I love old tool carriers and I have two that I use from time to time in my home decor. They are great for everyday use or for seasonal and holiday decorating.
I bought this one years ago at Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta. One year for Christmas I filled it with pine cones, antlers, ornaments and a candle as a centerpiece on my coffee table.
Of course nothing is safe from a coat of paint around here. I decided it needed to be red and added a vintage enamelware address sign to it. Great for storing our everyday dishes.
Dried hydrangeas always make a pretty arrangement.
Then I found this very large old tool carrier at another antique mall. For only $12 it had to come home with me. Here it is filled to the max with fall decor.
This look is one of my favorites. Those are real mums and you can see how I added those in this post for a pretty fall table setting.
This is the other side of the same caddie. Yes, Mule was already painted on there when I bought it. It is one of the things I was drawn, too. I could picture a carpenter naming his tool carrier Mule so he hand painted it on there.
It works great holding these dried hydrangeas that are bluer than the ones in a previous photo.
The other day I decided to bring Mule back out from storage to let him hold my everyday dishes.
This is just a few ideas. There are so many more uses for these.
Do you have any other ways you have filled one?
Have a fabulous weekend!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Love all of these wonderful inspirations! I invite you to share your post at my blog hop( link up now until Sat midnight) hugs!
ReplyDeleteKim you're making me want to decorate my vintage yellow tool box now. Great ideas, I may need to borrow a few :) Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for a tool carrier but so far no luck. Love all of your ideas!
ReplyDeleteYour home is always so neat and lovely! As a book nerd, I could definitely display some new reads in something like this and display it on my counter. Thanks for the great ideas! Hugs...www.intheknowwithro.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI found an old tool caddy on the curb. I cleaned it up and painted it. Originally I used it for firewood but now it hols the cat and dog toys.
ReplyDeleteYour tool carrier stylings are great Kim. I am using one of mine in my garden with herbs planted in it. I have also used smaller ones on the kitchen counter to hold olive oil and spices.
ReplyDeleteSo so pretty! Your tool caddy is a real gem. And the way you have it decorated seasonally is inspiring! LOVE those hydrangeas!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea Kim. Thanks for sharing. My hunt for a tool carrier begins today. 😀
ReplyDeleteNow I'm on a hunt for one!!!!Thanks for the ideas Kim!
ReplyDeleteLove your tool carrier. Have been looking for some .Thanks for the ideas,
ReplyDeleteHave a great day
Great styling ideas! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend,
Michelle from simplysantabarbara.blogspot.com
I have a tool carrier I painted white and I just might have to get it out and fill it up!!!
ReplyDeleteThose are so great ways to use those containers. The one with MULE on it is a great conversation piece too.
ReplyDeleteLove these! One thing I like to do for Christmas is fill mine with ornaments that I don't put on my new little tree. Many are Radko and I love to see them...just not on my tree.
ReplyDeleteSimply beautiful! I love summer, but fall is one of my most favourite times of the year - this makes me all excited! :)
ReplyDelete~Lor @ lovelyandcozy.com ♥
Love your ideas and i do like tool carriers. They are one of those things that i love to collect. I have about three or four but, i needed some new ideas which you have given to me. Thanks and have a blessed weekend.
ReplyDeleteWonderful ideas, Kim. I'm going to look for a vintage tool carrier the next time I'm antiquing. I have a neat, old wooden box I found in Nashville (it's deeper than a caddy), but I've been stumped about how to use it--it has CASTOR OIL in big letters. LOL Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI love all your ideas and everything looks so pretty! Hugs,
ReplyDeleteI have several tool carriers/wooden totes that I love. I decorate them according to the season. I appreciate your idea about using one on the kitchen counter. I will have to look around to see which one will work best
ReplyDeleteWhat great ideas, Kim. Just love the image with the hydrangeas…gorgeous! Happy weekend~
ReplyDeleteKim, I have a very old, rustic tool tote that I bought in Santa Fe in the 90s. I kept it on the screened in porch with potted plants and vintage garden tools until we enclosed the porch with permanent doors and windows. Now it sits on the potting bench in our garage filled with garden tools. I need to retrieve it and try to revive it. It' pretty rough for inside the house though. '-)
ReplyDeleteMy son made a tool caddy in Boy Scouts 20 years ago. I decided since he didn't take it when he married, it was mine. I would decorate with it. I chalk painted it and added real ferns and a faux germanium. I love it on my dining room table!
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteLove your tool boxes and all the lovely decor you add to them. I have a white one that I just love to decorate in different designs. Have a great week end.
Kris
Hi Kim
ReplyDeleteI have 2 tool boxes - The first one I received was from my brother-in-law dad - He made it and when he passed away the family didn't know what to do with it. I took it home painted it and stenciled our last name on it - put it on the front porch and added flowers - It has been there for about 10/12 years.
The other one sits on the buffet in the dining room with a few small dishes in it.
I would love to find one more for the dining room table. - So many things you can do - but love how you decorate them seasonally.
Have a great weekend
Rose
I've been on the lookout for one of these for years now - they're not easy to find here in Montreal !
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of using it for everyday dishes !
Lovely and old tool box! Now I got some new ideas, thank´s for all inspiration you share with us!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day...
Titti
Love your tool caddies and how you beautifully adorn them!!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas. I just found a wooden tool caddy on the side of the road for free. It's not vintage, but it's solid wood and handmade. Unfortunately the people giving it away wrote "free" with a Sharpie on the side of it. So, it will have to be painted...staining won't work. Thanks for all these wonderful ideas. Enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteLove your site! What awesome inspiration!! I, also have an antique tool caddy. Like you, I have used it for and in a million different ways in my home. At Christmas, I put twinkle lights in the bottom, lined it with quart Mason Jars filled with cotton bolls and greenery. Placed it on the island. Had more compliments on than anything else!
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