Barnboard Coat Rack

It's a very effective way to provide more storage for a foyer, entry way or porch - coats, hats and tools are kept handy by the door. The twigs you use can be single twigs, or crooked and forked.

The difference in the look can be from modern art to country rustic – just fit the style to the look you want.

A clean country style has the back board cut in a shallow swooping design.

In rustic designs, the simple live edge of a rough sawn piece of barn board is enough.

Simple Country Finishes

For most applications, you don't want to use stain or oils that will also stain your coats or hats.

• A light application of linseed oil mixed half and half with paint thinner works well on most twig items.

Use a rag to apply it, and wipe off any extra. Allowing the oil to dry thoroughly in a heated building encourages it to sink in to the wood.

• Acrylic or latex paint can be ragged on for a light colour wash or stain to show the grain of your natural twigs and barn board. Dilute with water to get the look you want.

Remember, it's supposed to be rustic, so use only simple finishes, not lacquer or thick coats of urethane.

• Milk paint is a rustic old time finish, usually in powder form which is mixed with water as needed.

I've seen it in some of the classic country colours such as a mustard yellow, ox blood red, regatta blue, hunter green, olive green and cream.

• Crackle paint is a method of using Elmers White Glue or other economical type of glue, painted over with acrylic paints, which as it dries will craze and give an antiqued or weathered look.

The twigs can be attached by drilling through from the back of the board, then screwing the back end of the twig. This makes an invisible attachment, which I prefer.

You can also drill a larger hole right through the barn board and insert twigs carved to the right size.

This is a good project for those who like to whittle, an old time pastime.

Use your barn board coat rack for other things too, like hanging cups or collectible tin ware, utensils or crafts in baskets.

In the bathroom they can be a stylish towel holder, or for the back of the door to hold a bathrobe.

In a really rustic application, use the hooks for hanging your tools up off the floor in your greenhouse, or to keep the dog leash handy by the back door ready for use at a moments notice.

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Rustic Crafts