When the awesome people at Apartment Guide contacted us with a challenge they had for us, we were more than happy to oblige. {It’s kind of what we love to do, after all. ;}} The challenge: To makeover, revamp, repurpose or create something for our home, for under 100 smackeroos. So when I literally stumbled across this crate, I wasn’t quite sure what I was doing with it. For a mere fifty dollars I was totally in love.
It was totally great as it was, but I thought I’d {gasp!} throw in a little fun and give it a personal touch for our home. The first part to one of our favorite songs {and favorite shows!} fit the bill. Bob Dylan’s Forever Young, anyone? Lately, I’ve been a little sentimental. Sometimes I wish they really could stay forever young. Sometimes, I’m glad they won’t because I think it gets even better. ;} It’s a vicious thing, parenthood.
Here’s how we did it:
After wiping it down again, and again, and again…{I’d LOVE to know what this thing was used for back in the day} I broke out some foam letters I had. {You can find these at any craft store-I’ve had mine for years} The initial plan was to dip the letters in paint, and go from there for more of a rustic look. Because I didn’t want to ruin the crate, it took a little planning ahead of time. So I cut a piece of butcher paper to size, and mapped out the first three lines of the song. As it turns out, the letters were the wrong size, and were much too large for what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to overwhelm the crate with paint, but rather give it a touch of something fun.
So, onto the projector we moved. We simply printed the song lyrics out on some transparency, {font = chunky. yes, I am obsessed.} adjusted it to the right size, and started tracing. From there, careful to cover the dark lines, we filled it in with paint and a small brush. I went behind it with an exacto knife and touched up any little mess ups that occurred, as well as scraped away the paint in a few of the places, to make it look older, and distressed.
So there you have it! Our new little addition to our space. It was definitely time for a bit of a spruce up.
cheryl says
this is sweet, awesome and just right! perfect!
Kara says
i couldn’t love your crate more. i must find a way to use those lyrics now. they’re perfect.
Kimberly says
little tip in case you don’t already know, if you use a water color pencil to do your outlining, you can wipe it away with water if you don’t cover the lines. I choose a shade similar to my paint color to make it easier to cover and just sponge off anything that still shows. Works great!
ashley @ the handmade home says
hey! great tip. I’ll store that one away for later. I have problems with old, stained or oily wood. This one was a bit of a tricky surface.
Pat Upton says
Love the shipping crate re-do! I have one in my garage I got years ago at an auction for a couple of dollars. It was actually a WWII soldier’s trunk. I have hung onto it all these years with the intent on doing something like what you show here! Thanks for the incentive! BTW, I liked Apartment Guide on FB!
Seriously Sassy Mama says
Very cute way to use a crate!
Grace says
I liked ‘Apartment Guide’ on Facebook.
Kelly S says
I am actually in the market for my very frist apartment, so this would super helpful! I just “liked” AG on FB. Also, very cute crate. I would have never thought to use it as a side table.
Anna @ agoodhome says
I liked them on fb!
Liz Piccione-Volger says
I like Apartment Guide on Facebook!
Liz Piccione-Volger says
Great Giveaway! I just started following Apartment Guide on Twitter
Liz Piccione-Volger says
I couldn’t help but share the Apartment Guide link on Facebook!
laura says
I liked the apartment guide on Facebook! 🙂 have a blessed day yall!
Liz Piccione-Volger says
Guess What? I pinned this link on Pinterest!
Meg Cortijo says
I liked Apartment Guide on Facebook.
Kristen says
I liked Apartment Guide on Facebook! Thanks for the giveaway! Love the crate~
Chris says
That crate is AWESOME. Love it! And….I liked Apartment Guide on FB.
Susan says
Love Love Love that crate and that saying. I liked Apartment Guide and could sure use that gift certificate. I am about to close on a 1917 Bungalow, a dream of mine for a number of years.
nancy reid says
I like apartment guide on facebook as nancy reid
Cat Hunter says
Love the crate and I love that you left the wood natural to make the lettering POP.
I also love the slipcovered couch – please let me know where I can find such slipcover as I have been looking everywhere. Thanks!
nancy reid says
I follow Apartment on twitter as @eyewonit
Stephanie says
I like Apartment Guide on FB (Stephanie B.H.)
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I follow them on Google + (stephanie huddleston)
nancy reid says
I posted giveaway to facebook
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nancy reid says
I tweeted the giveaway
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Schmidty says
I follow Apt Guide on facebook.
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I follow Apt Guide on twitter @rusthawk.
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I added Apt Guide to my google circles.
Schmidty says
Pinned http://pinterest.com/pin/225461525065131727/
Erin Young says
i like apartment guide on fb
Erin Young says
i follow AG on twitter
Erin Young says
i circled AG on google+
Erin Young says
i tweeted about this giveaway. 🙂
Jessie C. says
Like Apartment Guide on Facebook
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Follow on twitter@tcarolinep
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follow on Google+
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Jessie C. says
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Facebooked.https://www.facebook.com/tcarolinep/posts/366491163375276
Menay Wilde says
I liked them on facebook!! 🙂
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Menay Wilde says
I followed them on twitter!! 🙂
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Michelle Wright says
Love the crate. I liked on FB.
kate santeusanio says
very creation and good idea!!!
Mami2jcn says
I like Apartment Guide on Facebook with my username Mary Happymommy.
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I follow Apt Guide on Twitter–mami2jcn
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tweet–https://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/172049465337839616
Margaret Hong says
I live in an apartment and it’s nice to see decorating ideas for a small unit. I “liked” Apartment Guide on Facebook.
Elena says
I like Apartment Guide on Facebook as Elena Istomina. Thank you for the giveaway!
