Sassy stackable storage boxes

Hands-on time: Half an hour per box.
Total time: Add drying time for the paint and varnish.
Skill level: Easy.
Cost estimate: Less than $25 to make a set of three boxes

Materials and Tools

• Unpainted round chipboard boxes with lids (in three different sizes)
• Sandpaper and tack cloth
• Acrylic paints (I used silver for the lids, aqua mist, turquoise teal and sage green for the boxes)
• Paint tray
• Flat paintbrush
• Matt varnish, brush-on or spray format
• Super Colour Silver permanent marker by Pilot
• Scissors
• Ruler, measuring tape and pencil
• White ribbon
• Double-faced tape or glue gun
• Decorative trimming of your choice (sequins by the yard, beads, buttons, etc.), optional*

Getting organized seems to be one of the rituals that come with the start of a new year. Storage containers are an essential part of modern households. Round chipboard boxes can be painted in fresh colours and customized with silver pinstripes, dashes and dots.

These pretty boxes are functional for storing holiday decorations, ribbons, paper remnants, specialty craft tools, pictures and assorted mementos.

The stylish boxes have a dual purpose - they can be stacked and gracefully displayed throughout the home, on top of a hutch, in a laundry-sewing room, on a desk in a home office, on a bookshelf or to add a feminine touch to a chic bedroom.

Lightly sand the boxes and lids to remove dirt and debris, and wipe with a tack cloth.

Use a flat brush to paint all the boxes and lids with acrylic paints in your choice of colours. I painted all the lids silver and the boxes as follows: the large box in sage; the medium box teal; and the small box light aqua. The boxes and lids will dry in less than an hour. Apply a light coat of matte varnish to the boxes and the lids and let them dry for at least two hours, depending on the type of varnish used.

Measure the exterior border around each lid. Cut a white-ribbon and sequin trim for each lid size. (I used remnants left over from holiday decorations.)

Centre and glue a ribbon stripe around each lid border using a glue gun or double-faced tape strips, patting it down as you go around the lid. Position, centre and glue a sequin trim over each ribbon. Use a different trim colour for each lid size; try to match it with the base colour of each box.

For an elegant and simple design finish, I used a silver permanent marker to apply vertical pinstripes, dashes and dots all around the exterior of each box. Evenly shaped lines (measured or eyeballed) of silver dots were applied around the small box, dash lines around the medium-size box and a combination of dashes and dots were added to the large box.

Horizontal lines or a plaid pattern can be applied if preferred. The silver marker dries within minutes.

Fill and stack the box set and display on your favourite bookshelf. For a sassy chic interest, ornament the boxes with wide ribbons, feathers and jewel accents.

Variations

• Chipboard boxes are available in other shapes, such as oval and square. These wooden boxes can be stained, glazed, colour washed, stencilled and faux-finished in numerous ways, depending on the look you want.
• If you prefer, they can easily be covered with fabric and paper remnants or decoupage accents.
• Boxes can be detailed with other materials such as fringe trim, assorted beads, buttons, tassels and foil shapes in various colours, sizes and shapes.
• The silver permanent marker can be used to inscribe text or numbers on to the boxes such as words, people's names and monograms, or to identify the items in the boxes. Available in assorted colours, they can be used to apply different design styles from fancy swirls to basic geometric shapes.
• In bright colours, stackable boxes make a wonderful addition to a child's bedroom, to store smaller toys and parts.
• For a fusion look, paint the boxes red or black and stencil on Oriental prosperity symbols. For a modern decor, use vibrant colours such as orange, apple green and bright turquoise.
• For a sophisticated minimalist look, paint all the boxes in the same colour, such as brown, black or a light aqua and give them a slight leather finish and textured appearance.
• An eclectic look can be achieved by using a wood-burner to make various designs.
• Finally, for a contemporary look, paint all the boxes silver and finish with several coats of high-gloss varnish.