DIY Farmhouse Tool Caddy
We’re back with the ladies of the Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop sharing our DIY Farmhouse Tool Caddy today!
A special thank you and shout out to my sweet friend, Cindy of County Road 407 for putting this hop together.
The Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop is a bimonthly series where we share our love of vintage, antique, farmhouse, and repurposed finds and ideas. If you’ve missed any of the other installments, you can catch up here:
- How to Create Farmhouse Crocks from Paint Cans
- Easy Tips for Styling a Bookcase (last year’s reader-favorite #1 post)
- Simple Ways to Organize the Pantry with Baskets
- Simple Tips for a Fall Cider Bar
- Easy Ways to Decorate with Frames
I’m tickled pink you guys love this group as much as I do because these ladies are amazing inside and out.
If you’re coming over from Laura’s blog, Decor to Adore, welcome, we’re excited to have you here.
When I found out this month’s theme was vintage or antique toolboxes, I started to get a little worried.
I mean, we do have a pretty beat-up toolbox that could technically pass as vintage. But it’s so pitiful looking my Dad offers to get us a fancy Craftsman tool cabinet with ball bearing drawers and everything almost every time he comes to visit.
One day I’m going to call his bluff and let him ?
Thankfully, I’m all about a backup plan and a garage full of goodies from years spent treasure hunting that can step in when needed.
Thrifted Finds…
Several years ago, I found this holiday caddy at a thrift store for $2.99. It was in great shape, but the design wasn’t really my style.
Still, vintage and antique tool caddies like these aren’t always easy to find so I scooped it up hoping to make good use of it.
Well, it sat on the shelf in our garage for longer than I care to admit.
So, when Cindy told me our theme for this month’s Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop would be toolboxes, this piece was the first thing that came to mind.
This DIY Farmhouse Tool Caddy is one of those projects that can be completely customized with a variety of paints, finishes, and even stencils.
It’s so utilitarian it can be given as a gift or used in your home for everything from corralling art supplies to creating seasonal vignettes.
Here’s a look at how to create a DIY Farmhouse Tool Caddy…
DIY Farmhouse Tool Caddy Supplies:
- Tool Caddy
- Orbital Sander and Sandpaper (optional)
- Paint (We used Valspar Faint Maple and Deco Art’s Primitive)
- Paintbrushes
- Dark Furniture Paste Wax
- Wax brush or lint-free cloth
- Screwdriver and chain (optional)
- Tarp to protect your work surface
DIY Farmhouse Tool Caddy Steps:
Gather your supplies and lay a tarp down to protect your work surface. We used an orbital sander with 120-grit sandpaper to sand down the factory design on our tool caddy.
We painted the caddy with two coats of Valspar’s Faint Maple allowing plenty of drying time between each coat.
Next, we pounded the tool caddy with a screwdriver and chains to give it some “age” and a farmhouse feel.
Then we created a wash using Deco Art’s Chalky Paint in Primitive and lightly brushed it all over the caddy.
Once it was dry, we applied a coat of Annie Sloan’s Dark Furniture Paste Wax using a lint-free cloth,
allowing the wax to settle into all the nooks and crannies of our DIY farmhouse tool caddy.
Truthfully, the longest part of this process is waiting for the paint to dry! As I mentioned above farmhouse tool caddies like this one are super versatile.
Here are just a few ways to style one…
with seasonal flowers,
or greenery,
as part of a kitchen vignette,
to corral a favorite collection,
hold small notebooks, treasured letters, or stationery,
you can even add fun items to your DIY farmhouse tool caddy to give away as part of a housewarming gift.
Honestly, the possibilities are endless!
Up next on the Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop is my sweet friend Ann of Dabbling and Decorating. She has such a beautiful farmhouse style and constantly finds fantastic goodies on the treasure trail.
Once you’re finished there be sure to check out what the rest of these fabulous ladies are sharing.
Let us know how you would style a DIY farmhouse tool caddy! Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
Coco,
I loved all the different uses you found for your thrift store tool box.
Rachel
I really appreciate it, Rachel, thank you so much! Hugs, CoCo
Coco I cannot get over this amazing transformation. Who would ever believe that is even the same sweet caddy? You did an amazing job. It truly will get so much use now. Happy Saturday!
Thank you, Laura! I’m so happy with the way this $2.99 caddy came together. They’re not easy to find so I have to scoop them up whenever I can. Even, if they have a Christmas design 🙂 Hope your day is a fun one, CoCo
Really good ideas, loved your use of the Annie Sloan’s dark wax, your tool box came out very nice!!
I really appreciate it, Carmen, thank you so much! The dark wax definitely helps to add a bit of age and patina to pieces that are new. Thankfully, a little goes a long way which makes it easy to use too 🙂 Hope your weekend is a special one, CoCo
CoCo this is the cutest toolbox and a DIY. Super cute❣️❣️
Thank you so much, Ann, I really appreciate it! It’s definitely come a long way from where it started 🙂 Hugs and happy new year, CoCo
Hi Coco,
Love how you worked with what you had. Banging pieces with screwdrivers and my favorite hammers is such fun.
