Thursday 5 January 2012

Charming as Books*

I mentioned yesterday that I had one more big present for Christmas that I wanted to tell you about... And, here it is (warning - this is a picture heavy post):


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!

21 comments:

  1. 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.

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  2. They look great, really rustic but in a pretty way

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  3. Totally, utterly, completely brilliant.

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  4. Oh 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

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  5. I have been wanting apple crates in my house for ages, but can never seem to find them anywhere. They look amazing at your place! :)
    xo,
    wink

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  6. WOW! That is fantastic. I love the picture too. It really ties your library area together.

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  7. I 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?

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  8. I'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...

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  9. We have wooden crates too but not in as nice as a shape as yours. I love the look of worn wood :)

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  10. You did an amazing job! I love the DIY aspect of it.

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  11. Very cool. They look awesome!

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  12. Oh 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!

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  13. They look super, I love books and that is a great way to display them. Plus when you run out of space- more crates!

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  14. Wow! 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!

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  15. It looks great! I agree with your decision to wait as you can always paint them later for a "new look."

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  16. Omigod 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!

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  17. Love the bookshelves! And the art is awesome...almost makes the bookshelves look like a giant printer's box! =D

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  18. Love the crates - and always love the books! I am enjoying browsing your blog.

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  19. Oooh, I love this!! What a great present!

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