Red Barn Planter

Real farmhouses are not decorated or accessorized in all white on the inside. I've yet to see a farmhouse kitchen with subway tile that is outside of the suburbs. Or signs that say Farm or Farmhouse hung on the walls. That's a Joanna Gaines-take thing. I like Joanna's style too, but let's please get away from all farmhouse-style decor being white.

For a while, I lived up the hill from my girlfriend who raised thoroughbred horses for racing. Her house was the proverbial 'farmhouse'. And her kitchen was not all white. In fact, it was wallpapered with blue paper that had little white flowers all over it. She had an old round oak table that was stained a dark color. Her bathroom door was made out of old barn wood with a crescent cut into it. I loved that door! Bottom line, it was a real farmhouse without all of the glitz of a professional interior decorator.

So I offer you a craft that deviates. It's red. Like barns are red.

What you'll need:

• One 30-count pkg quart paint sticks
• 2 Dollar Tree frames
• 4 Dollar Tree wood cubes
• Red chalk paint (I used Folk Art Imperial)
• Stain or brown paint for distressing
• Wax
• Paint brushes
• Clean rag
• Paper towels
• Scissors (not your good ones, you'll be cutting paint sticks)
• Craft knife
• Craft glue
• Pencil
• Sandpaper
• Floral foam
• Floral bush
• Wire cutters, as needed

This planter is not designed for holding soil. If you'd like to use for real plants, plant them in a pot that will fit inside the planter. If your pot isn't tall enough to display properly, you may need to add something inside the planter to raise it up.

STEP ONE - PREPARE FRAMES

Remove any raised pieces from the backing on one frame. These can be easily pried off using your fingers or a screwdriver. Remove back from one frame. The back can be removed by firmly pushing out from the inside - you may have to go around a time or two (don't use brute force as you may crack the back or frame). The frames will serve as the top and bottom portions of the planter.

STEP TWO - ATTACH SIDING

Using the glue of your choice, attach 5 paint sticks to the inside of the bottom and top frames. Let set. If desired, cut 4 paint sticks to line the top inside of the planter to hide the rounded edges of the paint sticks. Glue in place.

STEP THREE - PREPARE & ATTACH CROSS HATCHES

Using a craft or razor knife, cut 4 paint sticks in half lengthwise to create 8 pieces. Sand edges as needed. Position on side of planter to determine cut length of first cross hatch. Mark with a pencil, cut with scissors and glue in place. Position another stick in the opposite direction. Mark to make center cut and end cuts. Cut and glue in place. Position second half of stick and mark end cut. Cut and glue in place.

Repeat for remaining 3 sides.

STEP FOUR - ATTACH PLANTER FEET

Glue one cube to each corner of bottom.

STEP FIVE - PAINT, DISTRESS & FINISH

Paint the entire planter with red paint, including the bottom. Mine took 2 coats. Let dry completely between coats and after. 

If using stain, apply stain with a clean rag - one side or section at a time - and wipe off with clean paper towels leaving stain in the nooks and crannies. Repeat for entire planter. Let dry completely.

If using paint, dry-brush brown paint on all edges to distress. Let dry.

Finish with applying a coat of wax to the entire planter. Let dry 24 hours.

Glue floral foam to the bottom of the planter, Trim stem of floral bush, if needed, insert into the foam and display.

DONE!

TOTAL PROJECT COST - $4

2 frames @ $1 each - $2

6" paint sticks - $1

Wood cubes - $1

I had everything else.