Category: toolboxes.

I thought it would be fun to start the new year with a toolbox makeover!

If you’ve been following me for a while, then you know that I sometimes struggle with the decision to paint (or not paint) something.

Such was the case with today’s project, this toolbox that I picked up at a garage sale in September.

After all, it’s pretty much already the color of my favorite neutral white, Dixie Belle’s Drop Cloth.  It also has some good authentic distressing.

However, it was quite grungy, and there was some sort of sticky stuff on the top.  In addition, whoever painted it last time got a little overspray on the leather handle.

The handle also had come apart a bit at the ends, I’m going to call those ends a ‘hanging chad’ 😉

I ended up deciding that it wouldn’t hurt to try cleaning it up to see where that got me.

So, I gave it a good scrub with some TSP substitute and a Magic Eraser, then I gave it an all over sanding with some 220 grit sandpaper to knock off any loose bits.  I then rinsed it with clean water.

Next up I simply snipped off the hanging chads on the handle, and then gave the leather one coat of Dixie Belle’s Coffee Bean.  I sealed the Coffee Bean with some of DB’s clear wax.  That gave the handle a much tidier look, without making it look too ‘new’.

Then I took a step back and re-evaluated.

Not bad.  And since I knew I was going to be adding a lot of floral transfers to it, I felt like it didn’t need a new paint job.

Well … on the outside that is.  The inside definitely needed a new paint job!

So after a good cleaning on the inside, I gave it two coats of Dixie Belle’s Holy Guacamole, followed by their flat clear coat.

In this case, I didn’t bother with using Bonding Boss before the paint for two reasons.  First, there was no rust to worry about.  Second, it already had a coat of paint that had some sort of texture to it and I knew my Dixie Belle chalk mineral style paint would adhere quite well to it without needing that extra step of Bonding Boss.

Next I added a quick transfer to the inside lid.

This one is from the I.O.D. Brocante transfer set.  Once applied, I went over it with another coat of clear flat sealer.

Back to the outside, I first applied florals from the I.O.D. Floral Anthology transfer.

The bee is also from the I.O.D. Brocante transfer.

Next I added some wording from their Label Ephemera transfer to the top of the toolbox.

You may remember that I’ve been complaining that this particular transfer, which has always been a favorite of mine, is retired, and has been getting more and more difficult to find.  I even found one on Etsy selling for $80!  As if.

But then one of my readers reached out to tell me that she found someone on eBay who had two of them left, and would likely accept an offer of $35 each (thanks again for that Melissa).  I made the offer, and it was accepted.  But as she was getting ready to ship them to me, the seller realized that she only had one after all.  One is better than none though, so I still bought it.

Then I ended up stopping by a brick and mortar shop near me (Liza Jane Designs in Afton, MN), and she mentioned that she had a secret stash of Label Ephemera that she’d been saving for herself, but she’d be willing to part with a couple of them.

So when it rains, it pours!

And now I have a stash of three brand new Label Ephemera transfer sets.  Yee haw!

I also added that same segment of the Brocante transfer that I used inside the lid to the top of the lid.  Unfortunately, as I was attempting to place it in exactly the right spot, I got too close to the surface and wham!  it was stuck.  So, it’s not perfectly centered where I wanted it.  But it will do.

You probably didn’t even notice the tiny little detail of a number ’46’ at the bottom of that transfer (you can see it on the version inside the lid), but it didn’t fit in the position it ended up in on the top of the lid so I cut it off and added it to the latch.

Once I had all of the transfers in place, I went over the exterior of the toolbox with some of Dixie Belle’s clear wax to seal them.

With that, it was done.

Personally I’m glad that I went with a clean up job on the exterior rather than painting over that original patina.  Well, semi-original patina.  Obviously this toolbox had been spray painted sometime in the past so this wasn’t its original look.  But, I think there is an authentically aged feel to my final look.

What do you think?  Leave a comment and let me know.

This toolbox is for sale locally.  Check out my ‘available for local sale‘ page for more details.

Today’s toolbox makeover is really mostly a repeat of a couple I’ve done in the past.  And in fact, it’s such a simple formula, it kinda feels like I’m cheating.

I really debated even sharing it here on the blog, but I didn’t have anything else to share this week so I decided to just go for it.

Here is the ‘before’, a basic grey toolbox.

I gave it my usual prep.  Washing with Dawn dish soap and the garden hose, a light scuff sanding, and then a coat of Dixie Belle’s Bonding Boss to prevent stains from bleeding through my paint and to improve paint adhesion.

Next up I painted the interior in Dixie Belle’s Cottage Door.

I just love this color.  I’m much more drawn to the warmer short of coral/pink shades rather than the cooler pinks these days.

I added a simple Classic Vintage Label transfer from re.design with prima inside the lid.

I painted the outside in DB’s Drop Cloth.  Once dry, I sanded lightly to distress the edges and after wiping away any dust I applied 1/4 of I.O.D.’s Elysium transfer.

