Hello awesome Friends! I’ve got a quick makeover for y’all today!
I’m tackiling this wooden inbox I scored at the thrift store for $2.25:
Anything that is made of wood catches my eye when I’m thrifting since I know paint can work wonders, and as soon as I saw this on the shelf, I knew just what it could be!
I’ve included a few affiliate link so you can find the products I love.
Paint
After painting the tray with chalk paint, I sanded and waxed all but the bottom of the inside.
Add a shiplap look
I had these poplar strips left over from our boys’ bathroom update:
I decided to cut them to fit the bottom to create a shiplap look.
I centered the first strip, and then dry-fit the rest to see how much I would need to cut off of the very end pieces.
I cut all of the pieces using my sliding miter saw…
Then I used Liquid Nails to secure them to the bottom:
THe after
And fianlly, adding pretty handles turned it into one super cute tray!
Right??
Adding the strips of wood make it a little more interesting!
I found these handles at Hobby Lobby and painted them…
I went back and touched up the screws with a little white paint after taking these photos.
This is a small tray so it would be great on the kitchen counter to hold oils and other cooking items or in a bathroom to hold toiletries!
I’ll be back next to share how I updated this 80’s gem:
UPDATE: No need to wait! See how this shelf turned out HERE now!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Christina in SW FL says
Christy, this is another inspired makeover! I love how the little “button” feet show up now. The pull is perfect. Always just the right amount of distressing to give the piece character. You know I love it. 🙂 Thank you!
Have a GREAT weekend and create on!
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! Hope you have a great weekend! XOXO
Joanne Taggart says
Wow, lovely Christy! I have one of those inbox pieces also and now have a plan for it. The wood inlaid inside is a great touch. Thank you so much for sharing.
Christy says
I’m so glad you liked this one, Joanne! Have fun with yours! XOXO
Michell says
Amazing! Love your creativity! Thx for sharing.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Michell! XO
Carla J. says
This is adorable! I love your makeover and can see many uses for it.
Christy says
Thank you, Carla! XO
Carole Larsen says
I love these drawer make-overs. I like to cluster small things into trays etc. but your drawers are so much cuter.
Christy says
Aww thanks, Carole!! XOXO
Deborah says
Love this makeover! Never would have thought to make it into a tray. You did an excellent job!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Debra! XO
Christy says
Ahhhh spellcheck! That should be Deborah! 🙂
Norma Rolader says
WOW!!! Love the change and thank you for sharing the how too
Christy says
Always my pleasure, Norma! Thank you! XOXO
Jennifer says
Love it!!
Christy says
Thank you, Jennifer! XO
Marcie Lovett says
Lovely! I guessed feet, but beyond that, I couldn’t imagine what you’d do. You need to make some more, because that is going to fly out of the shop. (You’re going to need a new picket stash, too.)
Christy says
Ha ha thanks, Marcie! Yes I do you need to beef up my picket stash for sure! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Vivian says
Oh how cute!! I’ll never turn these down, ever again!!
Christy says
Thank you, Vivian! XOXO
Annie O says
I would not have imagined adding the strips to the bottom. Looks terrific and will be sure to fly out of your shop. The 80’s shelf brings back a lot of memories—the country hearts were inescapable back then!
Christy says
Thank you, Annie! I know those hearts…what on earth were we thinking ha ha! See you Tuesday! XOXO
Debbie in TX says
Yep, you did it again! I just love it when you take something and make it over so that it’s all new and totally reusable. What really elevated this transformation was adding the lining on the bottom, and of course the handles. Super creativity!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Debbie! It seriously almost makes me giddy when I can turn something like that into something pretty and new again! Have a great weekend! XOXO
MaryJean says
Hey Christy, the one I saw only had the dip on the one end. I didn’t go back, but I might still go back tomorrow. It’s so cold out, here in Western NY that I hate the thought of going out in it at all. I love the way yours turned out, but it’s pretty bad when you get excited about seeing your miter saw. ????
Almost got my dresser done!
