Howie sweet folks. Popping in today to show off another little project I just finished. Can I say that I am still after all these years hesitant to show off my latest bit of DIY/ decorating. I have been at this blogging thing for quite some time now, and things have changed so tremendously. Back in the old days one would paint something white (for the US ladies that would preferably have been heirloom white, being from Europe I still don’t know what white that is exactly), and you would get 50 or more comments saying how wonderful that little makeover was.
These days it seems nothing less than a complete room makeover will do, furniture needs to be built from scratch and vintage furniture receives intricate paint treatments etc. I am in awe of the ladies who accomplish all of that. Many now do it for a living and I tip my hat to them and I think they deserve every penny they earn that way and then some. They work hard and inspire so many people to do and try things they never dreamed they could accomplish.
But I am so not that. I decorate my home that I live in and that home does not have a dozen rooms I could change on a whim. I generally pay for all my projects with my hard earned money that I have had to spend hours at the office for to get, so I really must love and use it, or I won’t hand over my cash. And of course my time and energy is limited since I have to divide it between grown-up work, spending time with the ones I love and doing just the things one has to do when one has reached the ripe age of mid forties.
Doesn’t mean that I don’t dream though. That I don’t look online for different houses from time to time. Preferably houses that need a little fixing up, that have lots of rooms to play with and that I could create into the beach cottage that I dream about (even if they are still no where near the beach). Or that I don’t make plans in my head about tables I am one day going to built, whole kitchens that I am going to give the Songbird treatment or if I could get away with switching out rooms and furniture. But that is just dreaming. Doesn’t hurt anyone, and never has actually enticed me to go out and look at other houses or start ripping my kitchen apart. I am quite content with what we’ve got.
Anyway what I was starting to say, before I went of on this side trip, is that I kind of feel a bit hesitant to show you my latest project. Not that I don’t love it, I do. But I am afraid you all will be a bit underwhelmed. It can hardly be considered original, nor does it involve lots of skills.
As usual my kind of project is easy, rather laid back and can be done while thinking of other things (like whether or not I could get away with buying another smelly candle, or if I have time to run out and get more chocolate).
This project involved white paint, lots of sanding, a little drilling and a bit of stenciling.
I painted the fruit crates white with a simple primer (surprise) after giving them a good clean and sanding first. Painting them made the fibers stand up, so I went at them with the sander again. For real this time. I loved the look I got so I decided not to paint them a second time. Well the outside that is. The inside got a second quick coat of primer, for contrast. (only used primer on this one, because it is a little bit matte and a heck of a lot cheaper then good paint. I wasn’t going to squander my good paints on these old crates).
After stenciling the inside for some added interest I just need to attach them together with screws and add some wheels. Finished!
For the details I used an OldSignsStencil (I got for free, to use and enjoy, thanks Donna!) to stencil in “market”. It brings back the original use of fruit crate. And I sort of handprinted a circle and stuck a number on that. I thought adding the stencils on the inside rather than on the outside makes a nice change.
Time to start decorating them.
If you love crates as much as I do, you will like these vintage crates posts too:
<<<< How to decorate with wooden crates >>>>
Our book and magazine situation is getting a bit out of hand (although to be honest that is 98% my fault, I keep buying magazines even if I don’t have time to read them, and then I can not part with them, so I keep stacking them. And lets not talk about home decor books, that is a whole different ball game/addiction). I guess I am saying that we just need a bit of extra storage space to stash away a few piles and that that is really not a problem (no really it isn’t 😉 ).
Having another little surface to put flowers on and a bit of coastal details is always a good thing in my book.
Not sure of these fruit crate shelves will stay here, might move them round a bit. But heck, that is the fun of it after all.
So that is it from the low lands. Over and out.
Marianne Songbird is the founder of Songbird, where she hopes to inspire everyone to create a home they love, one DIY project at a time. She shares anything from craft ideas to home decor inspiration and from DIY projects to decorating hacks. Originally from the Netherlands Marianne and her husband Lex are currently renovating a 250-year-old farmhouse in Germany.
