A Farmhouse Window (Sort of) and a Tutorial

I love the look a salvaged window can give a room. 

I've had a big blank wall in the kitchen just waiting for the perfect piece.  I've searched . . . and searched some more . . . all along that big blank wall kept staring back at me.

This week it was time to take matters into my own hands.  I figured if I couldn't find the perfect, old, chippy window to hang in my kitchen, I'd better make my own! 

After the window was complete I hung it on the wall and surrounded it with a collection of white plates.

That poor blank wall now looks like this!

I just love my new "window".

The paint finish turned out great and the addition of chicken wire adds a great touch!

Together with the plates, I think it gives my kitchen a great farmhouse flare.

To make your own you'll need...

Plywood (I used a piece with one smooth size, cost under $10)

chicken wire

drill

jigsaw

staple gun

paint

Start by determining the size of the window and make a template.

Layer your template on the plywood and trace around it.

Next determine how wide you want your frame.  I picked one and half inches.

Fold your template in half, then in half again, then once more.

Your template should look like this.

Using a ruler, measure from the curved edge and make a mark one and half inches in.

I made about 5 marks across the curve then connected the marks to make my cutting edge.

After cutting the line your template should look like this.

Unfold the template and center inside your original circle on the plywood.

Once again trace your template onto the plywood.  It should look like this.

Next make your windows "insides".  A simple cross shape is what I decided on.

To do this, I first found the center of my inside circle by folding the template in half and marking the line.  Unfolded the template and folded once again in the opposite direction, then marked that line.

It should look like this.

Now determine how wide you'd like your inside frame to be.  I decided on a slightly smaller size of one inch.

Using the cross lines you previously made, mark your desired width on each side of the line. 

 This is where my quilting ruler came in very handy.  I placed the ruler over the cross line, positioning it so that the edge I would draw was a half inch out from the original line.  After marking the first side, I flipped it over and did the same thing on the other side of the original line.  This gave me a total inside frame width of one inch. I did the same thing for all four lines.

Here's a look at what it should look like.

Erase your cross line and it should look like this.

Now all you need to do is cut out your shape.  I first cut out the middle sections by  using a drill to make a large enough hole for the jigsaw blade to fit into.  Then simply traced along the lines with the jigsaw.  After that I cut the outside shape.

Sand down all your edges and then paint.  I used a scraping technique similar to this.

However this time I waited for the paint to set a couple minutes then scraped off the white paint in  just a few spots. 

Once your painting is complete, add chicken wire unto the back using a staple gun.  I covered the chicken wire with a quick coat of black spray paint before I attached it to the frame.  I think it added a nice touch and blended in with the frame better.

The last step, add a picture hanger to back and hang your "new" window on the wall.

I love the result, don't you!

Oh yes!  I think it adds a great farmhouse look.  Just what I wanted all along.  I'm so happy I decided to make my own!

Hope you have a great day,

Robin

I'll be joining these parties:

Transformation Thursday's at the Shabby Chic Cottage

A Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays at A Beach Cottage

Transformations and Treasures at Pink Postcard

Open House at No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Fridays Unfold at Stuff and Nonsense

Inspiration Friday at The Picket Fence

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

How To Day at The Lettered Cottage

Farmhouse Friday at Laurie Anna's Vintage Home