There’s something special about a thrifted find with good bones, and Denise from Salvaged Inspirations knows exactly how to spot the potential. In this guest blog, she takes a dated blanket box and gives it a fresh, updated look using simple techniques and thoughtful details.
From cleaning and prep to paint and stain, Denise walks through each step of her process, showing how a once-overlooked piece can become something beautiful and functional again. Her makeover blends painted finishes with natural wood tones, creating a look that feels both timeless and collected.
If you love giving old furniture a second life or are looking for your next weekend project, this one is full of practical tips and inspiration to get you started.
(The following is an excerpt from Salvaged Inspirations. Read the full article here).
Here’s the blanket box I found selling at my local mission thrift store. I was eyeballing this piece for a few weeks.
When I brought it home and gave it a once-over, I learned it’s more than just a place to tuck away wools and linens—it’s a little piece of Canadian history. Tucked inside was a perfectly preserved label from Huppé & Frères, a company founded in 1967 in the woodworking heart of Victoriaville, Quebec. They are still around today, selling high-end modern pieces.
The exterior finish had seen better days, but overall, this piece was in great shape.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A DIY BLANKET BOX FLIP:
Thrift Blanket Box – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Bosch Sander | Sanding Sponge
2″ Angled Paint Brush
Cactus SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint
Acadia SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint
Whiskey Barrel Water-based Stain
Mylar Plastic Sheet (for painting clean lines)
Lint-Free Cloths
Gator Hide Topcoat
TOOLS THAT MAKE THE JOB EASY
Shop Vac (40% OFF as of writing)
Bosch Orbital Sander
Dewalt Cordless Drill & Impact Driver
CLEANING & PREPPING
To give the inside, outside, and bottom of this box a good cleaning, I used a shop vac, a TSP substitute and large automotive sponge.
To scuff sand the finish on this box, I brought out my Bosch Orbital Sander with a 180 grit sandpaper. I also used my handy sanding sponges to get the square detailing all scuff-sanded on the front of this box.
CACTUS PAINT
Once the entire piece was disassembled and scuff-sanded, it was time to pick a color. I chose a beautiful Cactus SILK All-In-One mineral paint. I also had a small amount of Acadia green left in a jar that I added to the mix. This is a great way to use up old paints and let nothing go to waste. It didn’t change the Cactus color much at all – maybe just a touch darker. I can’t give an exact measurement because again, it was just a little I had left over.
Also, rather than using painters tape to mask all the trim I wanted to keep original, I used a plastic mylar sheet. I tucked it under the lip of the box and painted under it. These sheets have enough weight and stiffness to them to work really well on trim like this. It works like a charm.
After I applied the first coat and let the paint dry overnight. The next morning, I came down and painted another coat. Two coats gave full coverage.
WHISKEY BARREL STAIN FOR BOTTOM
I used this Whiskey Barrel Water-based Stain on my last TTT project and LOVED IT so much, I went ahead and used it again for the base of this chest.
- I started by unscrewing the base from the blanket box.
- I sanded the old dark finish off the wood base using my orbital sander.
- Using my FREE wood conditioner – WATER, I misted the wood to prep for stain.
- Then, using an inexpensive chip brush, I painted the Whiskey Barrel onto the damp wood.
- Then wiped it back with a lint-free cloth.
- Once the two coats were dry, I sponged on 3 coats of Gator Hide Topcoat.
FINISHING TOUCHES
For the finishing touches, I cleaned up the rust off all of the hinges and reassembled the box. Because I used the all-in-one paint, no topcoat is required. The no priming and no topcoat are a huge time saver.
THE BIG REVEAL
Here’s how this newly restyled and updated blanket box looks now…
And here’s a close-up of the smooth painted top!
The square details on the front of this piece add a ton of dimension and interest. Now that the piece is all finished my creative wheels are still turning. I’m wondering what the squares would have looked like stained the same color as the base?… too much maybe??? or maybe fabulous!?? What do you think?
Remember what the skirt on this blanket box looked like? Here’s a look at the updated Whiskey Barrel stained bottom. Gorgeous, right?!
Denise’s blanket box makeover is a great reminder that a little creativity—and the right products—can go a long way. What started as a thrift store find is now a refreshed piece ready for a new home and a new story.
Whether you’re tackling a similar storage piece or just getting started with painted furniture, her step-by-step approach makes it feel doable from start to finish. From reviving the cedar interior to combining paint and stain for added depth, there’s plenty to take away from this project.
