Funky Junk Interiors

Reversible DIY reclaimed wood Flower and Apple Farm crate with video

Every morning, I enjoy my first cup of brew on my outdoor patio overlooking the mountain view.

There’s just something about nature that pulls me outdoors, no matter what the weather.

Unfortunately, our BC skies have been filled with forest fire smoke lately, creating an eerie pink glowing sun. It just seems that our summers are like this now. I guess since we are blessed with forests all around us, this is simply a byproduct of that. Sad, but unfortunately true.

Well, there’s one other sad thing that was transpiring that I COULD do something about… and it has to do with my fav little coffee spot.

Oh, hello there dead flowers on that otherwise cute patio table…

Would you believe I actually stared at that crispy fried bouquet for nearly a week?! Guess the ‘ol coffee wasn’t strong enough…

One morning once I DID wake up, I was sitting there feeling like a DIY but not knowing what to make… when my eyes (finally?) focused.

“Egads… that’s nasty.”

Taking another sip…

“Yeah, I should toss them…”

Taking another sip…

“Maybe tomorrow…”

Then BAM! I bolted out of my sofa and knew exactly what was going there instead.

Since it’s still summer, but fall is calling on us soon, I dreamed up a DIY crate from scrap wood, with a summer AND fall saying so you could simply spin it around upon will.

I’ve always wanted to try my hand at a larger crate anyway, so this would be perfect!

You can see a smaller one made HERE.

So, if you have some scrap wood laying around, here’s an easy way to build your own. I’m pretty certain a more refined woodworker would come up with a more sound, advanced way, however this one worked fine for my decorative purposes. And looks cute too!

Sooo… let’s build this cute reversible DIY reclaimed wood Flower and Apple Farm crate!

This post contains some Amazon affiliate links and links to my own line of stencils.

What you’ll need:

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reclaimed wood to suit

Apple Farm and Flower (and other) stencils from HERE

mitre saw (read this post about mine HERE)

measuring tape / pencil

cordless drill (here’s my fav) with pilot hole and screw bits

palm sander (this is mine)

screws (I use black drywall)

How-To:

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1. Decide on the size of your crate by positioning desired stencils on reclaimed wood strips, to ensure they will fit. 

Boards required:

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(left) 4 boards for the sides (mine are 12″)

(middle) 4 longer boards for the front and back (mine were 20″)

(right) 4 inside chunky support boards (mine measure 1.2 x 2 3/4″)

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Overall size of my crate:

20″ wide (left to right)

12″ deep (front to back)

11.5″ tall (top to bottom)

2. Cut each board with a miter saw, then hit all sides of the boards lightly with a palm sander.

Cutting tips:

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I like to cut one board, then place it on top of another, draw a line, then cut from that. I find this much more accurate than pre-measuring each board individually due to the saw blade depth.

To cut the supports:

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Lay two front boards together with a gap in between as shown, then line up a support board to determine appropriate length.

Tip: Add 1/2″ more to the support boards if you wish to leave a gap in the bottom of your crate too. I forgot to do this!

3. I painted the support boards in a black/brown. (this was my house trim colour I had on hand).

Tip: I recommend Coal Black by Fusion Mineral Paint in which I was temporarily out of stock.

Find a local Fusion merchant from HERE

4. Build the sides first. Here’s how to build one:

Lay two support boards wider side down.

Position two side boards on top, allowing for a gap at the bottom of your crate and in-between the two boards.

Mark, then pre-drill holes first, ensuring the holes are within your support boards.

Reclaimed wood easily splits if you don’t pre-drill holes first.

Attach with screws.

5. Once the two sides are complete, attach the front and back boards to the sides.

6. To make a (for show only) crate bottom:

Flip the crate upside down, then lay a plank along two ‘legs’. Attach with screws. Repeat on the other leg.

The bottom done this way is not a sturdy fix for carrying things, but worked great for a stationary display.

7. And now it’s time to decorate the crate!

I used a variation of several stencils:

Apple Farm
Flower from Market Extensions (sold separately)
Open 10-4 from Bakery
Tours from Potting Shed

Find all the various Funky Junk’s Old Sign Stencils HERE

Learn how to stencil HERE

While I did not take pictures of the stencilling process this round, I DO share it in a quick video as well as the building steps! Located at the bottom of this post.

But first, let’s get to the pretty stuff!

Apple Farm side

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Well, hello there ready-for-fall cute Apple Farm crate filled with all kinds of tree leaves and honeysuckle vines with tall grass…

The story I wanted this side of the crate to tell was a fun day of picking apples at the ‘ol farm. No need for any fancy greens for this look!

I placed water containers inside, then filled them with tall grass, and branches from a honeysuckle bush (that were in red berry mode) as well as another tree.

Instant pretend apple tree orchard!

Wood slats

Two wood slats were screwed into place on the front of the crate, then rusty junk added for a little more detail.

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Open 10-4 sign

How fun is that little added sign? It sure gave the crate a LOT more detail being a separate sign.

A cedar strip was cut to size, then painted in black, then text stenciled in Fusion’s Raw Silk.

The sign was attached with screws using two rusty junk something-or-others.

Stencils are from BAKERY HERE

Other rusty junk was hung here and there to help offer the crate a little old time authenticity.

And now I’m ready for fall!

Although it sure looks happy and cheerful for summer…

Sure beats looking at dead flowers, huh?

And… while I sure didn’t desire to dismount this fresh, cute look, I did desire to try my hand out with another look on the other side of the crate, to better chime in with my beloved hydrangeas…

Flower Farm side

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Ahhh, there we go!

Flower Farm Tours, with a little junk flower addition, welcome to my coffee time!

Flower is from Market Extensions

FARM is from APPLE FARM

TOURS is from Potting Shed

All stencils can be found HERE

After stenciling on Flower Farm Tours, I decided to add a little more detail…

A flower pot and stem was stenciled at the bottom of the F, then a vintage tap handle was screwed on to resemble a junk flower.

Such a fun, unexpected raised detail!

And just in time. My hydrangea blooms are going crazy and are pretty much ready to dry already!

Learn how I dry hydrangeas with wilt-free petals HERE

Although I did have late summer / early fall hydrangeas in mind for this side of the crate, this saying is perfect all summer long too!

Now I’m REALLY looking forward to my AM coffee time tomorrow! Maybe even two…

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Love visuals? Here’s a quick video that showcases the building steps to the crate and some of the stenciling! This is actually my first DIY tutorial in a very long time.

Music: Summer by Bendsound.com 

Think you could make a crate now after seeing just how easy it really is?

Which side is your fav?

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Other related projects:

Apple Farm faux overized cutting board

Flower Market stepladder holding outdoor flowers

How to dry hydrangeas wilt-free!