Thrifted Wooden File Bins Receive A French Script Makeover
April 26, 2021
My daughters picked up these two wooden file boxes/bins at Goodwill in the Twin Cities.
They were in decent shape, but I didn't like the reddish wood stain color so they received a makeover.
(When you click on the bold Amazon, Old Sign Stencils or Dixie Belle Paint Company affiliate links you will be taken to the products I used for this project. If you order it does not change the price or service at all. As an Amazon Affiliate, Old Sign Stencils Affiliate or Dixie Belle Paint Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
First, I removed the metal tag frames from the files (they were screwed on) and wiped them down with hot soapy Dawn Dish Soap water and a rag.
The files seemed like something I could use in my own decor, and since I usually paint my stuff in Drop Cloth, I worried about stain bleed through. Especially with a reddish stain color.
I brushed a coat of Dixie Belle BOSS in Clear on the outside of the files. Boss works really well to block odors and stains.
As you can see, I ended up painting the bins with Dixie Belle Chalk Finish Paint in Caviar.
Part of the problem was the difficulty painting the inside of the files. I didn't want to have to apply a lot of coats to cover the dark wood tone.
At one point, I used a sponge brush attached to a ruler with rubber bands to apply paint on the inside of the files. This didn't work that well.
Next I tried a small sponge roller. Between the two techniques, I painted the interiors!
Do you have any ideas or tools for painting the narrow interior?
I had this stencil in my stencil bin from Michael's. I have used parts of it before on other projects. There are 7 pieces.
For the bins, I chose the French script stencil. I have never used this part of the stencil before.
I taped it in the center of the bin.
I swirled Dixie Belle Chalk Finish Paint in Drop Cloth onto the stencil.
I did NOT pattern match the stencil. I don't know French for one thing. I just tried to make the lines of script even on the files sides, and used different areas of the stencil so it wasn't too matchy.
When I print out labels for the metal frames, I print my label on cardstock in different fonts and font sizes. There is a lot of trial and error.
I made a small template with paper of the hole in the frame. I then traced the template around the words on my cardstock and cut them out.
I chose "projects" and "garden" for my files. I will be storing magazines in them. Magazines that I have been featured in. This is my second magazine feature holder/display. I am thankful and excited each and every time I am featured.
I waxed the bins with Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax in Clear.
I haven't decided where to put the files yet, but the black will work with my neutral decor.
I also added a small crown from the stencil package to the top of the bins.
Thanks so much for visiting!
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I really like the files. You did a great job!!!
ReplyDeleteThose are so attractive, Carlene, I really like the black with the script.
ReplyDelete