DIY: Pallet Sign
It’s no secret – I don’t live at the beach.
In fact, I don’t even live close to a body of water. (Unless you count the Chattahoochee, and I’m not exactly ready to sip Mai Tai’s on her banks.) Nevertheless, each summer I like to give my house a fresh dose of “ocean air” and display some of my favorite rustic beach collections. I have jars of shells we’ve collected from different vacations, even some shells collected by my Grandma during her years spent living at the beach.
This year, I’ve added a new piece to the display – a distressed, pallet-style sign.
The wood was actually given to me by Aunt Barbara. You see, she’s not actually my “aunt”, just a precious lady and I couldn’t dare call her anything else. The wood pieces were simply beadboard scraps left over from a paneling project at her house. At first I had no idea what I would do with them, but it didn’t take me long to cook up a little project.
We took the beadboard strips and created a simple frame to support them from the back, similar in style to a pallet. We then rubbed on a light coat of Minwax wood stain in “Dark Walnut”. Just enough to give it some color.
Once that was dry, I experimented with several acrylic paint colors, brushing on light coats of paint for a worn look. After I was satisfied with the finish, I stenciled one of my favorite quotes onto the sign with foam letter stencils. Easy peasy, right?
Aunt Barbara doesn’t know it yet, but I have pallet sign built just for her. {Surprise! Just name your color and send me a favorite quote and it’s all yours.} I think a sign like this would be darling outside on a patio. The more weathered it gets the better!
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| Photos by Blue Eyed Yonder |
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. What have you transformed lately?
Comments (41)
How beautiful! I'm inspired! I love this idea! We are currently attempting to spruce up a headboard and cute little table for Daughter's new apartment. Wish us luck!
By the way…Here's one of my favorite quotes about the sea…
Though inland far we be,
Our souls have sight of that immortal sea
Which brought us hither.
-William Wordsworth
Another favorite quote…"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky…" – John Masefield
I love this! And what a simple transformation!
love that quote, and it's an adorable sign!
It's a beautiful sign and a great DIY project! I'm working on taking old farm equipment from one of our barns and transforming them into pieces of art for my garden.
Gimme one a dem….!!!! Love it and love you!!!!
Anne – That sounds like so much fun! You'll have to share pictures once you're finished.
What a great idea! It turned out wonderfully!
This is just beautiful! 🙂
That is gorgeous! What a beautiful sign and awesome vision! Thanks for the tutorial 🙂
love this ! beautiful!
I love your sign! I love what it says and how it turned out. I made one last summer, you can check it out here.
http://ms-smartie-pants.blogspot.com/2011/07/beach-or-bust.html
Beautiful! Just jumped over from Centsational Girl!
I have to ask – what colour do you have on your walls? I love it!
Love this! Hopping over from Centsational Girl. 🙂
I just found your site…it's lovely! I live a good 4 hours from a beach (or lake or even large pond!) but decorate my home in a beachy feel as well. Love the sign – the design and the quote – it's darling!
So beautiful! Your finishing job is amazing! Pinned!
Jenn 🙂
love this you creative girl and i'm with you 100% on not sipping mai tais on the chattahoochee's banks. haha! happy monday to you…
This is absolutely stunning, creative and very inspirational!!
I love it! what a great idea!!
Oh yes, I'm so doing this idea. We just got a bunch of free pallets for other projects but this is going on the list!
I'm with Kerry… wondering what color you walls are!?
love the sign too!
Thanks so everyone for all of the sweet comments. You guys totally made my day!
Kerry + Kate – The paint color is "Plantation" by Ralph Lauren. We just love it. It goes great with everything!
SCRUMPTIOUS!!! I love it! 😀
Gorgeous!! Just what I was looking for! Filed at thecraftersfilebox.com.
THANKS!
Just realized my comment came through under Kev's username. Whoops!
😀
Mrs. LC – Too funny 🙂
RWE is my absolute favorite! It looks fabulous!
I love your pallet sign. Love the verse, too.
That's so pretty. I love this!
I found this on Pinterest and absolutely love it! It's ingenious! I'm planning to make one for my sunroom, which is also beach themed. Thanks!
Beautiful and inspiring … I love easy, affordable decorating!
Sand between the Toes by AA Milne is probably my favorite "sea" quote :)_ or Psalm 96:11
Hi, just love it, want to do it. Question, foam letter stencils? Never heard of them. How did you do it? Thanks.
Erin
Erin, so happy you like the sign. You can find foam alphabet letters at craft stores such as michaels or hobby lobby.
Completely exquisite yet woodsy. I truly adore this idea you clever gal you!
Great idea! I have some old wood scraps that have been hanging around in our garage and this is the perfect use for them. Can't wait to start this project!
love this! what colors were the acrylic paints you used to give it the weathered look??
I used a blend of several colors: ivory, grey, pale turquoise and a teensy bit of soft yellow. Just lightly brush some of the colors on until it looks the way you want it to. There really is no "right" way to do it. Have fun!
Love it! I would like one.
I absolutely love this! I will be making one for sure. Thanks so much for posting. Something like this would cost alot if you were to purchase.
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Fantastic job. Thumbs up!