DIY Wood Palette Transformations

This is a reprint of a post from 7 years ago ~ but, still so reverent, if even more so, today as reclaimed and distressed wood have become even more popular since then. I've added a link to Sawshub where you can get more information on DIY wood projects.

I have thought for years that it is a waste of wood palettes only to be used to lift "better" product via the forklift. Surely this workhorse item, breaking its back day after day, month after month, year after year, could be recognized for more than its eternal functionality and outward awkwardness? An ugly duckling of sorts that blossoms into its gorgeous, understated personality. A mere glimpse at others' transformation on Les Bulles de Miluccia's blog had me running to our garage looking for leftover items to create my own palette beauty.


With cool outdoor furniture being way too expensive for our budget right now (thus deemed unnecessary), I set out to create an "unnecessary" but very much wanted (by me) cocktail table for our backyard stone terrace. And keeping with the DIY attitude of our yard (my husband slaved over setting the heavy flagstone pavers for both a front and back terrace last summer), my idea for a palette table fit right in. My goal was to purchase as little as possible to make our new terrace table. I used the free wood palette that I acquired, four leftover 4" wheels from a chrome wire Costco shelving unit, and eight 20" lengths of Tigerwood leftover from the construction of our deck two years ago. I purchased a 3' x 4' sheet of galvanized metal ($20) and a few dozen stainless wood nails and screws (about $10 total) to put the whole thing together. Here is my final result ~ which I am thrilled with, I must say! As well as the inspiration that got me there.


So, what will you make this summer?
For more ideas visit 27 Fun DIY Bandsaw Projects You Can Start Today

Once you look past the fact that I need to do a little bit of weeding, you can see that it's a pretty cool table.

Detail ~ isn't the Tigerwood gorgeous?

The original inspiration

Sand the palette as necessary to keep splinters from the kiddos.

Cut apart a palette for quick and easy shelving with character.

Tree Stump Furniture

This is my next project. After completing my wood pallet table (see my post on 14 June here) I'm excited to move on to the next project. The husband has found the stumps on the side of the road and my friends at Cutting Edge Tree Care have cut them level. Thank you, Charlie!

{Via}

{Via}

Charlie at a typical day on the job. Check out Cutting Edge Tree Care's website here.

DIY: How to Display Items on Open Shelves in Kitchen

A friend inspired me to write this post. She and her beau recently bought a fixer-upper and they are in need of remoldeling the kitchen - on a budget. She asked me if it was reasonable to put in open shelves in lieu of upper cabinets. And, yes you can! But since you can't just shove things in a cabinet and shut the door to make things appear clean and neat, you have to be a bit more organized yourself. There are some simple tips to help you get organized:


Tip #1
Arrange items in groups of similar colors, shapes or patterns.

In One of Martha Stewart's kitchens (I wonder how many she has?) white dishware unifies the look.   via Remoldelista

Tip #2
Arrange in groups of similar items; glasses next to glasses, spices with all spices, cookbooks all together . . . you get the picture.

Good looking brackets make this simple space spectacular. You can also hang similar items on the wall below your groupings as they have done here. {Via}

Tip #3
Dust frequently. Open shelves gather more dust than cabinets with doors. Only put items that are used frequently or have good visual value. Remove items and dust shelves once a month or use a light feather duster to dust more frequently in between items leaving major cleaning less needed. Metal shelves require less maintenance due to less surface to collect dust.

Open, metal shelves are durable and don't gather nearly as much dust and are available at many home centers and department stores. {Via}

Tip #4
Invest in a lot of the same storage containers or canisters. Clear mason jars are inexpensive and plentiful. Jars of flour, cereal, rice and the the like look great in clear jars. Baskets are a great way to throw a bunch of miscellaneous items together.

Source Unknown

A row of baskets gives visual grounding to these shelves and hold items that may otherwise be cumbersome. {Via}

Silverware is easily accessible and looks good in glasses or jars. If you have small children,  put up high out of reach. {Via}

Tip #5
If you are going to put food products out in their containers, place so that all labels face forward. They will be easy to find and looks more organized.


Tip #6
When storing kitchen items on open shelves take time initially to arrange everything designating specific spaces for each grouping. That way everything has its place and there's no thinking about where it goes; you already know. I do this with my cabinets and I have doors - it makes putting away items easy; there's always enough space and the whole family knows where it goes because it's obvious.

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

Open shelves work well in country kitchens . . .
{Via}

. . . and modern kitchens. {Via}