Barn Board Decor
In my mind's eye is a scene from many years ago, in the times of hand-pumped wells, horse teams and wagons, and old fashioned barn raisings. I can see the neighbors gathered on the home farm, around the pile of giant timbers that were logged from the surrounding woods. I can imagine the satisfaction as coordinated human strength raised to existence a barn that would house the cattle and hay grown on the farm for years to come.
Then I come back to reality, around a hundred years later and watch a few machines completely level the whole massive building. It comes to mind what Winston Churchill is known to have said, "To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the act of a single day.”
Yes, I may be a tiny bit sentimental. I love the 'rustic red barn, rolling green hills, flowering cherry trees, fenced in cows' type of country aesthetic.
I also understand the value of safety first. All things are subject to weathering, erosion and rust. Our old farm barn was to the point of "Take it down before it falls down".
But you know me, and I knew I had to think of a way to preserve the old red barn outside of it's physical presence.
Maybe you're in the same boat? If so, here's an easy way you can use those old barn boards to keep them alive. This would also work with pallet wood, vintage crates, and more!
1) Build a decorative mini barn!
All you need for this project is a piece of barn board, a miter saw, a strip of roofing, a splash of paint, and (optional) a little wreath!
Move your saw blade to 30 degrees to the right, then place your board end along the fence. It takes some practice to figure out where exactly to cut. Then flip the board over and repeat the cut on the other side. Then place the board lengthwise along the fence, and make the two top angled cuts. Return your saw angle to 0, and make a cut down approximately 5", or however tall you want your barn to be.
Decide what you want for roofing- you could use aluminum sheet metal(be careful!), corrugated roofing, thin plywood, etc. I attached my roof on using 1" finishing nails- worked like a charm!
Paint on your barn door, or upgrade your barn by cutting out some wood in the shape of a barn door. If you're lucky, you have a CNC or engraver and can make a really neat door. Glue on a wreath, or other seasonal decoration and your barn is ready to go.
To take it to the next level, I purchased some battery powered fairy lights and glued the string on the underside of the roof. Makes an adorable barn for your Country Christmas themed decor!
