Repurposing a Vintage Coke Crate

I've been in love with these rolling storage crates from Serena and Lilly for quite some time.

But I can honestly say that I don't love the price tag (they start at $88!).  So I repurposed an old wooden Coke crate that was my uncle's by buying just a few items from Lowes. 

Here's how to do it:

This was my crate before adding the wheels.  It didn't get a lot of use before adding the casters, because the grids inside the crate are fixed and I couldn't fit much inside it.  But it's the right size for McCord's cars and figurines, so this will be a perfect way to contain toys in the playroom.

I bought 4 caster wheels from Lowes (1 1/4") {If you live in my area, these are in aisle 19 all the way down on the right} and a handful of screws to fit the size of the holes in the casters. 

  

 Then I placed the casters on the underside of the wooden box and marked where I wanted to drill my holes.

Then I predrilled the holes and installed each caster.  I was able to get away with only securing 2 screws for each caster instead of 4.  This box won't be holding much weight, so I think we'll be okay with just a few screws. 

I had intended to insert the screws at the edge of the box where the bottom and the side meet, but as you can see from the picture below, the wood was bowed out on one side.  This means my screws went all the way inside the box, through the wood, and poked up on the inside.  I was afraid McCord might hurt his hands on the screws poking through, so I put a strip of adhesive felt padding on each set of screws (on the inside of the box).  This is the felt that you can get to stick on the bottom of wood furniture so it doesn't scratch your floors.  Problem solved.

 And that's it!

I already had the box, but all of the hardware probably cost $10, and now we have a great caddy for all of McCord's treasures. 

And while we're talking vintage, check out the new chair I picked up this weekend.  I love her chippy paint and mint greenish color.  I'm not sure what room she will end up in, but for now she's settling in the playroom. McCord's teething right now (molars, perhaps?!) and so we put some miles on the new rocker today - just the two of us - reading books, singing songs, and cuddling.  What a great feeling it is to know that you are a comfort to someone just by being present. 

Today I felt purposeful.