You achieved the perfect look and love the added wax.
Love all the ways you shared to style this.
Great job my friend,
Cindy
Thank you, Cindy! I never thought about using a hammer but I’m definitely going to try that next. You know how much I love all the chippy things. I’m always amazed at how the dark wax changes things too. It makes it feel patinaed without the crazy price tag 🙂 Sending you lots of hugs, CoCo
I thought that you sanded the paint off and then stained the caddy. I was surprised to read that you achieved the look of wood with paint and dark wax! The end result looks great and I loved the creative ideas that you showed for how you can use the caddy and how it can be styled.
It’s totally bananas this caddy started out with a holiday design, isn’t it Paula? The color I used Faint Maple by Valspar is so easy to use with dark wax. It’s the same color I used on the beams in the shed to office makeover 🙂 I hope your weekend has been a fun one. Sending you hugs, CoCo
Now that’s my kind of transformation! I need to change my thinking! I would have never thought to pick that up and redo it. But my gosh it turned out fabulously! And I love each and every beautiful idea you have in using it. Makes me want to go out and buy pretty stationary. Thanks so much for joining in. Pinned.
You are one of the most creative people I know, Cindy! You could have totally rocked this tool caddy. I’m really excited about the way it all came together. I tell ya, there is nothing better than the power of paint 🙂 Sending you hugs and thank yous for putting this all together. I really appreciate it, CoCo
WHAT??? NO!!! I cannot even believe this is the same tote! You totally gave it new life. I LOVE it, and how you’ve styled it so many ways! Pinning!!
ha ha it’s crazy to think how this caddy started out, Debra! If there was ever a testament to the power of paint this is definitely it 🙂 Sending you hugs for a happy weekend, CoCo
CoCo, I love how your toolbox came out – it’s perfectly vintage farmhouse! And I love all the different ideas you came up with for how to style it. Your decor is always so creative and inspiring!
Such a sweet compliment, Michelle, thank you! I feel the same way about you. You inspire me all the time! I hope your weekend has been a happy one, CoCo
What a great transformation. I love all the ways that you styled it. Adorable.
You’re sweet to say that, Katie, thank you so much! Hugs, CoCo
I love it Coco! What a great little makeover and there are so many ways you can use it now 🙂 So cute!
Thank you, Lisa! It’s crazy to think it started out with a holiday design but it just goes to show with a little love and attention paint can do fabulous things 🙂 Big hugs for a blessed new year, CoCo
Coco, You did a great job aging that little tool caddy! And I love all of the different ways you style it. It looks perfectly vintage in every way.
Thank you so much, Angie, I really appreciate it! I hope your weekend has been a fun one, CoCo
Wow, what an improvement, CoCo! Seriously, those snowmen would have sealed their fate right to the thrift store if I’d come across them. Good for you for seeing the potential! Love all your ideas. I especially love the plates standing up and the Mrs. Meyers (which the lavender is my current fave right now). But I think I might really like the old toolbox your dad makes fun of; I always love the ugly ducklings!
ha ha if you could see his face when he has to all but pry open the doors because they’re so stuck together, Lora, it would totally give you the giggles. He acts like he’s trying to open the safe at Fort Knox 🙂 I loved all the pieces you’ve collected over the years. I wish she lived closer all the time. We could totally go shopping together and find fun things. Hope your week is peace-filled, CoCo
Great makeover, CoCo. The snowmen and penguins were cute, but………..Your version is much better! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.
Thank you so much, Ann, I really appreciate it! Hugs, CoCo
This turned out so cute!! Love all the ways you styled it! Thanks for sharing at Charming Homes & Gardens!
Thank you so much for your sweet words, Kristin, I really appreciate it! Hugs, CoCo
Love your cute tool caddy project CoCo! I What a makeover! I can’t believe how it looked before. I’m happy to let you know I’m featuring your post this week on the Tuesday Turn About Link Party. Hope to see you there again soon!
That is so sweet, Michelle, thank you! I still can’t get over how different it looks without the holiday graphic but I’m thankful for the way it all came together. I’ll be able to use it in any season now 🙂 Big hugs and see you soon at the party, CoCo
I love this CoCo! I can’t believe it started out as a bold blue. Thanks for the great ideas. I love how you styled it with so many options, as well.
Thanks so much, Kim, I really appreciate your sweet and kind words. I swear the power of paint never ceases to amaze me 🙂 Hugs, CoCo
CoCo, I love how your tool box looks with all the different ideas for filling it! I was happy to share your post a week ago at Share Your Style #289, but I just didn’t get back by until now ( I usually do on the following weekend but last weekend I was mixing cement and laying bricks). My favorite is the black and white transferware… Very pretty!
Happy almost Valentine’s Day to you and here’s to an early spring,
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
p.s. Share Your Style for this week is fixed and the link is back up and running. #290. Just in case you already stopped by. 🙂
I really appreciate it, Barbara, thank you so much! I was worried when I stopped by the blog to link up and couldn’t find you. I know you guys have been sick off and on so I’m happy that you’re ok. Sending you lots of hugs for a happy week. Hugs and thank yous, CoCo