Serena & Lily Castered Crates Knock-off

by Natasha on September 14, 2011

in furniture makeover, naptime crafting

Do you get Serena & Lily catalogs? They’re such a decor tease. The stuff is GORGEOUS but the pricetags are obscene. But I still look, and hope…

This last catalog however I was able to figure out a way to make one of the items mine.

Serena & Lily Rolling Storage Crate $118

Thrift store crate restored $15 (+$15 for the casters)

I turned the 2nd crate I bought into a selvaged wood (fancy way of saying I found some old wood & turned it into something new) rolling coffee table…These were much easier than you’d think. I sanded, stained & sealed each of them during one afternoon naptime. (I also painted the inside of the storage crate for a pop of color) What I think really makes the S & L crates pop are those snazzy orange wheels. Lucky me I found coolcasters.com which sells every wheel color under the sun. All you do is order the ones that have the plates built in & screw them on. Stupid easy. Honestly if you can get your hands on some old storage crates this is a perfect beginner furniture project.

Happy Wednesday friends!

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{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }

Alexandria September 14, 2011 at 3:39 pm

Very cool! I’ll have to keep a look out for some of those. I gave up on Serena & Lily back when I was shopping for crib bedding. Insane.

PS. Love those curtains. Who makes them?

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Natasha September 14, 2011 at 7:52 pm

Yeah, those were a splurge but they pretty much make the room. They’re the allegra hicks collection from west elm, LOVE them

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Angela L-G September 14, 2011 at 3:48 pm

I love it! The wheels are my favorite. Nice work, Natasha!

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Beth September 14, 2011 at 3:55 pm

I like yours more than Serena & Lilly’s!

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Megan September 14, 2011 at 5:03 pm

I just did something so similar and was debating about putting casters on them! Thanks for the post, I am definitely going with the casters now. I got 4 wooden crates from borders books fixture liquidation for $5 a piece.

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Taylor September 14, 2011 at 5:19 pm

Ok I’m pretty much in love with those casters! And didn’t even know colored casters existed… Great project!!

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Andrea September 14, 2011 at 6:10 pm

Love this idea! Is there a good thrift shop near you? We are closer to Baltimore but still would love to know!

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Natasha September 14, 2011 at 7:51 pm

Yes! It’s called the upscale resale thrift store & it’s in Rockville…very cool stuff. My little secret! (well, not any more I guess)

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Mindy September 14, 2011 at 6:45 pm

love that little outfit! and your cheap projects too ;)

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Leigh Anne September 14, 2011 at 8:49 pm

How cool!! What a fantastic job…..love ‘em even better than the original. And the pics of your house look like a page from a catalog….very chic! :)

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Claire September 14, 2011 at 10:03 pm

OMG so cute. I agree, yours are waaaaayyyy cuter than the Serena & Lily jobs. Plus the casters are muy adorable.

Where did you score those lovely crates? I must visit your thrift store!

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Rachel A. September 14, 2011 at 11:09 pm

Love those! We love checking out antique dealers for great finds! How did you sand without ruining the lettering too much?

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Natasha September 15, 2011 at 12:52 am

You know, I was worried about that but I just lightly sanded with my electric sander & at first they were a bit grainy but after a coat of stain the text popped right back up! I think the lettering is burned in with these old crates so you probably have to sand pretty deep to get it completely off. I think.

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Brittany September 15, 2011 at 12:35 am

That coffee table is a must. Will definitely be trying that out once I move out on my own!

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Andrea R. September 15, 2011 at 5:13 am

Nice! I love it Natasha! Sorry, I have been kind of absent lately. I do read your posts, but have had NO time to post comments, and I have even kind of flaked on my own blog. Having 3 little ones now is more than I bargained for. Anyways….I love your new blog page and I love this idea so much! Thanks for sharing.

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Natasha September 15, 2011 at 12:30 pm

No worries Andrea! I can’t even imagine having a 3rd, I JUST NOW feel like I’m getting a hold of my life with two! Kuddos to you mama, I’m sure you’re doing a great job.

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Brooke September 15, 2011 at 10:27 am

I love how you’ve moved around the furniture in that room.

I should try this with one of my wine crates. Love the coffee table!

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saniel September 15, 2011 at 12:54 pm

where did u get the crates, so cute and vintage??

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Natasha September 15, 2011 at 4:08 pm

It’s called the upscale retail thrift store…awesome finds there everytime I go!

