Who’s up for a thrifty makeover today? I’m always up for transforming forgotten treasures into brand new functional decor!
Beautiful friends, today I am sharing how I reloved two such pieces:
They might be showing their age, but they still have a lot of life left to live! I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Let’s start with the recipe box that I scored for 99¢:
Personally I prefer hand-written recipes or recipes that I have printed out rather than trying to follow them on my phone or iPad, but sadly these little boxes just aren’t the kitchen staple they once were.
I decided to change it up so it could be used anywhere:
I cut out a piece of luan with my miter saw and covered right over the word Recipes. Now it can hold just about anything that can fit inside!
The box is painted in Bit of Sugar by Behr, made into DIY chalk paint. (Recipe with video on how to mix HERE.) I sprayed the sign with primer first, then Robin’s Egg Blue.
I used my Silhouette machine and dollar store contact paper to add the word to Stuff. I figured that could cover a lot of bases.
I brushed in the letters with DIY chalk paint using a small brush…
I removed the contact paper as soon as the second coat of paint went on.
The box and the tag were sealed with Behr’s clear wax. I glued the sign onto the front using wood glue and that was that!
It’s perfect for clothespins…
Not that I’ll be hanging our laundry out to dry anytime soon or ever, but they were perfect for the photo!
You could use this to store medication bottles, hair accessories, whatever you can think of that would fit inside!
Not bad for only 99¢, right?
Next up is this beauty:
I loved the ornate handle on the top and for $2.98, I knew I could make it feel loved again!
I used Bit of Sugar here as well and then added subtle stripes on the top in my wall color, Campfire Ash, also by Behr.
I love the softness the stripes add to this box.
I removed the handles from both boxes prior to painting. They each got two coats of the Bit of Sugar.
When they were barely dry, I used my nail to scratch the paint off…
I lined the bottom of this one with fabric left over from my desk…
I attached it the same way I add fabric to drawers which you can see a video of in this post.
This one is actually the perfect size for hiding the remotes!
There ya have it…two sad boxes that were no longer of service to their owners made fresh and new again!
That’s my favorite! 🙂
And that’s two more crossed off the list!
If you missed any or want to revisit one, you can find them all here:
Estate Sale Shelving Unit Makeover
$6 Thrift Store End Table Makeover
Thrift Store Baskets go Coastal
$24 Estate Sale Cabinet Makeover
I’ll be back on Thursday with my Furniture flippin friends sharing what I did with this very short desk:
UPDATE: See how I remedied the height issue and gave this desk a fresh new look HERE now!
See ya then!
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Petra says
Little boxes are so handy and make lovely gifts. I love what you’ve done with your two ????
Christy says
They really are and yes! Great for gifts! Thanks, Petra! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
I love them, so cute now! I am now on the lookout for some old boxes to redo, I hope I can find one the same size for our remotes. Thanks for always being so inspirational!
Christy says
Thanks, Mary! That one is the perfect size for remotes…it may not make it to my shop lol! Good luck in your search and thank you for always saying the nicest things!! XOXO
Christina in SW FL says
Christy, these are cute. cute, cute!!! What wonderful gifts they would make. I admit I imagined opening the former recipe box to find jelly beans. It’s how my mind works. lol
The ornate box looks so cool with its new crisp white, pretty interior and stripes.
Way to go always Christy!!
Love finding your emails in my inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays! 🙂
Here’s to a wonderful week!
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! These sure would make fantastic gifts…and fill them with goodies! Ha ha…no jelly beans, but now I want some lol! So glad you enjoy what I share, my friend! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Both of these boxes are so cute and useful. You make me want to go thrifting (which is my favorite thing to do) and get back to painting. Love them and looking forward to the desk Thursday.
Christy says
Thanks, Janice! I love thrifting too as you know, and I’m really forward to yard saling now that the warm weather is here. I hope you are inspired to pick up a paintbrush again. It is so good for the soul! See ya Thursday! XOXO
Jamiek says
Oh how I Love your box makeovers ????????. Off to find me some now????
Christy says
Thank you, Jamie!! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Both are thanking you! So beautiful. Love that you found the same recipe box I did too. Great minds!
Christy says
Yes they are lol! Thanks, Larissa! Yep…we think alike a lot! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Christy, because of you i now thrift shop boxes and totes. I love how you make them look so sweet. I don’t have a booth to sell them at so i give them to my friends and family and they love them.
