Wooden Box Centerpiece

I have seen several of these wooden boxes in the blog world and I wanted to share mine.  This wooden box is so versatile with what can be put in it like plants, grass, flowers, etc.  Plus lots of options of where to display it.  I have seen these on kitchen tables, under TVs, and console tables. For me I chose to put it on my counter/bar area.  It is a long counter and I figured something heavy and solid looking would work great for this spot.  Also because I can customize it I can make it any size to fit the specific place I want it to be.  

Here is a picture of my counter/bar top.  Doesn’t she look lonely?If you are just starting out working with wood this is a great easy project to start with.  I have to add that there is something so fulfilling to me about working on a project.  I don’t know if it is working with my hands, being creative, using power tools, the feeling of accomplishment or all of the above.  But wow do I get so giddy inside.  Can I get a grunt Tim Allen style!  Yah!!!

Al-righty back to the post.

Supplies 

1- 1x6x10 board

Chop saw

Wood glue

Nail gun or hammer

1 1/4 inch nails

Stain

Old t-shirts

Vaseline

Paint

Sand paper

Drawer handles (optional)

Drill/driver

Cuts

3 – 36 inches

2- 7 inches

Make sure to inspect your wood so that it is straight and flat.  I made this mistake and my wood was bowed in a spot making my end product a little wobbly.  First thing I did was make my cuts.  If you don’t have a saw have the hardware store cut them for you. 

Next I applied glue to the long edge of bottom piece and set it against the inside of the long edge of one of the side boards.  While the glue was setting  I nailed in several nails evenly spaced along the length of the side board to secure the bottom and side piece together.  I repeated this for the other side.  This is what my piece looked like after these steps.  Next I applied wood to the edges of the ends. Then I put the end piece on the glue, nailed it in place and repeated this on the other side.  I lightly sanded any rough spots/edges.  Now the wooden box is ready for some color.  I experimented a lot with the stain, mostly because I didn’t know at first what color I wanted.  I ended up going with my go to stain combination of Mixwax in Weathered Oak and Special Walnut.  

 

I love this two stain combination because it gives a nice brown gray look.  I use it in my other projects as well such as this Two Toned End Table Makeover.  Because I covered the stain with chalk paint the chosen stain color ultimately doesn’t matter that much since it will only show through in certain spots.  I applied the stain with an old t-shirt and wiped it off a few minutes later with an old t-shirt.  

After the stain dried I applied vaseline in spots where I would want the stain to show through under the paint.  This is a great way to vintage, age or give a rustic look to the piece.  I applied the vaseline along the edges and in random spots.  

After applying the vaseline to the wooden box I used a chalk paint from Americana Decor in the color Lace.  I applied the chalk paint. I applied two coats and after it was dry I sanded the spots where the vaseline was applied.  The spots where the vaseline was applied had a “crinkled” like appearance making it easy to know where to sand.  After I was done sanding I applied a cream wax sealer over the chalk paint.  

Next I drilled two holes on each side and attached the drawer pulls. Although this step is optional I think it adds character to the wooden box.  I got my drawers pulls at Lowes for less than $4 for both.  There are so many different options of drawer pulls to use that would fit perfect for any decor. 

After the drawer pulls were attached.  It is almost ready.  Now it just needs something to go inside.  I found some dried hydrangeas on Ebay to put in the wooden box.Here is one more.

What are your favorite wood projects?