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    Home » Craft Tutorials

    Rustic Crate Tutorial From Inexpensive Media Crate

    March 11, 2020 By Brandy 9 Comments

    This rustic crate tutorial uses an inexpensive unfinished wooden media box. Ideal for many uses in home decor and easy to make too.
    Looking for more easy home decor projects? Check out our reupholstered storage ottoman or our throw pillows made out of a tablecloth! 

    I found an unfinished wooden media box at Michael's the other day and thought it would make a nice addition to our living room decor. These boxes come in two sizes and are fairly inexpensive. Especially if you have a 50% off coupon. That brought it down to $2.50.

    crate with plants inside
    With a little paint and twine I was able to turn this box.

    Rustic Crate Tutorial

    hand painting crate with paint and crackle finish
    • With the help of some little helpers, we painted the entire box in a cream colored acrylic paint.
    • When the first coat was dry, we applied a coat of crackle glaze.
    • The second color was applied to the dry crackle layer and instantly gave the whole box a rustic crackled effect. I have had the glaze for quite some time, but the kids hadn't ever seen it before and thought it was pretty fun to watch.
    • Since it was a crate with wide gaps in between the slats, I added a piece of cardboard to the bottom to fill it in.
    • Then I added twine wiring along the sides in case I wanted to maybe display Easter eggs, or party favors, etc. in the crate later on. Otherwise they would just fall out through the slats.
    twine stapled inside crate in zig zag pattern
    • To create the twine wiring I used my staple gun and created a zig zag pattern across the entire width on both sides.
    • When I reached the end of one of the sides, I turned right around and went the other way crossing the twine and creating "x"s.
    finished crate on table
    I filled it with 2 artificial plants from IKEA and was pretty happy with the new addition to my home decor.

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    About Brandy

    Welcome! I'm Brandy, mother to 5 darling kiddos and a cute black lab named Toby. My husband is in the Coast Guard so we've lived all over the place, turning each house into a home. I love baking, sewing, making cute things with my kids, and sharing what I've learned with all of you!

    Comments

    1. homefornowblog says

      July 22, 2013 at 4:17 am

      I picked up a few of these at Michael's today and had no idea what to do with these babies. I love the transformation and how you turned these simple boxes into a pretty spectacular centerpiece! Thanks for the inspiration!

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        July 22, 2013 at 3:35 pm

        You're Welcome! I'd love to see how yours turn out!

        Reply
    2. Krista thehappyhousie says

      April 22, 2013 at 4:20 am

      Very cute! Will have to keep my eye out for a crate like that:)
      Krista @thehappyhousie

      Reply
    3. Bridgett Shepherd says

      March 20, 2013 at 8:14 pm

      Love how your centerpiece turned out, Brandy! Would love for you to share at the party! xo Bridgett

      http://www.osiemoats.com/2013/03/link-up-party-6.html

      Reply
    4. Inspire Me Heather says

      March 18, 2013 at 2:07 pm

      I really like how you've added the twine - very nice! I've got this linked to my crates post too today, for DIY projects using crates!

      Reply
    5. Lauren says

      March 17, 2013 at 2:02 am

      Cool planter box. I love the rustic element. I would love it if you would share this over at my link party.

      http://www.ifitsnotbaroquedesignblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/tuesday-link-party-10.html

      Reply
    6. Lisa says

      March 16, 2013 at 4:30 am

      The twine wiring enhances it so much! Love it!

      Reply
    7. LuAnn Braley says

      March 12, 2013 at 11:04 am

      Very nice!~

      Reply
    8. Samantha says

      March 12, 2013 at 1:02 am

      Love this!!

      Reply

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    Welcome!

    I'm Brandy! I love to create and share my ideas through easy-to-follow recipes and tutorials.

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