keeping it simple.

Published on by Quandie

Welcome to day 3 of toolbox week!

Today I’m keeping it simple.

This toolbox started out black …

and I’m keeping it black.

Full disclosure, I did prep this one along with all of the others before I’d really even thought about what color I would paint it.  So in the ‘before’ pic above it has a coat of Dixie Belle’s clear Bonding Boss on it (thus the filmy look).

Had I planned ahead I could have skipped that step on this one.  It didn’t have much rust and painting black over the original black would really only have required one coat of Dixie Belle’s Midnight Sky.  And actually, I think I could have even skipped painting it on the outside completely and just worked with that original distressed black finish.  However, either way, I would have wanted to paint the inside to clean it up.

But that’s water under the bridge.  Since I had already given it a coat of Bonding Boss, I went over that on the outside with just one coat of Midnight Sky.

Then, after giving it some thought, I decided to use Dixie Belle’s Silk Paint in Anchor on the inside.

Now, you’re probably wondering why I would specifically choose the chalk mineral paint for the outside and the Silk All-In-One mineral paint (an acrylic paint) on the inside.  So, let me explain.

In my experience, the chalk mineral paint distresses better than the acrylic (a.k.a. Silk) paint, and I definitely wanted to distress the outside.  I also find that the chalk style paint adheres to metal better than the acrylic version.  Although since I started with Bonding Boss, which improves adhesion hence the “bonding” part, that was probably a moot point.

On the other hand, the Silk paint doesn’t require a topcoat and can still be wiped clean with a damp rag once cured.  So it’s great for the inside of toolboxes to create a durable finish with the least amount of effort.

Here’s the inside with one coat of Anchor.

The outside has one coat of Midnight Sky.

Once dry, I added those gorgeous florals from the I.O.D. Saint Germain transfer.

They are just so gloriously shabby, don’t you agree?

And they are perfect over black.

As a final touch, I added a gold ‘label’ from the I.O.D Étiquettes gilded transfer to the top.

I added a coat of Dixie Belle’s clear wax to protect the chalk mineral paint and the transfers.

Easy peasy.

As with all of this week’s toolboxes, this one will be available at my upcoming occasional sale unless someone snatches it up ahead of time by checking out my ‘available for local sale‘ page.

10 thoughts on “keeping it simple.”

  2. You did it again! I don’t quite know why I love the “toolboxes” so much! Maybe because they start out so rustic and end up so awesome! You have a talent for them! You inspire me every time you do one! Love the black! Love the florals! Love the guilded touch!

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  3. Good morning from Canada, I am an avid follower of you for sometime.   You have encouraged me to try my hand at upcycling toolboxes.Quick question.I note that you use Dixie Bell chalk mineral paint.  “Before” you add your transfers, do you add a sealer first or do they adhere well without?You are such an inspiration.   Love your work!Thanks.Sincerely KarenSent from my Galaxy

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    1. Hello to Canada, and thank you for your comment! I do not add a sealer before applying a transfer over the chalk mineral paint. I believe it is recommended, but I’ve almost never had an issue. The only times I’ve had trouble getting a transfer to adhere is when it’s an old one that is slightly dried out, and of course they also absolutely will not adhere over a waxed finish (so never wax first and then try to add a transfer).

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  4. You cannot miss with that Saint Germain transfer, it’s my favorite! I am still in awe of your talent for perfect placement of the transfers. I struggle with that and have used your exact placement on some of my own, so thanks for the inspiration!

    Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

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    1. I do love that transfer. However, I have to mention that I only love some of it. There are some sections that I’ve never used and possibly never will. I wish I could get just the pages I like! It feels so wasteful to have these other pages that never get used. But … oh well … you can’t have everything, right?

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  5. LOVE the black toolboxes best and that transfer IS glorious on black. Like the previous commenters, you amaze me with placement and choices, and I make plans to copy “this one” before the next one comes, because every time, they elicit more WOW!! Simply gorgeous!

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