Project: Coffee Cup Cabinet with Recycled Wine Crates
Here's a great project from Daniel, who couldn't find a storage unit he liked in the shops. So he built it himself! This took some time and effort, but remarkably little money. Read on to see detailed instructions on how Daniel did this, and don't forget to give him a thumb's up if you think this project is helpful.
TOOLS:
Pine wine crates (various sizes)
Hammer and nails
Brads
Screwdriver and screws
Sand paper
Screws
L braces
L brackets
Saw and miter box
Ruler
1 strip of 1/4" x 3/4" pine molding
Linseed oil
STEPS:
First, I found some interesting wine boxes and crates, particularly ones made of real wood and those with writing of some sort stamped on them in cool type. I started with my main wine crate, which was tall and deep, a good shape for this project.
Since this project was essentially made with found materials, I figured it out as I went along, and started with the lower portion for housing the plates. It is very important to measure the cups and saucers first so they fit, and go from there.
I took off the end of the crate with the stamp on it and put it back as a shelf by nailing it from both sides. Then I cut little strips of the molding as separators for the plates. Tack them in evenly from on top and below with small nails or brads.
Perhaps the trickiest bit was the tic tack tow shape in the middle. I got 2 lengths of pine boards for the shelves and cut the short upright braces which I nailed together with brads. For extra support, I used L brackets from behind, see pic.
Next, I strengthened it from behind with some L braces in all 4 corners.
Finally, I topped it off with a mini head board with some cool type on it and gave the whole piece 2 coats of Linseed oil. I found the Linseed oil gave the wood a nice warm stain and provided a somewhat uniform color for the different wood types.
Tacked it on the wall with some L brackets. I couldn't find anything like this in the shops, so I made it myself! Fun project and we love it for storing our Fiestaware cups and saucers. Perfect addition to a small kitchen. Have fun!
RESOURCES:
Ask at your local beverage depot, liquor store, cigar shop or wine shop for any cool boxes laying around if you need some materials. As an added bonus to recycling, you'll find some of these boxes have very like dimensions and are quite compatible with each other. Perhaps you know someone who works at a restaurant, that's where I got mine.
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© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Is that Benjamin Moore Electric Red on the walls?
Love it!
view LongIslandFoodie's profile
This is beautiful. Where do you score wine crates for free, though? All the bars around here have standing arrangements to sell them, or else they get their wine in cardboard boxes.
view matchbookhymnal's profile
I must agree that
A. this is quite a good "upcycling" of wine crates, I like the way it looks and works.
and
B. I have never found wooden wine crates for free or even for inexpensive. Even our local Goodwill store sells them for $4.99 to $6.99 - empty and not in good shape. Sigh....
view fjorlief's profile
my guess is that they are Australian wine crates - am I right?
view kellyw's profile
Hi guys, thanks for the comments. I got some of the crates in the flat I moved into left by the former tenant who was a chef. I am thinking he got hooked up with the crates through his restaurant. Also, my brother worked at a liquor store and I believe some were from that. Bummer they are not as easy to come by as I thought, my bad.
Don't remember the name of the red, looks like wine though, mmm.... Cheers!
view dannyreils's profile
I love this! Love how the French inscriptions from the wine come through. That Fiest ware (?) is cool! Nice one
view Morningmuffin's profile
Very cool Dan, nicely finished. Maybe this is a new career option.
view patrick35's profile
Excellent job Dan, it really looks like it was designed to go there. Creative use of materials otherwise bound for recycling. Top marks!
view noelob's profile
This is great; i've been using old wine crates from under the bed storage. This is a much better idea! I like the tiles too...
view cconnors's profile
great job Dan nice way of recycling materials, I like the natural finish you picked
view mikereilly's profile
Looks great Dan!
view elaineob's profile
Nicely done, can you send me one? Do the dishes come with?
view missmollyr's profile
Well done Daniel! Sounds great to me.
