Taming the Zebra. Vintage Inspired Wood Storage Boxes

Remember when teased bangs, scrunchies and side ponytails were in style?  How about acid washed jeans, shoulder pads, fanny packs and stirrup pants?  Yup, there are quiet a few fashion trends that I rocked in my adolescent years that I would love to forget.  You know what else I would like to forget?  The phase where I thought it was cool to decorate my home in zebra print.  What was I thinking?


Enter exhibit A, two wood zebra boxes.

For years they sat on our brick fireplace hearth collecting dust.  I actually forgot about them until I started working on the basement and clearing the space for the new floor.   I loved the overall shape and style of the boxes, but that horrible shinny zebra print had to go.  I have nothing against zebras, but they belong in the wild, not in my home.

This was a super easy makeover that took all of 10 minutes to complete.

I started by removing the hardware on the lower portion of the box.  I was then able to easily peel off the adhesive zebra applique.

I knew I wanted to paint the box a darker color, but didn't necessarily want it solid black.  I opted to blend black and brown paint together for a more dimensional look.

I first painted the box brown then while the paint was still wet I blended in a bit of black paint.

The paint ended up drying much darker than what I had anticipated, but you can still see a blend of the two colors.  It almost reminds me of aged leather.  So much better than the zebra.  

They'll be going back downstairs on the brick hearth, but for now they have a new home in our entryway.

Updating what you currently own into something completely different is a great way to change out decor without spending money.   I could have went out and bought new boxes, but these guys had so much potential and it would have been wrong not to give them a new look. 

Goodbye zebra, hello beautiful boxes! 

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