G'day lovelies.
Thanks for the congrats on Artful Blogging and I meant to say thanks for all the comments on the pot rack the other day and to answer a few questions – no we don't hit our heads on it, I think maybe it is higher than the photos show. And the grilled holes in the wall are air vents and yes they are open to the elements all the time and no it doesn't get cold and yes it means that coastal air comes in. The snakes, well apparently according to the Snake Rescue Man, every other house in our street is likely to have a snake living happily in the loft.
It's Sunday afternoon and I have to say it has been a wonderful day here, we spent a glorious morning down the beach while Mr Beach Cottage did a 13km 'fun run'. Where the fun in that is I'm not quite sure.
I enjoyed not doing much this afternoon – just some potting up of herbs, rocket and lettuce for a bit of home-grown at the Beach Cottage. This time, I will understand that the Australian climate means watering a whole lot more than I am used to.
So, I also had a move around in the bedroom, I wanted, and more, needed a bit more storage and, as with the kitchen pot rack, I thought I'd go up and use the space on top of the wardrobe.
I found the old vintage tackle box a while ago at the same garage sale that I got the mirror and as soon as I saw it I knew first that it was coming home with me and second how great it'd look in white. It was pretty old and grimy looking and inside for sure took a bit of cleaning, should of photographed that, sorry, 'cos it is complete with old wooden-handled tools (which I soaked) and little grooves and racks and slots for things associated, I assume with fishing, now it will hold my stuff.
This has quickly become a favourite, I love the skill in these old finds – the craftsman that made this was good, the design, the quality…all those years of use and it still holds up, the old leather strap still there, it almost speaks of the days by someone's side on the riverbank…do you get that or am I a complete nutcase?
I dunno, I feel that my generation just hasn't seen that kinda thing so much, which is why I love to find vintage things. It's all just become so throwaway…
I gave it the usual treatment (please don't email me telling me I ruined it, the way I view it, here with me it's got a new life far from landfill) – primer + semi-gloss acrylic and decided to use it to hold some memory stuff starting with lovely heart-melting cards from the kids on my birthday last week
So in this box, now lives a few special things, the cards and those items that you keep but you're not sure why…
So it's over and out for today, enjoy the rest of your weekend
blogged for Rhoda's Thrifty Finds and Susan's Met Monday, thank you lovelies!
You enjoy yourself, too! That is a wonderful makeover – and such useful storage.
Pomona x
If it’s perfect to you, it’s perfect.
(p.s.) I think it’s perfect too.
Cheers!
What a great makeover and perfect to store those special things
Alison
Love it!!
Far from ruined, I love it!
Gorgeous!
Not ruined. Revived
So Sarah are all your neighbours jealous of your lovely cottage? You could give them lessons in your back yard.
Hahah… that is so funny. Do people really email you saying that!
I think it looks brilliant. I just love the look of all those white cases on top of the cupboard. Looks so good.
Love that you paint everything white. Thanks for telling me how you did it. I’m on the look out for my old box.
It’s adorable! I found an old trunk at a garage sale that had already been painted white and the owner was apologizing for that and I was thinking, “that’s great – saved me the trouble”
Just recently found your blog and I love it! I do have a question though. Do you have a TV and how does it look? I find that no matter what I do, my TV looks completely out of place in our cottage.
It’s really lovely, Sarah! Do you paint out leather things all in white, too? I have an old vintage leather suitcase that I often wondered if I could paint. You always inspire me!
sarah! what a great idea and transformation.
Fabulous! Your wonderful blog and your ‘gritted teeth bravery’ in transforming things into beauty has inspired me to paint up some chairs off Ebay. Thrifting the world, one blog buddy at a time. You are making a difference, Sarah! A-M xx
I’m so pleased that you have done this makeover as I have just found my Grandmothers old suitcase and am going to do the same with it.
When I do, I will try to remember to do the before amd after.
I have spent my whole married life (33 years) forgetting to take the ‘before’ pictures!!!!!
Love, love, love! You know that i have a weakness for vintage trunks and such.
By the way, I tagged you on my blog yesterday. If you haven’t been over, stop by.
Smiles,
Rachel
just beautiful
Beautiful as always! I love seeing your redos! Awesome!
What a great find, Sarah, love that & your pics are always so pretty. Congrats on Artful Blogging, I’m off to read that.
What a gorgeous find, and you’ve put it to such good use! Boo to the naysayers – if you found it and you love it, use it however you want to, I say
Looks beautiful in white, Sarah!
it looks great white!
So much better!
Looks good to me all painted up! I have never been one to care what people think when I do something that makes ME feel good. They do not live w/me or my things. LOL But then, I am a bit of a rebel….
Oh, so beautiful!
Just wonderful Sarah, love it.
Looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing – love, love, love your blog!
~ Pam
Hope the family treated you to a nice birthday.
Lovely do over, as you say it was rescued from becoming landfill and given a new opportunity to shine.
Just like painting your baby’s cabinet, we all get to make ourselves over once and a while to suit a new location and new attitude.
