My niece received a group of baby bath product to review and while I was checking them out, I realized they’d be adorable in a wooden box. So I went about creating a box to coordinate with the colors of the products and I crocheted some baby washcloths to go with it. It was fun presenting her with the little box of baby items and it reminded me that adding a personal touch to a gift, whether it be a baby shower gift, birthday, or just because gift, can make it even more special
Hand Painted Box Supplies Needed
- Unfinished wood crate or box (found at local crafts stores – this was part of a set of three – the individual cost was under $5)
- Plaid Martha Stewart Vintage Decor Paint, 8-Ounce, Linen
- Plaid Martha Stewart Vintage Decor Paint, 8-Ounce, Sailor Blue
- Plaid Martha Stewart Vintage Decor Paint, 8-Ounce, Antique Sky
- Plaid Martha Stewart Vintage Decor Wax, 8-Ounce, Clear
- Plaid Martha Stewart Vintage Decor Wax, 8-Ounce, Antique
- Good Quality 3/4 to 1″ paint brush
- Letter Stencil (you can also hand paint)
- Extra-fine sandpaper
- wiping cloth
I started with a plain box I happened to have on hand. I first made sure all the items I wanted to put inside fit and then I lightly sanded it all over. Next I pulled out my new Martha Stewart Vintage Chalk paint and started painting. I selected Linen for the outside and Sailor Blue for the inside.
The Linen was a perfect match and I love how well it the paint went on. The 1″ brush I used is my go-to brush I seem to use on about 90% off my projects.
As the Sailor Blue started to dry, I realized the color wasn’t quite right so I mixed Antique Sky (greenish) with the Sailor Blue and came out with a color that was a much better match for the blue on the products.
The Sailor Blue is on the left and the new mixed color is on the right.
I only did one coat of the chalk paint because I wanted a worn and weathered look. Next I stenciled the word “bath time” on the side with Tilled Soil Martha Stewart Vintage Décor Matte Chalk.
And because I love to do things out of order, I used stencil tape and created a line around the bottom and added a border of blue paint. It should have been done before I stenciled the words, but I didn’t decide it needed it until after.
After it dried, I lightly sanded the entire piece with superfine sandpaper to give it a weathered look. It also brought out the Linen from underneath the blue paint.
Once the entire box was dry for 24 hours, I applied Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Clear Wax. Before I opened the bottle, I assumed it’d be much thicker, like a paste. But it’s actually quite fluid with some solids in it. I used that same 1″ brush and covered the piece.
Then as instructed, I wiped away the excess clear wax (though I noticed it said “damp cloth” later) and set it aside to dry for 24 hours.
After 24 hours I used a dry cloth to buff the wax.
Next I wanted to antique it. I did the clear wax first to give me room for error. If I added the colored wax right onto the surface of the paint, there was no turning back unless I repainted the piece. Waxing it in clear first gave me a protective layer should I decide I don’t like the antiquing.
I didn’t want to lose the Linen color so I didn’t antique the whole piece. I only did the corners, interiors, and borders. I brushed it onto the corners feathering it into the piece.
Then I wiped away the excess. I covered the entire bottom with the antique wax. It’s always scary when you paint the entire piece with something so dark.
But because I’d used clear wax for the first coat, it wipes away easily.
I used a rough towel because I wanted a rusting look. Here’s the finished bottom – the linen is showing through the blue and it’s hard to see in the picture, but the brown adds a great antique look.
Once the antique wax has dried for 24 hours it’s time to buff the entire hand painted box with a clean and dry cloth and it’s ready to give!
There you go! The finished project’s total cost? Under $5 (unless you have to buy the paint, but it’s pennies worth of paint or you can use what you have on hand) and just a few minutes of work (though granted, you’ll need to plan in the necessary drying time), you’ve created a one-of-a-kind hand painted box to present your gift it. Now it can work as a storage box in its new home or be sanded and repainted and repurposed for something else.
What a cute gift! We live in a really small house and this would be perfect in a place like ours
I love this idea of a Hand Painted Box to give as gifts for Christmas. Usually, my DIY projects do not turn out all that well – but I think I can I do this one and it turn out well. Thank you for the idea.
Ah, the beauty of handmade is they look handmade! I love them, “flaws” and all!
What a great idea. So cute and just adorable. I can’t wait to do this project with my daughter. I think we will each make a box. Thank you for the project. I also think this will be a great way to spend some fun time together.
I love to repurpose items and this is such a cute update on the crate. I think I will be paying closer attention to what items come in and see what I can do with them.
Very cute! I think I could do something like that too. I have heard of the chalk paint and have been meaning to try it out. I may have to make a run to the store. I have a shower coming up this weekend!
Oh this looks so cute! You made it look so easy to do that. I love putting things all together in baskets/boxes- this is a great way to personalize it!