Guest Room Welcome Box ($6 thrifty makeover)
Why not create a guest room welcome box filled with goodies and/or necessities for overnight guests? Even better, pop into your local thrift store to find something inexpensive like this box to makeover!
Hello friends!
Trash to treasure day over here and I’m sharing another one from my most recent thrift store haul >>>here.
If you are new around here, some friends and I get together on the second Tuesday of every month to share a “trash to treasure” makeover. So be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see theirs! :)
This was a bit smaller haul without any furniture this time.
I can’t wait to get back out there and find more stuff. I bet you are looking forward to that day too! In the meantime though, I’m giving all of these makeovers and working through my storage unit stash…and anything else I can find around here that needs some love.
Today I’m sharing this one…
Which started out looking like this…
Guest Room Welcome Box ($6 thrifty makeover)
I started out by giving this one a quick spray with white spray paint. I didn’t want to have to fight that print when painting over and I like having an even base to start out with.
I decided to step outta the box a little today and go purple. The transfer I wanted to use on this one had some lavender in it and I wanted to play that up a bit.
MATERIALS LIST
- White Spray Paint
- Prima Transfer (set of 4 different prints)
- Lavender Colored Paint (similar, I mixed mine so you may need to add a dash of red)
- Pale Pink or White Paint (I blended the two)
- Chip brush
- Topcoat
For the “purple”, I mixed something up to somewhat match the lavender colored flower in the transfer. I used Old Violet (Annie Sloan) and Antoinette Pink (also Annie Sloan) along with a dash of red craft paint to get somewhat close to the color I was after. The one I’ve linked in the materials box above is similar but not exact.
I gave it 2 coats of this color.
I knew I wanted to add some dimension with a lighter color so decided to dry brush on this pale, white-ish pink I mixed up. I used Antoinette Pink and Linen White (linked in the materials list box) to come up with this color. You could probably get away with just using either pink or white though.
I did a very heavy dry brush technique and then grabbed an old t-shirt rag, slightly dampened it, and wiped over to smooth it out a bit.
Want to see how I dry brush?? Check out this post and video >>> here.
Then I took another rag (a dry one) to rub over that to smooth it a bit more in places.
It really helps to soften that very vibrant lavender/purple shade.
Once that was done on all sides, and very dry, I applied the Prima transfer.
Want to see more on how I do that?? Check out this post >>> here.
The final step, sealing it all up. I applied one coat of my favorite top coat by General Finishes. (linked above)
Another one that I left the inside alone on. I love it when I’m able to do that and I thought the black was a nice contrast to the purple exterior.
So what to do with a box like this that says “welcome” on the top??
Well, I decided to turn this into a “guest room welcome box”.
Perfect for storing away things for overnight guests like towels, washcloths, soap.
Or even magazines, books, etc.
How about late-night snacks??
That might come in handy.
Really though, it can be used for many things. I love the size of this one. I make over old flatware boxes often but this box is much bigger than the usual ones I do.
Up close of the transfer on top…
And the sides and hardware…
These transfers make everything beautiful! I just love using them.
Have an old box like this laying around?? Paint it and add a transfer for a brand new look. :)
PIN it to save it!
Wait! Don’t pop out just yet. You’ve got to see what my friends did with these old treasures first! (links to each below)
I hope you enjoyed these today! Want to see more?? Check out all of my T2T posts >>> here.
It was fun stepping out a little and using purple on something small. Have a large piece you think you want to paint a vibrant color? Try it on a small makeover first to make sure you love it AND to help get you over the intimidation you might be feeling about painting with that color. Like I always, always say, it’s only paint! Don’t love it? Paint right on over it and start again.
I’ll be sharing this one next!
UPDATE!! See it now, here!
If you missed any of the rest of Thrift Store Haul #2, you can see them all here:
- Butterfly Tray Makeover
- Welcome Box (you are here!)
- $4 Men’s Valet Box
- French Floral Bucket
- Beach House Platter
- Flower Display
- Decoupage With Fabric Paris Box
- $2 French Floral Bucket
- Thrifty Decor and Old Framed Print (with your own photo!)
See you right back here on Thursday! Have a wonderful week!
xoxo
What a lovely idea, Nancy. You’ve made it so beautiful too. ♡
Thanks, Larissa! xo
Wow, Nancy, this is such a beautiful makeover and what an inspired idea! :) So many possibilities… customizing the contents depending on your guests. Thank you for this!
Be well,
Christina
I just love you! I love that you share your inspiration with us. When I see your projects, it motivates me, and for this, I am thankful! You inspire me!
Awww, thanks, Kelly! I am SO happy to hear that!! That is exactly what I hope to do here!!! xoxo
I love the custom liliac you made Nancy… and the box makeover is gorgeous! XOXO Pinned!
Thanks, Denise!! It was fun to get back to mixing colors and “playing”! ;) xo
I have worked in the hotel/resort business for a long time and have used Mini Bars in my guest rooms for many years. My family loves to come and visit, they feel like they are in a luxury hotel. I make sure to place fresh water in a glass container w/a glass on top. I have gone to the dollar store and purchase snacks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, pain relievers, lip balm, lotions, small shampoo/conditioners and other things that people forget when they travel. I have guest towels in the bathroom along with a bathrobe for them. I have a nice welcome to our house card that is in the room and we have our Wifi password available as well as our address should they need to call the emergency line for any reason. I love your box and may have to look for a couple of these for my guest rooms. Thanks for sharing, you do amazing work.
Oh my, I would love to be a guest at your home too, Kris!! That sounds wonderful!! xoxo
You are welcome to come and visit Wyoming. Beautiful place, I am a Native. Come anytime, just give me fair warning to have it cleaned and ready…. Your box is amazing, I hope to find something similar when things open up again…
You are so kind! That would be great. :) Thank you! xo
I love this idea of a welcome box in a guest room. Something else that could go in the box is postcards of your city and surrounding area for your guest to send to friends. You could even pre-stamp them. I love sending and receiving postcards even though it seems outdated now.
Oh yes!! Love that idea, Janet!! And yes, it’s sad that they seem outdated now…or that no one really uses them much anymore. I remember sending a postcard to my parents from our honeymoon! I came across it at their home not long ago. And I love to read the really old postcards you find in boxes at the thrift store. What an absolute treasure. I miss these things we used to do! xoxo
It’s like that transfer was made for that box! Perfect size and you created the perfect shade of purple to match. Beautiful save, Nancy! xo
Yes, it sure was, Jen!! I thought so too. Thanks! :) xo
Wow, your makeover is just wonderful and what a terrific idea for guests! Job well done.
Thank you, Mary! :) xoxo
I haven’t see this welcome transfer and just love it! I need something special to welcome our new pastor into the church parsonage and think the box and transfer is perfect! I love the lavender; it’s shouts springtime! Have a lovely week! XOXO
Oh yes, it’s got 3 or 4 others that come with it. I still need to use those! ;) I love this idea…I think this would be perfect! Wishing you a wonderful week as well!! xoxo
Nancy, that box turned out beautifully! Love the purple color…
Thank you, Karen!! And yes, it was fun painting it that color! :) xo
This turned it so pretty!! The transfer was the perfect size! And what a great idea to have a guest welcome box!! XOXO
Thanks, Christy!! Now I just need to clear out the “junk” room so I can have a guest room here!! lol xo
LOVE IT!
Thanks, Rose! :) xoxo