Home is Where the Junk is

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This was a fun, easy project that sort of evolved over time.

It all began ten years ago, when I married a Native Texan.  You know all those stereotypes of people from Texas?

They’re true.

At least they are in the case of my Native Texan, who brought to our blessed union enough Texas memorabilia to decorate an entire room.  Which is why we decided to turn our guest room into a celebration of his beloved homeland state.  You know, to amuse the Yankee folks who came to visit.  

I mention this in order to describe the origins of the red, wooden “Home” sign around which this little project revolved.  It used to hang from a wooden Texas flag, but I’d removed it years ago when it didn’t quite fit in its designated spot.

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This is the best shot I have of the wooden Texas flag from which the red “Home” sign used to hang.  Just to clarify, I believe the message of this sign was supposed to be “Texas = Home.”  Hence, the word “Home” hanging from a TX flag.  (I know all you folks from other states must have your respective flags all over your homes, too, right?  Me neither.)

I still sorta liked the little red Home sign, but never really had a good use for it.  It was on the small side and didn’t really “work” anywhere.

Until I brought home a few pieces of my dad’s barn.  Literally.  He had to replace a few damaged spots and was going to burn the old barn wood.  Um, no!  I’ll be happy to take those, said She-Who-Decorates-With-Junk.

I picked out the smallest segment of barn wood, but it was still a tad too long for the little red sign.  Furthermore, one end (on the right) was perfectly splintered and weathered.  The other side (on the left) was rather uniformly square and unsplintered.

So I laid the board on Mr. Native Texan’s workbench, and broke out my inner karate girl.  I kicked the end of that barn wood until a piece came loose enough for me to pull off.

That took care of the splintering part, but the newly bared wood on that (left) end still looked too new and unweathered.  So I used an old rag and applied some stain to those pieces of wood.  Voila!  Weathered wood.

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Then Mr. Native Texan, who is always glad for a reason to use his handy dandy air nailer, attached the little red sign to the strip of barn wood with the help of said nailer.  (That thing is pretty awesome–can’t even see the nails, can you?)

And that’s it!  Now it is at “home” on top of an old cabinet in our dining room.

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Do you like to Decorate with Junk?  Check out more of my favorite projects:

• Why I Decorate with Junk
• Laundry Room Makeover, Part 1: Barn Pendant with Jute-Wrapped Cord
• Decorating with Junk: Refinished Craft Desk
• Project Update: Old Window Frame
• Project Update: Distressed Mirror
• Master Bedroom Makeover: Nightstands in Distress
• Master Bedroom Makeover: finished for now…
• DIY Noel Sign
• And Yet Another Set of DIY Pallet Shelves
• Vintage Diaper Changing Station
• Christmas Card Shutter

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