Monday, July 19, 2010

Barn Wood and Branches Wall Art

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I had an incredibly lucky moment a few months ago, when some friends asked me to make a few signs for their house. They wanted to pull apart a beautiful old chest that was in their home and use that wood for the project, and offered me the rest of the wood to use as I wished. They added, "the chest is made from some old barn wood from our farm." I couldn't get my yes out fast enough!! The wood is beautiful, rich, warm and weathered, and I was thrilled.

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I knew I had to come up with something special for this wood, no typical sign would do, so I turned to Keri at Cutting Edge Wall Stencils and got this incredible stencil.

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I lined up the boards and enlisted a few cute handymen to secure them to one another on the back with metal braces. Then, with a flat base I started on my stencil.

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I wanted some depth to the design, so I picked out light, medium and dark shades of acrylic paint to stencil with.

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I started off with a shimmery bronze paint that was a very similar shade as the wood. I lightly sprayed the stencil with a tacky stencil adhesive, and placed it a bit off-center on top of the wood. I then grabbed a stiff stencil brush and started to layer on the bronze.

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I let the bronze paint dry, repositioned the stencil, and painted a shimmery gold color on the corners of the board, overlapping a bit of the bronze branches.

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When this was dry I centered the stencil, and started in on my lightest color, a creamy white. I pulled away the stencil and was done!! I attached wire hanging gear across the back and put it right up on the wall.

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One of my favorite things about this piece is how different it looks depending on where you're standing in the room. When the light is hitting it just right, all of the shimmery colors just pop out.

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If the light is not directly on the picture, the creamy colored branch stands out the most,

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but if you're looking at it face-on, there is a nice blend of the three colors. I wanted this painting to have the sense of depth that you'd have if you were standing under a tree looking up at the branches.

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I also was so happy with the contrast between the old and battered wood, and the elegance of the branches in the shimmery tones. I love it!

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I practiced the design on two smaller sections of the same wood. I included this sweet little bird, who didn't make it onto the big piece, but I think is a fun element.

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I am so pleased with this project! It has really given me a new appreciation for wall stencils, something I had previously shied away from since I am such a commitment phobe with decor. But being able to stencil onto something that could then be moved around is fabulous!!


Also, I'm so excited to say that this project made it into the Top 12 over at the The DIY Club!




and

Visit thecsiproject.com


Erin

79 comments:

Theresa Plas July 19, 2010 at 6:32 AM  

really beautiful!!!

Unknown July 19, 2010 at 6:38 AM  

beautiful! I love the dimension! That would fit right in at my house!

Kim @ http://frostmeblog.blogspot.com
party inspiration

Amanda July 19, 2010 at 7:16 AM  

This is really beautiful!

Tiffany July 19, 2010 at 7:27 AM  

Absolutely gorgeous! Love the depth and the richness of the wood! The little bird on the smaller one is adorable too! Love these. Just beautiful!

ificould July 19, 2010 at 7:58 AM  

Beautiful!

twolittleseeds July 19, 2010 at 8:09 AM  

wow

Kim@Chattafabulous July 19, 2010 at 8:14 AM  

This lovely and unexpected. Great job!

Patrice July 19, 2010 at 8:18 AM  

Love this!

ChRiS July 19, 2010 at 8:22 AM  

i visioned a headboard right away don't ask me why!! nice project great job

Rose :: FineCraftGuild.com July 19, 2010 at 9:11 AM  

I keep on picking YOUR posts in linky parties as COOL IDEAS of projects that I LOVE. How funny is that.

Anyhow, excellent use of the stencils. I love the layered look you created. Good tutorial that prepares us for the reality of trying to make this...

Soo, I'm sending you another invite to come link it up in our DIY tutorial linky party so that our readers can find you and your blog! http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-tutorial-linky-party-6/

Kari Sweeten July 19, 2010 at 9:17 AM  

WOW!! This is so incredible!

Nancy July 19, 2010 at 9:46 AM  

Love the results! I have a long (LONG) hallway to figure out. Stencils are on the list.

Ann @ makethebestofthings July 19, 2010 at 10:28 AM  

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! Now I have barn wood AND tree stencil envy!

Amanda @ Healthy House on the Block July 19, 2010 at 10:29 AM  

That is amazing! I love how it turned out. I want one for my house!! :)

Rosies July 19, 2010 at 10:38 AM  

Oh I am jealous I saw this awhile ago and I have been dying to try it!!

Allison {A Glimpse Inside} July 19, 2010 at 10:43 AM  

That is just lovely!

Allison {A Glimpse Inside} July 19, 2010 at 10:43 AM  
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tori July 19, 2010 at 11:05 AM  

Love it!

vanessa July 19, 2010 at 11:07 AM  

Lovely project, wondering if this would work on fabric for a sofa toss pillow...

