HERE’S HOW I TURNED A DATED THRIFT BOX INTO THE SWEETEST CHANTILLY BLANKET BOX| YOUTUBE VIDEO
Hi creative friends! It’s another Fixer Upper Thursday, and it makes me so happy you’re here today! I found this dated blanket box selling in a thrift store. As soon as I saw it, I thought it was the perfect size for a little girl’s room – to store blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, toys, or books!
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Bonus, it’s Furniture Fixer Upper Day! If you’re new here, on the fourth Thursday of every month, I join four super-talented friends, and we share our before-and-after furniture restyles. The link to their makeovers is included at the end of this post. I hope you join me in visiting them to see what they’ve created!
Below is the thrifted box I started with. It’s on the smaller side and it’s a little dated, but who doesn’t want and need extra storage space, right?! It was selling for $20.99 with an extra 20% off.
Once I brought it home and down into my studio, it was already starting to look better than it did on top of all that clutter.
Overall, this was a super solid piece, but there were a few issues. The veneer was chipped off the wood composite in some areas; there was missing hardware, and the corners needed repair. 
THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SUPPLIES
Thrift Blanket Box – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Auto Sponge
Bondo Filler
Sanding Sponge
Paint Brush
Bonding BOSS Primer
Bronze Gilding Wax
Chantilly SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint
TOOLS
9 in 1 Painters Tool (10% OFF as of writing)
Plastic Putty Knife
Dewalt Cordless Drill & Impact Driver Set (31% OFF as of writing)
Magnetic Screwdriver
Bosch Sander
Hardware Installation Template
Measuring Tape (30% OFF as of writing)
PREP & CLEAN & REPAIR
I started by removing all the hardware and the piano hinge. I hammered the three pieces of trim off the top.
Once everything was removed, I cleaned the inside and out with this heavy-duty furniture cleaner. I like using automotive sponges and I mix the White Lightning into a spray bottle. This makes it super easy to spray and wipe.
BONDO + SANDING
To fill in the hardware holes, missing veneer, missing corners, and scars the wood trim on the top left, I used heavy-duty Bondo. Bondo is a two-part system. I like using a golf ball-sized amount of Bondo to a pea-sized amount of hardener. I mix thoroughly and then I have about 3-5 minutes of working time before it starts hardening up. I like mixing smaller batches so I don’t waste any product. I have a full tutorial on How To Use Bondo here, and I’m also sharing tips on using Bondo in the YouTube tutorial at the end of this post.
Once I filled everything in with Bondo, I let it dry for 30 minutes and sanded it smooth with my Bosch Sander using a 120 grit sand paper. Bondo dries rock hard so a course sandpaper works much better at smoothing it out than a high grit sandpaper. I would also suggest using a good sander to smooth out bondo repairs.
PRIME
After this piece was scuff-sanded and all the repairs smoothed out, I primed with this Bonding Boss Primer. I used an inexpensive chip brush on the wood appliques and a roller for all the flat surfaces.
ADDING BUN FEET
The next morning I came down and added these bun feet that were salvaged from another makeover. They were the perfect size and style to transform this into a girls’ storage box.
CHANTILLY PAINT
Now for the fun part – painting time! I chose this lovely soft white Chantilly. The description of this color says soft beige undertones – I also see a soft blush pink undertone as well. Can you see it too?
I used my medium oval brush and applied two coats for full coverage. This paint applies beautifully and is lovely to work with.
ADDING HARDWARE
Once my paint had dried overnight, I found the sweetest brass bow pulls to replace the original hardware – I’m so glad I filled in those hardware holes. This went with the little girl blanket box or storage box theme perfectly. Using a measuring tape, I measured the center and then used my inexpensive Hardware Installation Template to line it up perfectly. I penciled in where I wanted the pull to be installed, marked it out with my pencil, and drilled the hole. If you’re in need of a new cordless drill and impact driver set, my Dewalt is still going strong after 10 years and is discounted at 31% as of writing.
