Tuesday, March 18, 2014

52 Be Inspired: Stylish Storage Box Update

Although I have been known to splurge on storage from time to time, I typically try and find it as inexpensive as possible.  Whether that be searching for coupon codes, scouring eBay and Craigslist, finding alternative comparable options or DIY'ing my own version... there are many ways to snag storage on a budget.  What can I say, I like storage!  But I like pretty storage even more!

One set of storage boxes I have been lusting after for awhile now, are the Kate Spade stacking boxes.  Heck, I have even been tempted to splurge on something grand in the store just to take home one of the gift boxes... but then my senses kick in.


What is it about the boxes that bring stars to my eyes?  The combination of bold colors paired with pretty gold details were the key ingredients.

As I mentioned here, I am scheming up a little craft cabinet for my kiddos.  Being a creative myself, I always encourage my boys to grab markers, coloring books, paints and pipe cleaners when the mood strikes.  We have little craft stations all over our home, and they are slowly getting out of control.  I am pretty excited to put everything in one easy to access cabinet, but all of those details to that project will be in an upcoming post once it is complete.  However, heading into the project I knew I wanted to add a couple more storage boxes.

Photo boxes have always been my "go to" storage solution for just about everything.  We use them for small games, cords, photos and even storage galore in my studio.  And I can typically find them relatively cheap.  Michael's often sells them for $2-4 each, depending on sales and coupons, so I picked up three in a solid white finish.


Once I returned home, I dug through my craft paints, color testers and touch-up paint jars to find a few colors I thought would be happy in our living room.  I had a little too much fun finger painting to test out the color combos prior to committing to anything on the boxes themselves.


Because I live with all boys, I rarely get to use pink, so I snuck it in on one of the boxes which will ultimately live behind a cabinet door.    Hey, a girl has to do what a girl has to do.

I started by removing the label plates off of the front of the boxes.  We need to store the boxes the long way, so I would have to re-add them to a different side.  Then, using a craft foam roller I rolled the paint onto the exterior of the boxes.  The paint coverage was not all that stellar; two coats plus touch ups were required.


I noticed that the paint really needed to cure before I could move forward.  Some paint cured faster than others {an exterior paint from our touch-up jar and the craft paint adhered much better than regular wall paint}.  My guess is a little primer would really speed up that curing process.

So I waited a few days quite impatiently, but I know it was worth it.  Already so pretty!


A few weeks ago, Dina from Honey & Fitz shared some gold tape she used to update photo frames.  The second I saw the tape, I knew I could think of 1,001 uses for it, and I ordered the 1/2" gold tape from Amazon.

Using the edge as a guide, I wrapped the lip of the box cover with a the gold tape.


And spray painted the silver label holders with my favorite gold spray paint.


And the boxes were now bright, bold and colorful!


I popped them on the shelves in the future craft cabinet, just to stand back and admire.


They are fun and playful and what I really love most is how the gold reflects differently depending how the light hits it.  Apparently I also love shiny things.


And that wraps up another episode of High/Low Storage. 

Who else loves shiny, happy storage?  Have you been making over any decorative boxes lately based on something high-end and out of budget?


52 comments:

  1. I really don't know how I survived this long without seeing this blog. I love all the tips and tricks you provide and am happy to have it on my favorites list! Going to explore some more and get organized!

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  2. OMG! I'm in love! Hope I can find that tape somewhere around EU cuz I love me some shiny things!!! {I live in Scandinavia...}

    & yes as a matter of fact! I'm working on a binder right now, that will become my daily calendar, and I can't wait to share it on my blog!! :D

    Btw. u know I'm totaly gonna steal this bling the hell out of the box idea, riiiight...? :P

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  3. You did it again, Jen. Another pretty project, as always. What kind of boxes are those?

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  4. Love this idea! Super chic boxes for less! Thanks for the wonderful idea!

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  5. I love this idea! I can use something like this for my new office space!

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  6. This is an awesome idea! I think this would work out great in the living room to store all of those God awful DVD cases. I'm inspired! :)

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  7. Oh, I missed that part. It was a photo box. ;)

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  8. What an awesome idea for storage boxes!! My office/craft room closet is organized but, still looks like a mess because of all of the baskets & stuff that are in there! This is the perfect solution though & definitely fits the budget! Thanks for sharing!!

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  9. Here are cute boxes for $16 on Amazon:
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006CDAEVO/ref=pd_aw_sims_2?pi=SL500_SS115

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the link! Although, the boxes are much smaller, they are quite pretty!

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  10. Love them, Jen! Hope your family is staying warm :)

    Sarah

    www.sarahsdaybook.wordpress.com

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  11. Such a great idea! It's frustrating how you can never find the same box design 2 shopping trips in a row, especially if they stretch over periods of several years lol. Nice job!

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  12. Hi Jen. I love these boxes - what a super cute, stylish, and easy project. I gave up crafting when I started homeschooling 11 years ago but even I have time to make these. Blessings!

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  13. I do silver...does the tape come in silver? Love this idea!

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    Replies
    1. Here's the silver version on amazon:

      http://www.amazon.com/CS-Hyde-Metalized-Acrylic-Adhesive/dp/B003HKRFA8/ref=pd_sim_indust_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=05D92B2XDVM1WZPJ7JSA

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    2. Thanks for helping out Anonymous!! :)

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  14. So in love with these! You are truly amazing with your ideas... and all on a budget!

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  15. These are so pretty! And definitely a great option instead of the pricier version. I was also curious though if you would share what you use the small Becky Higgins project life albums for? Those are so cute too and I always think would be great for so many different things. Thank you!

