Hi friends, and welcome to day #30 of my March Madness, 31 Thrifty Makeovers in 31 Days series! We are almost there, just two more makeovers to go! Let’s start with today’s thrifty find…
This flatware chest that had certainly seen better days:
Not so bad though, right?
Oh yes it was…
Yikes! After going grey on this side table I shared yesterday, I kept it going with this little chest:
I didn’t add any dry-brushing this time, but instead I just sanded the edges to highlight the details. Less is more on the sanding sometimes I think.
This is Sparrow by Behr, a close match to Annie Sloan’s Paris Grey. No prior sanding needed as once again I used my DIY chalk paint recipe.
I decided to add this pretty fleur-de-lis graphic to the top for a sophisticated detail:
You may remember this from the cradle I redid last week. This is the very same stencil.
I bought this online from Artistic Stencil Designs.
I usually hand paint all my graphics, so I am loving this for a break! Instead of using a pouncing method to add my stenciled detail, I used spray adhesive to temporarily attach the stencil. Then I painted in the details with a small brush.
I removed the stencil immediately after painting. when the paint was dry, I sanded the top lightly with 220 grit sand paper as well as the sides and edges.
Ready for the inside? A peek in the drawer…
Okay here’s the whole thing!
I used the left over fabric from this box I redid for our Swap it Like its Hot challenge:
The colors were perfect, and I was glad I could get use out of the scraps!
I removed the nasty dry-rotted felt first. Then to line both areas, I wrapped fabric around stiff cardboard that was cut to fit, and secured it with hot glue.
Whoever dropped this off at the thrift store was nice enough to include all of the hardware inside. I painted it all with Rustoleum’s Blossom White spray paint:
If I had these colors in my house, this would definitely be a keeper!
You could sit it on the coffee table to hide remotes, or on a dresser to store jewelry. It would also be great to organize incoming mail!
I’m so glad this pretty piece is getting a second chance!
Here is another flatware chest that got a fresh new look almost exactly two years ago!
Plain old Box Gets a Harlequin Twist
Here are last week’s thrifty makeovers if you missed any:
3. The Rest of the Oak Bedroom Set
7. One More Use for an Old Window
And if you missed it (where were you??), ha ha here is yesterday’s thrifty makeover:
Grey & White Painted Side Table
If you want to see the rest of this month’s makeovers, you can see them all at the bottom of this post.
See you tomorrow for our final makeover of March! Don’t be sad now, we have lot’s of makeovers in our future! 🙂
XOXO,
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ColleenB. ~ Texas says
That turned out Beautifully. A great box to store cloth napkins in.
You’re such a wonderful inspiration
I have my mother’s old flatware box and I was wondering what to do with it. Now I know. :} thank you.
Now, if only I had idea on what to do with my non-working microwave. I hate throwing it away thinking that it can be converted into something useful.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Colleen! How great would it be to be able to transform something that belonged to your Mom into something special you could use every day?! I don’t have any ideas for the microwave, but if anything comes to mind, I’ll let you know. 🙂
Kim says
Love it! When you placed the fabric covered cardboard inside the box did you glue it in or just lay it inside?
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Kim! I hot glued it to the bottom. 🙂
Heather @ Viral Upcycle says
That’s adorable Christy! I just passed one of those up in the thrift store a couple of days ago. Bummer.. I love the cardboard trick. Nice job!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Heather! You better go back and get that box! I find flatware boxes all the time, but it’s hard to find one with a drawer, which is really what makes them cute repurposed.
Vivian says
AMAZ……ing!!!! You do the most wonderful upcycles!! Now I would like to find a flatware chest such as that one to make a jewelry box for my daughter.
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks, Vivian! These little chests are perfect to upcycle into jewelry boxes! XO
Peggy says
I have two of these and never thought to paint them but now I am soooooo gonna do it, can’t wait! You are my DIY muse 🙂
Christy K. James says
Yay! Yes! Do it, do it, do it…picture me chanting ha ha. 🙂
Ange says
Perfect post for me today because i saved a silverware chest that my daughter was going to send to the goodwill. Also found a wooden jewelery box at a thrift store for 3.00 that I have been meaning to redo. Your a posts has given me the confidence to move forward, thank you!
Christy K. James says
That’s fantastic, Ange! It feel so good to create beauty out of forgotten items!
Heather J says
That box looks great! I love the little drawers. This looks excellent:)
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Heather! XO
Trudy says
I have been looking at these old flatware boxes in thrift stores for months. Now I will get back there & buy a couple. Thanks for the inspiration!
Christy K. James says
Yes, go buy them! The ones with the drawers are the best. 🙂
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Perfect – love the fabric you lined it with. Won’t last long at your booth I’m sure! I’m going to miss this series Christy 🙁
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Marie! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed this series, and appreciate you following along and cheering me on!! 🙂
Robin says
So, so cute, Christy! I’d add padding and fabric to the inside top, add a little ribbon and use this as a stationary box! I just love this! Wish I still had my mom’s….
Christy K. James says
That’s a fantastic idea, Robin! Now why didn’t I think of that? 😉
Everett says
This is quite a makeover. Also, done perfectly. Great ideas.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Everett!
andi says
I used to have a flatware chest. Then I gained a bunch of weight and I’m not so flat anymore wait a minute. I think I’m mixed up.
You have a dead sexy chest wait a minute. I did it again.
xoxo
-andi
Christy K. James says
I seem to recall one piano concerto that you starred in and I saw that reflection of your ahems.
Lnda says
I got one of my Mom’s boxes, without a drawer. I have collect postcards for years of places I have been. I sanded hers down and decoupage a road map we used that had the places we went of our favorite place. I now use it for my postcards. Mom give me all the postcards my grandpa sent them when he worked for the CCC. I LOVE IT!
Christy K. James says
What a sweet way to repurpose yours. Now you will treasure it for years to come! You are especially fortunate that you inherited your Grandpa’s post cards…what a treasure!