Flatware Box Makeover
A few months ago I stumbled across a flatware box at Goodwill and couldn’t resist buying it for just $2. I had admired flatware boxes that my friends Christy from Confessions of a Serial-Do-It-Yourselfer and Nancy from Artsy Chicks Rules had made over and I was eager to see what I could do with this one. (Search flatware boxes on Christy and Nancy’s blogs to see their projects.)
This box is sturdy and I knew could be made into something both attractive and useful.
I started by ripping out the blue felt on the inside of the box. I then soaked towels with water to loosen the paper stuck to the lid and bottom. After some scrubbing, it was all gone. I used a razor blade to scrape off the felt that was firmly glued to the sides of the box.
I painted both the inside and the outside of the box with several coats of Cashmere by The Plaster Paint Company. To jazz up the inside of the box, I used Mod Podge to glue Virginia map pieces to the box lid and bottom. A coat of Mod Podge over the maps sealed them into place.
It’s hard to see in the picture but I used lime wax in chalk white to accent the painted box.
I recently treated myself to a Silhouette Cameo
and used it to cut “Adventure Awaits” out of white vinyl
. I love this Dawn Nicole design and if you have a Silhouette, it’s a free cut file. I am brand new to using a Silhouette and can’t wait to use it for more projects like this one.
This box will be perfect for keeping travel mementos.
For now I’m displaying it in my living room on my dad’s mid-century stereo.
I’m so pleased with how this turned out and will definitely be keeping my eye open for more flatware boxes to makeover.
Sharing With:
H2O Bungalow, Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home, Refresh Restyle, Between Naps on the Porch,Concord Cottage,Stone Gable, Sand and Sisal, Yesterday on Tuesday, A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style, Bless’er House, Dwell Beautiful, Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body, Imparting Grace,From Gardeners 2 Bergers, Patina Paradise, The Everyday Home, Finding Silver Pennies, My Soulful Home
One of my favorite projects that you’ve done! Will be on the lookout for flatware boxes, so I can do something like that. Thanks for posting this idea!
I’ll bet one will show up at the shop, Suzanne. I’m also on the lookout for another. I had fun giving it a makeover.
Paula
Paula,
The box is gorgeous! It would be a wonderful wedding gift for a couple and they could keep all their honeymoon mementos in it. Or even a gift for any trip people take! Love it. I especially love the map decoupaged inside.
Using this for honeymoon mementos is a wonderful idea, Barbara!
Paula
I love this so much! I am a sucker for anything to do with maps and travel and adventure! So this one hits all of it! You really upgraded this from its original!
Thanks, Megan! I had fun giving this a makeover. I knew when I saved a pile of maps that I’d use them for something!
Paula
Love how you repurposed this flatware box, Paula. The map paper is perfect for a travel mementos box and I really like the vinyl you added to the top – perfect! Pinning to share.
Thank you, Marie! I had fun making this.
Paula
Super cute project! Love the arrow on the quote! You’ve inspired me to make a box. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for one to remake! 🙂 ~Rhonda
Thank you, Rhonda! I’m also keeping my eyes open for another one to use to make a jewelry box.
Paula
great idea! I have a couple of old cigar boxes and this would be perfect for those too. thanks for sharing!
This turned out amazing, Paula! I love the map inside!! Thanks for the shout out too…I have about four of these boxes stacked in my garage right now. 🙂
Loving this! I am a map fanatic and avid travel lover, so this is right up my alley 🙂 Thank you for sharing at the DIY Collective. This will be one of the features this week, so be sure to check back on Thursday and link up again!
This looks great.
Love this
Thank you!
Very cute I’ve got a few cigar boxes I’d like to try this on.
This should work perfectly for a cigar box, Kenyatta. I’d like to find a few cigar boxes myself to makeover because they are such a great size for storage.
Paula