Thrifted Makeovers: A Sunny Jewelry Drop Box and a Gilded Wooden Animal

For my little self-imposed “Dude Get On That Already” challenge, I started this week with a tiny, satisfying project. It began with a fifty-cent wooden box I picked up at Goodwill a few months ago and then promptly tucked into the playroom—out of sight until now. I took one quick photo with blue spray paint on it before changing direction.

I ended up priming it instead of keeping the blue.

Then I painted it a cheerful yellow.

I still had some leftover paint from a previous horse head bookend makeover, and the yellow felt like a tiny burst of sunshine—perfect for a small, everyday object.

I bought the box with function in mind. Every evening I collapse onto the sofa and take off my watch, earrings, and whatever jewelry I’m wearing so I can really relax, write, or watch shows. Without a designated spot, those pieces end up scattered—on a stack of books, the arm of the sofa, the ottoman—until they disappear into couch cushions or get picked up by a toddler.

Now the yellow box sits on the ottoman (and sometimes on the console table), serving as a simple jewelry drop spot. It’s not for long-term storage—I still keep a jewelry tray in the bedroom—but it’s perfect for the items I wear during the day. If I want to wear something again the next morning, I know exactly where to find it.

My other small project for this challenge happens to be animal-related, because of course it is. I found a little wooden animal at Goodwill last fall for ten cents. It was orange with brown spots originally; I gave it a coat of white primer a few months ago and then it joined the growing animal pile in the playroom until now.

For this makeover I went full-on gilded and painted it Antique Gold with craft paint. It was a cheap, quick update that transformed a thrifted find into something a little more refined and whimsical.

Both Clara and I are fans. The gilded animal now lives on the living room desk where I can admire it from the sofa. Sometimes it comes down to play, but it’s too dapper to be tossed into the toy bin overnight, so it returns to the desk when bedtime comes. I like to imagine it joins its counterparts for adventures when we’re not looking—Toy Story-style—but either way, it livens up the room.

Little, focused upgrades like these are how I’m slowly reclaiming the playroom and making the rest of the house more enjoyable. Clearing out and sprucing up small items—a jewelry drop box here, a painted animal there—adds personality and order without much time or expense. It also nudges us closer to having a fully clear room to tackle next.

These tiny projects are satisfying because they’re fast, affordable, and immediately useful. Thrifted finds and a few cans of paint can change how a corner of the house looks and feels. I could be buying pricier things, but for now, small thrifted animals and spray paint are my mini indulgence—harmless and fun.

What small upgrades have you tackled lately? Did you repaint, repurpose, or gild anything? I’d love to hear about other easy projects that refresh a space without a big commitment.