{TUTORIAL} DIY Wood Shutters

Today's project evolved when I tagged along with hubby to Lowe's.  As he searched through the bins of nuts and bolts, I gathered the supplies needed to make wood shutters for our fireplace mantel.  This project has been on my lengthy "to do" list for a long time and today I decided to just do it.


This is another frugal project and, if you already have the boards in your stash, it's a "free" project!

Unfortunately, we didn't have any boards in the right lengths in cedar, so I had to buy all the materials.  But, fortunately cedar pickets are super inexpensive and the total cost was under $12 to make 3 shutters.


The materials I used:



These materials will make 3 shutters that are 15" wide x 33" tall.   I only needed 2 shutters for my mantel and now have an extra to use elsewhere.

To get started, I had my skilled assistant cut the pickets for me and was able to get two 33" pieces from each picket.  The only unused portion of each picket was the dog eared ends (don't be alarmed ...  they won't go to waste - new project alert!):



The cedar furring was cut to six 15" lengths.

Next, I laid 4 of the picket boards side by side with a slight space between each picket.  Yes, I did the assembly indoors on our tile floor.  It was way too hot out to do this in the garage.  Wimpy, I know!



Using a cordless brad nailer (best invention ever!) I secured the furring strip horizontally across the pickets and 5-1/2" from the edge of each end of the pickets.   This is the brad nailer I used:


Ryobi AirStrike 18GA Cordless Brad Nailer

If you don't have a brad nailer, a hammer and nails work just as well.

This is the furring strip with brads securing it to the pickets:


And, that's it!  This was a very easy project and after the pickets were cut, didn't take much time at all to assemble. 






Am undecided on whether or not to stain them.  Think I'll live with them a while before I decide.  For now, we're really enjoying this new focal point in our living room!

(Burlap wreath how to will be featured in a future post.)


Thank you to Cozy Little House for graciously featuring this post!






Shared with:
The Blissful Bee
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28 comments:

  1. So lovely Carolyn! I love the way they turned out : )

    The unfinished look is spectacular...especially if they are staying in doors. I may have to finish mine eventually since they are outdoors. So glad you stopped by my page and sent me a message!

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    1. Hi, Deb! I really am enjoying the natural look and being able to see the woodgrain variations. Your shutters are so wonderfully aged, perhaps you could use clear preservative on them to retain the weathered look? They're awesome! Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Thanks for commenting on my blog! Love, love your shutters! They look perfect on your mantel! Great job!

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    1. Thank you, Kathy! Am really enjoying the unfinished look and the warmth of the wood grain. Thanks for popping by!

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  3. Very cute! Nice wreath, too. :)

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    1. Hi, Bless! I am hoping to do a "how to" for the wreath soon. :)

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  4. I love shutters of any kind and yours are beautiful! I think it's a good idea to live with them for awhile before you stain them. I like them just as they are, but I'm sure they'll be pretty if you stain them too. One of my new favorite stains is "weathered gray." I stained my new bookshelves with it and now I'm always looking for things to use it on! Lol!

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    1. Your bookshelves are awesome, Lisa! And the weathered gray stain is just perfect for your décor. I find I do that, too - when I find a paint color or stain that I really love, I want to use it on almost anything. It's addictive!

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  5. Hello, What a great idea! Your pretty handy with a saw! Anything made with pallet wood...
    Happy Summer, Roxy

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    1. Hi, Roxy! Actually, I'm very leery of the big monstrous table saw and got hubby to cut the boards for me after I marked them all. Would love to get over my fear of it someday. :) Thanks for visiting!

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  6. What a cute idea. I like the contrast in colors, so I don't think I'd stain them, but you might decide to just use a clear sealer. Thanks for linking up at the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home!

    Jennifer

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    1. All linked up, Jennifer! Thanks so much for hosting the Weekend Blog Hop each week! It's a fun party and I always look forward to seeing the new things you've done in your gardens. :)

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  7. Wow, what a fabulous thrifty project! They're perfect for your mantel. Thanks for sharing your tutorial at Vintage Inspiration Party.

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  8. Wow, what a fabulous thrifty project! They're perfect for your mantel. Thanks for sharing your tutorial at Vintage Inspiration Party.

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    1. Am all about the thrift! And, thanks again, Betsy, for helping me identify the true original purpose of the "squirrel feeder!" LOL!

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  9. Love this idea! Wonderful post! I would love it if you would share it at our WIW Linky Party! I hope you can join us!

    Paula
    ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

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    1. I linked up at your Linky Party, Paula! Thanks for the invite! Checked out your beautiful blog and it's such a lovely blog - lots of beautiful eye candy to enjoy. Thank you for popping in and for inviting me! Have a great day!

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  10. Oh cute! I get so excited each week to see what you have been working on because it’s always AMAZING! Thank you for sharing this with us. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm, so we can party!!!! Lou Lou Girls

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    1. I'll be there, Kimberly! Wouldn't miss it! Thanks for your sweet comments! See you at the party!

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  11. These look FABULOUS! I have been wanting to make shutters for either side of the window in the beach-y guest bedroom. Thanks for the brilliant idea.

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  12. They look perfect on your mantel - such nice rustic charm! I love working with cedar because of the texture, so I'm sure these are even more gorgeous in person. Thanks for sharing at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. this week!

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  13. This is a super cute look!! Thanks for sharing at The Creative Circle. Hope to see you again this week!

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  14. I love these shutters Carolyn! We have made a lot with cedar but haven't done shuters yet, this may be our next project. Thanks so much for linking up at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. I hope you will join us again this week!

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  15. I’m loving this! Pinned and tweeted! I always love your creations, thanks for sharing this with us at our party! I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm, we love seeing what you have been working on! Lou Lou Girls

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  16. Such a cute idea. I like the natural wood.. but bet the stain would be pretty too.The wreath is really pretty.

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  17. Hello Carolyn,

    Found your link on Link Party Palooza. Love this idea and it is sooo cute! Thanks for sharing

    xoxo,

    SincerelyJean.com

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  18. So creative and they turned out beautifully!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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