Ever heard the old joke about the time a pile of scrap lumber, 16 wood screws, and a bottle of glue walk into a workshop?
Well…..ok. They didn’t actually WALK into the workshop.
But while they were gathered there, something wonderful happened.
All of the pieces came together to create two super rustic lanterns made to fit my space.
Sounds crazy, but it really was just this easy. Pinky promise.
Disclosure: Product was provided by Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company, but all piles of lumber, corny jokes, and opinions are 100% my own.
DIY RUSTIC HOLIDAY LANTERN
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Scrap wood
8 Wood screws
Wood glue
Wood putty
Sandpaper 120-220 grit
Paint
Sealer or wax (optional)
Paint brushes
Soft rags for the wax
DIY RUSTIC HOLIDAY LANTERN
INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE
Step 1. Sort scrap wood on the floor so similarly sized pieces can be easily located.
Step 2. Locate same-sized pieces for the top and the bottom, and the four sides.
Step 3. Attach the pieces using 4 screws on the top and the bottom.
Step 4. Glue wood blocks on the top.
Step 5. Glue wood strips between the verticals at the top and the bottom.
Step 6. Fill in the nooks and crannies with your favorite wood putty. Remember, wood putty instead of caulk because caulk cannot be sanded. But caulk is fine if you don’t plan to sand.
Step 7. Sand the entire piece so there are no splinters or rough edges.
Step 8. Apply a basecoat of paint. I used Old Fashioned Milk Paint (color – Driftwood) because I wanted the end result to look like very old barnwood. This particular color provides a great base for achieving these results.
Notice that the paint was applied sloppily. The more variations in the basecoat, the better. All of this sloppy look was part of the plan.
Step 9. Apply a topcoat of paint. I used Old Fashioned Milk Paint (color – Snow White).
Instead of random sloppiness, the topcoat was applied with a dry brush technique so that as much variation as possible could be created by the paint.
I honestly thought that I’d be done after the second coat of paint, but the result was a little too white and a little too flat for the particular look I wanted to achieve. To soften the white, I tried sanding, but it really didn’t pop the colors or provide the depth of color that I wanted. At this point, it looked more like wood painted in layers instead of old barnwood.
Huuuum. Not good. 🙁
Step 10. Apply clear and colored wax.
This is when I pulled out my stash of three different colors of wax. Why? Because three colors can been applied at different places on the lanterns to pop the color of the paint and create the depth I was looking for.
I applied the wax with my hand and buffed it with a soft rag. Really, I did. Even using the black and brown wax bare-handed, there is no staining of the skin. But because it is an all-natural beeswax laden with emollients, at the end of this treatment, the lanterns looked great….and so did the skin on my hands!
But I digress….
Just look below and see the layers of rich color. The wax really did make all the difference.
Yep, Driftwood + Snow White + 3 colors of Wax
The look is really, really rustic, but just perfect for this outdoor space.
Yep, perfect.
As we continue toward the Christmas Home Tour that begins December 5, all of the handmade pieces that I’m posting now will come together in the outdoor room.
“Why,” you ask, “am I going all rustic with a little bit country?”
Ahhh! I’ll tell you all about that on December 5. *wink*
Hope you will stay tuned.
In the meantime, here’s a handy graphic to pin this lantern idea for later… 🙂
Plus a super easy tutorial for making a decorative ladder to fit your space. (Click Here)
Plus the easy way to make a little Christmas tree for your tabletop. (Click Here)
Plus how to mix and/or create a custom color with milk paint (Click Here).
Plus how to breathe new life into tired wood using beeswax with emollients (Click Here).
These make such a statement! I love the size and the details you put in with the paint and waxes really do shine through! Thanks so much for an easy build 🙂
I think they are simple gorgeous Susie! I am in awe at how you made them. I would love to try and make one too! You always amaze me. The pics are beautiful and the post puts me right in the holiday mood!
Hi Angie! Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m having fun with Christmas this year, especially glad to get an early start. I’ll be hopping over to see what’s going on in your neck of the woods, too. XOXO
Wow and more wow!!! These are the coolest things I have ever seen. Absolutely fantastic. I learn a lot from your posts. Three colors of wax??? Who knew? Well you obviously did. Nice job.
I am in awe of your lanterns Susie. They look like something Pottery Barn would sell for big bucks. I hope to someday make some too. Your red holiday photos are wonderful and I had to pin to save.
You are one talented lady, Susie! I love your lanterns so much! I’ve pinned, (to at least 3 of my boards so I wont forget!) and I most definitely plan on making some. I really enjoyed this post, and your photography is just beautiful. Thanks for sharing! Cynthia
ReplytheChelseaProjectNovember 19, 2016 at 9:18 pm
I’m a rustic girl & I love your rustic lantern! Even liked how it looked before you applied the wax…you’re your own worst critic, you know. Appreciate the detailed tutorial. Pinned. Going to take a look at your other posts too!
ReplytheChelseaProjectNovember 21, 2016 at 11:17 pm
Thanks so much, Florence. Appeciate the visit and kind words. Hope you will visit again soon.
ReplyMary-The Boondocks BlogNovember 22, 2016 at 12:59 pm
Susie you have made it look so easy. I’m going to share this with the hubs and hope that he will be cooperative and help me make some. Thanks for the tutorial and for the beautiful lantern.
ReplytheChelseaProjectNovember 23, 2016 at 8:20 pm
Hi Mary. Thanks so much. Hope the hubs makes you as many as you want! Happy Thanksgiving!
This is such a great idea. These decorative lanterns would look perfect on my front porch, so, although I’m not a particularly “crafty” person, I’m going to give these a try.
Hi Cait! Thanks so much for stopping by. If you look through my blog, you’ll notice I’m not crafty either. But these pieces will fit together like a little rustic leggo kit. You can do it! Please ~~Get in touch if you have any questions. Happy Holidays ~ Susie
Hi Christine. Thanks so much for stopping by. You are correct about being able to make any shape and size lanterns. I plan to make some larger lanterns for my front porch and apply a more formal finish. Fingers crossed. LOL… Happy Holidays ~ Susie
[…] These little guys were constructed from mismatched scrap lumber, eight screws, and wood glue —then topped with a paint and wax combo to create an aged barn wood look. It is one of the easiest build-it-yourself tutorials I’ve ever posted. Click here to see all the details. […]
29 Comments
These make such a statement! I love the size and the details you put in with the paint and waxes really do shine through! Thanks so much for an easy build 🙂
Hi Angie. Yes, they do add a lot to the overall space and theme. Can’t wait to see it all put together. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I think they are simple gorgeous Susie! I am in awe at how you made them. I would love to try and make one too! You always amaze me. The pics are beautiful and the post puts me right in the holiday mood!
Awwww. Thanks Carolann. I wish you lived closer to me. We could spend an afternoon building and painting…. oh…and drinking coffee, of course! XO
This is perfect Susie! I can’t wait to see the rest of your Christmas decor.
Hi Angie! Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m having fun with Christmas this year, especially glad to get an early start. I’ll be hopping over to see what’s going on in your neck of the woods, too. XOXO
Wow and more wow!!! These are the coolest things I have ever seen. Absolutely fantastic. I learn a lot from your posts. Three colors of wax??? Who knew? Well you obviously did. Nice job.
Thanks Michelle. You are so sweet and I don’t know what I’d do without you sending in the encouragement. Thanks, girlfriend.
I am in awe of your lanterns Susie. They look like something Pottery Barn would sell for big bucks. I hope to someday make some too. Your red holiday photos are wonderful and I had to pin to save.
Thanks Sue. You are so kind. If we lived closer, I’d help you make some to fit your space. Maybe someday!!
The lanterns are just lovely. I like the patina the OFMP gave them and how the wax brings it all together.
Thanks so much Debra. I really do like using several products when working on an item. It seems to do more for the wood. Thanks again! XO
Nice job Susie – love the rustic vibe you created with milk paint and waxes. You’ve piqued my interest for December 5th!
Thanks Marie! Hope I don’t disappoint on the 5th!
You are one talented lady, Susie! I love your lanterns so much! I’ve pinned, (to at least 3 of my boards so I wont forget!) and I most definitely plan on making some. I really enjoyed this post, and your photography is just beautiful. Thanks for sharing! Cynthia
LOL….thanks Cynthia! You’re such a sweet friend!
[…] To make holiday lanterns sized to fit your space (click here)… […]
I’m a rustic girl & I love your rustic lantern! Even liked how it looked before you applied the wax…you’re your own worst critic, you know. Appreciate the detailed tutorial. Pinned. Going to take a look at your other posts too!
Thanks so much, Florence. Appeciate the visit and kind words. Hope you will visit again soon.
Susie you have made it look so easy. I’m going to share this with the hubs and hope that he will be cooperative and help me make some. Thanks for the tutorial and for the beautiful lantern.
Hi Mary. Thanks so much. Hope the hubs makes you as many as you want! Happy Thanksgiving!
Pretty cool yeah. Love the decoration. Great Efforts dear.
This is such a great idea. These decorative lanterns would look perfect on my front porch, so, although I’m not a particularly “crafty” person, I’m going to give these a try.
Hi Cait! Thanks so much for stopping by. If you look through my blog, you’ll notice I’m not crafty either. But these pieces will fit together like a little rustic leggo kit. You can do it! Please ~~Get in touch if you have any questions. Happy Holidays ~ Susie
Love this DIY, they look amazing and can be slightly customized to fit anyones needs. Love this!
Hi Christine. Thanks so much for stopping by. You are correct about being able to make any shape and size lanterns. I plan to make some larger lanterns for my front porch and apply a more formal finish. Fingers crossed. LOL… Happy Holidays ~ Susie
[…] DIY Rustic Lantern […]
[…] Little House of Four // The Chelsea Project […]
[…] These little guys were constructed from mismatched scrap lumber, eight screws, and wood glue —then topped with a paint and wax combo to create an aged barn wood look. It is one of the easiest build-it-yourself tutorials I’ve ever posted. Click here to see all the details. […]