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Thrifty Makeover of Two Wooden Boxes

Who doesn’t love to find cool boxes to hide their junk in? If you don’t then we can’t be friends. JUST KIDDING! Seriously though, do you see potential in these two? I say they are fantastic candidates for a thrifty makeover. Bring on the DIY fun!

Set of Thrifted Wooden Boxes Before Makeover by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

The smaller box on top was given to me by my friend, Mandy. If you haven’t seen all the goodies she’s blessed me with, then you have to take a peek HERE. It’s a watch box for a Dockers brand watch. Wooden Dockers Watch Box Before Thrifty Makeover by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

It appears to be in great shape and the lining is excellent too.

Inside Open Dockers Watch Box | prodigalpieces.com

Next, the bigger box on the bottom came from a thrift store. I’m not sure of the original purpose as it wouldn’t have held flatware or jewelry, but maybe some other precious goods from a gift set. Either way, I grabbed it to make it new.

Inside Large Thrifted Wooden Box for a Thrifty Makeover| prodigalpieces.com

DIY TIME

First, I gave them both a couple of coats of paint. You knew I was going there, right? No, I don’t paint everything, but I wanted this set to be cohesive.

Painting Wooden Watch Box for a Thrifty Makeover | prodigalpieces.com

After the paint cured, I dove into my stash of vintage decoupage art.

Vintage Decoupage Art for Crafts and DIY projects | prodigalpieces.com

Now, if you don’t have such a stash, I have to tell you that you need to get one. tee hee. So many uses for them! The story goes… My mom bought a ginormous lot of artwork from a lady getting rid of it at a garage sale. My mom then chose to hand it off to me a few years ago, and I have been loving every bit of it!

At this point, consider yourself warned that I really got into working on these. Like completely absorbed. So…there’s not a lot of process pics, but I will describe what I did. It’s cool for a girl to just have fun, right?

NEXT STEPS

Okay, so after I put on the art on the top, I decided to yank out the black velvet lining of the larger box. There was nothing wrong with it, other than it wouldn’t match the finished look I was after with this thrifty makeover.

Removing Velvet Lining of Thrifted Box | prodigalpieces.com

I have saved the velvet for another project, but also recovered the foam pads that lined the bottom with a pretty vintage fabric. For added function I wanted to add some pockets to the underside of the lid. In order to do that, I cut a few pieces of this plastic webbing and covered it with the same fabric I used to recover the bottom foam lining.

DIY Fabric Covered Pockets | prodigalpieces.com

The fabric has the tiniest roses and delicate striping. I love the antique feel it has – so pretty.

Finally, here are the results of my thrifty makeover of these two thrifted boxes. I fussed and fussed with the detail work, but that is the fun of doing a DIY project.

DIY Vintage Style Dresser Box Set: Includes Ring Box and Stationery Box | Tutorial by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #vintage #diy #home #homedecor #shopping #homedecorideas #handmade

These wooden boxes have become a beautiful dresser set. Don’t they look as though they came from days gone by? The little box features vintage artwork framed by trimmings on the exterior.

DIY Upcycled Watch Box into Vintage Style Ring Box by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #handmade #diy #home #vintage #homedecor #shopping #homedecorideas

FUN REVEAL

Meanwhile, the box interior is now functioning as a ring box. I’ve inserted the same ring holders foam I used on my repurposed cupboard door jewelry cabinets seen HERE in this post.

DIY Upcycled Ring Storage Box for a Thrifty Makeover by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | Vintage Style at prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #handmade #home #vintage #homedecor #shopping #homedecorideas

However, the larger box got a bit more lovin’. I used the decoupage art to create a center panel with trimmings. But, I also added the braided wood on the outer edge to dress it up and add texture too.

Vintage Wooden Dresser Set - Ring Box and Stationery Box by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #vintage #home #handmade

In addition to the outside goodness, I also added finished off the interior with a bit more decoupage art and the fabric covered goodies I mentioned. My vision for this was for it to become a stationery box/keepsake box – a place for memories and letters received and yet to be sent.

Vintage Style Dresser Box for Stationery, Jewelry, Keepsakes for a Thrifty Makeover by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #vintage #home #handmade #homedecor

DIY Letter Holder for Keepsake Box for a Thrifty Makeover by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

I feel like a handwritten letter is a lost art and I want to encourage its revival. What do you think?

Romantic Style Stationery Keepsake Box for a Thrifty Makeover by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #handmade

Fabric Lined Romantic Style Stationery Keepsake Box for a Thrifty Makeover by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #handmade

Either way, my goal is to inspire you to look for the potential in the cast-offs. Making our house our home is one of the best adventures life gives us.

Both of these boxes are now available for purchase in my online shop. Which one for you?

  • Magic Linen Beige Waffle Blanket available at Prodigal Pieces | shop.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #bedding
    Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130

SHARE

Additionally, pin and share this thrifty makeover to inspire others to do the same. It’s fun!

Who knew thrifted could look so good? This set of wooden boxes got a thrifty makeover into vintage style keepsake boxes | Full DIY tutorial by Larissa at Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #handmade #home #vintage #diy #homedecor #shopping

Up next, this antique desk is not only getting a new life, but a new purpose. See the new look and function HERE.

Antique Desk Before Being Made into Nightstands | prodigalpieces.com
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Want to see another thrifty makeover? Here ya go:

Want to add farmhouse style decor to your home, but lack a big budget? It's easier than you think. Come see at Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.comMake Your House a Home with Thrifty Farmhouse Decor as shown by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Comments

  1. Frances says

    The boxes are so sweet. A new life ahead for them.

    • Larissa says

      Thank you! You can see how I got lost in working on them. tee hee!

  2. Lynn DiCenzo says

    You are so talented….I think with 6 children you almost have to be because everything is so costly,,,keep it up you are also inspiring.

    • Larissa says

      Thank you, Lynn. 🙂 I would be this way even if monetarily rich…it’s in my life’s blood. Hugs!

  3. Cathy says

    Adorable Larissa! Now how did you attach the decorative trim? Glue gun???

    • Larissa says

      Thanks! I meant to add that I hot glued the fabric trim and nailed and glued the wood trim.

  4. Cate says

    Just as sweet as sweet can be, Larissa! I have the same question as Cathy–how did you attach the decorative trim?

    • Larissa says

      You are so fun, Cate. Thank you! I hot glued the fabric trim and nailed and glued the wood trim.

  5. Ellen Braunberger says

    Wonderful! Love wood boxes! These are special!

  6. Linda C Johnston says

    Good job! I’m thinking the large box may have been a tea box. Teas in bags were often kept in tea boxes on the “tea” table. Maybe……..?

    • Larissa says

      It could be or I think from a game. It had no wear at all, so hard to tell. 😉

  7. Paula says

    There’s just something about a wooden box that I find irresistible! You certainly dressed these two up in romantic splendor! I’m with you on reviving the fading art of handwritten letters. The big box looks like it would serve as a sweet place to keep stationary, pens and stamps.

    • Larissa says

      You and me both, Paula. Funny, huh? Thanks you for the love.

  8. Debra A Wise says

    They turned out so adorable. Love the vintage look to them. Great job Larissa!

    • Larissa says

      You know I had fun with this. I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed it. Thank you!

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