Crates aren't a new storage idea, but I love this picture I found over at Gan Rugs. By painting the insides of the crates various shades of blue, you can introduce that inky blue color that's so popular right now into your living space without much of a commitment.
I'm particularly fond of the blue, but I can imagine all the box interiors painted a high gloss black as well. Or if you're sitting on a bunch of old paint, it could be a good way to use up some of your cans.
I find myself adding more furniture and home accessories made out of natural materials into my home, and this is a good way to add some color. What do you think? Do you use wooden crates for storage? Would you paint them to make them pop?
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(Image: Gan Rugs)

Commercial Flour Sa...
OMG! Where do i get that rug!? It's amazing.
Seriously...as cool as the crates look; you just CANT put them next to that cool of a rug!!!!! Where is it from and HOW do we get it??!!!
Yeah.. The rug is definitely the star of this show.
I do not understand why this would be of interest to anyone but poor college students. And even then, if you could afford that rug, why would you need to paint some old crates you found in a Dumpster?
"Crates aren't a new storage idea, but I love this picture I found over at Gan Rugs. "
http://www.gan-rugs.com/coleccion.php
Those crates are not decor. They're there for hauling crap out of your house to your garage sale, so that you can afford the beautiful rug.
I know I'm in the minority here, but I'm just going to say it anyway... I actually don't like the rug--especially the bits of the pattern with a really high pile. It makes the rug look like it needs mowing. The colors are nice, but I don't see the big deal.
I actually like the crate idea. Although DEARMISHA makes a good point, I could see other people using the crate idea besides just college dorm kids. I'd totally use painted crates as decorative storage, either in my home or in my kindergarten classroom. The only thing is, if you actually use them for storage, the items you put in them will hide the interesting paint job.
I don't really like the rug or the crates, but that's just me. I do have a couple of vintage crates from a fruit-packing house near my place that I keep in my kitchen for pantry storage. I guess they look kinda cool, but I don't think I could justify making a display or furniture out of them, but I like the idea of painting them, I think.
I think the crates are neat. Recycle something that many here think belong in a dumpster. I can see them being of good use in an organised garage, craft room, or a small storage area. Even though you might hide a bit of the paint job, it has a rustic appeal.
Also, the colours of the rug are gorgeous, and the different pile heights add visual texture which is a plus.
QUOTE: "those crates are not decor. They're there for hauling crap out of your house to your garage sale, so that you can afford the beautiful rug."
POSTED BY LOLADANGER ON 02.07.12 AT 08:45PM
Yes! I couldn't have put it better myself!!
Love the crates! I agree that the white looks super. Grey or glossy red could be awesome too.
Oh, and I hate the rug :)
very cute idea, even cuter hung at different levels on a kids wall with stuffed animals/books/toys/trophies/etc in them.
The rug has caused controversy!
Gan make some seriously cool rugs, though. I'm totally in love with this one: http://www.gan-rugs.com/coleccion/1/279/palermo/
About the boxes, I can't decide... I think they could look great, but it'd really depend on context.
Those crates look lovely - while they're empty and piled in an large room where there is nothing else but a color coordinated rug. This is an art installation, not diy furniture.
RORLMBO @ CONFOUNDED: (nope-not a typo:) Yep, it does appear to need mowing. While I can [somewhat] appreciate it's visual appeal to others, I can't imagine how functual it might prove to be. Just no.
The crates, on the other hand, have purpose. Plus they provide visual interest....a bit like painting the insides of kitchen cabinets to set off the dishes. I can see the color highlighting a row/stack of kid's books.
About the rug: cool looking but impractical for me -- I trip on thin air, let alone actual obstacles. I have enough bruises and shin splints already!
About the crates: Agreed, dorm room specials.
About the color blocking IN the crates: This would work equally well in book shelves, cabinets without doors, niches and nooks... and this is the theme of the post, right?
hobo chic' i guess
Forget those cheap looking crates, gimme that rug!! Haha :D
The texture of that rug is so rediculously amazing & unexpected - which definitely outweighs whether or not it's "practical"..for me, anyway. It would definitely be a conversation piece!