$4 Flatware Box Makeover For Spring (with transfers & fabric!)
This old flatware box makeover uses pretty green paint, colorful new fabric and bird transfers for spring. Perfect for holding so many things besides flatware!
Hello friends!
Another green one (that is actually green ;) ) for St. Patrick’s holiday week. I didn’t really plan the green for that though. I just wanted to use some green…for spring. And because I said I was going to start adding in more colors this year.
I am loving this green shade! It’s from General Finishes (I’ll link it below in the “Materials List” box) and is a great color.
I lightened it up for the project though, by adding white (it’s linked below in the box). I didn’t want this flatware box as dark as the color is out of the can since I was using those transfers (also linked below).
So keep that in mind if you order it.
I will be using it full strength on upcoming projects though.
Flatware Box Makeover For Spring
Here it is “before”…
And this one marks one more off my thrifty haul.
Only one more to go, that planter bucket. It’s actually in use right now, as-is, so we’ll see if I can get it done! lol
If you missed any of those makeovers, you can see them right here:
- Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread Sign/Tray
- $3 Wood Bowl Makeover with Paint & Tile
- $8 Ladder Back Chair Makeover (simple wood update!)
- Basket Makeover For Spring (with water based stain)
- Have Courage and Be Kind Table Makeover
- Give The Look Of Patina Gold With Paint
- 3 Thrift Store Upcycles (simple, thrifty home decor!)
- Decoupage With Tissue Paper Makeover
Below are the links to the products I used for this project…
MATERIALS LIST
I cleaned it up and then gave it one coat of white paint. (my usual) I originally thought I’d paint it white.
But then I changed my mind …to green. As you already know. haha
Then I decided which of these transfers I’d use.
I decided on birds and the words there in the middle.
Then I gave it two coats of green and let that dry well.
Once it was dry, I attached several of the birds and some of the words from the Prima Design transfers I linked above.
All the things I used can be found in the “materials list” box above. (and in the same spot in most of my posts)
Simply rub it with the included wooden stick to transfer the image to your project.
And this is what I ended up with…
I added “feet” to the bottom. Old wood knobs are what they actually are, painted with oil rubbed bronze.
The knob on the lid also got sprayed with oil rubbed bronze.
After the transfers were applied, I added a coat of matte sealer.
Want more ideas for sealing chalk paint? Check out this post here >>> The 5 Top Ways To Seal Chalk Paint
I love that the transfers have multiple birds, branches, etc., so you can use them how you like.
Now, let’s talk about that inside of the flatware box makeover.
Here it is “before”…
Not bad at all, but since I wasn’t planning on using this for flatware, it had to go.
I found this pretty fabric at JoAnn’s and thought it was perfect for spring…and my flatware box makeover.
I used the same cutting mat I used on my last project.
I measured and cut the fabric to size. I decided to only cover the bottom, not the sides, so it was a little bit simpler project.
For an even base, I painted the entire inside before I added the fabric. I used Mod Podge underneath and over top of the fabric.
Once it was dry, I decided to dress it up a bit and added the pom pom trim around the edges.
I thought that would be fun for spring. A little pop of pom poms…and pretty, colorful spring fabric.
I attached them with my hot glue gun.
So sweet.
I’m not sure if the inside or the outside is my favorite. I think it may be the inside! :)
There are lots of things you can use an old flatware box like this for…
…like tea or coffee.
…to hide the remotes.
…bill sorter/keeper.
…notecard, pen, etc, holder.
…magazines.
Anything really!
They are such great boxes to give a makeover to. And can always be found at the thrift store.
I have found and made over several…
- Robin’s Egg Blue Beach Box Makeover
- Flatware Box Turned Keepsake Box
- French “Paris” Box Makeover with Chalk Paint
Want to see even more Prima Design transfer projects?? I’ve done quite a few now. (I love them!)
- Repurposed Jewlery Box Mirror Tray
- French Rose Decal Tray Makeover
- Coffee Table Makeover With Prima
- French Basket Tray
- Mini Treasure Chest Makeover
- French Style Nightstand
If you follow along with me over on Instagram, you might have seen when I posted in my stories about the other 2 new Prima Transfers I bought. (plus I have a couple I bought months ago that I’ve yet to use). I am going to be using them quite a bit in upcoming projects. I may just have to host another giveaway soon too! Hint…what do you think will be in it?? ;)
PIN it to save it!
If you missed any of the rest of this haul’s makeovers, you can see them all right here:
- Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread Sign/Tray
- $3 Wood Bowl Makeover with Paint & Tile
- $8 Ladder Back Chair Makeover (simple wood update!)
- Basket Makeover For Spring (with water-based stain)
- Have Courage and Be Kind Table Makeover
- Give The Look Of Patina Gold With Paint
- 3 Thrift Store Upcycles (simple, thrifty home decor!)
- Decoupage With Tissue Paper Makeover
- $4 Flatware Box Makeover For Spring (you are here!)
I’ll be sharing what I did with this one next!
UPDATE!! See it now, here!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. And hoping you are all staying safe and healthy!
xoxo
Oh Nancy, this little box is so uplifting! Love the outside and the inside is so sparkliciously adorable! Way to go!!!
