GREAT CRATE CHALLENGE

Hello loves!!! Earlier this fall I was asked to participate in the Winnipeg Renovation Show Great Crate Challenge! Myself and 4 other Winnipeg influencers were given just two wooden crates and were put to work on our very own creation! Wanna know what I made…

You’re in luck! I’m sharing a sneak peek of my creation, which will be on display at the Winnipeg Renovation Show, Friday January 12th-Sunday January 14th at the RBC Convention Centre where my and the other influencers’ entries will be showcased.

If you make it to the show, you’ll have the opportunity to vote for your favourite Grate Crate Challenge creation. As well, I’m giving Winnipeggers the opportunity to take home my design! Head to my Instagram @brainsandbronzed at 5 pm CT today to enter! Giveaway winner will be announced Friday, January 12th!

The idea that DIY projects are expensive, difficult, and not worth the time is SO FAR FROM THE TRUTH! I love making a DIY project because:

1. It’s uniquely yours and you can customize it! Add those little details you dream about but can never find, or shape it to fit perfectly into a space. Plus, how much nicer is it to have a piece that you created?
2. It doesn’t have to be expensive! These 2 crates sold for $12.99 each at IKEA, you probably have some left over stain and paint from past projects, then add a couple bucks for the bolts, and voila! MUCH cheaper than purchasing a piece of furniture from the store.
3. It’s FUN! Why not spend a Sunday making something instead of lazing around.  Don’t get me wrong… sometimes a girl needs a good lazy day. But the feeling of completing a project like this is sooo rewarding!

For my crate-ion, I knew I wanted to make something stylish but functional, that I would actually want displayed in my house. So, it was simple: I created a rolling bookcase, bedside table, mini bar, or whatever else you could imagine it to be used for! I wanted something that would be versatile and could be used multipurpose. Because I know sometimes you’re not in the market for a bedside table, or you don’t have enough books to be shelved, I wanted to make sure this piece could be able to be used for anything, and thats exactly what I did.

I decided to go with a modern farmhouse style for my crates. Using just 1 stain and 1 paint from Rust-Oleum, I’m going to show you how to get that weathered look so you too can create your very own rustic unit for your home, cabin, or sunroom! Or better yet… just win the one I made… head to instagram.com/brainsandbronzed to find out how!

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 2 IKEA KNAGGLIG boxes (or any other basic crates)
• 1 can Rust-Oleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Dark Walnut
• 1 can Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover Spray Paint in Satin Heirloom White
• 4 bolts
• 4 castor wheels
• Electric sander or sand paper

HOW TO:

1. To start, all you need is two unassembled crates that you’ll stain with a dark finish. Let dry.
2. Once dry, spray 1-2 coats of a white spray paint. Let dry. Doesn’t have to be perfect because you’ll be sanding it down later for the weathered look!
3. Once fully painted and dried, you will sand the wood and give it that rustic, weathered, white/grey washed look. The amount you sand it is totally up to your own preference for the look you want.
4. Assemble both crates!
5. Screw castor wheels to the bottom of 1 crate
6. Bolt both crates together
7. VOILA: your rolling bookshelf, mini bar, bedside table is GOOD TO GO!

STYLE:

Depending on what you plan to use your new crate creation for, you can style it accordingly. As I always say details are everything…

Styling for a… BOOK SHELF: Keep it simple and use it for its main purpose! To display some “coffee table” books! One of the key things to remember when styling a bookshelf is that DECOR AND ACCENTS. ARE. NECESSARY. I added some candles, my favourite buddha ring holder, and a cinema light box to add some depth and detail.

Styling for a… MINI BAR: If you’re missing a bar cart, set it up as a mini bar and stock up with some pretty cocktail glasses, a martini shaker, stirsticks and straws, and (colour coordinated) bottles of booze!

Styling for a… BEDSIDE TABLE: For a more sentimental and personal use, use this as a bedside table and load it up with all your bedside rituals. My picks? A vintage alarm clock, current book, a tray for my lip chap, sleep spray and hand cream, and a framed photo!

And just like that, you too can create your very own high quality, low cost, personalized piece of furniture!

If any of you are headed out to the Winnipeg Renovation Show this weekend from the 12th to the 14th, use my promo code “BRAINSBRONZED” for $3 off your ticket purchase online!

Don’t forget to vote for my creation in the Great Crate Challenge at the show!

XX – CASSIDY