Funky Junk Interiors

I really should have called this project  the ‘I can’t make up my mind ‘ directional signs, because boy did this project take a few hundred U-turns!

It all started with a wooden window frame some time ago.

This is the window found from the trip to the Alexandria bridge where I found that surprise massive junk place along the side of the road.

I wanted summer decor on my fireplace mantel. So I rummaged through the ‘ol stencil collection and decided that vacation type sayings would be PERFECT.

Probably because I needed one…

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What I used:

• Stencils from the Getaway Collection – Private Beach, Lake Rentals, and Cabin HERE
• Stencil brush
• Old wooden framed window
• Random rusty junk hinges etc.
• Paint of choice – I used black acrylic craft paint.
  .Learn how these signs were stenciled from HERE

 

That’s when the help walked in.

The discussion was in depth, ranging from layout to apparent lack of birds to watch that day. Very therapeutic for both of us.

So I grabbed a little Beach sign I had already made way back, dry fit some other boards into the window frame, and…

I didn’t like it.

So I took it apart and forgot about it. For weekSSSS.

Until this weekend. Yet AGAIN I wanted something summerish on my mantel. So I picked up that same Beach sign, stenciled two others to read Rentals and Cabins and attached them to a post instead.

Well, how cute is that! Instant vacation land in a forest setting if you will.

I decked out the surrounding area at the sign base with features that mimicked my beloved forest bike ride trails.

Can you see it? Can you see me on that bike racing along the trails amongst the tallest of pine trees?

Yep. I want to stay in THAT cabin by that river in THAT forest. I love story telling in decor.

Faux Ikea plants were tucked behind some firewood, then a few metal antiques were placed to capture the cabin bike antiques getaway thing.

And it fit the mantel nicely.

Then what did I go and do? I walked downstairs to my junk stash and my eyes landed on that old window again.

And then I couldn’t turn off the brain. I had to try the signs inside the frame again.

Please don’t even try to understand why. I didn’t get it myself.

Each sign was installed onto the window a different way. Rentals utilized two rusty junk door hinges to make it extra quirky.

Beach was outfitted with a board across the back of the window frame first, then mounted to that from the front.

And Cabins was installed with 4 little cup hooks along with one tiny link of chain to centre the sign inside the window panel. 

And I have no idea why, but today I didn’t just like it… I LOVED it!

Whatev.

I think it looked like this several weeks ago, but who can keep up?

Oh.. but I did add that arrow tip to Beach.

Once I placed the old window signs onto the mantel, the arrow tip looked a tiny bit plain. So I grabbed the Buffalo Check stencil and some black craft paint, and did it up right.

Find the Buffalo Check stencil HERE

Yes! That’s just what it needed. Not too heavy, yet still broke up all the wood tones.

Learn how to stencil these signs from HERE

This totally worked for me. It was ruggedly rustic and using old stuff from the get go always offers more of an authentic touch, don’t you think?

Until… oh boy.

Oh the DRAMA!

Just maybe it would look nice on the nice, clean patio I haven’t decorated yet…

So I yanked the mantel apart and brought it outdoors instead.

I cozied the newly cleaned patio up and made it feel like home. Complete with my childhood farm dinner bell that acts as a wind chime when a gust of wind hits.

I can still hear my mom ringing it for Dad to come in from the barn for dinner.

It was fun playing house out there! I still haven’t decorated the patio yet so this certainly made a dent.

It was cute! I liked it!

But that’s when I realized, my mantel was lonely.

Insert eye roll emoticon here.

So back to the mantel it went.

Still in the window frame though at least!

For now…

Then wouldn’t you know, the Heavens parted and the birds returned!

Now if that wasn’t a sign that all was well AS IS, I don’t know what is…
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Which is your fav way and spot?! Any other creative ways to use that window for summer decor?

Here’s some other past projects that are also vacation themed…

How to make your own beach signs

Faux barn door headboard with Bed & Breakfast bedding

2-layer buffalo checked Cabin Resort pillow

Illuminated Cabin shaped resort sign