Tuesday 26 January 2016

Card index box makeover

I love this vintage card index box.  It came from an old office which was being modernised and it was no longer required.


Unfortunately I forgot to take a "before" photograph, I was so keen to transform!  But it was just an ordinary box - not even good wood.


I gave it an undercoat of a deep, rich red.  I also used this colour on the inside of the box and the drawers.



I then painted over, very lightly, with a lovely deep blue paint, then wiped some it off so that the red would show through.


It was finished off with a coat of satin varnish.


The original alphabetical index card were still with the box.  Not sure what to do with these.


Love the little drawer pulls.  As I thought I would use it for stationery, I printed out some labels and aged the paper using a tea bag.


Talking about tea ......

Love, Liz

22 comments:

Lynne said...

Sweet . . .
Fits in perfectly
In
Your
Tea
Time
World.

Terra said...

Sweet transformation.

Julie said...

Beautiful. I. Have a tall one hat has 14 drawers in from an old newsagents, it housed cards apparently and now stores my crafting supplies.

mamasmercantile said...

I love it, the paint effect is stunning.

Connie said...

That is so nice. I love that you've left the original label holders. Beautifully done.

Janet said...

Lovely transformation. The labels look antique - a great effect you have achieved.

Unknown said...

Lovely and useful and I like the way you have painted and distressed it. xx

Kezzie said...

It looks fabulous Liz!x

Jacqui Wise said...

Love the makeover. Pretty paint effect & great drawer labels.

Amy at love made my home said...

A great transformation! xx

Mac n' Janet said...

Looks fantastic, like the undertone of red.

Linda P said...

These vintage card index boxes are trendy now as I learnt on the Antiques Road Trip tv programme. A great find and just the right size and it will be very useful. Love the colour combination makeover.

Jo@awholeplotoflove said...

It's very sweet, I have an old cardbourdy type suitcase I might treat in the same way x

The Vintage Knitter said...

What a great bit of up-cycling and those labels really add to it :-)

Jo said...

It's fabulous, great make over.

Vintage Jane said...

That looks great! M x

flowers on my table said...

Great job Liz. I especially love your tea-stained labels.xx

Aida said...

Hi Liz. You did a good on that drawer, the colour comes out really well. It's kind of rustic blue? It could even look like vintage.
Thank you for sharing. Wishing you a wonder week.

Blessings,
Aida

Katie Mansfield said...

So cute. I just love rescuing old office stuff. I really wish I'd snagged an old card catalog from my school.
Have a fantastic week!

kjsutcliffe said...

Loving the box make-over but ooooh really loving the gorgeously spotty cup and saucer!

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

It looks fab! I have one too, although the drawers are v awkward size and I can't work out what else I can use it for.

Vesna Armstrong said...

What a lovely vintage card index box and make over! Great post, Liz! x