Hello, amazing friends! I’ve got another piece from my current haul coming your way today! I picked up this unfinished wood tote for $3 at the thrift store:
It was marked $5.95 but luckily, all green tags were half off!
I’m not sure what the tree and fence represent, but I am assuming it was a gift crate of some sort.
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Sand
To start this makeover, I began with attempting to sand away the tree with my orbital sander:
I didn’t need to remove the tree completely. I just wanted it smooth, so the outline didn’t show through the paint. The rest of the tote was sanded with a sanding sponge just to smooth out the roughness of the unfinished wood.
I vacuumed up any dust with my shop vac and brush attachment and this tote was ready to be cleaned.
Clean
While I still had the White Lightning out that I mixed up to clean the dated shelf I shared on Tuesday, I gave this a wipe down too:
Be sure to rinse away any residue by giving your piece another once over with clean water.
Paint
This is the most fun part! I chose one of my favorite colors, Mint Julep for this one:
I wish I would have shared how thick my Mint Julep was! I hadn’t used it in probably a year or longer and the air inside the container had caused it to thicken. But because Dixie Belle’s chalk paint is water based, all I had to do was add water a little at a time and it brought it right back!
I probably ended up adding a half a cup of water to this jar! If you have a small whisk, that works the best.
Then, to add a little something to the front, I mixed some Mint Julep 50/50 with Fluff and got a lighter tone…
I used that to add a sweet stripe to a strip of wood I had cut and already painted for the front:
FrogTape for delicate surfaces is by far my favorite painter’s tape. I always get beautiful, crisp lines and it never pulls off my paint. Be sure to remove the tape while your paint is still wet!
Sand
I sanded everything all over with a sanding sponge to get a buttery smooth surface:
Then, I added a mini transfer from the Classic Vintage Labels transfer set to the little sign:
I did have to cut the bottom of it off, but I loved the flower and garden for this tote!
Seal
To seal, I applied one coat of Clear Coat in Satin using a small brush to the tote and the sign:
I usually prefer to apply sealer with a sponge applicator, but the brush gets into the insides of these totes more easily.
I attached the sign to the front of my tote using E6000 Glue and left it to dry overnight.
The After
How sweet is this piece now?
I love it with the fresh pink roses…
Okay these aren’t fresh…ha ha!
I found them attached to this pot at the thrift store for $3 forever ago:
It’s just been hanging around ever since. I finally decided to snip the roses and toss the pot.
So yep…totally fake!
They look so real, right?
I know I paint a lot of things white and of course, I do love white. It sells quickly for me, and it is the perfect backdrop for just about any embellishment I want to add.
However, I actually do love painting with color! Painting things white is the hardest color to paint, and it is more work since it takes more coats for solid coverage.
But with color, you get amazing coverage so quickly and easily!
And this luscious Mint Julep color is one of my favorites! It’s just so pretty!
I kept the ends simple with just paint…
And the mini transfer adds so much for such little effort…
Find this transfer which includes 26 mini transfers in my shop HERE.
And that is another one done!
Only FIVE more pieces left!!
See everything I’ve completed from this haul so far below!
80’s Towel Rack Shelf Makeover
Hot Mess Magnolia Dresser
Petite Antique Dining Chair Makeover
Vintage Magazine Table Makeover
Painting the Smalls #21 (Six seven more mini Makeovers!)
Update an Old DIY Toolbox
How to Make a Tray from a Picture Frame (Super Easy!)
Freebie Chair Makeover
Vintage Stool Makeover with Terra Clay Paint
Mini Basket Box Makeover
Mirrored Wall Shelf Makeover
Rolling Buffet Makeover
Painted Antique Side Table
Pretty in Blue Box Makeover
A Great way to Repurpose a Chair
Painting the Smalls #20 (Six mini makeovers!)
White Painted Desk with Transfer
I’ll be back with my Trash-to-Treasure girls on Tuesday sharing what I did with these gorgeous antique chairs:
Update: See how these pretty pieces turned out here now!
Have a lovely weekend!!
XOXO,
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Denise Cox says
It’s adorable!! So fresh for the summer. Love the color & those pink roses compliment beautifully with it!!
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! It is such a pretty color for spring for sure! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Mint Julep for the WIN!! I too am a white paint gal, but this turned out so cute with that color. I can not beleive how really those flowers look. I looked at your staged tote and I thought she better get those flowers in water. LOL! They look beautiful with that color.
Christy says
Ha ha! They do look so real, right?? Thank you, my sweet friend! XOXO
Janice Holt says
This tote does not even resemble what you started out with. It looks so pretty and the little sign just makes it that much sweeter. Another great job. The color is gorgeous also.
