Hello sweet friends! Today I’m sharing several storage boxes I’ve redone over the years, and I thought just maybe this might inspire a thoughtful gift idea for someone special!
Anyone out there finished with their Christmas shopping already? I bow down to you! It seems I can never finished early!
This package pyramid did arrive on our doorstop yesterday though, so this should help!
These certainly don’t look like anything you’d want to give as a gift, right?
A little paint magic sure does go a long way!
Enjoy these makeovers, and if you want to see more details of any of them, I’ve linked to the original post below each one. 🙂
1
Flatware boxes are a common find at thrift stores in my area and I usually pick them up whenever I see them since they are great sellers as well. They make great jewelry boxes!
Up first is my favorite flatware box redo from my March Madness series back in 2016. It started like this:
I loved those pretty curves!
Removing the insides is always the hardest part, but then you can have a lot of fun with them:
This one got a romantic stencil on the top:
And the insides got the pretty paper treatment:
See more of this makeover HERE.
2
Up next is this cute little box I picked up at the thrift store:
It was part of a canister set to start, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be used for another purpose:
I painted right over the ceramic piece on the front and added a number using my silhouette.
The inside got some leftover toile in the bottom:
See more of this cutie HERE.
3
This next box was the worst of the bunch to start. It was titled Stinky Gross Flatware Box Makeover if that tells you anything. It was fine on the outside, but the inside…not so much, and it smelled disgusting:
Clearly I wasn’t deterred and brought it home anyway. It turned into a pretty piece with the help of a stencil:
The insides looked much better when I was finished with it, and shellac took care of that nasty odor:
See more of this makeover HERE.
4
Next up is another flatware box upcycle that started out like this:
A damask stencil worked wonders on this one:
Good bye nasty mauve velvet lining:
See more of this redo HERE.
5
This next box was the Mac Daddy of flatware boxes! This is the biggest one I’ve ever found:
Another stencil to the rescue for this one:
This dark gray was a change of pace for me, but I loved it with the crisp white.
And the insides got some pretty damask fabric:
See more of this big kahuna HERE.
6
Now when you’re thinking of the perfect gift for someone, you’re probably not thinking an old trumpet case would make a great gift:
But then again, maybe it would! Stripes for the win with this one:
And of course the insides got some pretty fabric as well:
Revisit this fun redo HERE.
7
Another flatware box coming your way…I told you I can rarely pass them up!
I love when they have a drawer in them.
I used a stencil and a graphic I found online for this one:
A combination of fabrics dress up the insides of this one as well…
See more of this one HERE.
8
This next little box was a great thrift store find and I loved the shape and size of it:
A pretty new paint job and the addition of handles is all this cutie needed:
The inside was finished off with pretty floral fabric:
See more of this little makeover HERE.
9
These next boxes were part of a canister set as well…
But I ditched the lids and turned them into fun utensil holders instead:
The insides got a pop of blue:
This was also a March Madness makeover form 2016. See more of this makeover HERE.
10
How about a jewelry box that actually started out as a jewelry box?
This was probably gorgeous at one time!
Here is what I did with this one:
I pulled out the stencils for this one too.
This was for one of our Get Your DIY On challenges and the theme was animals. This shirt I found was perfect:
It made for the perfect lining for this box:
Ha ha! Hey, it worked! See more of that makeover HERE and you will also see what else I found in animal print that I decided to keep! 😀
11
How about redoing a metal tool box? This was a more recent makeover I did with my Trash-to-treasure girls:
I turned this $7 thrift store find into a pretty box to hold all my manicure supplies!
I used these plastic bins I found in the kitchen area at Target to organize the insides:
This would make an awesome gift!
Revisit this fun redo HERE.
12
And finally, this is the most recent of them all, this cute bread box I picked up for $4:
It was almost a keeper, I liked it so much on our counter!
I used the old school transfer method to add the graphics this time…no fancy machines required:
Revisit this pretty box HERE.
Even if this didn’t spark a potential gift idea, I hope y’all enjoyed this look back with me!
You can also check out these tray ideas also made mostly from thrifted items. Trays make a fantastic gift as well!
See all of these makeovers HERE!
We must be crazy because we are planning to take the kids to Great Wolf Lodge this weekend. Hoping I can get all of my shopping done and wrapped by then!
I’ll meet y’all back here on Thursday with my Furniture Fixer Upper Girls where I’ll be resharing my favorite FFU makeover of 2018, this TV cabinet:
UPDATE: See how this nearly extinct TV cabinet got a whole life purpose HERE!
See ya then!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
I love looking at all those box re-do’s you have done, it reminds me that I have an old silverware box down in my basement that I need to get to.
I can’t believe that you’ll be at Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City Michigan! That is where you will be? Now your in my home state. My mother in law lives in Traverse City and we go by Great Wolf Lodge all the time.
Have fun, I am sure your kids will LOVE it!
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed looking back with me, Mary! I never realized it myself, but Great Wolf Lodge must have several locations. We’ll be at one here in Virginia. We are really looking forward to this quick little getaway! XOXO
Carol says
Your style for upcycled thrift store castoffs has always been my favorite of all the bloggers I follow! Nothing is more satisfying than taking an ugly piece of trash and making it beautiful again!
Christy says
Aww thank you SO much, Carol! You are so right…nothing feels better than giving a forgotten treasure new life! XOXO
Tina Pineiro says
Christy:
That was a fun start to my morning! I love everything you made from the boxes! I’m pretty creative, but you take it to another level. The vision you have when you find these items is amazing! Love all your stuff!
