I’ve got a fun new post and project for y’all today (a makeover with Chalk Paint)….and so do 24 other bloggers!
And here’s what I created…
That sweet little French country, coastal looking box that you guys saw in yesterday’s post.
It was a thrifty find, from last year, and looked like this.
I think I paid a couple dollars for it.
I loved that wood grain on top so decided to rub a bit of stain on it and painted the rest with Old White Chalk Paint.
I added the words “Paris” to the top.
BUT I never loved it…and that’s why you’ve never seen it here on the blog!
So it got a makeover, times two.
I painted over the whole thing with Pure White Chalk Paint….
Then I found this graphic over at The Graphics Fairy.
I printed it in reverse and transferred it to the top of the box.
(you can see how that is done in this post here)
Then I hand painted it in using a thin script liner paint brush and black paint.
I sorta love that part. I know it’s tedious but it’s relaxing.
Once done (and dry!) I lightly sanded over the whole thing to distress it a bit…..
Then sealed it with one coat of Annie Sloan Clear Wax.
I LOVE this little makeover with Chalk Paint now!
This was how it was supposed to look. :) French Country Coastal Cottage-y…my favorite style.
By the way, I picked up that pretty hand blown vase when we went to Asheville, NC this past summer.
Isn’t it pretty? I just love it with my pink (fake) flowers.
Yes, they are fake…but I just love them!
(and if you’ve never visited that post I just linked above to Asheville, you’ll want to at least click over to see the quick little video I got of the funny guy riding the scooter. LOL It’s an interesting town, for sure! ;) )
It’s not really too unusual that I repainted this really…or didn’t see the “vision” the first go round.
Happens to me quite often.
PIN this makeover with Chalk Paint for later!
But I usually get it right in the end. Or right for me anyway.
This one is right for me now. And not hidden away in my office any longer.
It’s finally out for all to see.
Want to see even more ideas on simple updates with Chalk Paint (that aren’t furniture??) Check out this post, here!
Now it’s my friends’ turn!
Stop by to see what lovlies they came up with in today’s “Best of DIY”. :)
See them below!
Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed weekend!
So sweet Nancy. I need to do something like this for my desk. I’m not the best at hand painting letters though. I have used a fine sharpie before and then did a light sand. It turned out great and looked like I had painted it!
Thanks Terri! :)
Oh yes, Sharpies are great too! I actually feel like I have more control over the paint brush though. But both ways look beautiful! :)
What a lovely box. I liked it with the wood stain on the top and “Paris” on it, but I am on your side, your second re-do is just beautiful! Looks like a box that would have cost a lot of money! I will be pinning and sharing!
Nancy, that’s one of my favourite French graphics, so I knew I was going to love you project before I even saw it in its entirety. Great make-over and I’m so happy that you finally got it the way you like it. Another amazing #BestDIY project!!
What a pretty transformation Nancy, and so easy to do too! I am always finding these boxes while thrift shopping.These are great to use for organizing a desk and makes a great gift idea too!
Love the box! I would love to find something like that…. I don’t find much good stuff here in my town. Not good furniture and not good doodads. However, even if I could find the good stuff, I have just about run out of places to put things! :) xo
Thank you Karen! :) Aw …it is getting harder and harder! Especially with furniture. And haha…you and me both!!
And…we are planning to downsize soon. Funny!
xo
Nancy
I love the graphic that you chose for this box. I can think of so many places that you can use this in your home and it is going to be great for storing small things.
Love love love this little box! I totally get what you’re saying about the painting being relaxing. Its probably because it’s one of the few things we do where we get to sit still! XO
Love both the box and the honesty of the “let’s try plan B if you aren’t really feeling plan A”… it’s all part of the process, right?
I do have a nagging detail, though. Paris is in the centre of France, and all of it’s famous resorts are on the mediteranean coastline miles to the south. If it were me, I would delete the Paris and add a name that would work better with your “by the sea” theme.
Hi Nancy, I just found your website today and am really impressed with all your projects. I have to ask, what is the reason you choose chalk paint, is there something I don’t know about this particular type of paint?? I’m getting ready to paint my kitchen cabinets and would love to know your secret! Thank you!
Hi Michelle,
Thanks so much! :)
Well, I do love Chalk Paint and did use it quite a bit for several years (and still do on occasion) but I have been using another paint line I love too. General Finishes Milk Paint (not the powdered version).
And I am in the process of trying several other similar paints. One I actually tested out recently that I am loving. I do love many paints for different reasons. It all depends on what I’m painting.
The Chalk Paint is great because it requires minimal to no prep beforehand. My kitchen cabinets and island have held up beautifully (Chalk Painted). (I didn’t use wax in there as a sealer however, and wouldn’t recommend it)
You can read about those on the blog here.
