Making a Decorative Barn Door

Today you can get a double dose of Pretty Handy Girl! I am sharing a tutorial on making your own ladder shelves over at Centsational Girl's blog. If you haven't met Kate (aka Centsational Girl) she is a powerhouse of creative ideas for decorating your house, refinishing furniture, and much much more! So hop over there and then back here for a one-two punch of DIY!

When Miss Mustard Seed and I were junkin' on Black Friday, she asked what I was looking for. I immediately answered rustic, rusty, and anything that looks aged and has a story to tell. I am so wacky like that, I could care less how well something is made or if it is an expensive antique. When I die, my kids are going to be sadly disappointed that all these antiques I've collected over the years aren't worth a dime. C'est la vie, right?

So, this year for our Christmas décor, I decided to create a natural rustic country inspired theme. What better way to invoke that spirit than with an old barn door. The only problem was that I didn't own one. No problem, I'd just make one!

Materials:
Plywood board - painted or stained red
3 - 1" x 4" boards - painted or stained red
Nails or screws
Wood glue
D-ring picture hangers
Picture Wire
optional: Rusty door parts

In my "I can't throw anything away scrap pile" I took some old plywood scraps that had been stained with red stain.

You will need to measured the space above your mantle, subtract a few inches from the top and bottom, then cut the plywood down to size (using a circular saw or table saw.)

 

Lay two 1" x 4" strips of plywood as cross pieces.

And one 1" x 4" piece at an angle. Draw a line where the horizontal pieces intersected with the diagonal piece.

 

Use a miter saw, circular saw or jig saw* to cut the angled cuts.

Liberally appy glue to the back of the 1"x4" strips to secure them to the plywood base and then nail some finish nails into the strips to secure them. You can use a pneumatic nailer* if you have one, but screws or regular nails hammered in will work just as well! No need to buy any new tools for this project.

Hopefully you have a nail or hook already installed on your fireplace. Luckily I did, but in the past I have also just leaned artwork against the brick. So, if you choose to lean, ignore the next few steps.

Measure the location of the hook on your mantle. For example, if the hook is 20 inches from the ceiling, and you want your barn door's top to hang 12 inches from the ceiling, then you will need to install the hooks 9 inches down from the top of the barn door. This will allow an inch for the wire to slack. Get out your D shaped picture hooks and screw them to the back of your barn door using a cordless drill* or just a screw driver and some muscles. Repeat on the opposite side.

Feed some metal picture wire through one D ring. Twist once...

...then feed the wire back through the D ring and twist the rest of the wire tightly against itself.

Pull the wire taught and repeat on the opposite side.

This is the best way to attach picture wire so it doesn't slip. If you are hanging something super heavy, you might need to loop the wire back through the D rings a few more times.

If you have some old gate handles, hinges, or latches, attach them to your door. I screwed this old RUSTY gate lock to the top of my barn door. It makes a convenient hanger for...

...my Christmas wreath!

That's all I'm going to show you of our mantle.

On Tuesday Layla at The Lettered Cottage is hosting a holiday mantle display party. Until then, I better get crackin' and finish decorating.

*If you are wondering why I seem a little heavy on the power tool mentions in this post, that is thanks to Ann (aka Nutbird), she really wants to know what is in my toolbox. If you are interested, click on the link at the top of my blog labeled My Toolbox. Those are the essential tools I recommend. In addition to the ones listed on that page, I do own:

• a 10" Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw (I just love saying that out loud!)
• a Router
• a Pneumatic Trim Nailer and Stapler
• a Table Saw
• a Band Saw
• a Scroll Saw (which I still have not used yet)

...and for Christmas I'm going to whisper in Santa's ear and ask for a Dremel 8000 this year. Do you think I deserve it? Have I been good? If you see him, please put in a good word for Pretty Handy Girl ;-).

Sharing this project at these FABULOUS link parties:

DIY Showoff  Project Parade

Skip to My Lou - Made by You Mondays

Between Naps on the Porch - Metamorphosis Mondays

Mad in Crafts - Mad Skills Party
Tip Junkie - Handmade Projects Tues.

Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tues.

All Thingz Related- anything related Tuesdays

Creating a House of Grace- Twice owned Tuesdays

I'm Topsy Turvy - Topsy Turvy Tues.

Blue Cricket Design - Show and Tell Wednesday

Domestically Speaking - Power of Paint
The Tshirt Diaries - Upcycled Wednesday

Fine Craft Guild - Tutorial Link Party
Somewhat Simple.com - Strut Your Stuff
Shabby Chic Cottage - Transformation Thursdays
The Virginia House - We Can Do It Cheaper
Fireflies and Jellybeans - Show Off Your Stuff