Christy says
I know, right? The before was not attractive at all ha ha! Glad you enjoyed the after! Thanks, Janice! XOXO
Nana Diana says
That turned out really cute. You did a great job. I have a lot of that color in my kitchen. It makes me think of my gramma. She had cups that color when I was a kid. Have a wonderful day. Hugs- Diana
Christy says
Thanks, Diana! This is kind of a classic throwback color for sure. So fun for a kitchen! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Gayle Stewart says
So cute! I have always loved that vintage green. Hope you have a lovely, and warm, weekend!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Gayle! It does have a vintage vibe to it. I just love it! Have a great weekend! XOXO.
Peggy says
I LOVE TOTES!!!! This one is unique. Totes make the MOST wonderful seasonal centerpieces (florist foam + floral picks). I even use totes on the picnic table. I put half-pint canning jars filled with forks, knives, rolled up napkins, etc.
Love the colors you chose! Great job Christy! 🌺
Christy says
Thank you, Peggy! I absolutely cannot pass them up when I see one at the thrift store lol. I just love them too! So functional and versatile for sure! XOXO.
Roberta says
I LOVE everything about this INCLUDING those roses!
Christy says
Thank you, Roberta! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one! XOXO
Jo-Ann says
Everything you refurbish is so beautiful and tastefully done.
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Jo-Ann! Thank you! XOXO
Cher Ulrich says
Love all your beautiful ideas and the work you do! I recently gave a vintage secretary desk a make-over, and now diving in on another inherited piece from my parents. Thank you for all the inspiration! God bless!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cher! Isn’t it the best feeling to bring something back to life? Happy creating!! XOXO
Cheryl r Atkinson says
Hi Christy! Now I am looking for something to paint with Mint Julep. I bet mine is going to be thick also. It has been a while. Thank you for the inspiration!!
Christy says
Ha ha! It’s such a pretty color! Mine was super thick, but sure enough, I was able to bring it back to life! Thanks, my friend! Enjoy your weekend! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
The color is so fresh and the flowers do look real, Christy! I don’t know why, but I thought this was project was going to head in a tool box direction. Hard to make those cute, but I know you could manage it if anyone could 😁
Christy says
The flowers really do look real, right?! I did redo an actual metal toolbox once, but I love these for pretty things! Thanks, Bonnie! XOXO
Charleen says
Christy,this is so pretty and fresh. Pink and mint green is lovely together!! Makes me think of Spring. Lovely. Have a beautiful day!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Charleen! It really does have a spring vibe! Bring on the warm weather lol. XOXO.
Sue says
I love the color you chose it is so fresh and springy! Your totes are amazing when finished!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sue! This really is such a pretty color for spring!!
Celia says
You are right those roses do look real! So pretty. I like the color on the tote, it says spring.
Christy says
Thank you, Celia! This color is a perfect spring color for sure! XOXO
Vicki Bray says
OMGosh! That turned out so cute! Maybe I should go looking for a tote! Thinks so much for the inspiration.
Christy says
Thank you, Vicki! Good luck in your search! I hope you find one! XOXO
Lizzy says
It’s so pretty and I love the colors!
Christy says
Thank you, Lizzy! XOXO
Addie says
Nicely done!! The roses and the decal look great with it. Win~win!!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Addie! Enjoy your weekend! XOXO
Laura says
I love that color! Beautiful makeover!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Laura! XOXO
Karen Moore says
Cute, cute, cute!!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Karen! XOXO
Rebecca says
So Cute! I love the color.
Christy says
Thank you, Rebecca! XOXO
Mary says
Oh my goodness, Christy, hard to believe that is the same tote! Love the color and the little sign with the stripes and the transfer really add to the piece and make it special. Well done. It pairs wonderfully with those very real-looking roses too. It will sell fast 🙂 Thank you for saving another piece from the landfill!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! This is such a simple makeover, but I really enjoyed doing it! It’s always fun to play with pretty colors! Have a lovely weekend! XOXO
Bonnie Hipps says
I love love that color. Sorta a tad darker than a end table you did a long ago. It had a drawer in front and sides folded out or could lay flat. I painted a little side table that color because I loved it so.
Perfect addition for spring flowers( real or fake lol) Hugs
Christy says
Yes! I used the same color on that table. That is one of my favorite pieces because I love this color too! I bet yours turned out so pretty! XOXO
Petra says
Very pretty. It would have so many uses – could hold potatoes, onions, fruit, hand towels, toilet paper… 😀 xo
Christy says
Thank you, Petra! Absolutely…so versatile indeed! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oh, I absolutely adore that sweet tote. What a GREAT color – and the mini transfer you chose: perfect!
Christy says
Thanks, Michele! I must have spring/summer on the brain…trying to manifest warmer days with color ha ha! XOXO
Jeanne says
Would you please move north so we can work together??
Always a fan (and the roses look real!) I’m also going to try those Dipladenias in my windowboxes too. Thanks for sharing!
Christy says
Aww you are too sweet! I hear it’s still cold up there though, so I think you need to move south ha ha! Hoping our window boxes do well this year! XOXO
Patti M says
I love how the tote turned out! And the roses make the color pop! Thanks for sharing with us!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Patti! It is always a treat to share! XOXO