Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

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.

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:

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.