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    My *new* Old Crate!!!

    By Stacy 22 Comments

    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!!!

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    « Design Inspiration From Nature
    Do you want fries with that? »

    Filed Under: DIY & Tutorials, Furniture 22 Comments

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angie

      August 19, 2011 at 1:13 pm

      I.love.this! I am a huge fan of anything "old". It is an amazing piece! I am so jealous! :)

      Reply
    2. Maureen

      August 19, 2011 at 2:17 pm

      A subtle change, but it makes it look amazing!

      Reply
    3. Nanalie Knotts

      August 19, 2011 at 2:19 pm

      It's Stacy's "TOYBOX"!!! Love it! I have several old wooden boxes. I wish I knew the stories they could tell!

      Reply
    4. Autumn

      August 19, 2011 at 3:17 pm

      It looks great! I love old boxes. I need to hunt done some for my house!

      Reply
    5. Rachel @ Linesacrossmyface

      August 19, 2011 at 5:10 pm

      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.

      Reply
    6. Mindy

      August 19, 2011 at 5:33 pm

      Yeah, that's pretty friggin' awesome.

      Reply
    7. angie @ the cellar door stories

      August 19, 2011 at 6:42 pm

      wow, i love it! amazing the difference!

      Reply
    8. Kris

      August 19, 2011 at 8:30 pm

      I love it! Such a unique, beautiful piece.

      Reply
    9. Sherry Smyth

      August 20, 2011 at 8:27 am

      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!

      Reply
    10. Lindsay

      August 20, 2011 at 9:04 am

      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

      Reply
    11. Brook @BeingBrook

      August 20, 2011 at 1:30 pm

      Love! I like that you used finishing wax. I've been wondering what kind of projects you would use that for.

      Reply
    12. loving momma @ happy as a lark

      August 20, 2011 at 9:07 pm

      I love the way you will have many uses for this great piece :)

      Reply
    13. Mom

      August 21, 2011 at 9:11 pm

      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!

      Reply
    14. Moddy

      August 21, 2011 at 10:44 pm

      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

      Reply
    15. Mindy @ Heart Maine Home

      August 22, 2011 at 3:42 pm

      Simply stunning! I love how the wax brought out its colors and textures without compromising its character.

      Reply
    16. Michelle

      August 25, 2011 at 10:14 am

      So cool! Wish my aunt would call me up with an awesome gift like this! It will be so cute with the pillows.

      Reply
    17. Becky

      August 25, 2011 at 11:16 am

      Where did you you find your tinted wax? I have looked everywhere! I live in Lehi so not too far from you.

      Reply
    18. Amanda

      August 27, 2011 at 11:06 am

      Wow, that is a great crate! I like that you kept the integrity of it, but still "freshened" it up. Very nice!

      Reply
    19. Shelley Cavin

      April 13, 2017 at 11:45 am

      DO you think this technique would work on an old soda crate?

      Reply
    20. Judy

      September 08, 2017 at 2:50 pm

      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!

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Great Ideas — DIY Inspiration {10} says:
      August 24, 2011 at 8:28 pm

      [...] Great Ideas — DIY Inspiration {10} August 20, 2011 By Jen Leave a Comment  Painted Cabinet Makeover @ The V Spot  Ceiling Medallion Clock @ Positively Splendid DIY Kids Table and Chairs @ Shanty 2 Chic  New Old Crate @ Not Just a Housewife [...]

      Reply
    2. Great Ideas — DIY Inspiration {10} says:
      September 1, 2011 at 12:10 am

      [...] Great Ideas — DIY Inspiration {10} August 20, 2011 By Jen 13 Comments  Painted Cabinet Makeover @ The V Spot  Ceiling Medallion Clock @ Positively Splendid DIY Kids Table and Chairs @ Shanty 2 Chic  New Old Crate @ Not Just a Housewife [...]

      Reply

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