My DIY stenciled storage boxes

A few weeks back I shared 10 stylish DIY storage boxes, which got me thinking that simple storage looks the best. And what could be simpler than plain cardboard?

Yup, a nice cardboard box with the top flaps cut off looks minimal and and kind of hip if you don't ponder it too much.

Then Amy Anderson, the queen of Mod Podge, asked me to try out Plaid's new Mod Podge stencils. They are meant to be used with Mod Podge and glitter. There is no more useless element in the universe than glitter, so I opted to use my stencil with paint. What to stencil? How about those dumb cardboard boxes?

I picked this cool faux bois stencil designed by Amy. I framed it with blue tape to avoid getting paint around the edges. And I used a blue tape "level" to keep my lines straight.

The stencil came with a spouncer, which is just fun to say. Any small sponge would do for applying paint to the stencil.

I used acrylic paint, which I kept on the dry side. I allowed each section to dry a few minutes before moving the stencil and painting again. After a few sections, I rinsed the stencil to keep paint from building up on it.

This project was cheap and easy to do. The stencil has an adhesive that helps it stick to a hard surface. 

On the down side, it took forever. I cleaned my entire pantry in between drying sessions with the stencil. And this was one box. I need three more pantries to clean. 

Then I ran out of paint before doing my next three boxes.

I recommend:

• smaller boxes
• more paint 

However, it certainly elevated my cardboard to true hipster status.

Here is more info about the stencils from Plaid. I was provided the stencil and spouncer for free. All opinions are my own. 

Have you started organizing your closets this spring? 

10 stylish DIY storage boxes

If you're feeling the need to tidy up for the new year, here are 10 stylish DIY storage boxes. To qualify for this list, they had to be easy to make, cheap to make and/or aesthetically fabulous.

There is no point in time-consuming DIY storage when there is IKEA in the world.

Above, no-sew felt storage boxes from Design and Form. Easy, stylish, cheap.

Abstract art paper boxes from Design Sponge. Easy and cheap for items that aren't too heavy since it's made from craft paper.

DIY storage boxes with a button closure from Skona Hem. Not easy but sure good looking.

Here's a storage idea from Jebiga Design Magazine. Not super practical for most of us, but if you have boxes you can't put out of sight, make them into artwork.

My own storage boxes, made from discarded blueprints. I made these four years ago and still use them. Practically free and not too hard.

On the left, inspiration from Scandinavian Deko. Sometimes plain old cardboard looks pretty good, especially with a nice consistent label (you could also try a bright washi tape.) On the right, cover round boxes with images of texture for a nature inspired look from  Craft and Creativity.

Fabric covered cardboard boxes turned into storage totes with the addition of thrift-store belts from Brit & Co.

My own faux ikat covered storage boxes. I've had these over four years and still use them.

DIY IKEA box makeover from Whimsy Darling. Plain white boxes are made artful with black paint.

A bit more of a storage folder than a storage box, but too cool to pass up, a DIY box from from Design and Form.

Do you buy or DIY your storage?

My DIY closet makeover

Here are few closet cleaning tips that worked for me. And photographic evidence that it looked good for even a minute.

As mentioned earlier, my goal this year was to get real with my closet - in other words to think about what I really tend to wear.

Belts are one thing I have a lot of. But I hardly ever wear a belt. So I threw out belts by the handful. Above are the freshly organized survivors.

Clothes are no longer crammed like the 2 train at rush hour. I came to the conclusion that I rarely wear red, purple, lavender, or pink. So I got rid of that whole end of the rainbow, except for a couple of items in coral and yellow.

This has done miracles for me. If everything you've got is either blue or green or a neutral - then everything goes with everything. Close your eyes and grab any top and any bottom and they will be pretty much fine together.

Jackets have been cut back to four and probably could be further reduced to one or two. Shirts and blouses are also blue, green or neutral.

Then there are the shoes and jewelry. Two purges and still out of control. It's OK. I'm auditioning for The Coveteur.

Spring cleaning - getting real with your closet

Have you started spring cleaning yet? Here are some tips and inspiration to get you started or keep you going.

First I'd advise a spring cleaning mantra. My friend Katie's mantra for 2013 was "space not stuff." Mine has been "get real."

'Get real' means to sit down and make a list of what you really never wear.

I did this and came up with the following:

• wrap skirts
• short fat furs

Since I don't own any this was not helping.

So I tried a list of "things I tend not to wear."

I tend not to wear:

• red, pink, lavender or purple
• pants
• non-neutral shoes
• jackets

I'm not sure how far this will get me in eliminating half my closet.

How about you? Are there broad categories you know you really don't wear?

Closets via The Coveteur and Domaine.

My DIY jewelry display board

Those of you who have been with me for awhile may recall my grandmother's enormous pin collection.

About a million years ago I also made a Breton stripe memo board from dollar store supplies.

Then about a thousand years later, I saw Jenny Komenda's modern art made from her grandmother's vintage buttons.

I kind of put it all together and arranged my grandmother's pins by color on my striped board.

Now I can look at and enjoy the pins every day (and easily pick one out to wear), which is a lot nice than having them sit in a box.

I also toyed with the idea of coral as ring display but kept giving myself scratches.

Have you found a neat way to display or use an heirloom?