You did a great job with the old trunk….Have a great week Julie
It’s beauty. I like that is has the leather strap. Must be old. Our old tackle boxes smell a little fishy.
Nice redo! Snakes in the loft!
Get them out or time to move!!
Looks great! I totally know what you mean about our throwaway generation. I long for a time when people had less and cared more… Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and commenting! Be sure to follow so you can see more transformations & thrifty finds:) Happy Blogging!
Oh, no, it’s not ruined…it’s perfect in white! Love your blog every time I visit…you have a great sense of humor…I agree about the throw away generation…my kids have no idea what “good” stuff is…they think all my “finds” are junk…little do they know! Have a wonderful Monday “down under”!
Mary
What a wonderful transformation. I “love” that you gave it a new life. It is perfect on top of your armoire… great post… Happy MM… hugs ~lynne~
I love me some vintage suitcases and you’ve put them to good use. Love the whitewashed look.
what a perfect box! i have been lurking around your blog for some time, but wanted to tell you thank you for all the inspiration! makes me want to live near a beach so i can use all sorts of beachy details.
I love how you paint everything white. I actually used your whitewash idea and painted two big baskets in my living room white. Your boxes look great. It’s in your home, you should be able to do whatever you want in there.
love all your white…so wish i could personally live in a white world…right now many kids, dogs, cats & a busy working mom who can’t keep it all straightened up 24/7…but one day…..love your blog & will keep following…g
Hi Dear One. What a nice job you did on this old chest. You have such vision. If I’d seen it, I’d probably passed it by. It looks great white! My Mr. Precious is a runner too. He is obsessed. I don’t get it either, but so glad he can do it.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
It’s perfect! I just wanted to let you know that I adore your blog! It’s absolutely gorgeous! I can’t wait to pick up the latest copy of Artful Blogger so I can read all about it! Love that magazine!!
A great idea, but some of those old tackle boxes (and lures) are worth heaps!I would probably check it before painting!;o)
Beautiful! I too love those old cases, especially when they have the compartments built in, its fun to think of who used it in the past…
Great job on the tackle box. I have my Dad’s tackle box when he was a child..I treasure it!
Oh, I just love it! Great thinking outside the box too! hehe, tackle box that is! Love your blog! Cindy
I LOVE LOVE LOVE it and it fits perfectly for the Beach Cottage.
Hi there, me again! Just to let you know I linked to your blog on my recent post, http://wagwaan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/08/tuesday.html. Hope that’s ok
Hey, Ms. Sarah, you forgot your link back to the party today!
Oh goodness you certainly haven’t ruined it, I just love it & you do too that is the main thing …oh but eeek snakes ~ arrrggghhh I am soooo petrified of snakes I couldn’t even cope with that!
love
Alison
x
Looks GREAT and it’s functional too. A double blessing. Have a happy day!
Vicki
It turned out great – and as always, photographed perfectly
It looks great! No e-mails from me!
I love those old boxes, so useful and they look especially perfect on top of your armoire. I don’t think you ruined them at all, I think you saved them and they are super useful! congrats on the artful blogging as well, you go girl!
Sorry I haven’t visited your beach cottage for so long — I just haven’t had much time for blogging over the summer.
I think it’s great that you pick up these old pieces and give them new life. Amazing what a couple of coats of paint can do!!
The tackle box looks great, and now you have the perfect place to save your special momentos 
Do you have a snake living happily in your loft?!?!
Kelly
Sarah…love your vintage tackle box…what a great find! Oh, those cards we get from our children…mean the world, don’t they. I save and cherish each one…they mean more to me than the gifts.
Susan
It looks wonderful & what a great idea! Another happy little treasure
Sharon
A 13k sounds fun to me since I love to run!
Eeek, snakes!
Awww, I love the idea of the fresh white tackle box holding precious treasures from the kiddos.
Loving the all white collection, so trying to soften my black furniture with things,but its not easy to do..should have picked white!! Hope this finds you well,Chrissy
I love it. Everything looks so clean and and stress free.
What a wonderful job you did on the tackle box. There is nothing like pure white to make a space open and fresh. Fabulous. Amy
oooh I could use some storage in my new smaller place. your trunk looks fabulous. I also took a peek at beach cottage tv and loved it. If you had a show I would be glued to the tube! have a lovely day.
No, Sarah, you didn’t ruin it. It’s beautiful! Carpenter Robert has an old tool box his grandfather gave him. It’s just incredible. I had him put up a pot rack thing you would hit your head on. But I have that sewing machine table kitchen island smack below it. You’d have to barrel through that mighty piece in order to hit your silly head on the pot rack!!!
Brenda
Hello Sarah – what a COOL box! I love how you’ve arranged everything on top of that fabulous cabinet. I agree with you that things aren’t made the way they used to. That’s why I too, enjoy finding old junk with its uniqueness. Sarah, you couldn’t wreck anything even if you tried it would still turn out great. All of your make-overs are amazing. Such inspiration. Oh, and happy belated Birthday, hope it was special!
Blessings,
Marie