Garden sign crate entry table on a wall
There’s so much good stuff going on today, I think I’m gonna pop!
#1. First off, I LOVE a new project reveal. This garden-themed entry desk on a wall is it!
#2. Two new garden themed stencil designs have been launched today!
#3. 5 other bloggers have created new projects along me, after being sent stencils and Fusion Mineral Paint!
#4. There’s a big ‘ol fun giveaway at the end, of stencils AND paint!
About the stencils
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First up, meet Welcome to my Garden, and Potting Shed, two garden-themed stencils from HERE!
These are two brand new garden themed stencil additions to Funky Junk’s Old Sign Stencils, that are built to mix and match with each other, offering a TON of fun, summery takes!
They were inspired by those that love to create in their gardens. And I couldn’t wait to try them out for an indoor project I had in mind!
My entry was actually in pretty good shape, thanks to the entry redo I did just before Christmas.
But… it was still decorated with Christmas themed signs. Whoops.
But the even bigger issue is, it lacked an entry desk or table due to my bike needing to be inside the house.
So let’s fix that, with an old ammunition crate!
Garden-themed entry desk on a wall
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Before
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You may recognize this old relic. I had it hanging on my wall for quite some time as a wall grouping HERE.
It was the PERFECT size for what I envisioned for an entry desk on a wall.
Outside of crate
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Casement is Fusion’s version of white. It has the slightest whisper of warmth, but is a very crisp white that offered great coverage.
The outside of the crate, and the inside of the lid got it with 2-3 coats of Casement.
Tip: When transitioning from a dark to light colour, Fusion’s Transition is a must have for a first coat. It costs half the price of paint, saving the good stuff for last. I would have used it if I had it on hand.

Inside of crate
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Bedford is suppose to be a grey with a yellow undertone, but to me it definitely has a gorgeous greyish sage green undertone, which was perfect for this garden themed project!
Find Potting Shed stencil HERE
Clay pot – copper gilding paste
Lettering – Coal Black
Flowers – Casement (white)
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For the little clay pot, I used Fusion’s gilding paste, and a little Coal Black around the edges to give it some roundness.
Find Welcome to my Garden stencil HERE
Letters – Coal Black
Clay pot – copper Gilding Paste
Flower – Casement (white) and mixed Inglenook (mint green) & Coal Black
Black strips of wood – Coal Black edged with copper Gilding Paste.
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For the wooden branch, Chocolate was put down first, then just the tips received a little Coal Black, while more in the centre got a lighter mix of Chocolate mixed with Casement (white).
Notice the falling leaves? A couple extra leaves created a feeling of movement.
For the black strips, the edging with gilding paste had them looking like metal strips up close, and wood from a distance. Cool and unexpected effect!
For all the green leaves, Inglenook (mint green) mixed with a tiny bit of Coal Black offered a beautifully greyed out sage green!
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How to stencil for super sharp images:
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- Load the brush with your paint.
- Offload the paint by tapping on a rag or something absorbent until brush feels dry.
- Tape stencil into place with masking tape.
- Tap up and down to transfer the paint through the stencil.
The drier your brush, the sharper your image will be!
Learn more tips on stencilling HERE.

Installing hardware to close the crate lid
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Crate hinges – Chocolate, Coal Black, and copper Gilding Paste
The hinges on the crate were actually painted over, so I made them look metal by first painting them Chocolate, then while still wet, dabbed on a little Coal Black. Once dry, I rubbed some copper gilding paste along the edges.
Adding old hardware to any piece gives it a touch of authenticity. So old junk it is! I dug through my rusty stash and found rusty S hooks, and chunks of locks, along with some old twine.
Holes were predrilled, then the hardware was screwed into place, which would ultimately hold the lid open to form a table top.
The paint was barely dry, when I raced to the front entry to put the crate to use!
How to hang a wooden box on a wall
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- Locate a wall stud, or be prepared to use wall anchors if your crate is heavy.
- Insert one screw through the middle of the crate.
- Place a level on top of the crate, and reposition until level.
- Tighten the screw, and add others to fully support the crate.
Since I was installing this crate on top of a board and batten wall treatment, I used the wood strips as the reinforcement.
And that’s when I got giddy… because it was actually WORKING!
The finished crate!
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Then when the work is done, close the lid and it’s all cleaned up, just like that! With a pretty new design to appreciate.
