I love wooden crates with interesting graphics. I see them all the time at auctions and they can get pretty pricey. I found this one at an online auction. I instantly fell in love with the graphics and was actually surprised when I was the winning bidder! I had set a limit for my bid and it wasn't that high. I was sure someone would outbid me. When I picked it up, I was surprised at how large it actually was. It was also falling apart. But I loved it!
The Gage-Downs Company was started in 1885 by Frank Newton Gage and Lewis A. Downs. I can't find anything about the company past the 1911. So I would think that makes this crate well over a hundred years old. I wanted it to live on in a way that wouldn't relegate it to the depths of a barn.
I wanted to salvage the graphics that were actually on the bottom of the crate. I measured about 4 inches all the way around the box.
I cut all the way around the crate, ensuring that I did not run into any of the nails that were randomly throughout the crate.
I used part of the scraps to reinforce the back and stabilize the piece overall. I nailed it in place. I coated the entire piece with Varathane Crystal Clear Polyurethane in the Satin finish.
I added these inexpensive hooks from Hobby Lobby.
I pre-drilled the holes and inserted the screws and secured them with nuts on the backside of the piece.
I thought hooks with flowers fit the vibe of the corset crate. The twine on the hook just added to the primitive look of the piece.
I added two D-ring hooks on the back of the piece so it could be hung on the wall.
I am thrilled with how this turned out. It's one of those things that turns out better than you ever imagined. The top can be used as a shelf to hold small items. and the hooks can hold lightweight items, like this vintage cloth tape measure.
I styled it with this vintage dress form and this reupholstered chair from a previous post. I put all of this in my booth at Pipe Creek Mercantile (Peru, IN) and the crate and the dress form sold almost immediately.
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Below is an image to pin to Pinterest if you would like to save this idea!
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