My New Shutters

I have been totally inspired by all the shutter projects out there and fell in love with the look of barnwood shutters. Specifically the ones found here. I have looked everywhere and could not find any...so I decided to make my own version. Now, this project would have been a breeze if I would have had some real tools...but I made it work. (Keep in mind I am NOT a builder...so I am sure there is a better way to go about this...lol) I went to Home Depot and got some standard (1x3) pine boards. I had them cut them 36" long. I then got some (1x2) boards that were just at the end of the isle and I took the home and cut them myself. I can't remember how many of those I bought. I think they were 8 feet long so I bought 2, but not sure. Anyways, I bought miter box and saw to help with my cuts. Now...this is the first time I have used a miter box, and maybe I am just a wimp...but it was so hard. I knew better than to ask my husband....he would have just mocked the idea and said we don't need barn shutters in our house! :) So I tackled this all on my own. Anyways, this project was kind of just me using trial and error. I cut the boards and then cut cardboard to use as spacers.(I have my measurements diagrammed at the bottom of this post)

I set out my angled piece and put that in place so I knew where I would want my top cross pieces. I clamped these and used liquid nails to set them in place.

After I got them all set in place I used a few finishing nails by hand to secure the pieces. Then I sanded it down a little but wanted to leave these kind of raw. I wanted these to look natural and like old barn shutters uneven and all. I used white paint that I watered down a little so that after I painted them the wood grain would still be visible. Kind of white washed.

For easy hanging, I attached picture hanging wire to the back of each shutter.

And here are my shutters. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out especially since I am such an amateur!

And my current holiday decor.

Here are my rough measurements:

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