Welcome back to my blog! I’m so excited to share the details of this furniture transformation process. We went from a worn, second hand blanket box into a stunning Aged Blue Blanket Box that can serve as both a functional and decorative piece in your home. This project incorporates various techniques including painting, stencilling, and using wax, resulting in a unique and visually appealing piece of furniture. So, grab your supplies and let’s get started!
Step 1: Preparation & Base Coats
Before diving into any painting or decorating, the first and most crucial step for any upcycling project is cleaning the piece thoroughly. I started by taking a good look at the blanket box and noticed it was covered in dust, dirt, and old residue, which could spoil the smooth finish we were aiming for. To tackle this, I grabbed some sugar soap—a fantastic cleaning agent known for its ability to cut through grease and grime.
With a clean, dry surface, I moved on to applying the base coat. Selecting the right colour is crucial, and I chose Nuit Parisienne by Magic Paint for its deep, rich hue. I started applying the base coat to the sides of the blanket box but left the top panel and back panel untouched at this stage. I knew I had something special planned for those sections later!
To start creating that coveted aged effect, I introduced Posh Chalk Crackling Gel. This special gel is formulated to create a delightful crackle finish when layers of paint are applied over it. Using my Posh Chalk Small Smooth & Blend Brush, I carefully took a generous amount of the gel and applied it evenly across all sides of the blanket box.
It’s important to distribute the gel evenly—this helps in achieving a perfect crackle effect, which is essential for the antique look we desire. After this step, I let the gel dry naturally. During this time, I prepared for the next stage, excited to see how the crackling would take shape once I started layering more colours on top.
Step 2: Colour Blending & Stencilling
Once the crackling gel was completely dry, I mixed Sunset Blue and Sugar Paper, two shades from Magic Paint, to begin the aging process. I wanted to create a moody coastal vibe, so I applied the darker shade around the edges and the lighter, softer shade at the center of each panel. I used a Posh Chalk Mouldings Brush for the darker Sunset Blue, carefully painting along the edges.
After applying the darker colour, I took the lighter Sugar Paper and blended it gently towards the center. I intentionally left some areas unblended. I also layered some extra Sunset Blue paint in random places to contribute to the imperfect character I wanted for the piece.
What I found truly magical was the way the dark base coat emerged through the cracks in the paint as layers dried. To expedite the drying process and accentuate these cracks, I pulled out my heat gun. The crackle effect was coming to life beautifully, with the stunning interplay of colours forming a unique pattern across the surface.
Stencilling was where I could truly personalise the blanket box. For this project, I chose the Posh Chalk Evergreen Premium Stencil and the Posh Chalk Chalk Paste. Placing the stencil on the front panel, I adhered it to ensure it didn’t shift while I worked.
I decanted some Chalk Paste into a small pot and added a blend of Arctic White and Royal Indigo Colour Kicks to create a custom light greyish-blue that felt harmonious with the rest of the box’s colours. After mixing the paste thoroughly, I used a Posh Chalk Premium Finishing Trowel to apply an even layer over the stencil.
This step was incredibly satisfying; as I lifted the stencil, the vibrant design peeked through, looking perfectly at home with my aged effect. But I wasn’t quite done yet. I wanted to fill in the remaining space on the panel, and thanks to the repeatability of the Posh Chalk stencils, it was a breeze to do so.
While stencilling, I noticed a couple of instances of bleeding—no big deal! I simply grabbed a small brush and touched up these spots. Moreover, I added small accents of Sugar Paper around select parts of the design to create visual depth and interest. The contrast of the lighter and darker shades added sophistication and a subtle shaded effect to the overall look.
Step 3: WoodUbend Mouldings & Detailing
At this stage, I wanted to enhance the decorative appeal even further, so I decided to employ some WoodUbend Mouldings to cover a heart-shaped hole I found in the top left corner. The moulding, particularly WUB6013, would add flair while resolving the design issue.
First, I painted the moulding in Sunset Blue using a Posh Chalk Mouldings Brush and allowed it to dry. To both dry the paint I had just applied and make the moulding malleable for application, I heated it with the heat gun. Once it was thoroughly warmed, I coated the back with WoodUglue and pressed it firmly over the heart shape.
To maintain some symmetry in the piece, I decided to place another WUB6013 moulding on the opposite side of the front panel. This attention to detail would make the final look far more polished and appealing.
