Every single time I pass the woodworking section at a craft store, I usually linger for a while, focusing my attention mostly on those wooden crates, just itching to be painted.
Yes, yes, I know, I could build my own. But we built a lot around here. You gotta pick your battles.
So when I saw this one on sale for $3 at JoAnn’s, I snatched it up…literally. And hey, you’re seeing the new dining room chairs! I found these on Craigslist for $250 for the set of 6…they were only a year old and are solid, big (a Matt criteria), and had the farmhouse vibe I was going for.
Back to the crate…
I was trying out some colors Patty at Classic Wall Finishes sent me, and this little project screamed for some color. I painted it one coat (yes, I know!) of Annie Sloan’s Greek Blue.
After it dried, I dry brushed-against the grain-some light gray paint I had on hand. I used Sherwin Williams’ Crushed Ice, a beautiful, pale gray-taupe.
Who would paint a crate without some numbers on it???
I found a great set at JoAnn’s, and simply taped them up. I didn’t want each number to be perfect, and I also wanted them to have a little texture.
I didn’t tape them very well so some paint would run just a little, and stippled the Crushed Ice on, giving it some texture as it dried.
I wanted to use these little numbers for one side, so instead of using stamping ink, I used just a tiny bit of the gray paint.
I love the greek blue! I couldn’t resist styling it in the new built ins (you can see the doors aren’t attached quite yet).
I picked up the vintage mustard-handled rug beater at Prattville Pickers, and it will probably hang on the gallery wall in the dining room (which I hope to tackle this weekend).
The gray print, as many of you have asked, is from Red Letter Words…I adore their gray prints…especially this one with its mustard colored pear.
The small stamps are a subtle touch, and yes, I realize the number 1 looks like a 2. Not sure how that happened.
I’m in love with this rich blue, and this guy already resides in Gray’s room, holding books and sweet baby memories. I’ll have to force myself to paint another, I guess.
And I’m itching to paint a desk I have on hand a bold color….I’ll be using handles from Vintage Skye, so here’s where you have a vote….let me know if you’d like to see it in Arles (a beautiful golden yellow), Antibes Green (an almost true kelly green), or this Greek Blue.
My painting hand is anxiously awaiting your thoughts…
I have been eyeing those crates at Joann’s for weeks!! I’ve been wanting to do something similar except I want to add casters to roll for toy storage. Mine aren’t $3 yet though. 🙁
Keep waiting, Beth! Maybe they’ll go on sale soon!
🙂
shaunna
Oh the grey print is great! Good job on the crate!
Thanks, Yanet!!
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shaunna
I’m going to have to make a trip to JoAnne’s at lunch! Love the color of the crate. I vote for the Antibes Green, just because I haven’t seen much with this color and I’m curious how it looks. Is that selfish of me? 🙂
Thanks, Gloria!
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shaunna
Oh, and love your dining chairs too.
Beautiful color–love the stencil!
Thanks, Katie!!
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shaunna
What a great idea. I see a number of these in my future for ou new family room.
Thanks so much! It’s a fun little piece.
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shaunna
I love the pop of color. It looks so good!
Thanks Rachael!
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shaunna
My vote is for the green!
Also, I’m debating which Annie Sloan paint to order first, should I start with the Old White? What’s your favorite blue color? And, is that $35 wax brush a must?
Thanks Melissa! Old White is great…but I love duck egg blue and paris grey…and new colors come out sometime in August (and they are GREAT)….sooo??? Helpful? Confusing? lol That brush is a must if you want to wax…it’s amazing!
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shaunna
Hi Shaunna, The crate is great!! Yes I meant for that to rhyme, heehee. : ) I love crates. I have two antique crates, one quite large and one regular size, that I’ve stacked in the living room. The big one holds two bamboo baskets full of toys that the little guy I watch plays with. I love being able to keep them out of sight when he’s not here. The small one holds some of my Country Living and Style at Home magazines and a couple decorative pieces as well. I keep meaning to do a post about them, they’re that nice. : )
Anyway, sorry about the rambling, it’s still a little early here. I love what you did with your crate! And my vote is for the green, but that yellow is really close behind. Can’t wait to see what you to with the desk. Whatever you do, I know it’ll look fabulous!
