Remember when country (currently known as Farmhouse decor) was all about wooden hearts? Today I’m sharing how I updated the wood hearts and brought them in to 2017 with this repurposed farmhouse tote!
It is so hard to pass up any Goodwill or thrift store item that’s made of real wood. I walk around the store with it in my cart, my heart pounding and my mind racing…what can I do with this. You too, I know!
Welcome to our monthly Thrift Store Decor Day, thanks for joining us. There are so many ideas for affordable home decor, please check out all the awesome projects at the end of this post!
I have been itching to paint something green not only is Greenery the color of the year, it’s a color that I love! I painted this dresser green and added a chandelier to this one: green chest of drawers!
How lucky was I to find this easy, peasy tote to repurpose?
Directions for this repurposed farmhouse tote:
- Use a phillips head screw driver to remove the handle, save the screws to reuse.
- Mark a cut line with a pencil, repeat for both sides.
- Use a saw to cut the heart shape off. I used the table saw, you can use a jig saw or circular saw – be sure to clamp it down so it doesn’t move. Always wear eye protection!
- Spray paint with Krylon Chalky Paint (my color- New Leaf).
- Reattach handle.
- Fill with magazines, towels, plants and more.
The Krylon Chalky Finish spray paint is a quick way to achieve a chalk paint finish. For a wooden item with slates, it makes the transformation effortless. I spray painted the tote following the directions on the can, let it dry and sanded with my orbital sander to distress it a little.
The New Leaf color reminds me of John Deere green! How’s that for a farmhouse look?
There’s plenty of room for lots of magazines, I didn’t want to show you how many magazines I really have 😉
This tote will make a journey all around the house, perfect for the guest room too! Fill it with towels and toiletries.
I hope you will look at those wooden heart pieces of furniture differently now!
Check out these Thrift Store Decor ideas:
Click to see: Rattan Lamps Updated With Paint by Domestically Speaking
Click to see: Easy Spray Paint Welcome Mat Update by My Repurposed Life
Click to see: Upholstered and Painted Stool Makeover by My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Click to see: Chalkboard Wall Art by Our Southern Home
Click to see: Farm Fresh Wood Wood Chest by Petticoat Junktion
Click to see: Repurposed Farmhouse Tote by Refresh Restyle
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
Great idea cutting part of the hearts off. Looks so much better with the new update. Love the color.
Michelle Leslie says
I love the color you choose Debbie. It’s so fresh.
kim jones says
Brilliant! So easy and smart and cute and…
Sue at Blu says
Just WOW!!! I’m guessing I won’t be able to find any of these now at the thrift store! Everyone will want on!
Kim says
It would have been easily made into a watermelon slice on each side! Great idea!
Debbie says
That would be cute, I love watermelon!
Angie ~ ambient wares says
This is great and I can’t believe what a quick and easy change up it is. I have one that has scalloped sides and a heart cutout within the handle. I’ll need to get creative with the handle but, I’d like to chop off the scalloped tops. Pinned & sharing!
Debbie says
Thanks Angie!
Marcie Lovett says
That WAS an easy project! Love how you gave the tote new life without much work. The chalk finish does not look like it sprayed on – I have got to try it.
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
I would have totally passed over that heart basket. What creativity you have! Fabulous, fun green!
Cheri Hins says
How easy. Thanks for sharing. I wasn’t aware they had spray chalk paint.
Cheryl says
So much better, I would never have thought to cut the hears tops off but it makes it looks great. Love that color!
gail says
Debbie,
After seein the “before” then clicking over and seeing the after–I couldn’t scroll quick enough to see how you accomplished this new look for an old tote!
The John Deere Green is perfect!
pinned!
gail
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says
What a great update and I love that green!
kristin salazar says
This turned out so great! Yes, so funny, how farmhouse style has completely changed from back in the day!
kathy@petticoatjunktion says
Oh my gosh. I love it. I always pass up hearts unless it’s something I can put a wood applique over. Now I know what to do with those baskets. Love the color too!