This transfer comes on 4 sheets (as you can see above) and costs around $30.  So I’m spending $7.50 for the portion used on this project, which isn’t too bad.

One thing to note about this transfer is that there is some newsprint writing in the background.  See it there on the left?  Just be sure you are getting that right side up on your project.

To keep the application process simple for myself, I cut the section to fit below the bump out on the toolbox and applied that first.  The I trimmed off the section that would fit to the right of the latch and added it next.  Finally, I added the section to the left of the latch.

If you look closely, you can see where I didn’t get those two top halves to meet perfectly in the middle below the latch.  I don’t think anyone is going to notice that flaw unless I point it out though.

As you can also see, I added a small crown from one of the knob transfers from re.design with prima to the latch.

Although some of the florals from the Elysium transfer did wrap up and over the top of the toolbox, I felt like it needed just a bit more.  So I added some old Tim Holtz numbers in one corner …

and a tiny bit of the I.O.D. Label Ephemera transfer to the other corner.

I think those two simple additions really helped balance out the top of the toolbox.

After finishing everything off with a coat of clear wax, that was it.  Couldn’t have been simpler.

If any of you locals are in need of a pretty floral toolbox, this one is for sale.  Check out my ‘available for local sale‘ page for more details.

It’s time for another toolbox makeover.

This time it’s one that I purchased at an occasional sale, and to be honest I paid more for it than I normally would.  Mainly because I thought it had a ton of potential.

After my usual prep of cleaning, scuff sanding and coating with Dixie Belle’s Bonding Boss inside and out (to prevent rust bleed thru, and improve adhesion), I painted the interior of this one in DB’s Guacamole.

Next up I painted the outside in my usual Drop Cloth.

I did think about switching it up a bit, but in the end I felt like the transfer that I was planning to use would look great over that warm white.

I especially wanted to make sure that the “Northern Grown Seeds” wording would pop.

That bit of transfer is from the Seed Catalogue transfer from I.O.D.  I thought it was rather apropos for me since it says “St. Paul, Minn” on it.

That’s kind of fun, isn’t it (because I live in a suburb of St. Paul, in case you didn’t know).

That smaller Seed Catalogue transfer looked just a bit lonely on this larger toolbox, so I pulled out the I.O.D. Collage de Fleurs transfers.  There are several large roses in that set with the right shade of deep red.

I also added some of the ivy from that set.

Next I applied some knob transfers from re.design with prima to the latches.

The florals on this toolbox definitely have a bolder look than those I normally choose.

But they totally work, especially since I left the original red paint on the handle.

There’s just something about that kinda wonky looking handle, and the rather off-kilter latches, that really gives this toolbox a handmade feel.

I think it’s absolutely charming now, what do you think?  Leave a comment and let me know.

This toolbox is for sale, check out my ‘available for local sale‘ page for more details.

P.S.  I’ve staged my photos for this post in front of a row of gorgeous Quick Fire Fab hydrangeas.  That’s foreshadowing for an upcoming ‘sunday morning in the garden’ post, so be sure to stay tuned for that.

As always, thank you to Dixie Belle Paint Co for supplying their products used in this makeover.

One of my lovely readers came to my occasional sale bearing gifts (actually two of my readers did this, but I’ll share the 2nd one later).

She brought me this adorable little mini cabinet …

which I’m still working on.

And she also brought me a toolbox.

I love the way this one hinges open.  It also came with a tray.

After my usual prep which includes washing with Dawn dish soap to cut any greasy residues, a light scuff sanding to smooth out the surface a bit, and a coat of Dixie Belle’s Bonding Boss, I painted the outside with DB’s Drop Cloth.

Typically I paint the inside of toolboxes first, and then the outside.  But I hadn’t quite decided on the interior color yet, so I started with the outside.  It wasn’t until I was done painting that I remembered why I usually do it the other way around.

Painting a different color on the inside, with the lid open, results in a checkerboard look on the hinges when you close the lid.  If you paint the outside last, with the lid closed, the hinge ends up a solid color when closed.

And actually, the checkerboard can be a fun look.  But when you’ve already added some transfers, so it’s too late to repaint the outside … well, it was just a bit unexpected.

But in the end, I decided I rather like the look in this instance.

That brings me to the transfers.  I used sections from the new I.O.D. Rose Botanical transfer on the outside of the toolbox.

I love the colors they’ve used for these transfers, so pretty.  I also like that there are several different sizes of roses giving you lots of flexibility for using them on different size projects.

The wording is from the old (and sadly retired) I.O.D. Label Ephemera transfer.

Will they ever release a replacement?  Something like the new Étiquettes Gilded Transfer, only in black rather than metallic gold, would be awesome.  But so far, no such luck.

The toolbox had a little metal name tag on it that was stamped with the name of the former owner.  I painted over that and added the ‘Duchesse de Berry’ portion of the Label Ephemera transfer thus making this her toolbox.

Based on this portrait of her, I’m guessing she would be happy to own a toolbox covered in roses.

