Robin’s Egg Blue Beach Box Makeover (Budget Friendly Decor)
Old flatware boxes are perfect for creating little decorative storage boxes, like this beach box I recently made for our master bedroom.
The master bedroom is rolling along.
So excited to be putting all these pieces together for it.
I’ve got several other things to share yet but hoping the room will be done very soon.
In case you missed it before, or are new here, this is the mood board for the room.
You can read more about my plans and see more here. –>> “Master Bedroom Plans”
I’ve already posted about the lamps I’ll be using on the night stands.
They were a super thrifty find that I made over recently. –>> “Coastal Lamp Makeover”
I’ve still got two “love” signs to make and a picture that I’m using from our Florida trip as a huge centerpiece over the bed.
I’ll be sharing all of that soon.
But first, I found this silver/flatware box at the thrift store last week for a few dollars.
I come across them all the time, those and old cigar boxes.
They are great to makeover and use for storage or just pretty decor for the home.
And I turned it into this pretty Robin’s Egg Blue Beach Box….
Quite the difference. Like I always say, a little paint changes everything.
And yes, I know it’s basically Fall and Summer is past but my home is decorated in a coastal style all year long.
Plus, this will be perfect in the master bedroom.
I gave the box a light sanding and cleaning.
Then I taped up the edge on the inside (I didn’t want that part painted)
After that was done, I took it outside and sprayed with Rust-Oleum Matte Robin’s Egg Blue Spray Paint.
I had seen my friend Christy (over at Confessions of a Serial Do It Yourselfer) use this paint a few times too.
This is my first time using it and it’s a very pretty color. It looks similar to the Duck Egg Blue and Persian Blue I use often.
AND it’s the prettiest blue color you’ll find in a spray can! ;)
Then I created this graphic for the top…..
I printed it out to the size I needed/wanted for the top of the box and then positioned to transfer the image…..
(You can see this post, and this one for more details on transferring images this way)
I sometimes transfer using this method, however. (yet another way to do it)
For more transfer methods, see this post I’ve created of all the ones I use.
Click here, “How To Transfer Graphics“
If I’m going to be painting with white for the lettering, I will usually use chalk or a white watercolor pencil (for the back transfer area).
But I went with pencil since I had such small writing at the bottom of this graphic.
I really wanted to make sure the bottom print would be visible enough to paint/color in.
Here it is transferred….
Now all that’s left to do is “color it in”.
I sometimes use a tiny artist’s brush and hand paint it in but I used a Chalk Ink Extra Fine pen this time instead.
You could also use a paint pen.
The Chalk Pen is washable (meaning you can remove it) so it needs to be sealed if you don’t want it to come off.
I liked that it was removable since I was doing such small lettering.
I’d be able to easily fix any mistakes, re-do and then seal when done.
It actually didn’t take all that long to do this with the pen. Love that!
It would have been much more time consuming if I had been using a small artist’s brush and paint.
I lightly sanded the lettering (and edges of the box to distress) and took it outside to spray with Rustoleum Pearl Mist (sooo pretty, I want to spray everything with it!).
Yep, I wanted it to have a pearly finish …..but oooops!!!
Darn. The pearly spray is so pearly my white lettering was all but invisible.
So I had to do it over. (you can see where I’ve already done the first line again)
Thankfully, like I mentioned, it didn’t take long to do. (or I might have cried!! ;) )
So I finished redoing the letters and then sealed with Krylon Crystal Clear Spray Paint.
All is well that ends well, right? ;)
Sometimes things don’t go as planned but that’s okay.
Either fix it, start over or throw it out the window!! Haha…okay, don’t do that last one. ;)
I sprayed the handle with Valspar Gold Brilliant Metal spray paint.
Love it, it’s a beautiful shade of gold.
I decided to go ahead and replace the inside with new fabric AFTER I finished painting the outside.
Okay, and let me tell you, that is no joke! (I had to get the hammer out)
They really wanted that interior to last….and last and last. ;) Wow.
I am a little sad (and embarrassed) to say I knocked my (5 month old) phone off the counter while trying to do this.
TWICE. Because apparently once wasn’t enough of a lesson –> to move my phone elsewhere.
Nope, I picked it up off the floor and put it right back in the same spot and got back to the removal process.