Christy says
Oh ha ha! The hunt is so fun, isn’t it? I bet your friends adore them!! XOXO
Sandi Wagner says
Adorable! Love them both! PS….I like written recipes the best too…! Thanks Christy for sharing so much and bringing a little joy with each post….and inspiration!
Christy says
Thank you, Sandi! You are so sweet! XOXO
sharon austin says
Both super cute. Can’t wait to see the desk makeover!
Christy says
Thank you, Sharon! See ya Thursday! XOXO
Emma Burch says
Can’t wait for Tuesday!!! Get my dose of Christy❤️❤️ You inspire me with the ideas, creativity, even the way you format your blog…. LUV it all!! LUV U❤️
Christy says
Aww you are so sweet, Emma, thank you so so much!! XOXOXO
Barb says
Hi Christy,
I just love to watch every week to see what you do with all your finds. I was curious, when you said you scratched off the paint with you finger nail, does the paint come off that easily on all the painted surfaces? Just wondering how it would hold up on kitchen cabinets?
Christy says
Thanks, Barb!! Chalk paint is great for pieces that you want to distress because it does come off pretty easily when sanding, etc. However, the wax or topcoat is what makes it super durable. I would not use chalk paint on kitchen cabinets, but rather take the time to to do proper prep, sand, prime, then paint with a latex enamel in a satin finish. No topcoat or sealer required. They will be so easy to keep clean! Here is my post for how to paint kitchen cabinets the right way: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/how-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets-a-step-by-step-guide/ Hope this helps! XO
Desiree M Clark says
Christy,
All your stuff is yummy, and it has nothing to do with cooking! I am just in love with everything you do! I have a small place that I rent, but I have a lot of small things and I am looking to do more of the things that you do. I am reading everything and love how you make sure you post all your details, thank you, I live in Texas, so no competition here! I just love your blog it is always bright and cheerfully, keep up the good work! To say I love everything and I am just now posting on your sight, LOL, don’t know what took me so long!
Christy says
Aww thank you SO much, Desiree! I really appreciate that! Best of luck to you with your business! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Very pretty redos. I’m thinkin’ that striped box isn’t going to make it out of the house to your booth!
Christy says
Thanks, Marcie! I’m thinkin you’re right lol! XOXO
Lizzy Leff says
I love the boxes. If I saw them in your booth, I would buy them.
Christy says
Thanks, Lizzy! XOXO
Linda C Johnston says
This is a real hoot! I made a “STUFF” box too! Here I thought I was so original…..should have known brilliant minds think alike! LOL LOL!! Good job!
Christy says
Oh too funny! Great minds lol. Do you know that when I was a kid in the ’70s, my fake name, if I needed when we were playing, was always Linda Johnson? I don’t know why really, but I loved to write a big old cursive “L” ha ha! Thank you! XOXO
Brenda Johnson says
The Stuff box is a cute idea…as usual you knocked it out of the park with these projects!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Brenda! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
Do you dream in “Chalk Paint colors”? I love the boxes and especially the stripes (my new best technique…thanks to YOU!) The soft tan and white with the metal handle gives a big wow of texture in this little box. Love your ‘STUFF” too! XOXO
Christy says
Ha ha thanks, Cecilia! Stripes add so much to a simple piece and I love that you love them as much as I do! XOXO
Liberty says
They both are so nice! I saw the desk, too… Very pretty!
Christy says
Thank you, Liberty! XO
Sandra Camp says
OMGosh!
Christy, I just love you to pieces, BUT, the advertisements are so distracting it drives me crazy. Just now I am looking at one video and two large ads which are covering up most of the text. You aren’t the only one , I’m seeing it on most all the blogs that I follow. :>( Its so frustrating and not a pleasant experience so I am not visiting my usual ladies anywhere near as often as I used to. I will check in on you though every now and again!
Christy says
I am with you, Sandra! Our ad network was trying out a new video ad placement on mobile, but we had to keep it for at least seven days. I just requested today to have it removed. I couldn’t stand it! I don’t ever want ya’ll to feel like you’re being attacked with ads. Hope you’ll visit again soon! XOXO
Linda says
I love what you do, so creative, but would love to see something other than white or light blue…. You have a real eye for make over.
Christy says
Thank you, Linda…I have a hard time sometimes imagining that pieces will look better in any other colors. To be fair, my past few projects were taupe, gray, and then white with royal blue pattern. I know I don’t change up much in the color department because these are colors I personally love and I know they will sell. What color could you see these boxes in? Help me to see your vision. 🙂