I love old things! I grew up with a mother who collected antiques. Our house was filled with beautiful old furniture and I loved that they all had a history.
My Aunt called me the other day to ask if I wanted an old crate that used to belong to her Grandpa. Umm, yes please! Her grandpa use to work for a brewery in Salt Lake City in the 1920's. This was a shipping crate that came from there.
This is it all fixed up. It didn't take much. I'll show you the before and what I did.
THE BEFORE:
I loved how old it looked and I didn't want to really change it very much. It did have a lot of writing on it though. The kind when a child gets a hold of a pencil :) And it was dusty. So I got a soapy rag and wiped the whole thing down. I only scrubbed the areas that had the pencil marks. I wanted it to still be "dirty" if you know what I mean. I didn't want to clean it so much that it looked new.
I used some wax instead of polyurethane like I usually do because I didn't want to change the color of the wood that much. I knew the wax would sink into the unfinished wood of the crate and still protect the wood with out giving it a shiny (darker) finish.
I applied it by using an old rag. I rubbed on a thin coat going in the direction of the wood grain. It did make it a tiny bit darker but not as much as it shows in this picture. It sunk down in and lightened up a bit. This was right after I applied it.
I just love before and after shots together so here you go! Not a super dramatic shot, but that is what I wanted. I wanted it to look the same. . . just a little better. Plus now the wood is protected and will be easier to clean.
This will be going in my office!!! It will hold my fabric and sewing machine. I am going to put it under a window and have some pillows on top so it will act as a bench as well. I love it!!!
I.love.this! I am a huge fan of anything "old". It is an amazing piece! I am so jealous! :)
A subtle change, but it makes it look amazing!
It's Stacy's "TOYBOX"!!! Love it! I have several old wooden boxes. I wish I knew the stories they could tell!
It looks great! I love old boxes. I need to hunt done some for my house!
I love it! You definitely made it look so much better without changing it too much. What a fun piece. I would love to see how it looks under the window with pillows.
Yeah, that's pretty friggin' awesome.
wow, i love it! amazing the difference!
I love it! Such a unique, beautiful piece.
This is great and just what I needed. We cleaned out my in-laws' house for it to be sold and came across a number of old crates and old boxes that my husband's grandfather used in his catering business (from the 20s). I want to clean them up but hadn't a clue and your DIY was just the right thing...I good wash and some wax is exactly what they need! thanks so much!
This is a gorgeous piece! I really adore it, actually. :)
I would love to have you share this project at my first link party--
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2011/08/show-share-1.html
Love! I like that you used finishing wax. I've been wondering what kind of projects you would use that for.
I love the way you will have many uses for this great piece :)
I just love the job you did on the crate. Kris would be so proud of you! I love your idea of putting your sewing machine inside--anxious to see it!
I love waxing furniture! I just waxed my antique armoire! It makes all the difference! Hope you had a wondeful weekend!
http://www.moddybee.blogspot.com
Simply stunning! I love how the wax brought out its colors and textures without compromising its character.
So cool! Wish my aunt would call me up with an awesome gift like this! It will be so cute with the pillows.
Where did you you find your tinted wax? I have looked everywhere! I live in Lehi so not too far from you.
Wow, that is a great crate! I like that you kept the integrity of it, but still "freshened" it up. Very nice!
DO you think this technique would work on an old soda crate?
love the finish... minwax makes a light or dark past finishing wax. Please let me know which one you used ... I am assuming it was the Light Wax. Thanks a bunch!