
Hi Christy, Love your box, you make
everything look so pretty. Thanks for sharing.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Edna! XOXO
Kathleen says
Love it. It was so ugly to begin with and you made it delicate and beautiful.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Kathleen! It’s amazing how paint can change the whole feel of a piece! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Simple projects are great, Christy, but the transfers take it up a notch to magnifique 😁 Love the shape of the table, can’t wait to see what you do with it!
Christy says
Right? I totally agree…and they are so fun to create with! Thank you, my friend…see ya Tuesday! XOXO
Debra E Hubbs says
This came out so cute! Love that little bird from that transfer.
Christy says
Thank you, Debra! This is such a sweet transfer and I still have enough left for at least a couple more projects! XOXO
Cyndi says
That is so darned cute! Even if it didn’t hold anything, it can sit there and look pretty! 😉
Christy says
Ha ha, right? Thank you so much, Cyndi! XOXO
Niki says
So much better. The blue with gold is trè magnifique!! What a fun little chest to store many treasures. Have a great weekend!
Christy says
Thank you, Niki! It’s much happier now lol! Enjoy your weekend too!! XOXO
Addie says
That “Before” was one ugly box!!! It’s a beauty now!!! Love it~love birds!!!
Have a good weekend!!! Is it just me OR are they coming FASTER!!!!! xx
Christy says
Ha yes it was! Thank you so much, Addie!! And yes, they are coming so fast these days!! XOXO
Lizzy says
It’s really pretty and so useful!
Christy says
Thank you, Lizzy! Yes, it could hide all the little junk lol! XOXO
Debbie in TX says
This is a gorgeous accent piece, and the transfers add so much life to it. I actually kinda liked the box beforehand as well! The details and hardware bring out the texture, and that extra little bird on the back was perfect. Great job!
Christy says
Thanks, Debbie! It’s always fun to reimagine these smaller pieces! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Michele M. says
That is absolutely adorable! Love bird themes! (My old blog – The Nest at Finch Rest says it all.) It is super cute, Christy! Do they have those transfers in green? I am not a blue person. My mother was and I just had enough of that color growing up. I am a green girl. lol.
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! Oh yes, I’m sure this is right up your alley! Unfortunately, it comes in blue. Green was my favorite color when I was little lol! XOXO
Charleen says
How lovely. Beautiful In Blue.and white. Great combination. have a great day.
Christy says
Thank you, Charleen! Have a wonderful weekend! XOXO
Nancy Sharp says
You have such a great eye for where to place the transfers. This is a very pretty piece.
Christy says
Aww thanks, Nancy! It has gotten easier with practice lol. XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
Cotton saves the day…again! And, of course, your imagination! Looks wonderful!
Christy says
Always, right?? Ha ha! Thank you, Cecilia! XOXO