Thinking Outside the Box from Inside a Dumpster
Frenchiness in a Dumpster in Northern California? If you stretch your imagination, YES! I am on a mission to repurpose as many “found” items from curbside finds, Dumpster Dives, and just Junque. Last week I share my Dumpster Bookshelf with a fabric backing. This week I have two large decorative boxes to share with you. I even amazed myself with this makeover. It was quite a fun transformation! 
Now that you saw the after, here is the before. If you follow Trashy Tuesday, then you may remember seeing them. Come back tomorrow because I can hardly wait to show you what I found this week!
My dog Keiki gives all my junque a good sniff.
These boxes required some serious prep. The first part was not too eco friendly. The stain used on these was a major bleeder. I had to do several coats of Zinnser Primer to block it. I painted them both with one of my favorite blacks. Cece Caldwell’s Beckley Coal. It is the perfect black. Not too blue, not too grey. And it covers very well. After the Beckley Coal had dried. I painted the circle’s CeCe Caldwell’s Vintage White. When this was dry, I used the Freezer Paper transfer method and THIS graphic from The Graphics Fairy. 
I lightly sanded the both boxes with a 320 grit sandpaper. Now the boxes are looking much more Paulette’s Parisian Parlor instead of Aunt Agatha’s Attic! 
Next I worked on the inside. I measured the interior and cut black and white fabric I had on hand to fit. I used a spray adhesive and some hot glue to keep everything in place. Do this in a well ventilated area and wear a mask. Spray adhesive is stinky. I finished the top edges with trim I had on hand and secured with hot glue. 
I sealed both boxes with CeCe Caldwell’s hard wearing Endurance. A very low VOC Polyurethane. It is so easy to apply, you can use a rag, a sponge, a brush, etc. I used a Chalkpro brush for these boxes, but you can check out how to use a rag on my ENDURANCE VIDEO. Now this project really required thinking outside the box! 
You never know what you will find inside a Dumpster. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, even if it is from inside a Dumpster 🙂
Linking my French Boxes at these fine establishments:
![The Scoop_thumb[5]](http://www.redouxinteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/The-Scoop_thumb5.jpg)
those are perfect! what a great idea for these boxes!
They look great, Karen! What a find!
I love reading about your FAB transformations! Love what you did!
What a great find and beautiful transformation! Would like to invite you to come share at One More Time Events…http://www.onemoretimeevents.com/2014/02/black-forest-valentine-tortewelcome-to.html
Tammy
Karen – I love them! Definitely pinning these!!!! Have a great day.
Love these, of course I swoon over anything remotely French.
Very nice! I have two oval boxes with a similar design as these had ‘before’. Thanks for the inspiration….I needed some ideas!
That is SO totally cOOl!
Catherine
so cute! You would never believe the before without pics! Awesome as always Karen!
I like these, they were well worth your time, they turned out cute.
Wow, LOVE the interiors!
Wow! Fabulous makeover of the boxes!! Great ideas!!
Would have thrown those out…twice!
Beautiful work:)
Were those really in a dumpster? They are beautiful!
The dumpster never lets you down. You did an magnificent transformation on the boxes. I would have never know they looked like they did in the before picture!
Yet another fabulous refashion! You are a pro girl!!
Karen, these look amazing! Love the French graphic and the fabric you choose is so pretty. They caught my eye over at the Twirl & Take A Bow Party.
Holy cow! This is beautiful!!!!!!!
These look great and I need to test out that freezer paper technique! Pinned 🙂
These are amazing!! Absolutely a beautiful transformation!! Sharing!!
Love love love!! These would go perfectly in my house! Pinning 🙂
Ah, thank you so much Christy!
Hi! Visiting from Blogtalk today! Wow, love this transformation and how you used The Graphic Fairy’s resources. Love her stuff. These are beautiful!! Love what you did 🙂
Thank you so much for coming by from Blogtalk! Thank you for the sweet compliments. Hope you have a wonderful Valentines Day.
Oh my goodness….this is an amazing transformation. You go girl!!!
Thanks for sharing with us a Project Inspire{d}-AnExtraorordinaryDay.net!
Thank you so much Diane!
Absolutely GORGEOUS, Karen!! I am excited to be shring this on I’ve Got The Monday Blues later today 🙂
Make it a fabulous Monday!!
Fabulous as always! Thank you for sharing! You are one of the features today at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week’s party. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2014/02/make-it-pretty-monday-week-89.html Hope to see you again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse