Stained washcloth crate with DIY metal tag

In one afternoon recently, I transformed this small, unfinished crate (from Crates and Pallet, available at Home Depot) into this washcloth holder for our master bathroom using some stain and sheet metal.

Stained-washcloth-crate-3

To replicate this project, check out the steps below.

Step 1: Apply a coat of Varathane® water-based wood stain in Worn Navy to any unfinished crate.

Crates-and-Pallet-with-Rust-Oleum-project

This stain dries in one hour and cleans up with soap and water, which means there is now hope for finishing a project during my toddler’s nap time. 🙂

Varathane-Worn-Navy-Stain

Step 2: Apply a coat of Varathane Antique White stain over the navy color, using a piece of steel wool to rub it into the grain to create an aged finish. Wipe off any excess.

Varathane-Antique-White-stain-over-Worn-Navy

Step 3: After the stain dries, seal the crate with a coat of polyurethane. I like Varathane Triple Thick Polyurethane. I used the satin finish for this project.

Step 4: While your poly is drying, trace an oval shape onto a piece of thin sheet metal. You’ll want to keep the shape rounded to avoid any sharp corners.

Sheet-metal-labelStep 5: Cut out the shape using a pair of tin snips. I bought mine for about $10 at Home Depot.

Tin-snips

Step 6: Label the cutout using a hammer and letter stamp punch set. I used this one.*

Step 7: Attach your label to the crate with tiny screws or brads. Done! 

Stained-washcloth-crate-2

Stained-washcloth-crate

What do you think of my new washcloth crate?

Special thanks to Rust-Oleum for providing the Varathane products needed to complete this project. As always, all thoughts, opinions and projects are 100 percent mine.

*This is an affliate link. Purchasing through this link won’t cost you anything additional, but a small portion will come back to Living Rich on Less, helping me continue to provide great, free content to you. Thanks in advance for your support!

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5 Responses

  1. Kim R says:

    very cute! I had no idea the stain dries so quickly! and I really like your antiquing technique.

  2. I really like the paint technique you used … Have never used steel wool but look forward to giving it a try. Love the stamped metal also. So clever! Thanks for sharing!

  3. Brittany says:

    Hello,

    Did you use a corse or fine steel wool? Also did you sand the project prior to the navy stain?

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