Friday, July 8, 2011

Make a Rustic Old Box using a New Fence Board





A couple of months ago I aged a new fence board to put as a shelf under an old window.  You can see that post HERE.  I loved the idea of using Apple Cider Vinegar and Steel Wool to make a brand new board look old.  This time I wanted to make a box for my island.



I was at Lowe's and found a regular fence board.  This one had bad sides, which I'm sure wouldn't make someone who was building a fence happy, but it made me happy.


I put on my gloves (apple cider vinegar is pretty smelly!) and applied the vinegar with steel wool.  The first coat didn't go on that great and I had little black spots all over the board.  I just kept applying more coats until I got the grey/worn look that I wanted.  (I waited about an hour between coats of the vinegar.)





I then cut the boards to make a box.  To make it easy, I made it as wide as the fence board is so I didn't have to cut the bottom at all.  The dimensions are 16" long by 5 1/4" wide.  My husband who loves woodworking  wanted to make the box perfect, but that's not the look I was going for.  :)  Anyway, he did glue the sides and used his finish nailer to hold everything together.  He clamped it up overnight and it was good to go.  




On the ends where I had made my cuts, I needed to rough it up a little, then apply more of the vinegar.








I love that the edges are all very rough looking.  I put the glass jars that came with a flatware caddy I already had and put some flowers in each jar.


Thanks so much for visiting!




55 comments:

  1. Looks so cute! Love it! Would look great stenciled, too!

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  2. You know me and boxes! I love it!!! Great job! Headed to the antique shop that I recently told you about...I may be buying myself another box if it is still there. When you come here next, we have to go...the problem is that they are only open Thurs., Fri., and Sat.

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  3. It looks fantastic. I didn't know you could get that beautiful gray weathered look with vinegar. Great tip. The flowers are perfect. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Nice job, would look great at This Old House!

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  5. I love it Pam!! I never knew apple cider vinegar weathered wood so pretty!! Have a great weekend, Martina

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  6. Love it! I didn't have much luck when I used vinegar and steel wool, but I didn't use apple cider vinegar. I'll have to try this again!

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  7. Nice tips. I guess the acidity in the vinegar does the trick! Thanks for sharing this process with us.

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  8. looks so wonderful! Great job and thanks for the tips!

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  9. That looks gorgeous! When I think of how much garden centres charge for that kind of thing, it's astonishing to think they can be made so cheaply!

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  10. this looks really great! so many possibilities for this type of project....

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  11. Sometimes it's hard to find old wood. This is great information! The box looks great...thanks for the tutorial!!!

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  12. I love it! What a great technique for aging wood! The flowers look beautiful in there too. Pinning it!
    Jenn :)

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  13. turned out great, Pam! you did such a beautiful job and at a great price too.

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  14. LOVE THIS! I have never heard of using vinegar to age a board-gotta try that. I have a very old cheese box about this size, Iam going to put an arrangement in it!

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  15. What a great idea! I didn't know you could give new wood an aged look like that. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  16. Great job, Pam! It's awesome. I love the rustic finish! ;)

    Have a wonderful week!

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  17. It looks great! I love flower boxes and your flowers are so pretty.

    My husband just made one for me using part of our fence. He lined it with our old pool parts and is now in our driveway.

    Dee

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  18. Looks great! I saw the vinegar used on another blog. Had never heard of it. Will have to try!

    Dropping by from Met Monday. I'll hope you'll come see the nursery I helped create for my first grandchild.

    Allison
    Atticmag

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  19. Your box looks fantastic! I've seen the vinegar & steel wool method used before, but have never used it. I love how you can change the effect with how many applications you choose to use. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. This turned out great...I was not familiar with the vinegar procedure...looks like an antique box!

    Stop over for a last chance to enter a vintage linen giveaway!

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  21. I had no idea that apple cider vinegar could be used to age wood. Your box truly does look like an antique!

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  22. Visiting from BNOP. Great box! I want to make one. It looks so authentically vintage. Nice work. Please stop by; having a summer giveaway.

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  23. great job, never knew that you could age stuff with AC vinegar, I'll give it a go!

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  24. Thank you so much for stopping by Pam. I love your little flower box, what a great idea :) I can't wait to see what other brilliant ideas you come up with!

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  25. Great project Pam, I have never heard about vinegar and steel wool for aging wood. Thanks for sharing your project it looks darn cute on your counter.

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  26. Love this idea - great tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing. :)

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  27. Very cute! Love how it turned out!
    http://mallicious.blogspot.com/

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  28. now thats a satisfying job,, and beautiful as well, great job!

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  29. Hi lovely lady.
    I love it your flower box came out Great, this was a Great Idea for your Island counter top sweet~~~
    I hope you have a Great Day with your lovely family.
    XXOO Diane

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  30. Hi Pam! You're so smart and this turned out so cute! I want one!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  31. LOVE it! I wish I knew how to do things like that. I don't think we even have a saw!!

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  32. Wow what a cute and easy thing to do. Also I never knew about using the vinegar I am thrilled to now know about this. Thanks for sharing!

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  33. this looks amazing! I love it! I found your blog through a link party and LOVE it! I am your newest follower and would love it if you would check out my blog and follow me too! Thanks!
    -Nikki
    http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/

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  34. Thanks for the super vinegar tip!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  35. Hi Pam...

    Love, love, LOVE your new flower box, my friend! I just recently found out about using vinegar and steel wool on wood to make it look old. That is just awesome! You did a fabulous job and I love your pretty, sunny yellow flowers look in the box! It makes a gorgeous centerpiece, my friend! Thanks so much for sharing your new pretty with us...and the tutorial as well!

    Warmest summery wishes,
    Chari

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  36. What a great tip using vinegar! Love your aged box!

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  37. That turned out really nice. Looks great on your island :)

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  38. Wow! That is just way too clever! I love it! I would love for you to link up Thursday to "It's a Party"!
    www.acreativeprincess.blogspot.com

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  39. What a clever idea....I love it!!! I had no idea apple vinegar would darken wood like that!!! I have to try that out for sure!
    ~Des

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  40. Pam I love this box!!
    How cute!!!
    I need to get some of those brace things!

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  41. I love your rustic box. It turned out great. If you have a moment, I would love for you to share this project on my Inspiration Board.
    http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2011/07/inspiration-board-link-party_12.html
    Thanks for the inspiration.
    carolyn | homework

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  42. Pam - I love your box and had never tried using vinegar and steel wool. I'm so glad I saw this at Pink Postcard because I have a board I want to age for a plaque for my sister! I'm going to test this out tonight!
    I'm a new follower and can't wait to see more!

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  43. I actually *have* a fence board in my back yard, might have to make myself a box! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  44. Great job on this little box...you could go into business and make a fortune on these. Old wood boxes are so popular right now. I've been looking for one for a while and have had no luck. Thanks for visiting my blog...I really do appreciate it. Have a great rest of the week!

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  45. WQhen working with cider vinegar, aren't you overtaken with the desire to eat a salad? ):-

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  46. I love your little flower box.. I could find a use for a couple of these. I've heard of the vinegar thing before but I've never tried it.

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  47. It looks wonderful. Love it full of the flowers.

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  48. I must remember this little trick. It does look very old and used. Great job. Debi

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  49. Great project, Pam! Thanks for the info on the vinegar and steel wool.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  50. I still remember your post on the shelf and I think I now have a project I can try this out on!! :) this is really adorable. Very creative! Thanks for your comment on my post today...I am so curious now... Do you live in the NW? Or do you visit for wine tours?? :) thanks for sharing at the party this last week!

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  51. Love it! I want to try this trick sometime.

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Thanks so much for leaving a comment.