It’s already another month! My mind reels at how quickly the days, the months, and even the season pass by. Meanwhile, I was on a hunt for a random item at a local thrift store, I saw this antique tool chest outside and hoped it was available for moi.
It’s turns out it was just donated, and they hadn’t had time to stow it away yet. Well, I’ll be… just for me! After finding a few more goodies for my daughter, my son and I take this home so I can evaluate further.
THE GOOD, THE BAD
First, it is handmade but also so dirty. Additionally, I’m sure was used in a barn as it smells like hay. I found out hay and I don’t mix when I went on a hayride and ended up in the ER at 12 years old. ahem. Inside, you can see there are leather and metal straps to hold tools, as well as one remnant sectioned shelf.
However, it looks as though two or three more removable trays are missing.
As you can imagine, I just LOVE this kinda thing. I wish this chest could tell me all its stories. Unfortunately, the one side has damage I’m going to repair.
Before I do that, I need to clean it oodles. I wipe it down and get rid of all gunk in the crevices with an old toothbrush.
Then, I need to check for lead. I always have a lead test on hand just in case. Thankfully, I did because looky what I found.
{{whomp, whomp}} Red means lead and that’s okay. You can use a lead encapsulation sealant for primer. I’ll get to that in a bit, but first I need to repair.
First, I cut the damage off and then replace with scrap from my stash by hand-forming them to match.
Next, I stain the repairs with the reactive stain I used in this project.
Additionally, if you’ve been around long, then you know I use BIN primer by Zinsser for many years in these past posts. With that, I prime and let cure.
Honestly, I hate to have to prime this as I loved the patina, but I could tell the paint looked different and know I need to seal it because of the positive test.
NEXT STEPS
Now I have my work cut out for me to replicate that layered look. First, I paint a neutral base coat that has a wood tone much like I did on my faux wood garage door tutorial.
After that coat cures, I use a washed technique to apply a soft green followed by a blue blended in while the green is still wet. Finally, I apply a brown wax to give an aged appeal all over.
drumroll, please…
It’s still got a story to share, doesn’t stink, and certainly has function.
Now it can be safely used in the home for blankets, extra storage, and more.
Oh, and don’t forget that awesome sectioned tray I removed that is now a sweet shadow box.
Now my antique tool chest is a matched set ready for a new home.
SHARE
As always, my goal is to inspire you. Not only was the damage on this hot-mess-ish like, but also that lead paint can be scary. It’s your turn to leave me some comment love (the cherry on top!) and pin and share to inspire others as well.
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While you’re at it, check out these other revivals like this antique tool chest:
Hey Larissa,
Another one of your triumphs! Funnily enough I have an old blanket box that came from my Dad’s house and I’ve been wondering what to do with it. It’s been repainted (badly) several times in different tones of white, so it needs a good overhaul. It never occurred to me to check for lead paint, so thank you very much for pointing this out.
Sherin xx
How sweet of you to say, Sherin. Thank you! That is a treasure you have on your hands. Enjoy it to the full. 🙂
What an amazing find!! It stinks that you had to prime and paint, but at least it is safe and “clean” now! Gorgeous job, my friend! XOXO
Yes, for sure, but glad I checked because I almost forgot. Thank you!
I LOVE this!! I had an old tool box that was bigger and had a flat top. It was the perfect coffee table all through my 20’s!!! You brought back great memories with this one!!! 😍 BEAUTIFUL!!
A gal after my own heart! But I already knew that. 😉 Thanks so much, Rebecca.
Looks adorable Larissa. Still rustic yet updated! Oh dear about the hay incident.😮
Thank you. Yes, no fun for me and I have to avoid animal barns at the fair. blah.
Hi Larissa! I loved the way it turned out and I love the shadow box!
Great job. I love the color and the look!
Thank you, Cyndi! I tried to replicate the original as best I could while making it safe.
I love how this turned out! it still looks old and weathered. I have a very similar one that catches the clothes out of the laundry chute in our laundry room. I’ve always thought that I’d do something with it, but it was there when we bought this house catching the clothes and it’s atill doing a great job more than 27 years later! LOL
How fun is that?! I love that you love it as-is and it serves a wonderful purpose. Thanks so much, Janet.
Bummer about the lead paint, but glad you could prime and still make it look old and warn. I’m sort of getting to the point where I’m picky about old wooden boxes, tool caddy’s or crates…..but, they are sort of hard to pass up. I like the color on this one.
For sure. I knew when I saw it that it was lead possible just based on my experience before. But, glad I could still repair and work with it. Thanks!
Well, that’s another successful rescue! As an old DJ used to say, “and the hits just keep on comin'”. Good job, Larissa!
whew! Thank you, Caye. It sure wasn’t fun having to cover that up, but it was necessary and hopefully makes it functional for many more years to come.
I too, have a chest very similar to yours. Mine looks larger and there is not any “guts” to it. It was painted a very bright pink over the raw wood. Many different kinds of wood, looks like it was pieced together with whatever they had on hand. I have wanted to redo this for years, but had no idea what to do. I tried taking it back to just the wood , but that didn’t go well. So now that paint is so very popular, and seeing what you did, I know I can do this! Goodbye Pink!
WAHOO!! That just made my day, Jane. I hope you have fun with it!
WOW! It looks so…..beautifully old! Great makeover! 💕💕
How fun to hear, Susan! That makes my day. Thanks!
Great job! I love these kind of projects. Using the drawer as a shelf is a terrific idea. Well done! 🌺
It’s the only way to be… right? 🙂 Thank you so much for the love, Dale. I totally appreciate you.