~ Catie
Thanks, Catie!! I’m leaning towards the yellow now…thanks for your vote!!
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shaunna
Love the crate! I vote for the desk in green. something different.
Susan
Thanks for your vote, Susan!!
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shaunna
Totally loving the new chairs, and your bookcase styling!
But now I’m leaving your blog to go check craigslist. 🙂
Thanks, Katie! I know…you never know when you’ll find a great deal!
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shaunna
I love it!! Now I want to make one too 🙂
Thanks Shirley! Go for it!
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shaunna
Mmmm… I vote green too! Green is my heartbeat. I’m so glad grass comes in green… is that strange?
Not strange at all, Mary!
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shaunna
I vote for arles – fun and happy for summer.
Thanks for the vote, Michele!
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shaunna
I vote for Arles!!!
Thanks Heidi!
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shaunna
the colour is fantastic, just like the sea ebbing onto the white beaches of a greek island!! Love it.
I vote greek blue. Runner up woud be arles. The blue chair that the link plls up looks outstanding also! We are (im)patiently waiting for our JoAnn’s to open!! I will be buying some crates! Great article about you in cottage and bungalows! Beautifu house matching a beautiful family!! Where is your floor plan from?
I love the new chairs. I some just like them for years and they are very sturdy. They are from World Market.
Love the crate! I think I like the green the best.
I vote for the Antibes Green!! I just painted a small farmhouse table with it and it turned out great! But I would love to see something a little bigger painted in it. I’m not sure what to do with the rest of my paint!! I need inspiration!! 🙂
Love the crate and I vote for Arles because I want to see it used so I can decide if I want to use it.
sorry if I mistakenly posted twice…got an error msg the first time ;-<
Janet xox
Darn! I am not able to post my comment…getting error msg ;-<
janet xox
I love the crate & the color! I vote for Antibes Green! I love the color & am surprised that people aren’t using it more. It’s 2nd on my list to purchase from the ASCP line. And I love the chairs!
That blue is beautiful! I would vote for more blue, or possibly the green.
love the crate. really neat. on your next project, i think the green would look the best.
i love the crate!
i think the desk would look great in the yellow, it would be a great compliment to the handles.
Great job! I say use Arles with the Vintage Sky knobs! It will be fabulous!
the crate is great ; )! and i would love to see the desk in the yellow only because i have not seen this color used much in blogland : ) thanks for inspiring!
I’m going to Joannes today!! $3 for a crate it great! Love the blue and LOVE your dining room chairs!! I vote for the YELLOW! With colored wax yellow distresses so warmly..mmmmm!
Thanks for sharing! As always you are awesome!
peace
Oooh! I think you should try Arles! I think it would look totally unique and different! If anyone can pull it off, you can! I have been wanting to see how it (Arles) looks on something other than an online paint chip! Side note – I have been dying to check out Southern Accents! If you are ever in the Huntsville area and need a shopping buddy, just holler!! 🙂 Also, I can’t wait to see your dining room table! I have the true PB version (our one big splurge when we bought our new house), and am curious as to how much money we could have saved to DIY!?
Enjoying your blog as always!
Elizabeth
That crate is awesome, but I’m dying for one of those rug beaters. I’ve never seen such a thing, and it has such an interesting look to it!
I know you’ve already decided on the color, but I’ll go ahead and vote for that blue. It’s lovely!
Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Such a cute crate…and a steal at $3!! I’m always scoping out the wooden crates at Joann’s but I never find them on sale. Lucky duck!
Kristen
Holy mackerel!!! GORG-OUS-NESS!!!!
Everything looks so pretty, Sha-oona Bear. I cannot WAIT to enjoy a home-cooked meal in that room.
HAHAHAHAHA!
See you Monday, my friend!
😀
Thanks, Layla-Schmayla. Don’t like the name? I’m still working on one…lol.
🙂
shaunna