This week I finally tackled the first project in my little self-imposed “Dude, Get On That Already” challenge. It’s a tiny, quick one — and not animal-related, which feels like a rarity around here. The star of this makeover was a fifty-cent wooden box I found at Goodwill a few months ago. I tucked it into the playroom and promptly forgot about it until now. I did take one quick before shot with blue spray paint on it, then changed my mind about the color.
I didn’t end up going gray either — that was just primer. Ultimately, I chose yellow. I had some leftover paint from a previous project (a horse head bookend makeover), and I thought a bright yellow would provide a cheerful pop of color.
Function was the main reason I bought the box. Every evening I collapse on the sofa and immediately remove my watch, earrings, and other jewelry so I can relax, write, or watch TV. Those items always end up scattered — on a stack of books, on the arm of the sofa, or lost in the cushions — until I waste time hunting for them. I figured a pretty little box would give those things a consistent home so I’d stop misplacing them and Clara wouldn’t discover them and fling them under the couch.
Now I have a cheerful jewelry drop box that lives on the ottoman or occasionally moves to the console table. It’s not for long-term storage — I still keep a jewelry tray in the bedroom — but it’s perfect for the pieces I wear during the day. If I decide to wear something again tomorrow, I know exactly where to look.
One of my other “Dude, Get On That Already” projects did involve an animal. Of course it did — when am I ever surprised by that? I found a small wooden animal figurine at Goodwill last fall for ten cents. It was orange with brown spots originally, and I thought it would be fun for Clara. A few months back I dusted it with white primer while working on another project, then it ended up in the playroom animal pile and got forgotten.
Since this mini challenge felt like an intervention from the universe to stop me from hoarding every quirky animal figurine I find, I leaned into the eccentricity and painted the little guy gold. I used two-dollar craft paint in Antique Gold from Michael’s and gave him a proper gilded makeover.
Both Clara and I love the result. He currently sits on the living room desk so I can admire him from the sofa. Sometimes he comes down to play with Clara, but when bedtime arrives he’s too refined to be tossed into her toy bin, so he goes back onto the desk. I like to imagine him joining his animal friends at night, Toy Story-style.
Whether it’s one small box or a single gilded figurine, tackling these tiny projects is helping us clear out the playroom so we can actually enjoy the space — and it edges us closer to having another empty room to renovate. It’s surprising how much of a difference a few small, thoughtful updates can make. Even a modestly upgraded desk area in the corner of the living room can feel more inviting and intentional.
What little projects have you been working on lately? Often the simplest upgrades — a fresh coat of paint, a new container for everyday items, or a quick trim of clutter — make a big impact. Sure, my animal-collecting habit hasn’t improved (now I want a gilded figurine on every surface), but it could be worse. I could be spending on cars or designer shoes. For now, thrifted animals and a can of spray paint will do the job.
Do you have a vice — spray paint, puns, or something else entirely? Did you recently repaint or repurpose something small that made a big difference? I’d love to hear what tiny projects are bringing you joy and making your home feel more like you.