I have been dying to make a barbed wire wreath ever since I saw this post by Donna at Funky Junk Interiors.

I know a length of barbed wire is not the bees knees to most people, but I just happen to see beauty in the industrial.  Maybe it’s the juxtaposition of rugged, hard-working pieces brought into a home environment.

My husband helped me bend the barbed wire into a wreath and secure it with some wire.  I hung it up on the front door and stood back to admire my new treasure.  Hmmm, it didn’t seem too welcoming.  I whipped up a few burlap rosettes and glued them onto my wreath.  Ahhh, much better.  Still, it may not say welcome to most people, but I can’t think of a better way to welcome people to our home than by giving them a glimpse into my soul.

Today, I will show you how I made my crate.  It was quick, easy and inexpensive.

Here is a list of things you will need

wood glue

clamps

saw

six 24 x 1  1/2″ wood strips

My finished crate measures 11 1/2″ long, 4 1/2″ wide, and 4 3/4″ tall.  For the bottom of my crate (above), I cut three 11 1/2″ boards.  I ran a thin bead of wood glue along the sides and clamped them together until they dried.

These are the short sides (above).  I cut six boards 4 1/2″ long, glued them and clamped them until dry.

For the long sides, I cut six 12 1/2″ boards.  They are a little longer than the bottom to account for the short end pieces and the decorative strips (pictured below).  Glue and clamp until dry.  Now you will have all the sides for your crate.  Glue and clamp the sides to the bottom and let dry.

The last step is adding these little end pieces.  I ripped a board in half.  Then I cut it into 5″ lengths so you end up with four 5 x 3/4′”boards.  Glue these on the ends, as shown above.  I found it easier to tape them into place than to use the clamps.  When the glue is dry, your crate is ready to paint, stain, decoupage, stencil or just call it good and enjoy the bare wood.  Thanks for stopping by.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  If you do make a crate of your own, I would love to see it .

One day my husband suggested making crates.  Here is a link to the crate he made and his tutorial.

This is the crate I made.  I painted it with some homemade black chalk paint. I distressed it by sanding it lightly with some fine grit sandpaper.  I was going to just leave it but…it just didn’t seem finished so I added this design with some white paint and a little stencil that I had on hand.  I will post the tutorial for making this crate on Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend!  It is our last couple of days of Summer.  My kids start school on Monday.  This year all four kids will be in school.  I am giddy and sad about that.  This will be the first time in thirteen years that I will have a little time to myself.   What will I do with myself?  I have visions of taking a yoga, Zumba, or Pilates class.  I also have visions of taking a nap.  My older kids keep me up late.  My younger kids get me up early.  I don’t get enough sleep, so anytime I sit for more than a few minutes, I doze off.  Or at least I try.  As soon as I close my eyes, someone starts yelling, “Mom, Mom, Mom!!!!”.   Here is what will most likely happen with my free time, laundry and dishes.

I love herringbone.  It’s beautiful and practical.  It can add texture to a room, like this rug.  Or it can add  pattern to a room, like the curtains.  Or you can mix both to create a room that is softly and subtly sophisticated.

You had me at “Turquoise Barn Door”.

Chalk board message center.

Built-in lockers,

The coup de grace.  A scrub tub for a utility sink.  I love, love the faucet.  It’s beautiful and oh so practical.  To me, this picture sums up what good interior design is… pretty, practical, and a little playful.  Please stop by The Idea Room and get Amy’s behind-the-scenes story for this mud room and the laundry room she designed.