Barbwire trim on re-purposed Toolbox Tote.Ugly to pretty

I hope you saw this blog ...  Tool Box Tote Trays and STUFF. Fab Finds $14.00  of my fabulous 'picks' that I bought for $14.00. If not, you can go to the link above.

I love the old time-worn wooden toolbox totes ... what a story they could tell.

 

This gray one is my favorite but it is big and heavy. It is 32½" long ... 8½" wide. There is a little compartment in the back where two saws would have been kept. 
This is a carpenters tool box.

Can you imagine carrying this around full of tools?

I cleaned away all the gunk, washed it really good and sanded it to show more ware and get rid of the stains.

 
Then I applied a thin coat of light brown BRIWAX. Never used this before, but I really love it. This brought out the glow of the bare wood and brightened the gray color. May have a little blue in the gray ... maybe a French gray. Looks rich now. 
 

I had two really neat antique pieces of barbwire and this "key-like-cotter-key-chained-together-thingy" that I thought would look good on it.

  

Ugly, mean looking Barb ... OUCH

Here is the make-over. 
 
I attached the wire with the three, big SHARP barbs to what I decided was the front because I wanted the slotted saw compartment in the back for standing stuff like platters or books.

The rather plain, simple piece of twisted wire with very sharp barbs would go on the back.

 

 That piece looked a little lost all by itself, so I moved it to one side, added the key chain thingy and the rusty iron star.

Wow, this turned out good and needed to be on the front ... but way too late because I had nailed big staples in to hold everything in place, so no changing anything now. Just go with it. 

My daughter has dishes at her ranch house that are decorated with Western scenes and barbwire ... so I got the bright idea to clean up and decorate this tote for her to use as a centerpiece this Fall.

 Well; now have decided it is way too big for a table centerpiece. 

Regardless of size, or how or who will use it, I was happy with the decorations and I will find a place for it.

I simply added some Texas Whitetail deer antlers and an old clock face. Too much stuff distracted.

I think it turned out pretty nice and I will enjoy decorating with it, that is if my daughter does not borrow it. 

I am sure you could not miss the ORANGE tote in the first picture ...

But look at me now ........... 

Tutorial coming up soon about the Tote and that beautiful lace tablecloth in the background.

Thanks for the visit. I love your comments. 

Blessings,

Audrey Z. 

Linking to: 

The Dedicated House

Knick of Time Tuesday

From My Front Porch to Yours

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday

I Gotta Create