Friday, February 18, 2022

Thrifty Thursday Bread Box Makeover

Thrift Store Decor

Today's (day late thanks to internet issues) Thrifty Thursday is a simple makeover of a metal breadbox.
Thrift Store Breadbox Makeover
I hesitated when buying this because it is cheap, made in China decor. Friends, let's do our best to not buy stuff like this brand new from the store. I don't want to offend anyone, but please, let's try not to purchase "fast decor" brand new from the store. Fast decor are items that are mass and rapidly produced, low quality, often made with toxic materials in China that people get rid of in a few years. In the US fast furniture accounts for approximately 9 million tons of waste yearly in landfills. Let's do our best to not promote dollar store crafts, fast furniture and cheap decor buying. Stepping down off the soapbox now.

I am not saying I am perfect and I don't buy some of it, BUT I sure have reduced what I buy new. I do feel a bit better buying it from a thrift store, saving it from the landfill and giving it new life, like this breadbox. 

Thrift Store Breadbox Makeover
I sanded the box lightly, just do give the slick surface a little grip. I also sanded the whitewash off the lid. I hand sanded with 80 grit sandpaper. I then wiped it all down with white vinegar.
Clean with White vinegar
I then painted the breadbox with black, multi-surface paint. I painted two coats. If you don't want to see brush strokes, use a foam paintbrush or spray paint. I had neither on hand so I went with brushstrokes.
Paint with Black Folk Art Paint
My friend Carlene at Organized Clutter recently used Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencil Snowflake Christmas Sweater stencil to make a more boho design on a planter. You can see her project HERE.
(This post contains affiliate links at NO EXTRA COST to you!)
I decided to use the same stencil to add a little detail around the bottom of the breadbox. I stenciled with Rub-n-Buff which you can buy HERE. You need very little!
Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils
As you can see, I turned the stencil upside down and used some painter's tape to hold it in place. You can get the Sweater Stencil HERE!
Stencil a boho design
I used coconut oil on the wood lid. Coconut oil conditions the dry wood, is food safe, and does not get rancid.
Use coconut oil to condition wood
I am showing this breadbox on the open shelving in our AIR BNB studio apartment.
Thrifty Thursday Bread Box Makeover
I am not sure if it is going to stay in here, but it would be a great place to store some essentials like some spices, sugar, oil for renters. These breadboxes hold a lot and are perfect for corralling clutter on open shelving. I might end up selling it or keeping it for myself to store gluten-filled items in--hubby has Celiac Disease so I keep very little gluten in the house, but do occasionally buy myself a loaf of bread. 
Thrifty Thursday Bread Box Makeover
Whatever I do with it, I am happy with the updated, boho style and that the not so great, farmhouse, horrible fake distress look is gone and I am glad that I have saved some fast furniture and decor from the landfill.

2 comments:

  1. Very cute! I like the gold stencil on black. Elegantly vintage looking. I'm so tired of everything having words on it, and this is a lovely makeover.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love it. I quite like the brush strokes.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate your kind words!