Christy says
I am so happy you enjoyed this look back with me, Tina! It’s always fun looking back at past projects. Thank you so much! XOXO
Christina in SW FL says
BOOM!!! Mind blown here! Completely magical transformations my friend!!! Complete inspiration on steroids! I cannot pick a favorite. (Though I love the curvy lines on several)
Enjoy the rest of your week!!!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Christina! You are too funny! XOXO
Catherine ten Hertog says
All gorgeous reinventions. I’ve tried three of them for my home. A toolbox, a suitcase and a silverware box. Thankyou for the inspiration.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Catherine! I am thrilled to hear you have tried a few of these yourself! Nothing feels better than making something old and forgotten beautiful again! Keep on creating! XOXO
Trina Bertoldi says
I LOVE your blog the very most of Any others! You have the Best ideas and I always look forward to seeing them! You are very creative and clever! You inspire me to be more creative, too! Thanks for sharing!
Trina
Christy says
Wow thank you so much, Trina! I appreciate that, and I love hearing you are inspired…that’s the best!! XOXO
Karen Ormes says
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/afde6140b7e535aa2ab7ef45d/images/acee5be8-e684-4219-acc3-ce074a88bb82.jpg I’m heartbroken that you’ve painted over a Platzgraff FOLK ART plate on this wooden box. ????????????This is part of the blue and ecru dinnerware that I collect! Your redesigns are fabulous❤️❤️ —except for this one. ????… I would have redone the wooden box and saved that special plate or put it back on.as is… ❤️Happy holidays! k.
Christy says
Aww I’m so sorry, Karen! XO
Marcie Lovett says
Love these retrospectives, Christy! Fun to look back at some projects I’ve enjoyed and some I don’t even remember. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas.
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! I’m glad you enjoyed looking back with me! Merry Christmas! XOXO
Mary says
Very inspiring make overs! I too love boxes of all sizes and it was a real treat to see all of these restored and re purposed.
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! It’s always fun to look back, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it! XOXO
Robyn Wright says
I have purchased a couple myself to makeover but haven’t yet. I’m excited to do it, though. Maybe after the holidays.
Christy says
I buy them and then sit on them forever because they can be a lot of work getting the insides cleaned out. I should line them all up and have a demo party LOL. Good luck with yours, my friend! XOXO
Patricia Wilson says
I cannot believe what you do with your “finds”. You see something beautiful in everything and that’s such a talent. You have similar taste to me and I love everything you do and your sharing these beauties with us. I’m that way when it comes to card making and do find quite a bit in the thrift stores to use on my cards. Happy Holidays!
Christy says
I appreciate your kind words so much, Patricia, thank you! Making cards sounds like a great creative outlet! XOXO
Missy says
Well, you did it….you got me in hot water! You don’t just have one amazing post, but you have soooo many today. All those boxes! So, I was off in another world, reading and studying and drooling, when my husband walks in the door and says, “So, you have the shower steamed already?”. Ummmmmm, it’s Christy’s fault! Anyway, nice job! I’ll see you again……when I get my IPad back from hubby jail!
Christy says
Ha ha oh no!! You are so funny, Missy! I’m so glad you enjoyed today’s post, thank you!!! XOXO
Lori says
I have purchased several silverware boxes, and they do sell well. However, I have such a hard time removing the liners on the inside and getting them smooth enough to add a new liner (paper, fabric, etc). Can you please share how you get the original insides removed?
Christy says
Hey Lori! They really are a pain to clean out. I get out as much as possible…no shortcuts that I know of…sorry! But I can usually get the sides of the insides pretty smooth, and then I can paint those, or if I don’t get them super smooth, I can cover them with fabric. It is usually the bottoms that are a mess. For those, I cut a piece of foam core to fit the bottom, then cover it with fabric and hot glue the fabric on the back to keep it nice and taut. Then I just hot glue the covered foam core to the bottom! This post shows that process in more detail: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/flatware-box-makeover/. Hope this helps! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
Love your boxes. I’m gathering up wooden boxes for winter projects I can do inside. I have enjoyed seeing all the magic you do with your finds. I found a long narrow case that was for music stands and brought it home (someone had thrown it away!), now that is going to be a challenge! I have no idea what it can be used for after it is transformed! Any ideas are welcome! Have a Merry Christmas.
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! Ooh love a freebie! I’m not sure what it could be used for either…maybe an idea will come to you when you redo it! XOXO
Roberta @ Birch Hill Interiors says
Hi Christy, just wanted to thank you for this fantastic post! I only recently discovered your website looking for some DIY projects to inspire my home staging business and loved these upcycled boxes so I decided to go for it. Redid an old German knife box collecting dust in the attic and used it in a home I staged. Wouldn’t you know the home owner loved it so much she asked where I got it and offered to purchase it when she found out I made it myself! Thanks again for the inspiration and the wisdom. Excited to read about your other projects!
Christy says
That is awesome, Roberta!! Repurposing items is a great way to add to your home-staging inventory without spending a fortune, and looks like you might make some sales along the way! I’m so glad you found me and were inspired to create!! Thank you! XOXO
Robyn Wright says
These are becoming my favorite makeovers and I want to try them myself.
Christy says
I am so glad you enjoy them, Robyn! They are so fun to do! I bet you’ll find one pretty quickly. 🙂 XOXO