Thinking Outside the Box from inside a Dumpster

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!

Black and White French Boxes Redouxinteriors

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.

French Black and White Box Top Redouxinteriors

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!

French Black and White Box Redouxinteriors

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.

French Black and White boxes inside redouxinteriors

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!

Black and White French Boxes with label Redouxinteriors

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:

30 Comments

cassie on February 10, 2014 at 4:59 am
those are perfect! what a great idea for these boxes!
Reply
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions on February 10, 2014 at 6:05 am
They look great, Karen! What a find!
Reply
Darrielle Tennenbaum on February 10, 2014 at 6:19 am
I love reading about your FAB transformations! Love what you did!
Reply
Tammy on February 10, 2014 at 7:47 am
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
Reply
Mary @ Orphans With MakeUp on February 10, 2014 at 7:55 am
Karen – I love them! Definitely pinning these!!!! Have a great day.
Reply
Diana on February 10, 2014 at 8:24 am
Love these, of course I swoon over anything remotely French.
Reply
Jan on February 10, 2014 at 9:44 am
Very nice! I have two oval boxes with a similar design as these had ‘before’. Thanks for the inspiration….I needed some ideas!
Reply
Catherine on February 10, 2014 at 10:10 am
That is SO totally cOOl!
Catherine
Reply
Jill Flory on February 10, 2014 at 10:12 am
so cute! You would never believe the before without pics! Awesome as always Karen!
Reply
Bliss on February 10, 2014 at 12:54 pm
I like these, they were well worth your time, they turned out cute.
Reply
Francine on February 10, 2014 at 12:58 pm
Wow, LOVE the interiors!
Reply
Terry McMullen on February 10, 2014 at 2:03 pm
Wow! Fabulous makeover of the boxes!! Great ideas!!
Reply
Kim@reposhture.blogspot.com on February 10, 2014 at 2:12 pm
Would have thrown those out…twice!
Reply
Janet Egan on February 10, 2014 at 2:24 pm
Beautiful work:)
Reply
Barbara Trent on February 10, 2014 at 3:24 pm
Were those really in a dumpster? They are beautiful!
Reply
Bridget on February 10, 2014 at 5:38 pm
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!
Reply
Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage on February 10, 2014 at 5:48 pm
Yet another fabulous refashion! You are a pro girl!!
Reply
Marie@TheInteriorFrugalista on February 11, 2014 at 7:17 am
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.
Reply
lynn richards on February 11, 2014 at 8:05 am
Holy cow! This is beautiful!!!!!!!
Reply
Katie @ Upcycled Treasures on February 11, 2014 at 1:55 pm
These look great and I need to test out that freezer paper technique! Pinned 🙂
Reply
Lori @Vintage Charm Restored on February 12, 2014 at 12:37 pm
These are amazing!! Absolutely a beautiful transformation!! Sharing!!
Reply
Christy on February 13, 2014 at 4:26 am
Love love love!! These would go perfectly in my house! Pinning 🙂
Reply
- GTC on February 14, 2014 at 2:29 pm
  Ah, thank you so much Christy!
  Reply
THE PAINTED CHANDELIER on February 13, 2014 at 10:48 am
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 🙂
Reply
- GTC on February 14, 2014 at 2:28 pm
  Thank you so much for coming by from Blogtalk! Thank you for the sweet compliments. Hope you have a wonderful Valentines Day.
  Reply
Diane | An Extraordinary Day on February 15, 2014 at 11:10 am
Oh my goodness….this is an amazing transformation. You go girl!!!
Thanks for sharing with us a Project Inspire{d}-AnExtraorordinaryDay.net!
Reply
- GTC on February 15, 2014 at 10:06 pm
  Thank you so much Diane!
  Reply
Meegan on February 17, 2014 at 5:27 am
Absolutely GORGEOUS, Karen!! I am excited to be shring this on I’ve Got The Monday Blues later today 🙂
Make it a fabulous Monday!!
Reply
Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse on February 17, 2014 at 7:34 am
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
Reply
- Pamela Tudder on June 19, 2026 at 2:25 pm
  I happened to find one of these boxes at a thrift store in Summerville SC and fell in love with it too but as with yours it needs a lot of work. I haven’t been able to find any information like its age or what it was used for. I would appreciate any information that you could provide. You are really talented and I loved the total transformation. I don’t dumpster dive but I love to pick up treasures from the side of the road. Thank you in advance and I will continue to follow you.
  Reply