Sometimes, all you need to grow is to be planted in the right spot.
And sunshine.
And a little paint.
When I saw this tool caddy – with its rustic raw wood – I knew it would make the perfect farmhouse style herb garden.
We had a lot of paint projects going on that afternoon!
I wanted to use a light-colored paint treatment on it to give it a farmhouse feel.
Rust-Oleum had sent me these “Chalked” paints to try – they are chalky finish, ultra matte paint. I decided to use Linen White and Aged Gray on this project.
I actually used Aged Gray on the whole caddy, except for the top rail and handle. I painted them Linen White…and I had other plans for the top rail, too.
While that dried, I found these chandelier pieces that I had bought at the Ballard (yes, that Ballard) estate sale (click HERE for my finds from that awesome estate sale):
I knew when I saw this bag of chandelier pieces that I would use at least some of them for garden markers. I taped off the stems so that I could just paint the tops/leaves with chalkboard paint in the traditional black finish.
It took two coats:
This is clearly the first coat.
While they dried, I went back to the tool – now garden – caddy. Remember the top rail for which I had other plans?
Rust-Oleum also sent me this chalkboard paint – in CLEAR finish! That’s right – it dries clear! How cool is that?!? So, I painted two coats over the Linen White part of the caddy, knowing that I was going to write on it with chalk markers, too.
I wrote “Herboriste” on the front of the caddy in black chalk marker, inspired by a sign I saw on Fixer Upper in a garden room (that made me swoon!) – perfect for an herb garden. Then I used white chalk marker on each plant marker.
This little bird one is my favorite.
They’re the perfect plant markers. And I love how I can erase them if I want to use them somewhere else.
This was an easy project that took me about an afternoon and a half to complete, not counting the two or three days needed for the chalkboard paint to cure (disclaimer: I couldn’t wait that long).
The Chalked paint was easy to use, although it’s a little thinner and looser than other chalky finish paint you might have used. Two coats gave me the coverage I wanted, but I could still see the wood grain through the Linen White paint (which is what I wanted, but you might not if you want to get a smooth, consistent white finish – then you might need three coats or do a primer coat first). I didn’t add a finish coat over the Chalked paint, except for the chalkboard clear finish on the white part, but I would add one if you aren’t using the chalkboard paint finish over it.
I decided to move the herbs to my kitchen window, nearer to where I’ll actually use them.
We’ve been in our home for almost a year now, and I can safely say that I am firmly planted in exactly the right spot.
Thanks to Rust-Oleum for sending me this tool caddy (now garden) and paint. All ideas, opinions expressed, and work done was 100% mine.
A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.
Niceeeee! Been meaning to do this…!
Thanks, Mary!
My MIL just gave us some herbs and this is an adorable way to display them!
Thanks! You can find caddies like this at craft stores or online. I’ve also found them at thrift stores and estate sales.
This is so cute and seems pretty simple to make! OH, and this is my first time on your site and I love the name!! But you know who does eat pizza??? ME!! Prob too much sometimes lol!
Hi Ashleigh! Welcome! Thanks! It was simple to make!
I love these! I’ve only used chalk paint once before and I loved the way it looked. I’m definitely going to have to try it out on some other projects. It seems like so many companies are making it now too. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Jody! It’s really easy to use and now available in every color imaginable (and you can mix them to make a custom color). Thanks for stopping by!
Would you suggest this brand over Annie Sloan for kitchen cabinets?
Hi Sarah, I have never used Annie Sloan chalk paint. Also, I would be hesitant to use chalky-finish paint on kitchen cabinets unless you are going to put a coat (or three) of polyurethane over it. The paint will chip with use. For a complete guide to painting kitchen cabinets, I have always found this post helpful: The Kim Six Fix’s Guide to Painting Kitchen Cabinets. Let me know what you end up doing! Thanks!
I just used Linen White on a bookcase. It seems sooooo white! Any suggestions for a rustoleum chalked color that would still be white but more creamy and less stark?
Well, the Linen White is the only white color they offer currently. One idea would be to mix in some Country Gray or Charcoal with it to make it more gray and less stark. I know that DecoArt has a chalky-finish paint also and they offer more colors, so you might want to check that out, too. Another option is to make your own chalky paint – you can take any latex paint and make it a chalky paint. My Repurposed Life blog has a great tutorial for this, FYI. Let me know what you end up doing!
I love everything about this. Great idea
Thank you!!