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Jessica September 15, 2011 at 1:24 pm

I swear you really do have a great talent for interior design. I love the coffee table. Awesome. I love coming to your blog and seeing all the cool projects you do. Totally inspiring! Keep it coming!

Jessica

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marisa julien September 15, 2011 at 3:25 pm

I just adore your crafts. I actually went right out and bought the stuff at the hardware store to make the bracelet. I told my boyfriend I wanted to go to Home Depot to make a bracelet and it took some explaining because he couldn’t figure it out. I would love to do this crate idea, but I think my parents would kill me if I brought home any more stuff. So I shall live vicariously through you with all of your fantastic idea. So jealous.

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Tery September 19, 2011 at 1:57 pm

What a great project! You are very clever!
Are the casters $15.00 a piece or for a set?

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Kim September 19, 2011 at 6:46 pm

THANK YOU for this post! I found your blog through Centsational Girl and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been looking for attractive casters for at least 6 months. I saw an incredible coffee table in a Pottery Barn catalog last year and just couldn’t stomach paying $800 for it. We are very crafty people…I knew we could make it if I could just find the right casters. Ever caster I found was utilitarian – not what I wanted in my living room. I just ordered 4 of the aqua casters from coolcasters.com and can’t wait to get crackin’ on our coffee table this weekend. Your blog will definitely make it to my “favorites”. Thank you so much!!!!

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Natasha September 19, 2011 at 8:36 pm

You’re oh so welcome, please send pics after you make your own!

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Lisa September 20, 2011 at 2:43 am

I saw the Serena and Lily version and SO thought of knocking it off too!! The price was ridiculous! Yours turned out fab and I love the aqua casters! Thank you for the inspiration. :)

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tracy September 23, 2011 at 7:54 pm

I love this idea. I wish that I could find a crate like yours. Do you have any good websites that sell them? I would love to make one. This is exactly what I am looking for.

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Natasha September 23, 2011 at 8:41 pm

Hmm, I don’t know any in particular but I would try looking on ebay or craig’s list for “vintage shipping crates”

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Kelli @ The Turquoise Piano December 26, 2011 at 8:42 pm

I love yours even more than the inspiration. Great job!

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Amanda @ Heart Tree Home January 17, 2012 at 7:17 pm

Found you via apartment therapy. Too cool. I like yours better than the original.

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Natasha January 19, 2012 at 1:33 am

Really??? Thanks for letting me know, I had no idea they had featured me! How cool, off to go look now!

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Nate January 17, 2012 at 8:50 pm

Random question. What color stain did you use? Is that just a basic Walnut?

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Natasha January 19, 2012 at 1:33 am

Yep, I’m out of town right now so I can’t look for sure but I’m 90% sure it’s just plain walnut

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Rosely January 22, 2012 at 12:05 am

Just found you on apartment therapy and love your idea; it turned out better than the original. Thanks for sharing

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Natasha January 22, 2012 at 3:38 pm

Aww, thank you so much Rosely!

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Kacey February 18, 2012 at 8:42 pm

I like it! I’d been thinking about doing something like this in our kids’ room for awhile and decided to check Pinterest to see if I could find what I wanted. Quick question…what are the dimensions of your crates?

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Natasha February 20, 2012 at 6:38 pm

Hmmm, I would guess it’s around 3′ x 1.5′ x 2′…go for it! It’s such an easy great project, you’ll be so happy you did!

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Amber September 12, 2012 at 8:31 pm

I LOVE your toy crate! I just picked up some wooden crates and have been looking for some ideas to turn them into toy storage and your post has given me the perfect inspiration. I do love the colorful casters, they are my favorite! I wrote about your crates on my blog today for Inspiration Wednesday. I’d love for you to stop by sometime!
http://jroxdesigns.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/toy-crate-storage-inspiration-wednesday/
- Amber @jRoxDesigns

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marina October 9, 2012 at 8:03 pm

Excuse me, I love yours better! Thanks.

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Natasha October 9, 2012 at 11:49 pm

You are excused! Thanks for the complement (:

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Ilana November 18, 2012 at 3:32 pm

These are amazing and such a great idea. Thanks for resource on the wheels! I saw the castor boxes at a friend’s house and went to google them and found your DIY version. Now i can’t buy the S&L version! I love your zigzag carpet too. Where is it from? Thanks for the ideas.

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Natasha November 18, 2012 at 5:44 pm

How neat! I love when people find me through random google searches, makes my day! That rug is from West Elm, I love it so much, highly recommended! Thanks for coming by the blog, hope you come back again!

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