Make a New Wood Crate Look Old – Dog Toybox
I know that we are in the middle of a kitchen reno and I should be busy with kitchen projects, but I’m easily distracted and when an idea pops in my head I’m off to the races.
Case in point…Finn’s messy basket of toys.
It’s been overflowing for quite some time and I knew that I needed something larger but I didn’t know what to use.
When I saw this wood crate on sale for $10 at Target, I knew that, with a little bit of work, it would make a great doggie toy box.
I didn’t want to spend a lot of time or money on the crate so I went for simplicity with wheels and some washed on paint.
The first thing I did was add wheels. (When you do something like this you want to make sure you drill pilot holes for the screws so the wood doesn’t split.)
Next was paint.
I was going to stain this but I started experimenting with some paint on a paint stick and found a color and technique I liked so I went with paint.
I used some leftovers I had in the basement, SW Iron Ore mixed in Behr paint.
To apply it I used an old sock and some water. I dipped the sock in the water and then the paint, only getting a small amount.
Then I just wiped it on the crate working with the grain of the wood.
I went really light with the color and if I felt a spot was too dark, I simply dipped the sock in the water and rubbed the dark spot until I was happy with the color.
I worked my way inside and then outside and even did the bottom (underside). It dried very quickly and in about 45 minutes, I was done.
I couldn’t leave well enough alone though, and had to add a doggie touch to one side, so I printed a dog bone picture, cut it out and used it as a stencil.
I wanted it to blend so I just used some of the Iron Ore and sanded it a little after it dried.
I’m not crazy about the bone with the gap in the crate, but I can turn it around to the plain side. I do love the effect of the paint wash though.
Now Finn has a new box for his toys and it only cost about $15. This turned out to be the kind of project I enjoy doing most…quick, easy and cheap (just like the dog silhouette I did of Finn).
Now I need to find another one to do. 😉
Have you done any quick, easy and cheap projects lately?
Can you tell me what your process was with the paint? Did you use a colored SW paint and mix it in a white base Behr paint? I would like to make this crate for my dog toys as well. I love it.
I got the paint at Home Depot. They just mixed the color for me at my request, which was SW Iron Ore. They used the same formula that SW would use to create the color. Hope that helps.
I think I could do this…looks easy! Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog Hop!
It was easy Pam…you can do it! 😉 Thanks to you and the other ladies for hosting such an awesome blog hop every week.
Really cute idea, Kristi!
Thanks so much MJ.
This really does look like old wood. Stain and I don’t work well together and I’m never happy with how the wood turns out. This is a tip that I’m going to have to try!
I was surprised how great it looked, not like paint at all. I know that if you try it you’ll do something fabulous. Your projects always look great. 🙂
Adorable and very crafty! I like the bone. It makes it very clear that it’s a doggy box. I’m a quick, easy and cheap crafter myself. Heck, that’s my mantra!
And it’s an awesome mantra to have. 😉 I wish all my projects could be quick, like painting the kitchen cabinets. Ugh, they’re gonna be the death of me. Thanks so much for stopping in Kim.
Seems like you were hard;y gone and now you’re back. Like your crate.I have some wood folding screens I want to use on the back porch to block the sun. They need something done with them and this gave me an idea other than painting them. I also need some small storage on the back porch and this crate would be perfect. Thanks for sharing you idea. Debbie
I know Debbie, 5 days is not long enough for a vacation. 😉 I’ll take what I can get though. I’m glad that my project gave you some ideas for your project. If you try the paint technique, I would love to hear how it turned out.
Turned out great Kristi…love the bone stencil!!…Not many projects going on…just a lot of furniture shuffling and freshening up some wall areas….Have a great day!
Thanks Shirley. Oooo, furniture shuffling is one of my favorite things to do. Can’t wait to see what new things your shuffling and refreshing.