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    1. Hi Kelsey!

      The larger albums don't fit on our living room shelves, so they end up stored away in our lower level and not updated as much as I would like. I picked these up hoping to start adding instagram photos and some daily journaling. I love that they can be stored where I spend much of my time with the family, right within daily reach.

      xo!

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  16. I have a bunch of those photo boxes, all different patterns. A coat of primer and matching/complimentary shades will make it all better!

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  17. I LOVE this. Would never be able to tell they only cost a few dollars!! Trying to figure out where in my house I could use them...

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  18. Love this!!

    How did you attach the label holders to the other side of the boxes?

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    1. I just used the prongs on the label holders to punch them back into the box, one was finicky but a little hot glue helped as well. xoxo!

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  19. I'm totally dying over these! Love, love, love! I hope you count it an honor if I copy these in my house! ;)

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  20. Love these - and we are in need of a craft area organizational attack plan so thank you!!!

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  21. Only because I've recently been burned by this same issue, I must tell you that using exterior paint for an interior project is a bad idea! Exterior paints contain fungicides and other properties that release stinky, dangerous fumes indoors.

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    1. Thank you so much for the warning and reminder. I always use no/low voc paint, even for our exterior, so I will have to be sure to check the warning labels to be sure it doesn't contain any other dangerous fumes.

      xoxo!

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  22. I scored some storage boxes at Marshall's (also saw them at home goods) exactly like those Kate Spade boxes but pink, blue, green for about 12each give or take, they were more than I'd usually spend on storage boxes but they were so dreamy! Love the diy version too!

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  23. These are to die for!! Brilliant! Can't way to try myself!

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  24. They look awesome! I have a thing for pretty boxes too. :) I've seen some great ones at Homegoods lately. I just added that gold tape to my Amazon cart, so pretty!! Thanks for sharing!

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  25. SO pretty, Jen! And this post could not have come at a more perfect time. I am getting ready to revamp my office/craft room and have been brainstorming ideas for storage. Something like this would be absolutely perfect! Thanks for sharing your brilliance yet again! :-D Hope you're having a wonderful week!

    ~Abby =)

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  26. Do you seal items you paint? Ive always had a problem with everything scratching quite bit. Any tips ?

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    1. Hi Whitney!

      I always sort of depends on the project or type of paint I use. I didn't for this project, I had painted some magazine files a few years ago and I never had any trouble with the paint chipping, so I will just keep an eye on these and see how they do. I can always add a protective finish down the line if necessary.

      xoxo!

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  27. How did you get the label holders off? Mine won't budge!

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  28. Where did you get the cute little jar that your paperclips are in?

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    1. Hello!

      It is an egg cup, you can purchase them individually at World Market or in sets of 4 online: http://www.worldmarket.com/product/white-porcelain-egg-cups-set-of-4.do?&refType=1&from=Search

      xo!

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  29. Oh my gosh, these are fabulous!!!!!!!!!!! Oooooh I'm so excited! I've been searching everywhere for the perfect color of storage boxes to match my decor, not even thinking that I could just paint my own!!!! Yesssss!!! Thank you! :)

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  30. Hi Annette!

    Mod Podge can be really tricky! I have had the same issues with bubbles from time to time. I typically try to use spray adhesive or double stick tape with wrapping paper or fabric, and then maybe add a protective layer of mod podge if necessary.

    Best of luck to you!! <3

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  31. Jen, I have a silly question - I've been seeing ideas for DIYing/decorating storage boxes - but I'm falling short of inspiration when it comes to what can you store in there? OK, cables, cords, some crafts, ribbons, and beyond that I hit a blank wall! I don't have kids, so can you write an article on this? It should help a lot of people like me who're collecting boxes :). Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. In the kitchen you could organize party or baking supplies in a cabinet or on shelves, in the bathroom extra toiletries or paper products, shallow boxes can be used for underbed storage and smaller boxes are great for clothing accessories and jewelry. How about remotes in the living room or keys, change and sunglasses in the entry? Photos, small games with decks of cards/dice, stationery, desk accessories, movies, first aid supplies in the linen closet, etc.... Can you tell I love decorative boxes? :)

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  32. That gold tape is such a great find! I'm going to have to order some for myself now!! Just thinking about all the crafts I could make with it!!

    www.darlingdailyblog.com

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  33. I may have missed it, but what paint did you use and where did you buy it? Thanks! Love this idea and can't wait to try it out.

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    1. I used a variety of paint types but ultimately would recommend simple craft paint. It dries nicely and doesn't seem to get as sticky as latex paint.

      xo!

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  34. Love that teal color! Do you remember what color that was?

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  35. Confession, I've been stalking your blog for a few days now. Reading all your old posts, and checking out all your projects. I love them all! Thanks for sharing your fantastic ideas!! Since reading your blog I've been motivated to organize and label my pantry, organize my craft closet, linen closet, and pantry cabinet. Now, if only I can get all my work done posted on my blog!;)

    Thanks for the inspiration!
    Stefani

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    1. You have no idea what comments like this do for my soul! Thank you sweet Stefani! It makes me so excited to hear you have been on an organizing roll!

      Congrats!

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  36. I'm in love with your blog! Can't wait to try this! Did you use a primer first? I'm having a difficult time knowing what kind of paint to use. What would you recommend?

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    1. I did not, however, some paints seemed to adhere and work better than others, and the boxes were pretty glossy so primer wouldn't hurt. I found that the craft paint actually worked better for this project than the wall paint.

      xoxo!

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  37. How did you remove the label plate?

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    Replies
    1. Hello, I just carefully pried the label plates off with a flathead screwdriver. xoxo!

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