Hello lovelies!! I’ve got the biggest wooden toolbox makeover for you today! And by the biggest, I mean this thing is HUGE!!
This toolbox was found in the same estate sale in the same dirty barn as this mirror I shared last week. It was full of miscellaneous old tools and PVC parts for $10:
I declined to take what was in it though because it was already so dang heavy.
That picture in front of our garage doesn’t fully show how large this thing is!
I’ve include a few affiliate links so you can find the projects I love.
Sand
It was a bit rough around the edges…
So, I started by giving it a good sanding all over with 220 grit sandpaper, wrapped around an old sanding block:
Clean
Once I had everything smoothed out, I cleaned well with White Lightning, mixing one TBSP into a half gallon of warm water:
I lied…I actually mixed it into hot water this time since it was so cold in the garage lol. The hot water felt so good!
Paint
For this one, I wasn’t sure where I was going, so I started with white, giving it a couple of coats of Cotton by Dixie Belle.
Then, I changed my mind and went with this gorgeous coastal blue, Savannah Mist…
I only did one coat, so the white would peek through when I sanded liberally all over after:
I actually thought I would stop here. This thing is SO large that my buyer pool might already be limited, so I was just going to keep it simple.
Adding a fun stripe
But, I did decide to add a fun stripe just to the handle. I did that using FrogTape for delicate surfaces, peeling it off immediately after painting:
I sanded the handle once it was dry also.
Seal
To seal, I chose Clear Coat in the satin finish. To make it easier to get inside those corners, I cut my blue sponge applicator into a square:
That made it so much easier!
You could also use a brush, but that makes it easy for the liquid to pool in the corners which can yellow, so you have to apply it very minimally.
Ready to really see how big this thing is??
I told y’all it was HUGE!
It’s almost the width of this dresser! Now can you imagine it filled with tools? Ha ha! I don’t know if the maker of this huge tote considered that.
I love it though!
I am always drawn to these totes/toolboxes for some reason!
I’m glad I kept this makeover simple with just the right amount of whimsy added to the handle with those stripes:
And you can see how the one coat of Savannah Mist made it easier to reveal more of the white beneath for that coastal feel:
And how pretty are those flowers??
I went in search of some new florals to stage with and found these on Amazon HERE. They are so realistic in person! (Each set comes with four stems, so I bought two.)
And that is another piece done from my current haul!
Here is everything I’ve completed so far below:
Estate Sale Mirror Makeover
$5 Yard Sale Night Table Makeover
Update a Thrifted Box for the Holidays
Black Painted Antique China Cabinet
Turn Old Frames into New Holiday Decor
How to Upholster a Louis XVI Armchair
How to Repurpose a Table Top (&bonus…see what I did with the rest HERE.)
Dated Bar Stool Makeover
Update a Yard Sale Tote for the Holidays
Painting the Smalls #31 (the dollar edition)
IKEA Bookcase Makeover
$5 Yard Sale Night Table Makeover
I’ll be back with my Furniture Fixer Upper gals on Thursday sharing what I did with another piece that came out of that barn…
I hope to see you then!
UPDATE!! This piece is unrecognizable now! See it HERE!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
That is simply beautiful now! I love the white showing through the blue. That will sell fast at your booth! I love old tool boxes also. I have a couple that were my father in laws! The one you found is so big, and now big and beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I have one that was my grandfather in law’s that we found in their shed after my hubby’s grandma passed. I just love them! XOXO
Deborah Mealus says
Another amazing vision and makeover! Truly inspiring to see you take a plain toolbox and turn it into the beautiful piece of art! I also ordered two sets of the roses in white 😉
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Deborah! Those flowers are so lifelike! I might have to get me some white ones too! XOXO
Kathy W says
Hi Christy – It’s another Super-cal makeover!!! Whoa, that toolbox is ginormous!!! Great storage, though. I love how the white shows thru. Another painting idea I am excited about trying from none other than the “Super-cal” gal!! ????
Thank you for the inspiration!!!
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Kathy! Isn’t it so HUGE?? I can’t imagine actually using it for tools…it would be too heavy to tote around lol. And yes, I love the look you can get by only painting one coat and sanding! XOXO
Cecilia says
Nice! Simple but with an expected touch. Yes, those big tool boxes are heavy. How did they even carry them full of tools? The one I have is every bit as big. It has a narrow divider lengthwise. I think when I bought it, I thought it would make a cool plant holder. Only, with the divider, I couldn’t find flower pots that would fit. Now it’s in my barn collecting dirt, lol. I’m going to pull it out and rethink it. You’ve inspired me to do something. Not sure yet, but cleaning and a simple paint job to begin with!
????Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! That’s what I wondered too…how heavy would it be full of tools?? I wonder if the center piece of yours can be whacked away with a hammer? XOXO
Cecilia says
That’s what I’m wondering. Going to try it. It really would be the perfect container for pots of poinsettias
Christy says
Good luck! XO
Cecilia says
Oh brother! I meant unexpected touch! I love the stripes. lol, I’m up way too early to be commenting without mistakes. ????
Christy says
Ha ha! I knew what you meant, my friend! 😀
Lillace says
The box is beautiful! The striped handle really adds to the coastal feel.
I also love the sailboat painting. Is this your creation or was it purchased somewhere? The entire thing is so delicate and peaceful!
