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: