Well, this is what I opened - 2 apple crates. I was pretty excited, but not as excited as I was when boyfriend told me there were 13 more crates waiting for me at his dad's workshop *grins*
I realise that a present of 15 apple crates might sound a little bizarre! But ages ago I saw some furniture made out of stacked crates on a design blog, and I have loved the idea ever since. I nearly bought some vintage crates some time ago but they weren't quite right, and I'd given up on the idea.
But 15 crates were waiting for me *grins*
Looks like quite a lot, huh?!
Once we'd unpacked the crates, we needed to sand them down, so I got to use the electric sander, which was fun, and a dust mask that covered most of my face, which wasn't.
After letting them dry out overnight, I decided that I didn't want to put a finish on the wood as I want it to have chance to age for a little while and I want to live with them for a bit before I make a decision. Not at all that I was impatient and wanted to get them home, no *laughs*
We spent a while playing with different configurations of the crates before deciding on the final look. And then I got to refill the shelves and furnish them with the books and other stuff that turns them from something you might expect to see in a barn, into fabulous furniture...
I realise this isn't to everyone's taste, but I absolutely love it. I think they look amazing and I am still excited when I walk through the front door and see them.
It's hard to get a picture of the craft area crates, I don't have the flexibility! The bottom crates have regular books and the horizontal one of top is for my knitting/craft books *grins*
And one final shot, showing the whole look (along with the new picture boyfriend discovered in the sales that I think sets everything off perfectly):
*"No furniture is so charming as books" - Sydney Smith - apart from mine that is!
I love them! My OH doesn't like having books as furniture. So most of mine are in a box room. I drew the line at the craft books though, they are out and proud in my little corner of the study, where I can grab them while looking for information or inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThey look great, really rustic but in a pretty way
ReplyDeleteI love these- what a great idea!!
ReplyDeleteTotally, utterly, completely brilliant.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that is AWESOME! I really love how you've put them together, and they don't need any finishing - they look great just as they are. You have such a cool living room :D
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting apple crates in my house for ages, but can never seem to find them anywhere. They look amazing at your place! :)
ReplyDeletexo,
wink
WOW! That is fantastic. I love the picture too. It really ties your library area together.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I am always looking for more shelving. My husband built me a table for Christmas this year, so that I could have my own "command central." It is high enough so my little babes can't climb on top of it, or reach my papers and scatter them about :-) The crates look awesome! Did you screw them together? Or are they just stacked?
ReplyDeleteI've thought about doing the crate thing too...but haven't found enough to even begin to satisfy my books. And Husband probably won't like them...
ReplyDeleteWe have wooden crates too but not in as nice as a shape as yours. I love the look of worn wood :)
ReplyDeleteYou did an amazing job! I love the DIY aspect of it.
ReplyDeleteVery cool. They look awesome!
ReplyDeleteOh man, that is *so* cool! Are the crates held together or are they sort of free standing and just stacked together? If they're loose, I like the idea that they can double as packaging and that you can reconfigure the shape of your case!
ReplyDeleteThey look super, I love books and that is a great way to display them. Plus when you run out of space- more crates!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is so clever and they look great. I feel like a lot of DIY projects like this just look weird and trashy, but these look amazing and totally fit!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! I agree with your decision to wait as you can always paint them later for a "new look."
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteOmigod I love them! I have a real soft spot for upcycled crate/pallet furniture - my home Pinterest board is full of ideas for them. Am pinning yours too!
ReplyDeleteLove the bookshelves! And the art is awesome...almost makes the bookshelves look like a giant printer's box! =D
ReplyDeleteLove the crates - and always love the books! I am enjoying browsing your blog.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I love this!! What a great present!
ReplyDelete