I am getting ready to paint my Laundry cabinets with the GF Milk Paint though. I am excited to see how they do. I’ll be posting on the blog about that as well. (working on my Dining and Master BDR makeovers at the moment! ;) )
Hope that helps! You can find my kitchen cabinet and island posts under “DIY Home” in the menu under “Project Gallery”.
Nancy
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So sweet Nancy. I need to do something like this for my desk. I’m not the best at hand painting letters though. I have used a fine sharpie before and then did a light sand. It turned out great and looked like I had painted it!
Thanks Terri! :)
Oh yes, Sharpies are great too! I actually feel like I have more control over the paint brush though. But both ways look beautiful! :)
Nancy
What a lovely box. I liked it with the wood stain on the top and “Paris” on it, but I am on your side, your second re-do is just beautiful! Looks like a box that would have cost a lot of money! I will be pinning and sharing!
Hi Chloe! Thank you!! :)
Thanks for sharing too!!
Nancy
Beautiful transformation Nancy!
A little wooden box in your hands, Nancy turned into a masterpiece. The hand
painting is amazing!
Thanks Yvonne! :)
Nancy
Tres jolie! ♥
Thank you bunches Diana!!! :)
xo
Nancy
Nancy, that’s one of my favourite French graphics, so I knew I was going to love you project before I even saw it in its entirety. Great make-over and I’m so happy that you finally got it the way you like it. Another amazing #BestDIY project!!
Thank you Kerryanne! :)
Nancy
What a pretty transformation Nancy, and so easy to do too! I am always finding these boxes while thrift shopping.These are great to use for organizing a desk and makes a great gift idea too!
Oh you are right Anne, they are always around! Love them for keeping things organized. :)
Thank you!
Nancy
Love the box! I would love to find something like that…. I don’t find much good stuff here in my town. Not good furniture and not good doodads. However, even if I could find the good stuff, I have just about run out of places to put things! :) xo
Thank you Karen! :) Aw …it is getting harder and harder! Especially with furniture. And haha…you and me both!!
And…we are planning to downsize soon. Funny!
xo
Nancy
Great makeover. Much better now :)
Thanks Jill!
Nancy
I love the graphic that you chose for this box. I can think of so many places that you can use this in your home and it is going to be great for storing small things.
Thanks Paula! :)
Nancy
LOVE a great box! And yours is so charming! ox
Thank you Robin! :)
xo
Nancy
I love your transformation! Better late than never, right? Great job and great tutorial too.
Oh yes, I so agree Betsy!! And around here that’s usually how it goes! ;)
Nancy
I love the stenciling but I’m not sure if I could do that. I bet it takes a steady hand.
Thanks Mary! It does take a bit of a steady hand. But the great thing is..I usually distress afterwards, so any “messies” get hidden! :)
Nancy
Love love love this little box! I totally get what you’re saying about the painting being relaxing. Its probably because it’s one of the few things we do where we get to sit still! XO
Oh yep!!! I know you do!! ;) Sitting still…there and in front of this computer!! But that is my mind, body, spirit kind of “still”. ;)
xo
Nancy
Love both the box and the honesty of the “let’s try plan B if you aren’t really feeling plan A”… it’s all part of the process, right?
I do have a nagging detail, though. Paris is in the centre of France, and all of it’s famous resorts are on the mediteranean coastline miles to the south. If it were me, I would delete the Paris and add a name that would work better with your “by the sea” theme.
Just my opinion.
‘
OH yes!! Always…and sometimes plan C. ;)
Ha…I never even thought of that. What a great idea!
xo
Nancy
Hi Nancy, I just found your website today and am really impressed with all your projects. I have to ask, what is the reason you choose chalk paint, is there something I don’t know about this particular type of paint?? I’m getting ready to paint my kitchen cabinets and would love to know your secret! Thank you!
Hi Michelle,
Thanks so much! :)
Well, I do love Chalk Paint and did use it quite a bit for several years (and still do on occasion) but I have been using another paint line I love too. General Finishes Milk Paint (not the powdered version).
And I am in the process of trying several other similar paints. One I actually tested out recently that I am loving. I do love many paints for different reasons. It all depends on what I’m painting.
The Chalk Paint is great because it requires minimal to no prep beforehand. My kitchen cabinets and island have held up beautifully (Chalk Painted). (I didn’t use wax in there as a sealer however, and wouldn’t recommend it)
You can read about those on the blog here.
I am getting ready to paint my Laundry cabinets with the GF Milk Paint though. I am excited to see how they do. I’ll be posting on the blog about that as well. (working on my Dining and Master BDR makeovers at the moment! ;) )
Hope that helps! You can find my kitchen cabinet and island posts under “DIY Home” in the menu under “Project Gallery”.
Nancy