Donna says
Marianne, May I just say that your is one of my favorite blogs. It is true that yours is not the kind of blog that you describe in your post above. I mean, I do enjoy a good before and after full room makeover post as much as the next girl, but for everyday, I love to see the things that you create and paint and decorate. It is so much more real and accessible to me. I love your style. I love your outdoor area posts. I love your little white fruit crate shelves. Please do not feel like you come up short in comparison to other bloggers. You are your own unique self, and I identify with you so much more. I am a little older than you, but also work full time, still have a child at home, choose to spend most of my time with my family and friends when I have the chance, and have to spend my hard-earned money on my home improvements. So you see? To me you are one of the best because this is not a job for you, you just do this for the love of it. I don’t take anything away from those other amazing ladies who do what they do. I enjoy their blogs and read them and think, “how do they get all of this accomplished? It is amazing!” But you are one of a kind, so I hope that you continue doing what only you can do. God bless, and blog on, sister!
Marianne@Songbird says
Dear Donna,
Thank you so much for your sweet comment. It is easy to feel that I don’t measure up but it is comments like yours that make me realize that yes, there are women out there who are looking forward to my posts. It means so much to me that you took the time to write that. Thank you!
JannE says
Marianne, I love your blog. I am not a blogger, just a blog reader. Your projects are in my realm of possibilities, so thank you for that. Your fruit crates are a perfect example of something I can do. Thank you for being you! Have a wonderful day!
Marianne@Songbird says
Thank you! I love to hear from readers, makes me remember that I am not alone doing this. Have a wonderful day too.
Claudia E says
I too look forward to your posts and your crates are adorable!
Marianne@Songbird says
Thank you! That is so sweet.
Mary says
I pinned it. I liked the idea of adding casters so you can move it easily.
Gwen says
Ohhh you did it again!!! You brought me back to my youth. I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley of CA ( think I’m driving amongst fruit trees and I want to go to Yosemite!) we took fruit crates like this for granted. Like an old pair of hokey socks–you think you’ll always have one or find one in that sock drawer! But just after we had decided they looked super cute hung on the walls with display items ( tall way? A ceramic vase and dried flowers!!) ( long way? We styled it with boxes of jewelry we made from My Thing Beads Store ( stayed in business well over forty years!). So I see your little shelf, and I’m thinking home. Excessive boxes all over. Not super sturdy so “free”. And you clean them up ( did you find a couple hidden in my Dad’s garage?!!!) and clean and sand them, paint them, wire them together which never would have entered my head! And add the little stainless steel wheels so popular now so this shelf is useful plus portable! And you add fun stencils inside. And then say you’re embarrassed when I’m all blathering and thinking of that sign out at the country store by these crates that said We don’t know where Ma is But we’ve got Pop in the cooler!” Get it? People= Dad plus Pop = soda pop like root beer or Pepsi. Hats off! You can put your paintbrushes down and yes, get another candle
Gwen says
Errors. Pop =Dad!! In my youth there were excessive crates for free but no longer!! Styrofoam and paper took over. And so we can’t find these crates anywhere now
Emilou says
Hi Marianne, I love what you do and want you to know that I have made more of your projects, like your Mom’s coconut cake, than most bloggers I subscribe to. Your ideas fit most of our lifestyles and please don’t sell yourself short. So very glad you are who you are and that you share with us. Because of you I have traveled to the Netherlands and Germany and have learned about your culture. Your blog creates warmth and joy. I thank you with hugs,blessings and smiles from Oregon. Your long distant friend Emilou
Donna - Funky Junk Interiors says
First off, I’m in LOVE with your project! It’s beautiful, AND functional. IMO projects don’t rise higher than that.
Or do they… I tend to gravitate towards the simple myself. I love creating, but don’t often have time to do a full blown project. Nor in most cases the know how.
There IS an audience for any kind of project, Marianne. Yours are actually in a special group I classify as ‘upscale vintage’ with a heavy dash of ‘sanctuary calm’. That is how your blog, projects and your writing style makes me feel after I visit you.
Never, ever doubt your place. You’re already there. You just don’t know it yet. 🙂 xo
Betsy says
I love this project and the beautiful fresh white paint you used on these rustic crates. the wheels are a perfect addition and makes it so much easier to move around. And the stencil…love that market stencil! Perfect!!
Bliss says
I love it!