(which was tough…and quite jerky with the box…which then hit the phone again to the floor)
Can you guess what happened on the second fall? Yep, cracked screen right across the entire length of the phone.
Boo.
Just take a look at the above photos where you can see the edge of it (right by where I’m working)….and right by the EDGE of the counter.
Risky business. ;)
Oh well, it still works just fine and I don’t really notice the crack that much but I’m not thrilled that my nice, new phone is “ruined”.
It’s such a small thing in the scheme of things but darn that box and that stubborn interior. ;)
I told my husband when he came home from work and he said “why don’t you put your phone away from where you are working?”.
Haha…he’s so helpful. But it’s true, I should have.
Okay, back to the box, I got WAY off track there but I just had to share.
Keep the phones away from the work space, y’all.
So I finally got all of that out but it was still a mess inside.
No way all that glue was coming out and it was bumpy.
I decided to cut a piece of an old car cloth to use on the bottom to hopefully smooth that bumpy bottom.
If I would have had some felt, or something similar, I’d have used that instead. (it would have disguised the bumpiness better)
But I wanted to go ahead and finish this thing up.
I hot glued it to the bottom and then cut the fabric to size and hot glued it over it and the rest of the interior.
No real tutorial here as I winged it!
I laid it in and folded it under at the edges. Then I ironed those edges so they’d be thin and tight.
I came back and hot glued it methodically down the box.
I did have to cut a bit more but I just went bottom down, side to side.
Sorry I don’t have a tutorial for this. Next time. :)
Does that fabric look familiar, by the way?
It’s a Waverly fabric and the same one that I used on this little chair here –> “Vanity Chair Update”
Here is how it ended up…..
Not too bad.
And much better than what was there…for my purposes anyway.
I plan to let my husband use this for his wallet, watches, rings, glasses, change, etc in our bedroom.
It will be a nice spot for him to keep his stuff tidy. (although I don’t think he was thrilled with the pink interior, hee, hee!)
Oh well, it matched, it was leftover material and no one else will ever see it or know….except all of you! ;)
The master bedroom is coming along nicely.
I have mirrors, yay! If you don’t follow along on Instagram, you may have missed those.
I found them at the HomeGoods/TJ Maxx store but they were the wrong color (but the RIGHT price).
I posted over on Instagram the other day showing the new gold shade they are now (same as the handle on the box). :)
Sadly, I’m still on the search for nightstands. I’m hoping to find them soon so I can wrap this room up!
Want to see how I turned this printable into a pillow?
Click here to see!
PIN it to save it!
I’ll see y’all next week with a “coastal themed” Fall tablescape/vignette.
I’m loving the colors I used this year. (and it was budget friendly too)
There’s a sneak peek of that on Instagram too.
Happy Weekend Friends!
xoxo
![](https://www.artsychicksrule.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Artsy-Chicks-Rule-Shop-1.jpg)
Pretty, Nancy! I still am hoping to run across a flatware storage box when I’m thrifting. This is going to be perfect to corral your husband’s things. Knowing my husband, he’d just put his things on top or beside the box….
hahaha, yesss Tha’s why I did for him a tray… and some times things are besides…
Thanks Paula! :) Your husband and mine sound a lot alike!!! ;)
xo
Nancy
This is brilliant, I need to do more DIY, off to investigate the other boxes you’ve done. I love the colours, I can see that your husband may not be as impressed, I however think they’re wonderful :) Shame about your phone though.
Thank you Aine! :) Yes, but he’ll be okay!! And yes, bummed about the phone but it’s okay, I’ve gotten fairly used to that crack being there now!
xo
Nancy
Nancy is so delicate…. These moments you’re projecting& making your loved project ( master bed) are unique, I can’t wait to see the whole project. Meanwhile keep on posting this beautiful pieces.
XOXO
Thank you my sweet friend! I can’t wait to finish! ;)
xo
Nancy
Absolutely beautiful. I have a silverware box in my garage that belonged to my parents and has been around over 50 years. I now know what to do with it to preserve it.
