deesign d.i.y.

For the past year or so I've dreamed of having a barn board wall in my basement. I'd chosen the wall and knew exactly what I wanted, but I knew getting what I wanted might be a different story. Sourcing out and finding actual reclaimed barn board can be tricky and costly. Asking and searching around gave me different options (and expensive ones at that!) but I wasn't sold on any of them.

Then my husband and I were at Home Depot and low and behold there was some unfinished pine barn board in 8 foot lengths for $4.11 each! Woo hoo! After a bit of searching the web and finding some inspirational photos I decided to go with the oil-based Minwax Dark Walnut stain.

I had purchased a wood primer, at the advice of the Home Depot paint department, but decided to forgo applying it since I wanted the look of actual barn board. I didn't want a perfectly applied and absorbed stain. I wanted imperfections and colour variations. So, one stain coat later with a brush and wiped off with a lint-free cloth and the boards were ready for installation (courtesy of my lovely husband)!!! The result was exactly what I wanted. I LIKED my feature wall in Benjamin Moore's Penny but I absolutely LOVE my new barn board feature wall!  It's exactly what I envisioned for the space. Dee:)

Well, I've finished painting my little side table in Myrtle Beach Sand by Ce Ce Caldwell and I must say it looks pretty good! It's clear waxed and has already returned home to be adorned with a lamp, framed wedding photo and phone.