It’s been said I don’t ‘do colour’ in my house. And I’d have to agree. Between my monotone’d salvage farmhouse styled bathroom and rustic bedroom, there’s virtually no colour.
Well, adding colour is pretty easy AND painless with just a little paint! And I’m happy to say, making this old sign toolbox side table to store all those remotes is making me happy in more ways than one.
You’ve seen this toolbox on wheels before. I first showed it as a sidetable as is in my livingroom.
It ideally was to store my son’s remote controls and game controllers inside.
But the issue was the condition on the inside. It was… well worn. 🙂 So well worn, my son refused to place his precious cargo inside. Can’t blame him.
I’ve always had plans to do something cool with it, but nothing triggered inspiration.
But I was desperate to get those remotes and controllers out of my firewood box, off the fireplace hearth and squished in between chair cushions.
Now was just the time.
Let’s get this thing singin’!
First, I removed most of the hardware, and sanded the entire toolbox with a palm sander.
The entire toolbox got hit with that wonderfully vintage toned yet fresh white. I always like storage things to look light and bright so you can spot what you need even in a darkened room.
But no fear… for those that have said I should invest in some real colour in my life…
How am I doing so far? 🙂
Each panel and side and section got hit with a different colour. It’s looking like Disneyland for those remotes already!
I then hit the edges slightly with a palm sander.
But we are far from finished… now it’s time to get some old signs involved.
(I use pro equipment to make my decals… more info on how I make old signs and potential downloadable files coming soon)
Inspired by a two toned Theatre sign in my Decor: Signs Pinterest board, I created two decals, one for the shadow and one for the text. The shadow decal is placed first.
Once the decal was attached, the inside of the letters were painted black. The decal was removed while the paint was still wet.
Once the shadow was dry to the touch, the text decal was placed over top.
Then painted. Neatness didn’t matter, I wanted it to look old without having to sand.
Tadaaaa!
Next up was a little distressing with a hammer and spade drill bit so I didn’t have to sand later.
Hey Skye! What took you so long?
That should have read cat parking maybe.
One more sign, done the same way as the other, and we are done!
Remote parking indeed! Son, are you getting the message yet?!
It even looks happy and cheerful inside with that added little red toolbox. Nite nite, annoying sweet remotes and controllers!
But this little toolbox side table has a secret…
It can be turned around for a whole new look! And a new use too.
This is the movie side.
Seriously… why these things aren’t actually marketed for sidetables I have no idea. Maybe I’ll be the one to do it.
Any major furniture companies out there desire to work with a fearless junker?
And because no post of mine would be complete without BOTH cats photobombing…
Ok Lake, I’ll play Mario with you..
Ok SIGN MAKER GIRL… don’t know if you still get called that anymore…
but, I just have to ask,
Did you make the TURQUOISE COCA-COLA CRATE?
I love coca cola and have never EVER seen it that color before!
…Oh, and you out-did yourself on the this ‘old sign toolbox’ …:) Pat
Haha, I still have an email that reads signmakergirl so I guess I do. 🙂
The coke crate letters are actually a dark green. And it’s totally authentic!
While I confess not sure I could do this project (even if I had pro decals and tools, lettering and stencilling never works for me somehow), I always love to see Lake and Skye. 😀
Oh my goodness, I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Ahhh, you are such a junk genius. 🙂 Let me know how it works because no matter how many storage options I offer at my house, I still sit down on a remote just about daily! 🙂
Thanks Kimm! We’ve had it for awhile now and it’s fantastic! Although I still find cordless phones INSIDE the chair… daily. So I guess it doesn’t attract phones?! haha
This is a super cool toolbox to start with, but after you got your hands on it it’s just amazing!
I love the splach of perfect cool blue color…I would love to live in your home for a week! Its my ideal feel-a little bit of soul in every corner!
great steps to this project and I love the color. A little bit of splash is always a good thing. I enjoyed this. -Carole @ GardenUp green
This is just so darn cute! Can’t wait to learn how you make your decals. The splash of color is perfect!
That seriously is about the cutest side table I have ever seen. I would love to learn how to make decals. I’m go to pin this.
Wow! Cool idea! I really like this!
What do you use for your lettering? What type of printer? I am looking to purchase one, but I don’t know what to buy. Please let me know. Thank you
Hi Chris!