Christy says
I don’t blame you for not wanting to go out. It’s been unseasonably cold for us here as well in the mid Atlantic, of course probably not nearly as cold as it has been for you! Can’t wait to see how your dresser turned out! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Robyn Wright says
OMG! What a clever idea! I LOVE IT! Guess where I’m going today? To get me one of these! LOL! I want to go shopping with yo and then brainstorm ideas. (Obviously, you would have the better ideas. LOL)
Christy says
Thank you so much, Robyn! I’m so glad you like this one! No one in my family ever wants to go thrifing with me… I would love a thrifting buddy! I have my blogger BFF Nancy but she lives about 45 minutes away boo! We would have great fun! XOXO
Melinda says
I wish I could come up with some of the ideas you do! I go thrifting and stand and stare at the item.:….and think what would she do with this?? I move on; then I see your ideas and go shoot!! LOL:) I think you have the best ideas of all the blogs I follow! Keep up inspiring the rest of us…..I will get on the bandwagon one day:/
Christy says
Aww You are the sweetest ever, Melinda! Thank you! Sometimes I have no clue what I’m going to do with something until I actually start slapping some paint on it, and then the ideas start flowing! XOXO
sheri says
my next project
Christy says
Awesome! XO
Janet says
Beautiful! It is just amazing that you can see the beauty in everything. Just wondering Do you keep all your projects or do you sell them somewhere?
Christy says
Thank you so much, Janet! I sell most of what I make in a booth in an antique mall here in my town. You can visit my most recent trip to my booth here if you like: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/booth-update-2/ 🙂
Bonnie says
Oh my gosh you just gave me a perfect idea on a longer one I got. Love the handles but, the board and batten is what caught my eye. Can’t wait to see what you do with shelf also as I have several and also helping my niece do her new place and she has some. Great job as always!
Christy says
I’m so glad you like it, Bonnie! Thank you! I’ll see you back here Tuesday! XOXO
Jamala Wallace says
This is wonderful.. I also made over a $2.00 tray.. I love yours. I have a post on my blog called $2.00 Tuesday. may i include your tray in the post?
Christy says
Thank you, Jamala! You are always welcome to one photo as long as it links back to my blog. Thank you! XO
Jamala Wallace says
Thank you.. I most definitely will.. I will inform you when I post it on my blog.
Christy says
Thanks!
Jamala Wallace says
Hi Christy! Just letting you know, your item is posted on the blog. Thanks again
Christy says
Thanks, Jamala! 🙂
Julie Briones says
So perfectly simple! And the photos especially caught my eye today, Christy. 🙂 I’ll be on the look-out for one of these!
Christy says
Thanks, Julie! Sometimes simple is best! XOXO
MJ says
So weird! Went to the link for the mitre saw and there was no price listed. Usually the price is right up that at the beginning of the page. And there were plenty of links to OTHER similar saws, most desalts. Feel like Im in the twilight zone!
Nice job on the tray. Lots o work but that saw make it look easy. You are inspirational!
Christy says
Thank you so much, MJ! I like to link to Amazon so ya’ll can find the exact products I love, but if Amazon is currently sold out there will be a link to find it from “these available Sellers”. My saw came from The Home Depot for $199 I believe on a Black Friday sale. It is a fantastic saw, and makes cutting those pieces so easy, plus it slides to cut pieces up to a foot in length. XOXO
Tina Matteson says
Christy, once again you took something I’d never even look twice at, and made it beautiful! Now I have to make time to swing by the Salvation Army store today just in case they have one of these, or an old silverware box! LOVE your blog.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Tina!! Good luck in your search…hope you find something good today!! XOXO
Linda Petersen says
Supercute—once again!!???? The flatware box too. Can’t wait to see the next project. I had hearts galore in my house back then! Still love them but more balanced in my zeal. Lol Have an awesome weekend! XO
Christy says
Thank you, Linda!! I had those hearts all over the place too lol! Have a great weekend!! XOXO
Becky says
This came out so cute! You got every detail just right, handles, lining the bottom, and all. So inspiring!
Christy says
Thank you, friend! Have great weekend! XOXO
Jennifer says
Love this project! Is it weird that I most want to know what the gorgeous greenery in the pitcher is?? ^_^
Christy says
Thanks, Jennifer, and no that’s not weird at all! That greenery is faux greenery that I found at Pier One a couple of years ago. At the holidays they always have really pretty and realistic looking greenery. ????
cynde says
Thank you so much for sharing your DIY chalk paint recipe! I have tried a few others including Annie Sloan and your recipe is my favorite by far, you get a little time to work, and I’m kinda OCD about things. So thank you so much, its my new go to, I think with your recipe I’m ready to tackle a big piece of furniture, thanks again, Cynde
Christy says
Thank you, Cynde!! I’m so glad you like it! Happy creating!! XOXO
Ivory says
Excremely fabulous
Christy says
Thanks, Ivory!! 🙂
Alicia says
I’m fairly new to the DIY community and wanted to thank you for sharing all of your amazing protects and talent with us! I enjoy reading your blog and have learned sooo much from you and your followers….Thanks Again….:)
Christy says
It is my pleasure truly, Alicia! Thank you so much! XOXO