Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box

Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box! Perfect as a planter or decorating your mantel! Click for full tutorial. #planter #gardening #flowerbox

Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box

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When we were in Hawaii last summer, we went to this little town called Paia in Maui. It wears a true hippy vibe, with patchwork buildings, tall looming rustic trees, with plenty of dreadlocks and bare toes for good measure.

So when I whipped up this little window box, it yelled BOHO!

Or maybe it resembled to being found underground on LOST.

Or inspired from Fried Green Tomatoes, with plenty of cicadas buzzing in the background.

Ohhh, I just found this YouTube video with the most wonderful outdoor sounds… play THIS nature clip YOUTUBE video and we’ll just call this one a down by the river styled reclaimed scrap wood window box, and call it a day…

Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box! Perfect as a planter or decorating your mantel! Click for full tutorial. #planter #gardening #flowerbox
This reclaimed scrap wood window box it is casual, laid back, and my living room officially feels like I’m sitting in the middle of some swamp land somewhere, thanks to those trailing willow branches. And I LOVE it!

This place needed a little touch of spring, and my first shot is always towards the fireplace mantel.

But it would work equally well outdoors too!

crumbling wooden barrel planter

This reclaimed wood window box kinda all started with this little accident. A wooden barrel that had seen better days literally crumbled at my feet as I attempted to move it. 

Gathering up some of the good chunks of wood (of course…) was a great starting point!

Here’s how I made it!

(this post contains some affiliate links)

How to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box

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Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box! Perfect as a planter or decorating your mantel! Click for full tutorial. #planter #gardening #flowerbox

Supplies I used:

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Bingo stencil from HERE

or use Shipping Crate Stamps stencil from HERE

Stencil brush

reclaimed wood and broken barrel parts

cordless drill / bits

screws

rope

rusty hooks and hinges


HERE’S a post where I store my rusty junk stash.

assembling the box / Mantel decorating with a reclaimed scrap wood window box

How-to:

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1. Cut 2 wood sides and 2 wood ends to desired size for your window box base.

2. Predrill holes into the four corners of the end boards, then attach with screws.

assembling the box / Mantel decorating with a reclaimed scrap wood window box
I left the bottom of the window box empty in case I desired to place it outdoors in a flower bed. However you can fill the bottom with a board as well.

Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box! Perfect as a planter or decorating your mantel! Click for full tutorial. #planter #gardening #flowerbox

3. Cut scrap wood pieces that fit vertically onto the box sides, using staggering heights, attempting to leave the tops ‘live’ if possible.

4. Attach the scrap wood to the box with screws until the entire box is covered. 

Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box! Perfect as a planter or decorating your mantel! Click for full tutorial. #planter #gardening #flowerbox

Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box! Perfect as a planter or decorating your mantel! Click for full tutorial. #planter #gardening #flowerbox

5. Decorate the box with rusty junk, twine, hooks, whatever you have on hand! Experiment and have fun… as this was the best part!

6. Place planter where desired and fill it with fresh cut plants, flowers, etc.

Isn’t rustic decorating grand? You can DO NO WRONG.

Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box! Perfect as a planter or decorating your mantel! Click for full tutorial. #planter #gardening #flowerbox

Aren’t those junky details wonderful?

Shipping Crate Stamps stencil from Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils for a pallet wood look!

Find Shipping Crate Stamps stencil HERE

Stenciling numbers onto the wood / Mantel decorating with a reclaimed scrap wood window box / funkyjunkinteriors.net

7. Add some stenciled details or crate markings to pretty things up!

I used parts of a Bingo stencil from HERE, but later came out with Shipping Crate Stamps which would be even MORE perfect!


Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box! Perfect as a planter or decorating your mantel! Click for full tutorial. #planter #gardening #flowerbox

The finished planter box

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Oh goodness… could this be any more rustically me?

Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box! Perfect as a planter or decorating your mantel! Click for full tutorial. #planter #gardening #flowerbox

And because this one was about bringing a little spring indoors, I sized the box to work perfectly on the fireplace mantel.

Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box! Perfect as a planter or decorating your mantel! Click for full tutorial. #planter #gardening #flowerbox
Read more about how this fireplace was built HERE

Nothing is really growing yet. So a big willow tree out back saved the day for something to trail, and the honeysuckle bush got raided for a little branchy green-ness.

A few really old branches from my moody winter mantel finished it off.

Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box! Perfect as a planter or decorating your mantel! Click for full tutorial. #planter #gardening #flowerbox

Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box! Perfect as a planter or decorating your mantel! Click for full tutorial. #planter #gardening #flowerbox

Sweet tea, anyone?

Pretty cool, right? Think you’ll make one?

Other reclaimed wood garden junk projects you may enjoy:

Learn how to make this rusty junk garden orb from broken barrel rings! #gardenart

Learn how to make this garden junk barrel orb

Learn how to decorate a rustic garden shed with reclaimed wood and antiques! #gardenshed #pottingshed

Visit my rustic garden shed projects HERE

Learn how to build a reclaimed wood rustic garden fence with scrap wood and lettered with a Farm Supply sign stencil from Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils! #stencils #reclaimedwood #gardenfence #signs

Learn how I built a reclaimed wood garden fence HERE

Visit many other garden junk projects HERE 

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Categories: All Cool Projects, DIY, Fireplace mantels, Gardening, Junk Drawer, Reclaimed wood projects, Seasonal, Spring, Summer
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27 thoughts on “Learn how to make this reclaimed scrap wood window box

  1. Love the window box and the random screws and the rope to hold it all together! It looks great on your mantel with spring trailing down. I am surprised you have that much green going on at this time of year. We are not that far along here in Maryland. In fact, we had a little snow today. But I am so looking forward to spring. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Donna, I love it. I am truly a fan of your site. I work with old boards and rusty metal because it’s mostly free and it suits me perfectly. I anxiously wait for your crafty ideas. It would take me months to be Better Homes and Gardens ready but it is a good life. Please continue ‘talking’… you are so very enjoyable.

  3. Loving it, Donna!!!

    If I read many more of these posts of yours, I’m going to have to move back into a house again so I can have a basement or workshop area! ?

  4. Those are some beautiful pieces of weather wood and I love your project and your mantel display. Very charming.
    Have a happy weekend!
    Connie 🙂

  5. This little box is so quaint! I just love it. Leaving the bottom out must make it much lighter and easier to maneuver. The hardware and rope give it just enough interest. Nice job! I’m sure you could sell these at your annual junk fair.

  6. Cute, cute, cute – I pinned it! I’ve got an old wine barrel in my basement that’s missing two of the rings, but I’m still hoping to salvage it. It’s one of the few things that survived a tornado at my cousin’s house, so I’d love to save it.

  7. I think you’ve really captured of piece of that little Maui town in this window box. Love this, it so unique even without the rope and hardware, but those touches are what also make it a Funky Junk creation!

  8. I think we need to call you the Junk Whisperer! And HGTV needs to have you star in a show where people bring in their broken junk and you figure out what to do with it and turn it into one of a kind masterpieces. Donna you are the salvaging queen! Love all of the details on this planter box! Who would have thought that a broken barrel planter would become two new gorgeous projects And your photos never disappoint! Seriously drooling! ;o)

  9. I love how you see all these great things that most people want to pitch!
    (Not me – I keep it all!)….and love to see what can be done with it from you! I just love everything you make!! Many thanks!

  10. My nine year old is reading this post with me and loves your mantel box as well as I do! Looks like I need to make one too…LOVE this idea!!

  11. Super use of the wood! And THANKS for a GREAT idea, I also had same experience with my barrels 4, caving when moving them!
    Can’t wait to put my orbs together, thanks again.

  12. That is perfect for you and the mantle! The little extras (twine, latch, stencil) are what makes it so special and shows your real genius! 😉

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