I love a good crate makeover and so much better if the crate goes from new to vintage in just a few minutes! Vintage fruit and vegetable crates aren’t that easy to find, but most craft stores sell several sizes of brand new wood crates just waiting to be made over into something fun!
I’m using these vintage crates in my decorating this fall.
With a little stain and some adorable vintage graphics my melba-toast – boring crates were easily transformed.
You could of course make your own crates any color, but for me, this gray-blue is perfection…
You’ve seen these right? Naked crates just waiting for a makeover! I used Varthane Weathered Gray stain, covering the entire crate by dipping a cloth in the stain and wiping it on.
Then, I went back over the crate with Varthane Vintage Teal. (Also using a cloth dipped in the stain and rubbed all over the crate.) Quickly, I used a damp cloth and wiped off some of the stain, if you want, you could go back and sand the crate, however, if you quickly wipe the stain along the edges, you’ll get a similar look.
I like to layer the stain colors because as you wipe the top coat off here and there, the first color shows through. This technique can be used with watered down paint too. Overall it gives the piece a more interesting finish!
I printed out graphics… (I’ll give you the link at the end of the post!) 
Then tore the edges…
Using Americana DecouPage decoupage medium, decoupage the graphic to the sides of the crates…
After the paper dries, lightly sand the entire crate to allow some of the wood to show through. (Be really careful when sanding over the graphic)
Lastly, add a thin coat of DecouPage over the sanded graphic just to keep it from peeling…
I gotta tell you guys, I absolutely LOVE the way these turned out…
I can’t wait to show you what I’m going to do with them!
In case you might want to do some, here’s where I got my great graphics!
I Link To These Great Parties!
These crates look great !! What a clever idea !!
These crates look amazing !!
Love it!
The crates look amazing, Robin! What a neat idea. xxoo
Eileen, thank you so much my friend ox
I am in love with them. The graphics make them so authentic. Great job!
Stacye, aren’t those graphics the BEST!!!? Thank you friend xo
There is no end to your creativity–and to the ways you amaze me.
I loooooooove this crate idea. And I just pulled out my fall stuff, remembering your Sept 1st rule. Some of us need all the help we can get. 🙂
Julie, these crates would look so good in your house!!!
This looks really cute and neat… I’m planning on making something like this but to use it as shelves and I love how you painted these!!!! Great idea!!!
XOXO
Camila, I love the idea of shelves! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with! ox
Love these! I have some crates and was just thinking how I should do something with them. I really like the Snowy Owl graphic. Great choices!
Wow, Robin….nice work! I’ve got a couple of these sitting in my craft room….just sitting. Now I know what to do with these. You are a clever crafter, my friend!
Oh my goodness, Robin! I LOVE your vintage crates! Thank you for sharing the graphics too! PINNING!!!
I’m so happy you like them CD! thanks for pinning xo
What a fun vignette! I love the crates ~ and the bucket with the vine balls are amazing!
Thank you for sharing this week at Brag About It link party on VMG206 (Mondays at Midnight).
~ Megin of VMG206
I love the graphics you choose for your creates, they are wonderful!! They do look worn. Visiting from Idea Box.
Well done! Love love them, and yes I have a crate just like these waiting for attention!
Wow, these are so cute! Love the pumpkin one and the blue color. Thanks for stopping by and linking up at the Monday Funday Party!
Fantastic idea Robin! What a great way to remake those new crates, Perfect for fall. Thank you so much for sharing your crafty project at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. Please join us again tomorrow night at 8 EST. Take care, Tara
Wow those turned out super cute! The graphics and blue stain are perfect! Love!
So happy you like them Linda! ox
An idea I learned when teaching, to make paper or documents look old, for bulletin boards and such, soak paper Ina pan of dark tea or coffee after tearing the edges to make the paper looked aged.
Great idea Polly!Thank you so much ! ox