Do you ever have rubber-necker-thrifter experience? That moment when you leave the thrift store with something you saw lingering in your mind that you should have nabbed. Have you ever felt that regret? Not only did that happen with this ridiculously cutesy apple tote, but also in another event I’ll describe in my next post. Apples are for me in the snack form, but this thing below is now my jam. However, an antique style slat tote is.
My mantra has always been to not skip the wood section of the thrift store because… well… wood can be cut and reshaped into something new. When I first spied this, I instantly had flashbacks to totes I’ve had or seen in the past. At the same time, I see the vintage potato bin that also had apples in it.
Initially, I left this apple tote there, but came back the next week and felt it providential that we should meet again.
WHAT NOW
First, my DIY heart is set on taking this apart and making it totally my own. I begin by cutting off the slats. Why cut? Well, because they are stapled, which I can pop off, but the holes will still be there. Cutting with my coping saw is the gentlest and easiest way to go.
Looks like a hot mess! But the fun is coming… trust the process, k?
Then, I remove the wood slat stubs I left behind and prep those apple ends for a new look using my jigsaw. By the way, I’m FREEZING while I work! I’ve had enough of sub-thirty temperatures and wind, just sayin’.
Next, once my pieces are cut, I sand it all down and begin to reassemble.
Last, but not least, I add a reactive stain that works with the tannins in the wood to age it right in front of your eyes. This stain is great, as you can see in these past posts, as I wipe it on and watch the magic.
TOTE TALKIN’
Apples are gone and a whole lotta antique style slat tote going on. I love it!
The style lends itself to many uses in your home as a decorative piece or for daily function.
While I’ve got my feed sacks and eggs in my antique bowl, I could tuck in flowers, or pick up and go to my farmer’s market for some fresh goodies.
As always, if you’d like to make this a part of your home story, you can find this and more in my online store.
SHARE
Now it’s your turn to chat. Would you have passed this up the first time too? Leave me some comment love below and I also invite you to pin and share to inspire others as well.
Before you go, be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter because up next is Reduce, Reuse, REFASHION time!
Until next time!
While you’re at it, here are more thrifty makeovers like this antique style slat tote:
You certainly took the “bite” out of that apple!!! 🍎🤣🤦🏼♀️ I couldn’t resist! Seriously, you remade this into something not only beautiful, but still so useful. You are the queen of transformations!! 👸🥰
I sure did! haha!! You’re too funny! 😀 Thank you for the love, girl.
It’s nice to be able to see what God is doing in our lives and the lives of those around us. When I see in the apples I’m reminded of scripture references to the “Apple of His eye”.
The tote turned out great. Vintage looking and I believe that makes it more useful. Praying for warmer weather and the newness of spring!
Yes, for sure. God is good. I’m ever so ready.
Did you sell the small green metal storage unit you reworked a while ago?
If not, I am interested in it if the price is right.
You can see all listings in my online store. Yes, it sold.
I love it especially the color. When I clicked on the link for the stain process it didn’t work for me. I’m interested in the stain reaction that you said you used. Please explain or give me a link to your other project where you used that stain. Thank you and look forward to all your creations!
Thank you, Rita. The link had a typo, so feel free to try again and thank you for finding the error. 🙂
My grandma would say, “no worm goes unturned” and you sure turned that basket around! Good job, girl. Now, I KNOW you didn’t throw those apples out, so what did/will you do with them???
aww…thanks! Since I only cut the corners off, I added them to my burn bucket. The rest of the apple was put back to use on the tote. 🙂