You might think the path of least resistance is the best, but these days I’m zig zagging downtown to find the shadiest path possible!
Yet I’m nuts for tackling an outdoor project today: spray painting two small pieces! At least it only involved 10 minutes outside at a time in the shade…
And
This box holds a few things on top of our dresser, and it’s just not my style at all
I decided to go bold with sunflower yellow! It’s my color of the year, along with grey
And the green one is shown in its before color here on top of the chest:
Really my only other experience with spray paint was our baby’s room fan, which turned out great! Although the procedure was harder than I thought it would be. DIY always is.
This time I bought a mask. And wore protective eyewear : )
And wore bakery gloves to keep the paint off my fingers (I learned last time that spray paint does NOT wash off easily!)
I sanded the box with a medium grade sanding sponge very lightly and had no trouble with the paint sticking. I might have been able to skip that step.
Primer first. I almost left the jewelry box white – it looked so sharp!
Then I went to the gym!! Walking in the shade as much as I could. I did 30 minutes of weight lifting and then 15 on the bikes with Karen before walking home. Then I finished up my project before my shower…
Yellow coat #1, followed by coat #2 20 mins later. The green box was hard to “hold 8-10 inches away and keep moving” because of all the nooks and crannies. See how it’s still green despite the primer AND yellow layers – probably could have used more primer first.
Then I showered and ate lunch!
This is me putting ZERO effort into photography. I was hot and hungry and wasn’t going back outside!
Tomato + Sharp Cheddar Sandwich on Cville Crunch – with a schmear of mayo
See how neatly I arranged the cheese!? 
Pretzels on the side
Plus a pile of watermelon!
After lunch I went out to assess the boxes, which were 95% dry
Really pleased!! They are most definitely not flawless (my plastic drop cloth kept touching them and ruined one of the feet on the box) but they are 95% good enough for me. I was surprised how much better the finished jewelry box looked in gloss than the rougher green box.
See how this one is just not as shiny? Blaming the texture. And those crannies. Still, works for me! I’m too hot and almost out of paint to do more.
Excited to bring them inside!
Next thing to spray paint: this boring, dark black shelf from the basement. In TEAL! But I’m saving that bigger project for another day. Wanted to test the waters first!
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance says
Love the yellow! It’s amazing how much a coat of paint can change the look of something!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
love a bright pop o yellow…sunshine!
Becka @ simplybecka says
The boxes look great, I love the pretty bright yellow paint. Well done. Wishing you a good weekend. ^_^
Allie@LiveLaughEat says
I love the vintage look of the pre-painted jewelry box! Was it from your grandma?
KathEats says
No it’s actually not vintage at all. Total 2005 trying to be cool 🙂
KathEats says
[I am forbidden from painting anything vintage via my mom]
Dad says
AND your Dad.
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I love that box in yellow! too cute!
Julia H. @ Going Gulia says
Smart idea to spraypaint it! I’m often pretty bad at seeing the potential in items like that. I probably would have been like “Blech, I don’t like how antiquey this box looks. Not buying it.”….but it looks so great with just a simple coat of paint! MUST REMIND MYSELF TO THINK LIKE THAT.
Working Girl says
So impressively crafty! I’m just about to move into my new place and definitely am having the Pinterest-y decorator fever. I have a few different shades of wood going on with my bedroom furniture at the moment (which drives me CRAZY) and I want to just do something fun like this!
Kelly says
Funny! I was a little late getting out the door this morning because I’m dog-sitting and it threw off my whole routine. So, I went to the fridge for lunch and grabbed bread, a hunk of cheese (havarti jalepeno) and a tomato! We’re having twin lunches though I’m having a pink lady apple instead of watermelon. 🙂
Have a good one, Kath!
Brie @ Coxswain Dilemma says
1) Yellow is the best color in the world.
2) I will be incredibly impressed if you say you fit that whole sandwich in your mouth without losing components. I would, without a doubt, lose half of that on the plate within the first few seconds of picking it up. I’m the worst sandwich eater.
