Turn An Ugly Duckling Into A Beautiful Swan

Ugly Duckling

From The Desk of Clearissa Coward’s Command Center

Turn An Ugly Duckling Into A Beautiful Swan

Do you ever look at something in your home and decide it needs just a little something? An old piece that you use and need but it has to have an update or it must go? That is what happened with this little trunk. I had to do this in-house because it was pouring rain outside while I was working on this project and this way I had the TV to keep me company as well. 🙂

Ugly Duckling

This is the rear view of a little trunk I use to store overflow health and beauty products. It is very useful and I did not want to get rid of it, but I knew it had to have an update.

Ugly Duckling

This is the front view of the trunk. Pretty old fashion huh? Go ahead you can say it, I think so too. I have two others. They were a three piece set. So I have two others to do at some point. But this one is in a prominent space and seen daily, therefore it had to be first. And besides, it is part of my master bedroom refresh.

Supply List

  • Chalk Paint (I used white for the base and gray for the print and shadowing)
  • Paint Brush
  • Stencil (s)
  • Varnish
  • Rubbing Alcohol
  • Clean rags or paper towels

Steps

  • Clean the trunk with rubbing alcohol
  • Allow to dry
  • Paint the first coat of paint and allow to dry completely
  • Paint second and third coats if need and allow to dry between coats
  • Add the stenciling on top and front allowing paint to dry completely
  • Varnish (I used two coats of varnish)

You can shop this project here. 

Ugly Duckling

I have read for quite a while that you do not need to prime when using chalk paint; however, because this was such a small piece, I decided to give it a try and paint without priming. I will say it does cover without the primer, but it I had to use three coats to actually like the finish. So I suppose it is six in one hand and half a dozen in the other. You can either prime and use two coats of paint or prime and use two coats. This is a personal decision.

In the photo above you can see the trunk is painted and I am about to add the top stencil

Ugly Duckling

I taped the stencil down with painter’s tape and used the gray chalk paint for the stencil and the shading you will see in the finished pictures. I decided to shade instead of distress. Again, a personal decision.

Ugly Duckling

Ugly Duckling

I am happy with the finished product. It’s not so old fashioned any longer. What about you? Do you have a piece or two that could use a refresh? Would you upcycle something like this in your home using chalk paint and stenciling?

The Bonus

I almost forgot, there is an extra little project that I want to add here. Since I had the paint out and everything set up, I decided to also paint my full-length mirror. Remember, it was a rainy day in the city. It is not an expensive mirror but it is another useful piece.

Ugly DucklingI almost painted it without showing you what the mirror looked like before. But if you will look at the bottom of the mirror, you can see what it was before the paint. Just a dingy oak look…right?

Ugly Duckling

 

Ugly Duckling

I hope I am showing you that you can change almost anything with paint. 🙂

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28 thoughts on “Turn An Ugly Duckling Into A Beautiful Swan

  1. Jnellie says:

    I like what you did with that. Paint really does change everything. I just painted my mirror too so it matches the “theme” of my room.

  2. fabiola says:

    Your little trunk came out so cute. I already did one similar, but mine is jewerly box, have more to go. Thanks for the inspiration and for sharing.

  3. Grammy Dee says:

    Thank you Clearissa for linking up and co-hosting at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared this post on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.

  4. Carol ("Mimi") says:

    What a great makeover! Your ugly duckling is truly a swan. I love the chalk paint and the stenciling. Thanks for sharing at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I’ve shared your post on social media.

  5. Clearissa Coward says:

    Hi Sue. Thank you. This one is much larger than a jewelry box although the pictures may not show that. It actually sits on the floor under my vanity. I am sure you would do an amazing job on your jewelry box. Give a shot and let me know how it turns out. 🙂

  6. Donna says:

    What a beautiful transformation, Clearisa.
    I enjoyed co-hosting this linkup with you…and look forward to the next one!

  7. Pam says:

    I LOVE the trunk! I’m working on some of those jars you showed us how to make. Mine aren’t as pretty as yours yet, but I’m working on them!

  8. Barbara says:

    I love small projects like this one. What a difference the paint and stencil made. I too have a mirror that I want to paint, but, I am waiting until I can do it outside.

  9. Teresa says:

    Your box turned out beautiful. I love the new look! I have worked with chalk paint on a few projects and really like it. I see more projects in my future, thank you for sharing yours with us. Pinned!

  10. Clearissa Coward says:

    Thank you Teresa. I’m happy you liked the finished product. I love chalk paint. I am going to try a recipe for making my own chalk paint. That could save a few dollars. Thanks for stopping by.

  11. Edith says:

    Hi Clearissa! That was so nicely done! The transformation is literally from dark to light. Good job! (Christian Blogger Community Linkup)

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