ADDING GILDING WAX
To highlight the wood trim on the front of this blanket box, I used this Bronze Gilding Wax. I gloved up because this product is oil-based (it cures hard and doesn’t require a topcoat) and hit all these beautiful details with a light touch.
THE BIG REVEAL…
Here’s the finished look – fit for a little princess!
I’m really glad I kept the wood appliques on because they add the perfect touch now that they’ve been kissed with some bronze gilding wax.
The inside of this storage box is nice and clean so I didn’t need to paint or add any liners. The wood veneer looks great.
And check out the adorable brass bow hardware. I don’t remember what old dresser I salvaged these off of but I only had three (3)… in my mind that means these were meant to go on this sweet piece.
Another thrifted score upcycled, and I’m so happy I found another classic white to add to my favorites.
And just for fun, I prompted AI to generate a sweet girl’s room with the focal point being the blanket box. Here’s what it generated…
This is exactly as I imagined, and I have to say, if you write descriptive prompts into Ai, it does a really good job!
I added the AI version to one of my YouTube videos last week and one of the comments was “I detest AI“. I know it’s a huge topic these days, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Are you using it at all? Are you avoiding it like the plague?
My thoughts – this whole AI thing is creepy yet fascinating. I have to admit, it’s been a little strange playing around to see what it comes up with. I’ve been using it to render black and white images for my charcoal drawings and create roomscapes for my painted furniture – which I’ve shared on the last few projects here and here. It’s truly mind-blowing! And I totally get why some people are apprehensive about it, or, as in the commenters’ words – detesting it.
Yet I have to say, it’s also kind of fun to see the creative possibilities. It feels like magic when you can describe exactly whats in your minds eye and it will create it. My Dad used to call the internet ‘black magic’… I couldn’t even imagine what he would think or say about Ai!
I’d like to be optimistic and think it’s a new tool in our toolbox that’s just different from the ones we’re used to. And it’s a new adventure… but time will tell, I guess.
YOUTUBE TUTORIAL
Here’s the full step-by-step YouTube tutorial below. Our #siyoutubefamily is already a community of 54.7K, so don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t done so already. You’re the BEST, and I appreciate your support! 🙂
And now for some FURNITURE FIXER UPPER FUN!
You’re going to LOVE what these creative FFU ladies do! Below are the BEFORE photos. Visit the links to see the amazing AFTERS and learn how they did it! I’m heading over to take a peek as well!
1. PETTICOAT JUNKTION
2. MY REPURPOSED LIFE
3. CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL DIYER
4. A RAY OF SUNLIGHT
5. SALVAGED INSPIRATIONS (HAPPY YOU’RE HERE!)
Here’s another look at this thrifted blanket box before and after. I hope it’s inspired you and given you some ideas for your upcoming furniture painting projects.
Thanks so much for joining me for another Furniture Fixer Uppers tour. It’s an honor to join these talented ladies every month, and I hope you enjoyed today’s thrifted makeover.
I’ve included some Related Posts below. Let me know what you think of this Chantilly white color, or feel free to ask any questions you may have. I always love hearing from you. It makes my day!!
Happy painting, my friends!
Denise x
RELATED POSTS:
SILK ALL-IN-ONE MINERAL PAINT 101
SALVAGED TRUNK W ANGLED LEGS
CHRISTMAS PAINTED TRUNK
DIY FRENCH COUNTRY WRITING DESK
PAINTED FRENCH COUNTRY ARMOIRE
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Gorgeous! Those wood appliqées cost more than $20 by themselves! Great update!
Hi Tracy! Ya, I’m so happy I kept them in place. It’s sometimes a challenge trying to change a piece up to look totally different yet working with what a piece has to offer. Usually working with what the piece has to offer works best imo… and this storage box was a great reminder to me to do that. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend. XOXO
It looks beautiful. I myself would love a little more pink. AI helps.