Jimmie
view JimCotter's profile
Looks great! I need one
Jimmie
view JimCotter's profile
Now that's what I call DIY! I am going to try it at home!
view weillyreilly's profile
Nice work Danny! Clever design for that space in your kitchen. Your pictures look great and the directions are very well written!
view gee's profile
Wow! What a neat idea. Craftsmanship looks great. Perfect size for your cups and plates! Very handy! Nice work!
view SeanPatrick's profile
Looks great Daniel. You'll have to make me one when you visit next. I could use one in my kitchen. I have plenty of old fruit crates. Maybe you can make me one out of those. Mom.
view Mom_Reilly's profile
Brilliant! Where can I buy one?
view sjohnso9's profile
Looks very nice Dan! Very clever use of wine crates and great craftsmanship!
view marycfarrell's profile
This is awesome, I love it!
view trudesign's profile
Well if Jimmie Sez - it's great work then it's great work. He also sez that lots of cops patrol Kenmore Ave looking for speeders from N. Buffalo.
Brian
view bunzactionflash's profile
I'm quite impressed. You're much handier than Tim.
view jrbliss's profile
very cool! I might try a hand at one of these...
view greg_usa's profile
That's a lovely piece of work Dan!
Barbara
view abbagirl's profile
Very clever use of the wine crates and a cup of tea is probably wise after a case of wine!
view MAC54's profile
Wow! Love it! A great way to recycle and reuse!
view melanshan's profile
Nice work. I like the lettering. Will that work with fruit crates?
view slavitsky's profile
Nice job. Can it handle a pint glass?
view hawkman's profile
Great job!!!!!!!
view kharrod's profile
Awesome project! I want one for my house. What do you say, Dan?
view mamante's profile
looks great dan!!
view dondags1's profile
very cool! send me one! :)
view sinsalaco's profile
Great work! You are obviously talented and resourceful. Nice design, and the warm wood tone works well with your hot colors. Are you taking orders?
view 2140BF60's profile
Great Job Dan! Looks fantastic!
view katwoodruff's profile
Awesome, Dan, just awesome! Hope you are well!
view mmchugh678's profile
nice project buddy!
-Mars
view planetfour's profile
Hey Dan! This is AWESOME!
Functional, takes up very little space, holds enough and SO CHEAP!!
GREAT JOB!!! I would totally buy it!
Gledi
view gledisduma's profile
...AND good for the environment cause you recycled! :D!
view gledisduma's profile
Nice work Dan. I am a big fan of using real wood products wherever possible. Also glad to see that the Guinness mug made top shelf...
view jay2456's profile
Well done. I like the idea a lot. It can be used for plenty of different applications.
view eschmarder's profile
Nice one, Danny Boy
view manufacturer's profile
Very cool Dan. I think I used a wine crate for a coffin for my Steve Austin doll back in the day. This is a much better idea!
view rschmarder's profile
I think I have some well seasoned crates in my garage -- for the next time you're in town.
view BUZZB2's profile
What a great idea! Very creative, and practical.
view merieljh's profile
Nice one Dan, the linseed oil gives it a savage finish. If I could, I'd give it nine thumbs up, just like Homer Simpson from his food critic days!
view padobrien's profile
I want one!
view coleymarie77's profile
looks great. how did you get the back of the plates to keep from banging against each other? the separator posts would work from the front edges of the plates -- are they adequate to keep the back edges separated too?
view dc_occ2's profile
you were always the most creative in the 8th grade!
great job!!! wanna make me one?
view jacqred's profile
Nice job, Daniel! Build one for me!
view Gayton's profile
Great stuff!
view shamrock67's profile
Nice job Dan! I have those same dishes in various colors and was looking for a way to display them. Good idea!
view Bryankees's profile
i like it.
view angie_e's profile
Looks pretty good. Can you make me one with a beefy buffalo bills design? That's be great!
view the_beefalo_bills's profile
That's really cool
view jsimmons's profile
This project is very creative and appealing! Dan's instructions are clear and well thought out, and the photos are attractive as well as informative.
view bunnardo's profile
Wow, looks really good. The instructions are very informative. I have tried several different kinds of varnishes on wine crates, and it seems linseed oil works best according to your design. I have a site that has pictures of lots of different creations that people made with their wine crates, and also how to purchase a variety of types and sizes.
Patrick
www.winepine.com
view Winepine's profile