Wooden Silverware Box Makeover

For this month’s Thrift Store Décor Makeover, I’m sharing how I changed up a wooden silverware box with some paint and paper clay appliques made with IOD molds.

Late last Summer I came across this silverware box from Joey’s booth at Vendors’ Village.

I ended up sending some of the silverware to Betsy from My Salvaged Treasures in exchange for her making me a sweet necklace from one of the pieces.

How to strip the inside of a lined silverware box

So, that left me with a silverware box that I could repurpose. I’m sort of addicted to buying boxes. I think they are cool in all shapes and sizes.

Removing the lining of the silverware box was quite challenging, but I didn’t give up! That being said, the inside will need to be lined, as painting will not be sufficient.

It's time to paint the box

I sanded the finish a little, and used some Heirloom Traditions chalk type paint (Buttermilk) and a cheap chip brush to apply the paint to the outside of the wooden silverware box.

You can see there was some bleed through on the first coat, so I applied another coat.

Impatient crafters use hair dryers

Keeping it real folks—I was a mess trying to get this Thrift Store Décor project done before leaving for Utah (SNAP) today. If you look in the background you may or may not see a more than messy kitchen. The sewing machine was drug out of the basement on Monday to hem some jeans for the trip.

The paint continued to bleed through, so I tried using some white semi-gloss paint I had on hand. That paint STILL wouldn’t cover the bleeding of the tannin in the wood.

It will work out . . . somehow!

How to line a repurposed silverware box

I took the inside measurements of the box bottom, and added the height of the sides to it and cut some wrapping paper. A little bit extra was added to allow some room with the paper.

I drew a line on each of the four corners and then used my scissors to cut the corner to allow the paper to fold back on itself once placed inside the box.

You can see that the cut corners worked really well, and I have a slight lip on the paper all the way around that will be trimmed later.

Here’s the secret to hiding the bleed in the paint. I used Heirloom Traditions Dark Antiquing Patina, which is basically tinted decoupage medium. If I were to do this project again, I would use my favorite Smoked Glaze. It gives such a better color.

Odd way to decoupage?

I used a cheap chip brush to apply the antiquing medium under ½ of the paper, on the bottom, front and sides. Then I laid the paper down, then did the same to the back half of the paper.

I did the same to the top.

Okay, at this point, all I can think about is how much stuff I have to do before I leave town. So pictures are scarce.

Not shown-I drilled a hole in order to attach a pull that I bought at Hobby Lobby. I used an exacto knife to trim the paper, and some sand paper to sand back the rough edges of the paper. You could use an emery board.

Add paper mold appliques

Early in the morning I made some paper clay appliques using my IOD Molds. I’m going to use the ones in the center (top). I had one, but needed to make three more.

It’s so fun to make these appliques for projects.

I did a dry fit of the paper clay appliques to see if the fit okay.

I sort of painted some Gorilla Wood Glue onto the back of the paper clay appliques to secure them to the top of the wooden silverware box.

Some of the antiquing glaze was used to highlight the paper clay applique.

Repurposed silverware box as a memento keepsake box

This former silverware box is perfect to use as a keepsake holder. You may also love this silverware box memo project.

I’m thinking I should add another large paper clay applique to the center, what do you think?

Be sure to check out my friends’ projects by clicking the links below.

Petticoat Junktion's Seashell Wall Art

Our Southern Home's French Farmhouse Candle Holder

Domestically Speaking's Easy Mason Jar Candle Lantern

My Repurposed Life's Wooden Silverware Box Makeover

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia's Upcycled Tray

Bliss Ranch's Shoe Lasts Wall Hooks