Thanks Christina!🌸
Amazing transformation, Denise. I agree that the decorative piece needed to stay. It’s gorgeous and I’d buy these old boxes everyday for that price. Great save and thanks for sharing with us. Have a great weekend, my friend. 😘
Thank so much Do! And ya, who doesn’t need extra storage space! Brand new chests are selling for hundreds of dollars and often they aren’t made half as well as the old school ones. Have a super weekend as well my friend. XOXO
I love how it looks so clean and neat now! 😍
Thanks so much Natalie! XOXO
Hi Denise. Your vision and artistic talent amazes me. This box went from 1980’s drab to an updated, custom, gorgeous piece of furniture. LOVE LOVE LOVE
Thanks Monique, I’m so happy you love it! Who doesn’t need and want extra storage, right?!😃 Have a great weekend! XOXO
Adorable and beautiful!
Thanks so much Tracey! It’s always fun trying a new paint color. 🙂
Denise,
You blow me away with your talent.
Every post amazes me.
You are the Queen of transforming these pieces!
Love love love ya!
awww, thank you Maryann! I’m so happy to share because like I always say, it would be any fun without YOU!!!! 🤗💙💙💙💙🤗 Have an amazing weekend my friend! xo
Looks adorable! Beautiful recreation. As always a success!
Thank you Jewels!🤗🤗🤗
Great vision. This piece is so sweet.
Yes – I do see the pink undertones of the Chantilly paint. A beautiful new white color.
I’m also glad you kept the wood appliqué. Great idea to add the bun feet. It just floats nicely now.
And… those knobs are soooo perfect.
I look forward to your posts every week. You’re amazing. 🙂
I think you’re amazing and I always appreciate you dropping by! So happy you like the new look and glad it’s not just me that sees those pink undertones.😄 Have a super weekend!
Denise, it’s so lovely now! The wood applique is quite perfect for the box so I’m glad you kept it. Those little bow pieces are just perfect for this, and I think you’re right – they were meant to be. Good job as always, sweet lady! Hope you have a great weekend! XXOO
Thanks so much Catherine, I appreciate it! I’m really happy I kept the wood appliques as well and I think the little ‘bows’ are super cute. Wishing you a lovely weekend as well my friend! XOXO
Very elegant. So nice the wood appliqué was there. Adding the feet and new handles gave this piece a great new life!
Hi Fran! I debated taking the wood applique off and maybe adding a transfer or decoupage but I’m happy I kept it as well. And aren’t those feet and handles sweet. Gotta love when you find great stuff in your own stash!😆
Denise,
First, I love your blanket box makeover! Pinned!
About AI…Yes I use it here and there. I’ve even asked it for help with styling projects. BUT! After seeing your lovely image of the blanket box in a girl’s room, I prompted Chat GPT to do the same for my project this month. When I finished it, I rushed out of town and never got to style it properly. You are right, AI listened to me and produced a beautiful image for me! I edited my post to mention that I got the idea from you. Thank you for that gentle nudge.
gail
So happy you like the blanket box Gail, it was fun trying a new-to-me color. And thanks for the shout out on your post, I LOVE the generated staging/styling with the pink chair!😃 Ya, if you prompt chat GPT with your vision, it’s amazing what it comes up with – mind blowing!🤯 It’s here to stay so I’m going to take the opportunity to learn/and play around with it. Have a great weekend and thanks for the PIN!
That turned out SO pretty! It looks like a high-end piece.
Aw, thanks Lizzy!💙 I hope it finds a nice home because it’s a really solid cute piece! Have a great weekend my friend. xo
This is lovely! I noticed that it looks like the top edges of the box have the particle board showing. Did you fill/bondo that too, or leavit the open particle board?
Hi Marg! Thanks and yes, I left the top edges of the box unpainted – but you make a good point. I think painting the edges would look great.🤗