How to Upcycle an Ugly Thrift Store Find
Hi everyone! I have a small, painted project for you all today. With some chalk paint and a stencil, I gave new life to a decidedly ugly purchase I made at a nearby thrift store. I think it went from “drab to fab,” but you can tell me what you think after you take a look. Deal?
I rescued a very unattractive Shaker-style box from Goodwill a few months ago and have been working on it little by little over the past couple of weeks.
This is how I found it–in nice sturdy condition, but with a yellowish cast and–let’s call it what it is–a scary ugly sheep stenciled on the lid.
First things first, I painted over the sheep with a nice coat of DecoArt Chalky Finish “Carbon.” Over that I applied a coat of the same brand’s “Lace,” not worrying if some of the Carbon showed through.
Here you see it after the paint had dried, but before I distress the edges and and the top with a sanding block.
To finish it off, I stenciled “Country Fresh Vegetables” and then gave it a coat of my homemade dark wax.
For the bottom, I decided to go with DecoArt’s “New Life,” a great spring green. After two light coats, I gave it a coat of clear wax and buffed it.
You can leave it covered and use it for storage.
Or set the base in the lid and use it as a tray of sorts, filled with decorative items.
It’s always nice to have something that’s decorative and functional.
I’ll be using it to help usher in spring this year, but next fall/winter, it will be available for sale at the Shaker craft fair that I’ve been part of the past couple of years.
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Thanks for the feature, Andrea!
Bye for now,
Cute idea- I like the stencil and the color combination.
Now this is a wonderful idea, but you made me laugh so hard I spit out my coffee when you said “let’s call it what it is – an ugly sheep stencil” !! Thanks much. for the laugh and the idea.
I love it!!! But I actually thought the goat was kind of cool also!!
That is a great makeover! I really love the new look, goodbye scary lamb! I’m behind times on paint projects but hope to jump into more projects this year. I had no idea Americana had chalky paints. Very excited to see this and find their blog as well after your post. Thank you!!!
Much better, for sure! I like it with the little nest in it. Great stenciling too! xo Kathleen Charm Bracelet Diva {At Home}
I love how you transformed it, Diana! Very pretty!
Paint is a blessing in disguise. The box is so pretty now and makes for a great backdrop for your vignette.
Great save!
Sweet project…love the spring green. Thanks for sharing, Sandi
That turned out great Diana! A huge improvement. I love the green. So pretty!
How neat! Great transformation. Visiting from Party Junk.
That is one great makeover. I like it displayed with the lid inside the box and the little bird’s nest inside.
Thanks for sharing at SYC.
I love what you did to the storage box, it doesn’t look anything the same. The spring display looks perfect in it.
Gosh, that sheep did look a little scary! 😉 I love what you did with this Diana, the little box turned out perfect, the stencil is awesome and how you decorated it for spring is so nice! Just my style! 🙂
Definitely an improvement! Thanks so much for sharing it with Let’s Talk Vintage!
What a difference a little paint and creativity can make. So much better now! Thanks for linking up your transformation with Talk of the Town.
You have done a great job with this one, it really looks great now. I also like the little display you put in it – I love decorating with hyacinths too!
Oh my gosh- it WAS a scary-weird sheep on the cover. Glad you transformed it- it looks fantastic! Thanks for linking this up to Talk of the Town!
Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)