How to Decorate a Cedar Flower Box

Place the cedar flower box in front of you on a protected work surface. Turn it to where the broadest part of the flower box faces you. This will be the decorative face of the box.

Place a stencil of your choice over the center front of the cedar-wood flower box. Stencils come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and designs, and there should be one suitable for the embellishment you want to create -- floral, geometric, curlicues or any other type you like. Tape the edges of the stencil to the cedar box with masking tape. This keeps it in place so you can paint the design adequately and evenly.

Use a fine-bristled paintbrush and a color of acrylic paint that either blends in or contrasts with the color of your flower box, depending on the effect you want to achieve. Apply the tip of the brush to the inside of the cut-out edge of the stencil. Keep your hand steady and follow the inner edge with one stroke, or as few as you can make depending on the amount of paint your brush will hold at one time. Be careful not to move the stencil as you work.

If you want a two-toned image, just outline the image with paint in Step 3. Then dip another paintbrush into another paint color and, using dabbing motions, apply the second color to the inner part of the stenciled area. Peel away the stencil. Let the design dry for an hour.