I use pro signmaking equipment which I would not recommend unless you letter vehicles and signs for a living. It just isn’t price efficient.
I am creating an ebook with how I do it all, but in a nutshell, I use a 24″ Graphtec plotter and Signlab / CorelDraw software. Google for a supplier near your area for sign equipment, but be prepared to pay lots with a very high learning curve.
I suggest to visit a major craft store to see what they carry.
Not sure if this helps or not but the “Cameo” Electronic cutting tool by Silhouette is supposed to be able to cut stencils designs that you upload from your computer onto various materials including stick on vinyl! I just bought one from Michaels and haven’t tried it yet but saw a girl do amazing stencils with it on pintrest.
I have proved the remote is the most durable thing in our house, I drop it constantly, the back cover is no longer around, the batteries keep dropping out, but it keeps on going. I love this tool chest, now to only find one that is similar.
AWESOME!!! I love this project sooo much….ps i love casters!
Thanks! A side table on casters made all the difference in our home. We move our two chairs all the time and it’s so nice that the table can come along effortlessly for the ride!
Oh this looks so great! Love the color and how it compliments the chair.
Your home has such a warmth about it, you are a genius using old and making it new again. I look forward to your post each day to see what new marvel you have come up with. You are my #1 blogger, keep up the good work.
AMAZING is all I can say! Your creativity is so refreshing!
Gorgeous! I absolutely love every single detail!
wow you are so right i would buy one to keep 2 grandsons under 2 little hands out of stuff i have said it before and i’ll say it again you make
‘the best” stuff out of junk xx
Totally love this. I’m going to try my hand at painting my own signs!
Shannon ~ bohemianjunktion.com
What a great idea!
The color matches your chair too.
You seem to be able to come up with a use for everything. I wish
I had that talent.
Love it, love it, LOVE it! I’m a monochromatic girl too, but it seems like a little color is easy to add when it’s good and distressed! I’ve loved that toolbox side table since you first posted about it, it’s so unique and great!
Hey, I kid you not, I’m still adjusting to all this colour! The chair made me do it… 🙂 Thank-you!
PS – as an AZ girl, I just love the license plate 🙂
You know I swear like a sailor when I totally love something. I also say the same cuss words when something goes wrong. In this case it was all cuz something went completely right. 100% LOVE IT.
I think this is the first time cussing made me laugh! You kill me Miss Bliss… and thanks! 🙂
I absolutely love it and really need one in my livingroom! I only have a couple of remotes and two or three movies but I’m sure I could find something to put in it LOLOLOL
Thanks! But I cannot relate to this comment… hahhaa
How COOL! Love it! And to think I saw one of these on my resent trip to the mountains and didn’t even think of how I could use it. Shoot! I love the paint technique! I will have to give that a try!
Totally. Some furniture maker with some vision of creativity should really hook up with you! I can see you having your own line.
I wish that I had your brain! My son should have YOU for his mom right now…he’s doing an industrial/contemporary loft apartment…I’m going to have to have him look around your site for a little inspiration! You CONTINUE to amaze me! xo
I really like reading your blog and I do learn a lot from you. I truly LOVE seeing the cats, they are my favorites.
Really cool makeover Donna! I love the colors you used, they feel retro to me. Wish I could find one of these around here. We need to hide all the wii remotes and games. Maybe you do need to contract with a furniture company 😉
I love this! So cute and practical too 🙂
Absolutely love it, Donna. Seriously, some BRILLIANT manufacturer needs to a line of Funky Junk furniture and accessories!
Wow!!…this is an awesome thing of beauty and function…you are just amazingly creative and talented!…
Just off the coolness scale! I really love this idea!
I cannot wait for directions. I want to make one. Hurry hurry hurry please
Love this!! Please let me know if someone starts making and selling them. In all my junking have never seen a toolbox like that!
LOVE that side table….FABULOUS!
Could you please tell me the brand and color of that vintage looking white paint…
pretty please?
I love this toolbox and have never seen anything like it. Do you happen to know how old it might be or what it was originally used for? Any information that would help me find one would be really appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Deidre! I think it’s just known as an old vintage toolkit on casters. I don’t think they have a specific name. Hope you find one, they are pretty cool!