Initially I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to paint the inside of the toolbox in green or pink.  I ended up opting for full-on feminine with Dixie Belle’s Cottage Door.

Then I added just a little wording from the Rose Botanical transfer to outside of the tray as well.

I finished everything off with a coat of Dixie Belle’s clear wax.

And there you have it, the duchesse de berry’s toolbox.  What do you think?

This toolbox is for sale, check out my ‘available for local sale‘ page for more details.

Thank you to Dixie Belle Paint Co for providing their products used in this makeover.

Some time ago I came into possession of this vintage blue lunchbox.

I rather liked it ‘as is’.  The blue was perfect, and it had just the right amount of authentic wear.

But I thought I should give it a good clean and that’s where things went a little wrong.  I started to wipe it down with a damp rag and some Dawn dish soap and the blue paint was coming off on the rag.  So then I thought I should just give it a quick coat of Dixie Belle’s flat clear coat to seal it in.

Unfortunately, the flat clear coat looked a bit filmy over that blue.  That can happen sometimes when you use the flat version over a dark color.

So back to the workshop it went.  Since I loved that blue so much, I decided to stick with it and give the lunchbox a quick couple of coats of Dixie Belle’s Bunker Hill Blue.

It was a pretty good match for that original color.

I sanded the edges to try and bring back that distressed look.

After wiping away the dust, I added a white transfer from I.O.D.’s Traditional Pots.

I followed that up with a coat of Dixie Belle’s clear wax.

I love the little stars on the sides of the lunchbox.

It wasn’t until I was editing the photos for this post that I realized I really needed to put some sort of decorative paper in that label holder.

I ended up going with a simple red gingham after determining that my October Afternoon Farm Girl labels were too big.

Bummer, they would have been so perfect if they were the right size.

While I was at it, I also lined the inside of the lunchbox with some of that gingham paper.

This lunchbox would make an adorable decoration for a 4th of July table if you left the lid open and placed a couple of small potted red geraniums in it.

Despite not actually being able to save the original blue paint on the lunchbox, I think I did a pretty good job replicating it.

What do you think?

Although this lunchbox was available at my sale, it did not go.  So it’s still available if any of you locals happen to need a fun 4th of July table decoration!  Check out my ‘available for local sale‘ page for more details.

I’m off to spend this rainy 4th of July morning finishing up the clean up out in the carriage house.  Hopefully I’ll be able to get some projects going out there despite the forecast of rain, rain, and then probably some more rain.  I hope some of you are getting the perfect day for a BBQ!

With most of my toolbox makeovers, painting them is a no brainer.  They are often a rusty, crusty mess when I buy them.

But every once in a while I come across one with a nice authentic patina.  This black toolbox from October 2022 is a good example.  I kept the original paint on the top, but added the I.O.D. Rose Chintz paint inlay to the sides.

Two of the larger metal boxes in the windfall of boxes that my friend Kathy gave me also had a good authentic patina without much rust or gunk to mar them.

After giving them both a good wash, I decided not to fully paint either one.

But that doesn’t mean I didn’t add any paint.  You know I can’t help myself.

Let’s start with the first box.

The exterior is clean, and not terribly rusty.

It has this great mottled green, black and rust coloring.

So rather than paint it, I just gave it a nice coat of Dixie Belle’s clear wax to add a little extra protection.

But then I did opt to paint the interior of the box to clean it up and make it more functional.

I pulled out one of the newer colors in the Dixie Belle Silk Paint line called Acadia.

It happened to nearly match the shade of green that is present on the exterior of the box.

There was a bit of rust on the inside of the box, so I decided to start with a base coat of Bonding Boss to prevent that from bleeding through my paint.  I followed that up with two coats of the Acadia.

Since the Silk paint has a built in topcoat, I didn’t need to add any additional topcoat.

I did however decide to add a segment from the I.O.D. Label Ephemera transfer to the inner lid.

Seriously, how could I resist?  That wording fits this box perfectly.  Even though no one will even see that unless they open the box, I still love it.

Once the transfer was in place, I did add a coat of DB’s clear wax over it to protect it.

Next up is the 2nd large box with its mostly worn off black paint.

Inspired by that previous black toolbox, I decided to keep the worn black paint on the sides and just dress up the top of this box with another paint inlay.

After adding a couple of coats of Dixie Belle’s Caviar paint to the lid, I applied the new-ish Lattice Rose paint inlay from I.O.D.

As you can see, I had some inconsistent results with the inlay.  I’m not really sure why, maybe I didn’t leave it on long enough?

But since I’m leaving the mostly worn paint on the body of the box, I think splotchy results on the lid really work.

I treated the inside of the box to a coat of Dixie Belle’s Bonding Boss, again to seal up any rust, then I added a coat of their Silk paint in Anchor.

I used the last of my peonies to stage these photos.

If only those peonies had a longer bloom time!

Both of these metal boxes would make great storage pieces, whether in a workshop or craft room.

What would you use them for?  Leave a comment and let me know.