Crate & Barrel Knock Off

I saw this candle display in a holiday Crate & Barrel catalog and instantly fell in love. The simple design screamed DIY. Quickly, the wheels in my head began turning and I came up with an easy way of getting the same look using what I already have at home.

I knew I had picture frame molding already cut to size left over from a previous project. I had wood cubes previously purchased from a craft store I could use for the legs. All I needed was the glass for the inset so I bought a piece of plexiglass from Home Depot.

Here’s how simple it was to make:

First I glued the picture frame molding pieces together. Fortunately, my woodworker husband had these neat corner clamps that ensured a perfectly squared frame.

Then, I tacked small brads into each corner to reinforce the glued sections.

However, if you happen to have a rectangular picture frame, you can use that instead. Just select one that looks nice from the back since that will be the top of the tray.

Next, I glued and clamped the wood cubes to the bottom of the frame. Then, I measured and cut the plexiglass to size. I used a plastic cutter and scored it several times with no luck. I decided to use a jig saw instead. I have to confess, the final cut wasn’t perfectly straight, but since it sits recessed into the frame, it doesn’t show. For the finishing, I sanded, primed and painted.

And voila, my low cost version of the CB display that caught my eye.

And there are so many possible variations: frosted glass, stain instead of paint or substituting decorative knobs for the cubes etc. What do you think?

I am going to enter this in the Make Your Monday, my first link party over at Twice Remembered.

11 Comments on this post

1. beth

   January 11, 2010 @ 8:53 am

   Very clever idea! It’s beautiful!
2. Trish

   January 11, 2010 @ 9:32 am

   Love it!
3. Lisa

   January 11, 2010 @ 11:21 am

   Every bit as beautiful as the original! Even better, I think!
4. marianne@songbird

   January 11, 2010 @ 2:14 pm

   Brilliant knock of. I like yours so much better than the original.
5. pk @ Room Remix

   January 11, 2010 @ 2:24 pm

   I like yours better and I love your color scheme!
6. Andrea

   January 12, 2010 @ 10:07 am

   Love your lighter colors much more!
7. Dana Bynum

   January 12, 2010 @ 11:51 am

   Nice job now make one for me
8. Amy at The Red Chair Blog

   January 12, 2010 @ 8:56 pm

   This looks great! I like yours better than the original!
9. Zakia

   January 14, 2010 @ 12:26 pm

   wow this is great!
10. Kristi

    January 17, 2010 @ 10:43 am

    I love your version…so creative!
11. Suze

    February 27, 2010 @ 9:08 am

    Honest: yours is better than the original! Specially the colors you combined are so pretty!
    Well done!
    Ciao,
    Suze