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Amanda Sakovitz says
I like apartment guide on fb as amanda sakovitz
thanks for the giveaway!
Amanda Sakovitz says
i follow apt guide on twitter @aes529
Amanda Sakovitz says
i added them to my google circle as amanda sakovitz
Weatherly says
That’s a fantastic revamp! I love the color you chose for the letters, it goes perfectly with the wood. Thanks for the giveaway! I liked them on Facebook 🙂
Weatherly
Jennifer says
Liked ’em on FB 🙂
Amanda Sakovitz says
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Weatherly says
I’m following them on Twitter! @notwaverly
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fb share
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Amanda Sakovitz says
pinned
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Jennifer says
It took A Lot, but I figured out how to create a google circle, and then add apartment guide, but I DID IT!!!
Jennifer says
Pinned It!!!
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Shared on FB!!!!
courtney b says
apt guide fb fan courtney bella
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apt guide twitter follower @meandbells
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apt guide google follower courtney b
beth says
I liked Apt. Guide on FB Thanks for the chance to win!
courtney b says
tweet
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Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} says
I just started following them on Twitter! Love the crate:)
Sandra says
lOVE this – thank you for sharing
Manette Gutterman says
I liked Apartment Guide on Facebook!
Suzanne S. says
l like apt guide on fb
Suzanne S. says
I shared this giveaway thru twitter
april taylor says
I like Apratment guide on Facebook.
april taylor says
I follow Apartment Guide on Twitteer.
@april_pinkchip
april taylor says
I follow APartment Guide on Google +
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shannon says
Following Apt Guide on twitter (@channynn).
shannon says
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/channynn/status/172131726162796544
Kelly Duncan says
I liked Apartment guide on facebook!!!
Kelly Duncan says
I am so excited to see this post of yours. I have a chest like this that was my grandmothers. It is at least 90 years old. Thanks for the idea!!
Stacey B says
Liked Apartment Guide via Facebook as Stacey Bico.
Stacey B says
Following apartment guide via twitter as @staceyrenee711
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Following apt guide on google+ as Stacey Bico.
Stacey B says
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Jennifer Marie says
I like them on fb (Jennifer Messner M)
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I follow them on twitter (JenniferCNP)
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I follow them via google + (Jen Moyer)
Jennifer Marie says
tweeted!
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nancy reid says
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posted to facebook
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https://twitter.com/#!/eyewonit/status/172322790538620928
I tweeted
emily says
I liked on FB. Thanks for the chance
Brenda says
I liked Apartment Guide on facebook
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I am following Apartment Guide on Twitter
Brenda says
I tweeted about the contest too, thanks for the giveaway!
Sarah @ Sarah in the Suburbs says
I’m following AG on Twitter!
Sarah @ Sarah in the Suburbs says
I shared on Pinterest!
Sarah @ Sarah in the Suburbs says
I tweeted about the giveaway.
Sally P says
I like Apartment Guide on Facebook 🙂
Sally P says
I follow Apartment Guide on Twitter 🙂
Tina M says
Like Apartment Guide on Facebook
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follow Apartment Guide on twitter
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https://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/172368547476013056
Tina M says
follow Apartment Guide on google+
Shannel says
Love the words. Love the crate. & I love that canvas with the letter “m”. If you made the canvas, what font is the “m” & how did you acheive the distressed look?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hi Shannel! I’m actually in the middle of writing a little ebook about that. stay tuned!
Christina says
Shared about the giveaway on Twitter @dilibertophoto
Christina says
I liked Apartment Guide on Facebook
I already have a plan for that Home Depot gift card 😉
Christina says
I also followed Apartment Guide on Twitter. 🙂
Angie says
liked on fb
♡♥♬ Louis ♬♥♡ says
I like Apartment Guide on facebook (Louis H Uffmire)
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♡♥♬ Louis ♬♥♡ says
following @aptguide on twitter @left_the_stars
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♡♥♬ Louis ♬♥♡ says
I added Apartment Guide to my Google+ circle
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♡♥♬ Louis ♬♥♡ says
I tweeted your giveaway
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anash says
I follow you on twitter @anashct3
Thanks for this lovely giveaway!
Email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
anash says
I added you to my google+ circle
username: anash ct
email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
anash says
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/anashct3/status/172509678092288000
Thanks for the chance to win!
email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
anash says
pinned it here: http://pinterest.com/pin/56717276527094514/
Julie L says
like AG on fb Julie A Scott Laws
thanks for the giveaway
Julie L says
http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehandmadehome.net%2F2012%2F02%2Fapartment-guide-easy-diy-projects-a-giveaway%2F&t=apartment+guide+%3A+easy+diy+projects+%2B+a+giveaway shared on fb
Julie A Scott Laws
Kathie M says
I now Like Apartment Guide on Facebook.
Kathie M says
Following Apartment Guide on Twitter
Kathie M says
Re-tweeted your post about his giveaway!
Luci Nation says
Following Apartment Guide on Facebook!!!
Angela Seaton says
I liked Apartment Therapy on Facebook! =)
Kathie M says
Got a Google+ account so I could circle them:P
Trina says
Liked on facebook
Trina says
Following on Twitter
Ashley Hellen says
I followed them on Twitter!
Ashley Hellen says
I liked them on Facebook!
Ashley Hellen says
I pinned this precious project!
Ashley Hellen says
I tweeted this awesome project!
Louise says
I emailed this site to two friends…and love that you made these lyrics come alive!
Cindy A. says
I like Apartment Guide on Facebook – Cindy A.
Cindy A. says
I follow Apartment Guide on Twitter – @normawatson
Cindy A. says
Tweeted!
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Cindy A. says
Shared on Facebook!
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Rebekah says
I liked them on Facebook!