Angie Holden July 19, 2010 at 4:31 PM  

Stopping by from Ucreate -- love this project!! :)

Jaedyn July 19, 2010 at 6:10 PM  

This is sooo pretty! I would love a wall art piece like this. :)

Barbara July 19, 2010 at 6:10 PM  

I love natural decor like this. It is beautiful!

Jacqueline July 19, 2010 at 9:01 PM  

This is so beautiful and elegant and certainly doesn't look home made. You have great little helpers (and a big one too.) So nice to meet you.

Rashmie July 20, 2010 at 12:35 AM  

I am your new fan! This is absolutely gorgeous. Love how the different shades of branches and leaves create a depth....

Thanks for sharing the step-by-step method.

Rashmie from India.
http://blog.gorgeouskarma.com

Donene July 20, 2010 at 11:27 AM  

This turned out fantastic! I love it too!!

Anny July 20, 2010 at 2:07 PM  

WOW! This is gorgeous! I need something special for my house and this gives me so many ideas :)

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal July 20, 2010 at 10:01 PM  

Oh, this is so, so pretty! I'm a little like you with stencils but what a solution. That wood is great!

Unknown July 21, 2010 at 12:44 AM  

Beautiful!

Lisa

Heather July 21, 2010 at 8:12 AM  

Love this! Thanks for the inspiration...now to look for stencils...

- Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl July 21, 2010 at 2:56 PM  

Absolutely gorgeous! I love it, and this is exactly my style, nature fused with old and blended with free!

Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com

Alison @ Oopsey Daisy July 21, 2010 at 5:22 PM  

I love everything about this!! Absolutely fabulous!

sportzmom July 21, 2010 at 6:44 PM  

Beautiful!

Beverly {Flamingo Toes} July 21, 2010 at 10:57 PM  

What a beautiful piece of artwork! I love the colors you used and the way you layered the stencil on the wood. It's wonderful!

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking July 22, 2010 at 12:54 AM  

Erin this is gorgeous... what an amazing score on that wood & that stencil just turned out perfect!

April July 22, 2010 at 8:09 AM  

Awesome. I love your use of color and how it provides dimension. thanks for sharing.

Patti @ Pandoras Box July 22, 2010 at 2:19 PM  

great idea....love how this turned out!

muralimanohar July 22, 2010 at 8:48 PM  

Oh, MAN. I need that. Next project, coming up. :o

Cecily July 22, 2010 at 9:22 PM  

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Love it.

My Dream Canvas July 22, 2010 at 11:00 PM  

Love it!! I am having a CSN Giveway on my blog My Dream Canvas and would love for you to drop by.

Sheri@childmade.com July 22, 2010 at 11:48 PM  

Awesome! Love the two-tone effect. And I would have snatched up the wood too -- great stuff! Thanks for sharing ... I've posted a link. Stop by and say "hi," maybe add a few links of your own!

Maria July 23, 2010 at 12:33 AM  

Nice artwork. Way to go.

Self Sagacity July 23, 2010 at 1:41 AM  

Work of art! Wonderful creation from just old pieces of wood. Like a true artist.

Hootin Anni July 23, 2010 at 7:09 AM  

Oh my gosh...this is incredible!!

For your convenience, Here Is My Show and Tell Bargain Link. Hope to see you visit with me.

Helena July 23, 2010 at 8:48 AM  

Wow, this is really beautiful. I can really see the depth of the branches.

Thank you for linking this up!

BizzyMom July 23, 2010 at 8:59 AM  

Love, love, LOVE this idea!

Samantha July 23, 2010 at 10:20 AM  

Wow. Very nice. I like the variation in color of the different stencil layers.

Sarah July 23, 2010 at 10:47 AM  

What a gorgeous project! I love the leaf and bird theme. I painted my own similar wall art, using an overhead projector, transparency and free-handed some leaves. I love how it turned out. Nice work!
http://sohldesign.blogspot.com/2010/02/hand-painted-wall-art-custom-curtains.html

La July 23, 2010 at 5:46 PM  

A great idea that turned out beautifully. LA

Jen T July 24, 2010 at 10:39 AM  

I'll just add to everyone else..this is beautiful! The wood is so interesting with it's color variations against the paint colors that you used.

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence July 24, 2010 at 12:24 PM  

OM goodness, I love this project!!!

Sherry Goodloe July 24, 2010 at 4:45 PM  

This is just fab-u-lous! LOVE IT!

Deb - Pink Pig July 26, 2010 at 5:18 PM  

Your work Rocks!!

Robyn July 26, 2010 at 9:17 PM  

OHHHHH MY! MY heart actually skipped a beat! This is so incredibly lovely! Awesome idea! Glad I saw this on Met monday thank you for sharing this fabulous ART!

Candy July 26, 2010 at 9:54 PM  

this is so gorgeous and i love how it's so earthy yet classy - bringing in the wood element onto ur walls as well as the tree branch and leaves decor.