Thanks so much, Christina! :) xoxo
Just in time for Spring! I like the idea of using the Prima transfer on the box and this set looks like it has a lot of variations that can be mixed and matched. The outside is my favorite! C
Yes! I just love those Prima transfers so much. This one is great because it has so many elements! xoxo
Oh, wow, do I love those birds. I have about eight silverware boxes that I have collected over the years and redone them with whatever sample paints I had available. I’ve decoupaged and created a different look for each one. I use them to hold small craft items, bead, buttons, small lace pieces. etc. and the beauty if that they stack on a shelf. I pick them up for $5 or less. They are such a find and so much fun. Thanks for showing this one. I did one in pale pink with the french script stencil, like yours. Gorgeous.
Hi Eileen! Wow, you have done a lot! I love the idea of using them for small craft items. That is definitely a thought! xoxo
I love your vision for this humble little box. Christina nailed it, it’s so uplifting!
Thank you Jaye! :) xoxo
Oh wow! How lovely is THAT!! Everything is just perfect. If I had one I’d use it for antique letter writing materials–old pens, small ink wells, etc. Just perfect!
Thanks so much, Cate! :) That’s a great idea! xoxo
Love the colors, the transfers and the fabric! the cute little knob feet are perfect too! i’m still on the lookout for a flatware box in my local thrift stores, i guess when they reopen that is!
Thank you, Gwen! Yes, that’s right! I have quite a few from my thrifting trip last week (small things) that I can work on but I might be going through my house to find things to make over soon! ;) xo
Thank You!! I run across these box’s all the time. will snatch them up for sure.
Yes! I can almost always find one! Do! They are great for storing stuff. :) xo
This is gorgeous! What I want to know is how you prepped the box before painting. How did you remove the lining and prep the inside? I have one of these boxes and need to know how to from the start.
Thanks, Nancy! I didn’t really prep. I just cleaned it up and gave it that first coat of white with Rustoleum Chalked Paint Linen White. Then I went straight to the Gen Fin paint. For the inside, I just pulled it out. As much as I could, then I lightly sanded the sides, top, and bottom to smooth out a bit. Then I painted right over it. I was covering it in fabric so I wasn’t that concerned about leaving some behind. (it’s a bear to remove) Just as long as it’s fairly smooth underneath. :) xoxo
WOW, That is so fantastic and beautiful!!!!
Thank you, Tracey! :) xo
This is gorgeous! I love everything about it. Stay healthy.
Thank you, Kimberly! You too! xoxo
This might be the best one yet, Nancy! The color turned out perfect with the transfer and the fabric is such a nice surprise inside. I love the dark feet, never would have thought of that. I have one just like it, and the same one Christy did yesterday, coincidentally. Seeing them both, I might actually have to work on mine now.
Aw, thanks so much, Marcie! :) Oh, you have some fun ahead then!! I love the one Christy had with the drawer. :) xoxo
I love this. Next time I’m at a flea market I’m buying one of these boxes. You did such a beautiful job. I can’t wait to try one myself. Thanks.
Yes, do! They are great for holding things. And thank you, Lori! :) xo
I see these flatware boxes all the time at the thrift stores. I never know just what to use them for. Now I do! My girls’ bathroom is getting a makeover, and a box like this would be so cute on their vanity. A nice catch-all for hair accessories and little doodads they’re always misplacing. Keep up the inspirations.
Yes! They are there a lot. Oh yes, one of these would be perfect for that! :) xoxo
Wow ee! I see these silver ware boxes often but didn’t know what to do with them. This is darling. Glad the ideas of what to put in them were included!
Thank you, Marie! :) xo
Such a pretty project! I regret donating my mom’s cherry toned one before I knew about painting and decoupaging, but I did recently find one at a flea market I can makeover. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you, Vicki! Oh yes, I bet!! xo
This is so pretty!! I love that fabric!! XOXO
Thank you, Christy! :) xoxo
Love your box! Did one awhile back that I lined with fabric, have it for sale in my Etsy shop. Now I am inspired to do another one, have 2 spare ones. Like you Nancy I am a thrift store shopaholics, can’t help myself, the car just turns in there by itself☺. Am anxious to try the transfer, like the idea of the feet.
Thank you for all the wonderful ideas!
Elisabeth
Thanks, Elisabeth! Yes, my car does the same exact thing!! lol You are so welcome! Have fun! xoxo
Dear Nancy,
Love your gorgeous box, I have 3 to work on but… do you know if there is group that does a swap/share for the Prima transfers? They are expensive for those of us on disability, but so lovely!
Thank you for sharing your gifts with us .
Hi Sandra! Thank you. :) 3…lucky girl! Hmm, I do not know of such a group, sorry! I will say that the one I shared in today’s post is nice for the price because it has so many elements that can be used on multiple small projects. xoxo
OMG you just keep amazing me. This project is fanstatic
Aw, you are sweet!! Thank you, Ivory! :) xoxo
Sweet! I love the transformation.
Thanks so much, Nancy! :) xo
Nancy
I really had to tell you how much I loved that box! I will be keeping an eye out for one that I can convert too.
Thank you, Pattie! :) xo
Hi, love the box. Wondering what kind of white paint you used to lighten the milk paint with, another milk paint or just regular latex.
Thank you, Jo Anne! Oh, sorry! It was just the white paint I always use, Rustoleum White. I’ll edit the post and put a direct link to it! :) xo
Possibly my favorite piece! Until the next one! Just beautiful!
Aw, thanks Joy!! xoxo