Paint Chip Mosaic Hide-a-Box Wall Hanging

I have a wall in my kitchen that has my thermostat smack dab in the middle of it (as well as a phone jack and a light switch).  I thought it might be kind of hard to decorate that wall.  Decorating around it was an option but I just couldn't stand the sight of it.

So I decided to hide it.

Guess where it is...

it's hiding in a box...

"hide-a-box"

cost = FREE

Supplies:

• corn dog box (or other box-with a flip top-or make one with a flip top)
• news paper
• school glue/mod podge
• paint brush
• paint
• paint chip samples

HOW TO:

1. I went to my local Home Depot and scored me some

free paint chip sample cards.
(click this link to read more about paint chip sample cards)

2. I cut them into smaller pieces (tiles) to fit onto the top of my box.  I don't like to measure.  I like to "eyeball" a lot of stuff.  You might be the measuring type of person.  If you are you might want to measure.

All in all...you want the tiles to fit on the box leaving small gaps in between each tile.

3. I cut a hole in the back of the corn dog box to fit my thermostat.

4. I covered the front of my box with one layer of newspaper using my home recipe for mod podge (school glue diluted with a little water) to get the newspaper to stick to the box. I like this technique because the paint takes to the newspaper better than the cardboard box. 

4. let the box dry.

5. paint the box black

6. let the box dry

(here you can see the layer of newspaper and black paint)

7.  glue tiles onto the top of the box alternating tile colors.  I did it randomly.

8.  paint over the tiles with a layer of school glue mod podge (to help seal the tiles down).   The water may warp your tiles and they may curl up a little.  You may have to push them down and add more glue. Nothing a little glue and pressure can't fix.

9. let dry

10.  I put one drop of black paint onto a cup of water.  It creates a wash.  Paint over the tiles.  It helps to give the tiles an aged look.  (careful this will moisten the layer of school glue mod podge - swipe/paint/ wash over evenly).

11.  let dry

12.  sand edges

13.  screw to the wall from the inside of the box.



(Here the thermostat is covered up...but...you can also see the phone jack and the light switch...

that's why this wall was such a pain.  Too much going on.  Now it's way better!)

cost = FREE

I had everything I needed...
except for the paint chips (which I got for free:)
so...it's still free:)

Happy Hide-a-Boxing.
I have plans to use this idea but in a different way...stay tuned.

mileka:)