I don't know about you, but I never seem to have enough boxes! :) Yes, boxes, different shapes and different sizes, all those boxes you REALLY NEED to keep all the little things in good order around the house. So this time I've decided to use old cardboard boxes and give them a whole new look by transforming them into beautiful Shabby French boxes, perfect for storing jewelry, documents, letters, family pictures and many other things.
The really ugly BEFORE boxes:)
First I painted the exterior of the boxes with black acrylic paint.
*Note to myself: If the exterior of the box has a glossy surface, sand it with a 180/200 grit paper before applying the first layer of paint! :)
Then I used some candle wax, white acrylic paint and some 180 grit sandpaper to distress them, you can find more details on my other DIY projects HERE.
I brushed the interior of the boxes with different shades of lilac, my favorite color of all times and some white, my second favorite color of all times...or are they the other way around?:)
Then I used waterslide decal paper for the image transfer and printed different images from the amazing The Graphics Fairy - old French ads, beautiful black and white roses, stamps from Paris, vintage bicycles, keys and clocks. You can learn all about waterslide decal paper transfer here.
I applied a matte finish spray to protect the painting and the waterslide decals and let them dry for a couple of hours. In the meantime I painted some wood buttons with the same lilac shades I used for the interior of the boxes.
I printed some French ads, handwritten letters and musical sheets from the Graphics Fairy on a lilac cardstock paper and cut by hand different sizes butterflies to give a whole 3D look to my Shabby French boxes.
This Shabby French boxes is definitely my favorite, because it was a gift from my sister and was once filled with tea cups inspired by Claude Monet paintings. It also had one of his paintings printed inside the box, I only toned it down with a little lilac here and there and glued two pretty butterflies.
Just add a little bit of passion and you can transform your house into a home. The possibilities are endless, if you ask me.
And in the end, it's all about the small details, right?:)
Sharing with lovely people: The Graphics Fairy | Shabby Art Boutique | Hometalk | Funky Junk Interiors
Martinel
Diana, this is incredible, absolutely GORGEOUS!! I have no words to explane how much I like you talent, ardor and everything you do-like these boxes...Thanks for showing these beauties:) Sunny and smilie day from me:) Marinela
Diana / Dreams Factory
Dear Marinela, thank you again and again for your kind words! You have just made my day! :)
A little bit of sunshine from me and many hugs! :)
Anonymous
Diana superb, the best DIY from inexpensive materials. Love it!
Diana / Dreams Factory
Thank you :)
Cathy
These are absolutely fabulous... I am definitely going to have to turn some of my old boxes into something beautiful... found you through Hometalk and am now a follower.... Cathy
Diana / Dreams Factory
Thank you, Cathy, nice to see you here! :) You should definitely give it a try, I am so happy with the final results.
Loribeth Clark
These are so beautiful! I would have never dreamed you started by painting them black! I'm definitely going to give this a try. I have some boxes that I use all the time, but the decor of our house has change and they don't really go any long. If this works for me, then I won't have to replace them! Thank you!
Diana / Dreams Factory
You can also use any other contrasting color instead of black and white to match the new decor of your home. They would look great and would be so practical too :)
CamilleW
I am stunned that these are cardboard boxes. They are just beautiful! I see making a number of these for my new craft room, faux wooden trays...oh the endless possibilities! I, too, would have never thought you started off by painting them black. I discovered you from Hometalk and now a new follower!
Diana / Dreams Factory
Camille, I totally agree, you can do so many things with them. My craft room is the next I plan to organize with different sizes boxes, too :) I so need them :)
Jeanette Chaney
WOW! Beautiful. Not tossing my boxes in the recycle bin any more! I going to do this with a little farmhouse look. Thank you :)
Diana / Dreams Factory
Hi, Jeanette, can't wait to see yours! :)
Kay dancingbrushpainting.blogspot.com
Just found you through a link on Hometalk. LOVE your creativity!! Subscribed immediately.
Diana / Dreams Factory
Kay, I'm glad you like my work, thank you for subscribing! :)
Donna Wilkes
I will never look at a cardboard box the same old way again. You are extremely clever and creative ...these ordinary boxes turned into art pieces.
Diana / Dreams Factory
Thank you so much, Donna! The sky is the limit, you can use them in so many ways!
Karen
Hi, where do find water slide decal paper. I have tried all the local stores.
Thanks so much
Karen
Diana / Dreams Factory
Karen, I sell waterslide decal paper in my shop, but for now I only ship to my country (Romania), you should try to find it on E-bay. I only use decals because I love the clean finish look I get with it, but I think you could use another image transfer technique, like decoupage or medium gels, Mod Podge, stencils.
Deanne Langford
These are gorgeous- you wouldn't even know they were cardboard!
Diana / Dreams Factory
Thank you, Deanne! That's the best part, no one will ever know they were unaesthetic old cardboard boxes before! :)
Claudia Tyler
Thanks so much for the inspiration. We seem to have the same passion for the boxes, as I have boxes full of boxes and drawers full of boxes! Looks like it is time for me to get to work! Having trouble finding good water slide decals however. Would love to hear more about the decals. Thanks so much!
Claudia
Diana / Dreams Factory
Claudia, call it passion or obsession, I know how you feel, I love boxes! :)) I only sell decals in my country, as I was saying before to Karen, but I think you could find them on E-Bay or Amazon. Or you could use another transfer technique :)
Karen Ann
So Gorgeous! You have such wonderful talent. Thank you for sharing your beautiful works!
Diana / Dreams Factory
Thank you so much, Karen Ann!
Javeriya Crafts
Omg! So amazing! I want one of those for my room.
SHEILA
Where do you get the waterslide decal paper? And you aren't "transferring" these, you are gluing them right on the pieces, correct? Love these!!
vonKarin
They are so coool! Thanks for sharing this great idea!
Greetings from Karin
vonKarin.blog.de