Taking a Bland Plywood Box From Drab to Fab.
5 Materials
$25
2 Hours
Medium
A small project like this one is a great way for first timers to try layering Fusion paint and milk paint, and applying an Iron Orchid Designs decor transfer.
I started out with a very bland homemade plywood hinged box that I picked up at a garage sale for a few dollars.
Next I painted a base coat of Fusion acrylic paint in a color called Algonquin. Once dry, I just used my fingertip to rub a little Homestead House Salad Bowl Finish (beeswax) around the edges where I wanted my next coat of paint to flake away and reveal the base coat. I mixed up some Homestead House milk paint (a combo of Sturbridge White and Champlain) and painted two coats. Once dry, I sanded the box lightly letting the paint chip away wherever the beeswax was used.
I added just the bottom portion of an Iron Orchid Designs transfer to the top of the box.
I coated the whole box with Dead Flat Finishing Cream from The Real Milk Paint Co. This will provide protection for both the transfer and the milk paint finish. The Dead Flat is washable after a three day curing period.
To add a little extra interest to the front of the box, I added an old door knob plate with some vintage books pages behind it.
I always grab old hardware like this at garage or estate sales. You never know when you might find a spot for it.
This box definitely went from drab to fab!
For more fun projects, be sure to check out my blog q is for quandie!
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?