KathEats says
I only lost one piece of cheese!
wesley @ the way home says
Love the yellow, I almost bought a chest of drawers that color. And ooh that makes me want watermelon! Should have brought some from home to work. Can’t believe you did all that outside!
Kelly (meatlesswithaman.blogspot.com) says
That’s a great idea. Looks awesome!!! I always forget about spray painting as an option!!
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
Love the sunshine yellow! Pops of colour in and about the house perk up a room! I have had luck spray painting chandeliers that were not the right style for me…now I love them! There is that yummy looking Cville Crunch again! Tomato and cheese…summer favourite with fresh tomatoes!
Jasmine @ learning to feed yourself says
That definitely looks like my cheese on pretty much all my sandwiches…. it’s too much work to make it look nice haha. And I like the box!
Annette @FitnessPerks says
Ooooh I LOVE it! Love yellow.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Great job on the box…love that uber vibrant shade of yellow and also teal…my fave!
I would have somehow left the box as is, and used the top of it for a rustic surface to shoot crumbly baked goods on. But my mind always goes to what a surface would look like in pics rather than functionality of having a box like you did..good call 🙂
Katharina says
Looks like someone has been reading a lot of YHL…
Your sandwich looks just as good as ever, even without editing!
Cait's Plate says
Love the sunflower yellow 🙂
And haha – that’s not so bad for putting zero effort into photography if you ask me! I still think the pictures are pretty dang good!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
That bright yellow is so summery! I love how it just screams HAPPY!
Kristen says
Where did you get the chest with the translucent panel that the green box is originally displayed on? I love it!
KathEats says
IKEA!
Megan @ The I Do Diaries says
Love that bright pop of color, yellow is so pretty and uplifting. I feel like you would HAVE to smile every time you looked at it. I think the imperfect rustic look of spray painting gives an item character-and it turned out beautifully!
Angel7 says
Love the sunflower yellow! It will be an eyecatcher in any room.
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Andrea @FrSeed2Stomach says
inspired by your craftiness lately! 😀
Margaret says
That is such a pretty result, the yellow will look amazing when the Winter weather sets in too.
If you want to cover a strong colour, I think you get the best result using a gray undercoat.
Schmear, Schmear??….. oh yes off to watch “The Birdcage” for a good chuckle.
kristen @ verbs and vignettes says
i think un-flawless is much better sometimes. really LOOKS homemade. i’m usually too much of a perfectionist, and have to try very hard not to work until things are perfect. :p love the yellow!
and your un-flawless stack of cheese looks pretty incredible, too. haha.
Emily @ Life on Food says
The spray paint turned out great. I am so not crafty but I think I can manage some spray paint. Hopefully!
Erin Motz says
I’m always impressed at your DIY skill… I feel like every time I try to do something myself it always comes out looking… well, like I did it myself, haha.
Mom says
Looks good!
seana says
I spray paint everything. Mirror frames,picture frames, vases, etc. Whatever to make it match the decor. A thought about your jewelry box, how about buying some fabric or felt or something and redoing the inside. Hot glue would probably work to adhere something to match the new yellow. Just a thought. It would be one long piece to do the back bottom and front and 2 small for the sides.
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says
Wow, it’s amazing how some spray paint can totally transform a piece like that! Love the new look!
Kelly Ann says
Great DIY painting tip…try Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, not toxic and easy. I use to spray paint everything for my business now I’m all about Annie Sloan. I don’t sell it just love it.
Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count says
Very sunny color! It’s usually best to start with something small to see if you can accomplish it. They look great!
Lexi @ You, Me, & A World to See says
Haha I always just toss cheese bits on my sammie too! My tummy doesn’t care anyway 😉
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Photography can be an effort sometimes, but when food is delicious, it comes through on the photo – no matter where or how you take it 🙂
Jo says
I have a similar black shelf and would like to make it a bright color. Please let us know how it turns out.