It's been a long time since I've done a jewelry box makeover. I don't know why because I enjoy doing them so much. They are like mini furniture makeovers. This one has been in my thrift store stash for quite some time.

I had some fun with decor transfers for this upcycled vintage jewelry chest of drawers. They add an instant wow factor to painted pieces and are so easy to apply. The jewelry box still has vintage-style but in a shabby chic kind of way.

Shabby Chic Vintage Jewelry Box Makeover

The Prima Indigo Urn decor transfers have also been in my crafting stash for a few years. I'm happy to finally have found a good use for them. They are the perfect size for a jewelry box and I have a few leftovers for a future makeover.

This is what the top of the jewelry box looks like with two more pieces from the decor transfer. I considered using just one in the center but I liked this configuration better because it frames the top nicely.

I don't come across these chest of drawer-style jewelry boxes often. The taller jewelry armoires are a dime a dozen. But these 4-drawer style jewelry boxes make great trinket boxes OR craft room/sewing room/home office storage.

This is what the vintage jewelry chest looked like before the makeover, after a light sanding.

Big difference, right?

What you'll need to make it

This makeover is all about using what I had on hand. The goldenrod paint is leftover from a  mid-century modern cabinet makeover for my daughter's home. I tried to find a link to the Prima decor transfer but it may be discontinued. I've included alternatives in the supply list below.

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Supply List

• Wooden Jewelry Box (thrift store)
• Goldenrod Wise Owl Paint alternatives
• Prima Indigo Urn Decor Transfer alternatives 
• Dixie Belle Clear Coat
• Behr Decorative Brown Wax
• 150-Grit and 220-Grit Sandpaper

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Here's How I Did It

Prepping Jewelry Box

The first thing I did was clean the jewelry box with Simple Green spray. Then I lightly sanded the wood with 150-grit sandpaper to give the paint some bite. Next, I removed the drawers and gave them a good clean too.

Pro-Tip

The easiest way to clean the felt inside jewelry boxes is with baby wipes. I'm always amazed, even with the filthiest felt liners, how they come out looking almost brand new.

Painting Jewelry Box

Next, I painted the jewelry box with two coats of Goldenrod Wise Owl Chalk Synthesis Paint that I had on hand. Any chalk-style paint works wonderfully on these old jewelry boxes. I also lightly sanded between each coat with 220-grit sandpaper.

I painted right over the metal pulls as well because they can't be taken off without removing the felt inside the drawers. You can see how bright the yellow paint is at this point.

Distressing Jewelry Box

To give the painted jewelry box a time-worn look I randomly sanded along the edges with 220-grit sandpaper. Rather than forcing the distressing, I let it distress where it may with light pressure on the sandpaper. I also distressed the painted pulls and will be doing more with them later.

Decor Transfer Application

Now we're ready for the fun part, adding an instant wow factor. I'm using the Prima Indigo Urn decor transfer and it comes in a 14 x 11" sheet. After deciding which parts of the transfer I wanted to use, I cut each design separately making sure to keep the protective backing paper intact.

Once I had the placement set, I hinged the transfer on top with painter's tape as pictured above. Then I removed the protective backing paper behind the transfer and carefully set the transfer down. It is not forgiving so you need to be accurate with the placement.

With the plastic stick provided, you simply rub on top of the clear top sheet until the design underneath is transferred firmly onto the painted wood. Pictured below is the flower urn transferred on the side of the jewelry box.

Before moving on to protecting the paint and sealing the transfer, I added a little something-something to the yellow-painted drawer pulls. With a small art brush, I dry brushed (offloading excess paint onto a paper towel) thin layers of olive green acrylic craft paint and Aubusson Blue Annie Sloan Chalk Paint that I had on hand.

Protecting And Aging The Paint

Now, this is where the painted jewelry box gets some depth and an aged patina with dark wax. But instead of applying the dark wax directly onto the paint, it is easier to feather the wax with a protective coat first. Because the dark wax can stain the fresh paint, I normally apply a thin coat of clear wax first or some other clear protective finish.

On this piece, I brushed one coat of Dixie Belle Matte Clear Coat that I had on hand with a foam brush. Once it dried I used a small wax brush and applied Behr Decorative Brown Wax that I had on hand. With light pressure on the brush, I feathered the wax from the outside edges working towards the center.

You can see in the photo below how it deepens the yellow paint. I went over the entire jewelry box, including the transfers. Then I immediately wiped the excess brown wax with a lint-free rag. I went back in with just a little more brown wax along the edges.

And that's it! What I love about upcycling vintage jewelry boxes is that they make wonderful gifts. I gave this handpainted pink jewelry box to my granddaughter for Christmas.

I've done several jewelry box makeovers from floor-standing to armoire style, small trunk to treasure chest styles, from little girls to mens'. You can see them all here on my Upcycled Jewelry & Trinket Boxes page.

Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by this 4-drawer jewelry box makeover. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

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