Alison July 26, 2010 at 10:57 PM  

Gorg! I have been thinking about doing some tree branch art! We have a new house and need to fill up the walls. I'm going to try something similar on canvas. Thanks!!

Crafty Mommy July 27, 2010 at 8:54 AM  

Gorgeous!! This is a beautiful piece of art!!

Mandy England July 27, 2010 at 9:04 AM  

This is breath-taking! I absolutely love it! ♥

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys July 27, 2010 at 9:33 AM  

Wow, it's just gorgeous! I love the rustic wood. This has got to be at least short listed on CSI!!

Jane July 27, 2010 at 10:54 AM  

I saw this project somewhere else about a week ago and it has been on my mind ever since. In fact, there is a futon frame on the curb in our ally and I am so tempted to grab it for the wood. I absolutely love this!!

Becca July 27, 2010 at 11:52 AM  

Erin! I love this! Thanks for linking! I'll be featuring this tutorial on BCD on Aug. 29th!

Debbie July 27, 2010 at 12:01 PM  

So Beautiful...Love it!

Lisa @ Shine Your Light July 28, 2010 at 5:31 AM  

I saw this on Remodelaholic and jumped over here to check out your blog - what a great project! Thanks for sharing - it's gorgeous!

Anne July 28, 2010 at 7:36 PM  

I love this! IT's beautiful!

Breanna July 31, 2010 at 11:46 AM  

I absolutely LOVE this! I am currently refinishing an old table and buffet. I may try something like this with the extra wood!! I love the creativity!

KarenB July 31, 2010 at 4:03 PM  

This is truly beautiful! Nicely done.

Holly Lefevre August 12, 2010 at 12:57 AM  

This is great! Just beautiful! Glad to see it worked out so well...I have pieces of a pallet glued together and a cutting edge stencil of a fork, knife and spoon stencil on it (from DIY Club sponsors) and just have not had time to finish the tutorial to post it. I am so jealous of the amazing wood you have yours on!
Holly
504 Main
DIY Club

Its So Very Cheri August 12, 2010 at 6:47 AM  

That is GORGEOUS.

It looks amazing.

Thanks for linking up.

Cheri

Roeshel August 14, 2010 at 8:21 PM  

Lucky you - that wood is beautiful and your projects is amazing! I want to make something similar one of these days, now all I need is a friend with gorgeous wood. ;)

Roeshel

Its So Very Cheri August 15, 2010 at 11:29 AM  

Check out the DIY Club post this morning--The Voting Is On...

Its So Very Cheri August 15, 2010 at 11:29 AM  

Check out the DIY Club post this morning--The Voting Is On...

Unknown August 15, 2010 at 4:56 PM  

Congratulations on your DIY Club finalist nomination. This is beautiful. I just love that rich wood, too!

Good luck to you,
Jami

Jenn Erickson August 19, 2010 at 12:34 PM  

Gorgeous! Absolutely stunning and gorgeous! I've always been a little intimidated by stenciling, but your tutorial made it feel more approachable and definitely has me feeling inspired to give it a try. You had some wonderful raw material to work with, and gave those weathered old pieces a new life as incredible art! I'm so honored to be included with so many talented women in the DIY Club contest. Regardless of who wins the big prizes, I feel like I've won already having met new amazing bloggers. I look forward to following your projects and blogging adventures. Best, Jenn

Funky Junk Interiors August 22, 2010 at 11:35 AM  

Oh my word... that wood! And what a cool idea to use a stencil when most of us would probably dash for some kind of lettering. Very pretty!

Donna

Unknown December 9, 2010 at 5:49 PM  

they turned out beautiful . love the stencil over the wood. nice look

Megandvd@Beauty in the Attempt December 31, 2010 at 8:44 PM  

O.M.G.

I love this. Would you mind if I steal this? I love the metallics and the barn wood. I am swooning...no..I am passing out. I love it!

Cheers~
e

Anonymous January 15, 2011 at 1:16 PM  

Adding this to my must-do list! Gorgeous!

Melissa February 4, 2011 at 7:24 AM  

This is absolutely stunning!! I've never used stencil adhesive before. Where did you get it?

Melissa
http://lissalaneous.com

Unknown March 15, 2012 at 7:44 AM  

I have searched the internet and found your blog. This is EXACTLY what I would like to put on a wall in my living room. I am doing sort of a modern country look with navy blue, cream, and a small amount of turquoise with some dark wood furniture. I want a little bling in there, as well. Your art and tutorial totally fits the bill!! Thank you so much for the lovely post!!!

Watermarked Pages April 8, 2013 at 3:27 PM  

This is so beautiful! I didn't have any gorgeous barn wood, so I used a canvas painted a dusty sky blue, and it still turned out nicely, I think. It's on my blog (with the idea credited to you and a link to your site!) Thanks for this and so many other great DIY ideas!

watermarkedpages.wordpress.com

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