I wish my real office was this easy to clean.
The entry tour
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And the most fun of all is decorating the entry to suit! A garden theme it is!
Some faux flowers were added to a rustic wicker basket, hung from an old wooden ladder.
The basket serves as a summer display, or fill it with gloves and such!
This garden-themed entry desk on a wall is officially ready for summer!
And of course… open for business!
p.s. I love photo shoots. They make me line up our shoes…
The added reclaimed wood planks attached to the wall adds rustic decorating along with loads of other hanging opportunities, such as a spot for keys and coats!
With lots of room for shoes, coats, storage and now an entry writing station, this job is now complete!
Oops… just don’t forget to close that crate lid…
Fusion Mineral Paint is an acrylic based paint that has a built in primer and topcoat, and generally requires very little prep. The coverage is amazing, and application smooth as butter.
Find a Fusion merchant near you for paint and these stencils HERE.
Visit my front door post HERE where I share many Fusion tips!
Visit Funky Junk’s Old Sign Stencils HERE
Find more finished STENCIL PROJECTS HERE
.TThis giveaway is now over. Winner of this giveaway is Ruffles & Relics!
Visit these other fabulous projects below
to see what they made with these same garden stencil designs!
Homeroad – wait till you see those legs…
Organized Clutter – cool way to hang it all up!
Grit Antiques – (tutorial no longer online)
Garden Up Green – tutorial no longer online
Beyond the Picket Fence – I’m wheely smitten with this one!
Inspired By Charm – olde world charm to a garden filled porch!
Just awesome! So fun! I didn’t expect a wall desk!
I LOVE THIS! This is just what I need for my outdoor potting table so my string and scissors don’t get wet! Bring it to me next time you are in NYC! 🙂
I found the comments! I love the Ash paint color! Love it! And, I love the desk. I love the entire entry way!
My number one colour would be LAMP WHITE. I’d love to paint a few pieces for my home.
Hard to pick one stencil but because I am a coffee drinker I would pick HOMESTEAD BLEND COFFEE for sure. 🙂
All right than I have officially subscribed to your blog even though I have been following you for sometime in my favourites. Enjoy all content that you put out there.
I love Fusion, tried out Heirloom, loved using it, love the self levelling and satin feel and the colour! I picked up Coal Black as well, lovely black. Just checked back in this post and see you used Coal Black for stencilling. Looks great, I am trying that for my next stencil. Next colour(s) I am thinking of trying are Upper Canada Green then Laurentien and then Casement. Great paint, Canadian eh!
Joy
Then we have to talk about your wonderful stencils. I have several now and GROCERY is my most used and I love it. I love the thickness of the plastic, sturdy. I have used National Brewers Coffee, Antiques, Farmers Market and Market Extension as well as Bingo and Route 66. My wish list now has Garden and Potting Shed as well as the Getaway Collection. Your stencils make me so happy Donna.
Joy
Yes, I subscribed to your blog and NEVER miss a post or an adventure or a discovery or some serious thinking. Thanks Donna.
Joy
Love, Love, Love your garden display using that old crate. You certainly are creative and very talented, Donna! I would Love to win, Thank You for the chance.
* I already subscribe to your Blog.
* I would choose Laurentine and Casement for colors.
* Love the new garden/potting shed stencils. I have quite a few of your stencils already.
Favourite fusion paint color, hard to choose but I choose Lamp White.
Their headquarters are very close to me, will have to go visit.
Love your stencils,Historic Route 66 is a contender but Antiques and Collectibles is my favourite. I’ve been making signs using individual letters, while it does work it is kinda tiresome. A complete stencil would be nice. 🙂
Hello from Ontario. Yes, I have subscribed to your blog – you’ve been in my favourites for several years now though – guess it was time to make it official!!!
I love the Ash paint color
The Route 66 stencil is my favorite
Love the Upper Canada Green paint! Calming, cool, beautiful.
I love both the Coffee stencils and the Farmers’ Market stencils. So difficult to decide on a favorite, but Farmers’ Market fits my style. (Love all the stencils though.)
Blog subscription completed! Let the contest winner be me!! (Plz) 🙂
All the colors are lovely but I was immediately drawn to Homestead Blue.
I love the Grocery stencil. I would like to make a sign for my kitchen using it.