The crate escape

Try this stylish storage that breaks free from boring.

We’re always looking at ways to put our personal stamp onto the interior of our homes. If your home is looking a little boring and you’re wanting to add pizazz, jazzing up your shelving – usually a prominent area in lounges and living rooms – is a great way to start.

We’ve booted out the bookshelves and replaced them with this great crate stack, painted in a bevy of Resene FX Metallic and complementary Resene colours, in turn creating a unique and beautiful display.

Create your own crate shelving

• Measure the height and width of space you’d like the crate shelving to take up.

• Search through second-hand stores and websites to find timber crates in good condition (no borer holes, all sides intact, only need a light sanding, etc.).

• Sand down any crates that aren’t bare timber and wipe clean with a damp cloth. This will give the crates a nice smooth surface to work with.

• Line the crates up against the wall to work out the structure of the crate shelving.

• Allocate colours to each crate while the structure is up – write the colour on painters tape and attach to the corresponding crate.

• Take the crates down. Using Resene testpots and brushes, paint each crate.

• Once dry, reconstruct the crate shelving.

• Secure the crates to the wall by screwing them in.

• Fill the crate shelving with ornaments, magazines and other decor for display.

Mix ‘n’ match with metallics

This crate shelving, along with painted decor, is painted in testpots of Resene Obelisk, Resene Armadillo, Resene Gunsmoke, Resene Thunderstorm, Resene Big Stone and Resene Blast Grey 3. The mix of metallic blues, moody greys, rich silver and warm wood stains bring a richness of old world charm.

If you’re planning to display lots of heavy items, consider using Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel instead of Resene testpots – the added block resistance will help keep your finish in good condition.

When using metallics in your decor, there are no hard and fast rules, but here are a few tips that will help you choose your colour palette.

Metallic paints have different undertones, just like regular paint. Warm metallics like gold, copper and bronze pair well with earthy tones, while cool metallics like silver, pewter and chrome complement blues and greys.

Too much shine can overwhelm a space. Pair metallic accents with matte or textured finishes to create contrast and depth.

Use Resene FX Metallic paint to draw attention to details like trim, ceiling medallions or built-in cabinetry. A subtle shimmer can enhance intricate mouldings without overpowering the room. Metallics can feel cold if overused. Balance the look with soft furnishings like velvet cushions, woven rugs or linen curtains to create warmth and contrast.

To prevent the colour palette used for this crate bookshelf from feeling too cold, crates have been stained in Resene Bleached Riverstone and Resene Equilibrium, which bring a warm glow to the stack.

It’s important to test a sample of your chosen metallic paints in the natural and artificial light of your home before committing. Metallics reflect light differently depending on the time of day and the angle of illumination.

Top tip  Grab a few testpots from your local Resene ColorShop or reseller and paint on an A2 piece of card, observing how it looks throughout the day. At night, it might again appear differently under warm or cool light bulbs. This will help you to make a confident choice.

Styling your new shelving

When it comes to styling any shelves in the home, it’s all about balance, layering and injecting your personality and loved pieces into the mix.

Starting with a blank slate, it’s common to use books and magazines as a base. Stack these horizontally and vertically to create height and structure. They can also be used as a pedestal for smaller decor such as vases and photo frames.

Keep to a colour scheme, usually capped at three colour families. Greys, blues and warm stains complete the trio. However a fourth colour has been introduced – Resene White Pointer, painted on vases and plant pots. This pop of white works well in this case, working with the white spines of the magazine piles. Don’t be afraid to add a fourth colour if it creates cohesion with your colour scheme.

Layer pieces by placing some in front of others, such as a framed artwork in front of a plant. When choosing these items, mix in sentimental pieces such as travel souvenirs, family heirlooms or treasured photographs for a personal touch.

Once everything is placed, take a step back and take it all in before tweaking. Don’t overcrowd the shelf. It’s all about layering, not clutter.

Did you know…  the Resene range has many amazing finishes to help make your DIY projects stand out from the rest? From the Resene FX Metallics range to Resene Sandtex textured coating, visit your local Resene ColorShop to see the exciting options on offer.

Colours and products mentioned in this article

Styling by Megan Harrison-Turner. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2024