the first aid chest.

Published on by Quandie

I know I said I would share the completed potting shed project with you guys today, but I’ve been a bit under the weather this week.  No worries, it’s just a cold, but rather than try to push through and do a half-assed job of sharing the final reveal I decided to put that off until next week.  So I’m sorry, but you’ll have to stay tuned for that once again.

In the meantime, I had one last small makeover project to complete my furnishings for the shed so I thought I’d quickly share that today.

My friend/picker Sue found this little plywood chest somewhere.  She initially purchased it for herself and was going to put it on her front porch, but she ultimately found a piece better suited for that spot so she passed this one on to me.

I wasn’t planning on keeping it, it was in the pile of things to makeover and sell.  But as I was completing my work on the potting shed, I decided I needed something next to the wicker chair.  As it turned out, this chest was the perfect size for that spot.

So the next task was to decide what sort of look I wanted for it.  I didn’t want it to compete with the potting bench, and thus, I didn’t want it to be too busy.  So no florals.  I also didn’t want it to match the floor, so I decided no grain sack stripes in the Dried Sage color from the floor.  It will sit next to the green wicker chair, and I didn’t want to match that either, so no green.  After studying the space, I decided that I wanted it to be plain white (ie. Dixie Belle Drop Cloth), but I also wanted to pull in a little of the red from the florals on the bench and the chair seat.  So I went with the ol’ first aide cross in Dixie Belle’s Honky Tonk Red.

After painting the chest with two coats of Drop Cloth, I taped off the cross and gave it two coats of Honky Tonk.

I then added some scraps of wording left over from an old Seeds transfer to the top, and the small ‘1871.’ to the bottom front to give it just a little more detail.

I sealed the piece with a few coats of Dixie Belle’s flat clear coat to protect it.  The spot where it sits is below a window with a screen only, so it will be somewhat exposed to some weather.

Had I been making this chest over to sell, I would have done something with the inside too.  However, I never go the extra mile for my own pieces (are any of you like that?).  I’m just planning to store extra potting soil inside, so no need to get all fancy.

This was really a super quick and easy makeover, accomplished in an afternoon (and despite not feeling well) and I’m quite happy with how it turned out.

It’s a perfect fit for the spot next to the chair, and I think it adds just the right touch.

 

What do you think?

34 thoughts on “the first aid chest.”

  1. This looks great. Just the right amount of color. How do you tape off the cross? Just eyeball it or do you measure etc? Eagerly awaiting the reveal of the shed😃

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  2. Just perfect-the right size, shape and amount of color for the spot. And it was great to get a sneak peak into one corner of the potting shed!
    Take a nap and have a cup of a healing tea. Hope you are feeling better real soon.

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    1. I sort of eyeball the size I want, and then I measure to the center of the chest and then measure out from there, one horizontal rectangle, one vertical rectangle. I tape off those rectangles, and then go in and use a razor blade to cut the tape and remove it from the center. Not sure that makes any sense at all. Check out this post where I gave a little more detail on that.

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  7. That corner of your potting shed looks delightful and the red cross chest looks perfect there! And I love the rake & shovel above the window! Take care of yourself and indulge in some pampering!

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  10. Linda, sorry you are not feeling well! But my goodness you did a fabulous jobs “not feeling “.
    I love it! It has inspired me to a cheese box remake! I never finish the insides and some times not the bottoms or backs! 🫢 get to feeling better ❤️
    Smiles, alice

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  12. Well I love it Miss Quandie! I didn’t realize it was so big till I saw it in its spot! Even better 😁 I like the simplicity of the chest and, even though I’m not big into red, it’s a classic……..I read once that a little touch of red in a room will enliven it and I’ve found that to be true! For example, in my living room I put ONE red thing, a lampshade, and it works! It’ll be fun to see your entire reveal and I’m hoping you feel back to your old self soon 🤢 (Lol……can you tell I just discovered how to add emojis to non-email typing?)

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    1. I’m with you totally on the red thing. Although I once actually had red walls, after moving on from my red phase I’ve pretty much eliminated it from my home (with the exception of Christmas décor). But I really think this little touch of red works in the potting shed. I think there is something to be said about adding a little touch of red to every room. And I need to learn that emoji thing! I still don’t know how to do it.

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  13. Love it! Perfect addition to your space. I’ve never considered a bin to store my potting soil in what a terrific idea. I’ll be adding that to my want list.
    Do hope you will feel better soon. 🥰

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  15. Turned out great! I’m a nurse, maybe that’s why I’m always drawn to the red cross. You inspire me to repurpose a toolbox in this same way 🙂

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  16. I absolutely love everything you do. It’s so much of my style and it makes me happy. Thanks for always sharing your creativity and inspiration.

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      1. I certainly do! I did it years ago before I knew there were stencils. Great reminder – I need to purchase one 🙂

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