Thank you Janet :)
Oh yes, then you can pull it out and use and enjoy it.
xo
Nancy
I have a ton of cigar boxes my b-i-l brings from work. They are fairly delicate even when made from wood. I suspect your box is some sort of sterling or plate flatware storage box. The interior construction gives it away. I have a couple from marriage #1, but they still contain the original sterling…that never gets used.
Oh yes, Anna, that is exactly what this one is. (or was! ;) ) They are usually made so nicely and so make a good repurpose for other uses.
None of the ones I’ve come across have ever still contained the silver though!
Nancy
It looks so pretty Nancy! You have more patience than I do to try and get out all the inside fabric. Love the color, cant wait to see your bedroom makeover. Have a great day!! :))
Thank you Sandra! :) Yes, that was definitely a lesson in patience! I had already started so had to finish but oh boy!
Hope you have a great weekend!
xo
Nancy
So pretty – I love the sand dollar –
I was visiting with my sisters and came across a sand dollar – first one I have ever purchased one
Next year I am making them all necklaces with a sand dollar hanging from it.
This is the story behind the sand dollar.
http://cottageinthemaking.blogspot.com/2011/08/sand-dollars-and-special-story-about.html
Have a wonderful day
Rose
Hi Rose! :)
Thank you! Oh, they sound like a beautiful gift.
Thanks for linking up the story too! Will stop by and read.
Have a great weekend!
xo
Nancy
I just passed up a silverware chest! Who’da thunk? I love waiting to see what little project you’ve finished. They are all so beautiful & fun! Thanks for all the links to transfer methods. I almost felt this post was especially for this old lady! lol.
Oh no! ;) That’s okay, I’d be willing to bet you’ll come across another.
So happy you like the projects. They are fun to do! :)
Oh yes, and you are so welcome. I just don’t want anyone to feel they can’t do this.
Anyone can! The transfer methods make it so simple. (and there are those several ways)
Hope you have a great weekend Carol!
xoxo
Nancy
Have to say I’m very impressed with the few things I have seen so far, I’m older, but am new to DIY. It’s been many years since I’ve done anything. Your giving me some great ideas! Thank you for sharing!
Sincerely JK Snow
Thank you Joan :)
And that’s great! If you do make or create something send me a photo! I love to see what others are doing too.
Hope you have a great weekend!
xo
Nancy
It’s so pretty Nancy…ahem…masculinely perfect. Love it! Sucks big time about your phone. You may have saved a lot of phone lives with this post – I know you probably saved mine.
Hi Marie!! Thank you! :) And yes, sooo masculine, lol.
Yes, the phone issue does suck but I’ve gotten used to the crack going across the screen…sort of. ;)
Hope you have a great weekend!
xo
Nancy
Love the box. I too, love boxes and love hat boxes too.
Thank you Mary! :)
xo
Nancy
I just love your stuff!!! I bought the robin egg blue and painted a wrought iron towel holder. Yup used the whole can. Buying more soon as I always want a can of that on hand. Going to tackle a silverware box tomorrow. Keep up the inspirations.
Aw thanks so much Vicki! :) And yay!! Isn’t that Robin’s Egg color so pretty? It’s the perfect shade of blue.
Good luck on the box!! How fun!!
xoxo
Nancy
This project is fantastic and just tugging at my heart! I am squealing here in delight as I have a silverware storage box exactly like this. I have several cigar boxes too…woo hoo! Mine has all the silver plated flatware (full set!) and I paid $20 for the whole thing at a garage sale. I didn’t want the silverware but figured that when I finish the box, I could gift the whole thing or whatever. My original idea was to paint it white and stencil the top with french text but I like your duck egg blue very much. The inside is exactly like yours, I may need to keep it as is to fit the silverware…thanks so much for sharing amazing projects!! You sure are a talented chick!
Oh my goodness Rupa!! What a great find! Mine were empty. :)
And thank you so much for the very kind words too!!!
Good luck with your project and have fun.
xo
Nancy
That is one pretty box. Now with the corona virus I can’t go out and shop the thrift stores. I will be looking online for things to do with what I’ve got. (I wish I could go out.) Thank you for always having great ideas. May you and your family be safe and healthy.
Marian
Thank you, Marian! Yes, true!! I am glad to have a small stash from previous shopping trips…thankfully! I can stay busy and share here on the blog. And thank you, may you and yours stay safe and healthy too! xoxo