Christy says
Thank you, Lillace! The painting was a yard sale find. The scene is very calming for sure! XOXO
Nana Diana says
Love the old toolbox with its ‘new life’. Happy FIY today. xo Diana
Christy says
Thank you so much, Diana! XOXO
Becky says
This one is perfection! I LOVE the simplicity!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Becky! XOXO
Susan Ross Hill says
That thing needs wheels!!!
But, perfection, as always! tyty
Christy says
Ha ha, right?? Thank you so much, Susan! XOXO
Lorri says
Lovely as usual…❤️ Yep when you fill it with items you see how large it actually is. The color you chose is very calming.. like the simpleness of it.. Job well done. Love your picture ..the staging is lovely.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Lorri! You could really use it to hold so many things. I’m glad you enjoyed the staging, my friend! XOXO
Sharon L Austin says
I’ve had one of these I got at a yard sale for like $3 for years, not knowing what to do with it. I like the idea of towel holder! Maybe it’s time to get my paint back out. 🙂
Christy says
Yes, girl! Get that thang out and dust it off ha ha! XOXO
NJP says
Is Savannah Blue a true blue, or does it have green undertones? The painted items look like a true soft blue in the photos, but the paint color online looks more green.
Christy says
Hi NJP! Savannah Mist is a true blue. No green at all. Here’s another post where I used it: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/two-toned-painted-side-table/ XO
Jackie C says
Whoa that’s a biggie! I love old Toolboxes! This would be great as you’ve shown for towels. It could be great in a kitchen for holding cookie sheets, Muffin tins, etc. you know, all the things that are awkward to put in cabinets. How about dog toys? so many uses. I love it.
Christy says
Right? It is huge! I love them too! Ooh yes, all great storage ideas! Thanks, Jackie! XOXO
Lizzy says
I’m sure this will sell quickly. It’s useful in so many ways, and pretty to boot!
Christy says
Thank you, Lizzy! I hope so! XOXO
Michele M. says
Absolutely positively adore that piece. It is AWESOME and I’d love to have it for my sister’s island lake house. You did a GREAT job with it. ♥♥♥
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! It would be perfect for a lake house! XOXO
Teri says
I repainted a similar toolbox years ago and it has lasted for two kitchens. Some cutting boards sit in the back compartment and my Salts and peppers, olive oil, and little bowl of garlic sit in the main portion. I change out decorative paper on the bottom when it starts looking old.
Christy says
What a great idea! This would hold a ton of spices lol! XOXO
p says
Yep – That sure is a biggie !! I’ve seen them being used – but I didn’t realize how heavy they must be.
Your painting / sanding technique looks wonderful. The stripes add the “Special” – as you do.
Those flowers look so real. Thanks for posting the link.
I look forward to Thurs. That piece your planning is so charming. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you so much, P! Glad you enjoyed the flowers…they are so pretty here on my desk! See ya tomorrow, my friend! XOXO
Robin says
Ginormous, I’d say, lol. It will hold several good 6″ flower pots, I’d bet. I have a long one like that but not as wide. I styled mine as a Halloween centerpiece one year (smaller skellies climbing out and on it) for the dining table.
Christy says
Ha ha yes! It would look great with pots filled with flowers! Love the idea to use one with your skellies! XOXO
Cheryl r Atkinson says
Hi Christy! I love it! I have one similar but not as wide. Now I know what I’m going to so with it. Lol.
Christy says
Hi Cheryl! Glad I could give you an idea, my friend! XOXO
Caye says
Holey smokes, that tool box is humongous! Only someone the size of Paul Bunyon could carry it, or Babe to ox would have to pull it along!
As I may have said previously, I’m not much into stripes as a rule, but these were the perfect touch. Good job! I love those flowers. I just might have to get some.
Christy says
It sure is lol! Yes…exactly…who would carry all their tools in that thing? Thank you, Caye! The flowers look so pretty here on my desk! XOXO
Cheryl B Acampora says
DANG, GIRL!
That is one big toolbox! You made it look fantastic! Next time I see one I’m gonna try to put little legs on it with a Cover that flips back made out of girly prints and make it a doll bed with a canopy!
Christy says
Isn’t it? It’s huge! Thank you, my friend! What a fun bed doll one of these in the right size would make. Good luck in your search! XOXO
Cyndi says
I have one of these that was my FIL’s. Again, it’s huge and heavy! This is a great idea for a make-over for it! Very pretty and beachy!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Cyndi! It’s nice that you have one that was made by your FIL! XOXO
Bonniehipps says
That thing IS huge… love the stripes on it. Would look good with a lot of different things in it. Old Mason jars with silverware, towels or tp for bathroom, firewood for by the stove(ok just kidding on that one) it went from rustic to pretty.
Christy says
Ha ha right?? It’s hard to tell in the before photo how large it is! The large size makes it great for so many uses! XOXO
Karen says
I have a BIG ol’ toolbox very similar to this, hanging around out in my garage. My dad built it, and even though I treasure it, I usually only use it to display pots of geraniums in Summer, out on my patio. I may rethink this now and bring it inside for a bay window display year-round. I can see, peonies, daffodils, and tulips in Spring, Sunflowers in the Fall, and a gorgeous display for evergreens, pinecones and candles in the Winter and at Christmas time. Not to mention the storage options year-round! Thanks for all the inspiration!
Christy says
Oh yes! What a perfect way to treasure your dad’s toolbox year round! XOXO