Next, I wanted to incorporate some metallic touches to elevate the blanket box’s elegance. I brought out the Posh Chalk Bronze Alloy Pigment and decanted a small portion onto an old WoodUbend board. I then mixed it with Posh Chalk Pigment Infusor until I achieved my desired consistency, stirring carefully with a small paintbrush.
I then dry brushed this bronze mixture over the freshly adhered mouldings, allowing it to accentuate their detail and texture. I also added touches of bronze along the groove at the bottom of the front panel, giving the piece even more character and richness.
To deepen the aged effect I aimed to create, I decided to use Posh Chalk Patina Extending Wax. Upon starting the application, I realised this was the perfect opportunity to add a blue hue to the wax and further tie in all the colours of the project.
I decanted some of the Patina Extending Wax into a small container and stirred in some Posh Chalk Royal Indigo Colour Kick, mixing it until I arrived at a rich blue wax that felt cohesive with the rest of the blanket box. I carefully applied this wax across the entire front and side panels, focusing on areas around the mouldings and the box’s corners.
After applying the wax, I used a wet wipe to remove any excess, especially from the center of each panel, refining the shading and enhancing the aged look I was looking for. I then took it a step further by using high-grit sanding pads on the legs, exposing some layers of colour beneath the blue paint particularly at the corners for a naturally worn look.
Step 4: Creating A Faux Marble Tabletop
With the front done, it was time to shift my focus to the top panel of the blanket box, where I wanted to create a faux marble effect. First I painted the back panel in Sunset Blue so the piece would look complete when finished.
Next, I decided to use Pepper Blue by Magic Paint as the base for the top panel to create a smooth foundation for the marble finish. I applied it evenly and allowed it to dry.
The fun really began when preparing the Athenian Plaster. I decanted some into two different pots: one for mixing with the Arctic White Colour Kick and the other with the Royal Indigo Colour Kick. After I mixed both pots thoroughly, the contrasting colours were ready for application.
Using a sea sponge, I began applying the Arctic White Athenian Plaster, dabbing gently to build a raised texture across the top panel. The unique surface created by the sponge gave it an authentic look. After covering the entire surface, I did the same with the Royal Indigo mixture, ensuring to blend it gently while maintaining that wonderful texture.
Once both colors were applied, it was time to flatten the mixtures. Using my Posh Chalk Premium Finishing Trowel, I carefully smoothed the surface diagonally across the panel, giving it that signature marble-like appearance. The transformative texture and depth were incredibly satisfying to behold.
Finally, I used progressively higher grits of sandpaper to burnish the top, yielding a glossy, mirror-like finish that truly highlighted the marble effect and completed the look beautifully.
Conclusion
After countless hours of preparation, painting, stenciling, and detailing, I was beyond thrilled with the result: an outstanding Aged Blue Blanket Box that I couldn’t wait to show off! This project not only brought a modern aesthetic to an old piece of furniture but also showcased the power of upcycling.
I hope this detailed guide inspires you to tackle your own DIY projects! Whether you’re working on a similar piece or something entirely different, remember that every upcycle is a chance to express your creativity.
Products Used:
- WUB6013
- Posh Chalk Athenian Plaster
- Posh Chalk Patina Extending Wax
- Posh Chalk Chalk Paste
- Posh Chalk Evergreen Premium Stencil
- Posh Chalk Royal Indigo Colour Kicks
- Posh Chalk Arctic White Colour Kicks
- Posh Chalk Bronze Alloy Metallic Pigment
- Posh Chalk Pigment Infusor
- Posh Chalk Premium Finishing Trowel
- Posh Chalk Mouldings Brush
- Posh Chalk Small Smooth & Blend Brush
- Posh Chalk Crackling Gel
- Nuit Parisienne, Sunset Blue and Sugar Paper by Magic Paint
If you’d like to see the creative transformation project in video format, it will be live on our YouTube Channel Wednesday 18th of September at 9pm BST.
P.S If my blogs do inspire you, and you get round to trying some of these techniques and products, I would love to see them in the Creations community we have. There are over 25,000 members who post daily. You’ll also find lots of creators in there who have posted some wonderful projects. It’s an inspiring group with lots going on. You can join here, and best of all it’s free!
You can find all these products, except for Magic Paint, on our website https://woodubend.com/shop/
To watch the whole crafting process above, click on the links below:
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