Power Tools Rater: How to Build a Decorative Window Frame From Just ONE Board

Hey all, it's Corey back from Sawdust 2 Stitches. If you know me, you know I go ALL out for the Holiday Season, seriously I allocate more square footage for my Christmas decorations than I do for both of my own children. It is seriously that bad. I love decorating for the holiday season… but my excitement seems to fizzle out for any other holiday. So, I came up with this cute, simple window frame build that would allow me to easily change out a simple holiday wreath, in an effort to make all the other holidays not feel so left out. So far it is working out perfectly and I love it! Bonus: You don't even have to hang a wreath in it to make it look pretty. It looks great as a stand alone piece as well!

So, lets dive in.

How to Build a Decorative Window Frame

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SUPPLY LIST:

(1) 1″x 4″ x 8′ Standard Board**
Ribbon (if desired)
Wreath (if desired)
Weathered Oak Stain
Flat White Paint
Candle Wax
Paint Brush
1 1/4″ Kreg Screws

**As an alternate, you could build this from an inexpensive 1×3 and a 1″ square dowel, with minor adjustments to your cuts and measurements.

TOOLS RECOMMENDED:

Table Saw
Miter Saw
Drill
Kreg Pocket Hole Jig
Stapler (If adding ribbon)
Putty Knife (If distressing paint )

CUT LIST:

(x2) @ 24″
(x2) @ 13″

1″ x 3/4″ Board

(x1) @ 19″
(x4) @ 6″

Step 1: Rip Down Board

You know what is awesome? Is that you can get all the boards you need out of (1) 1″x 4″ standard pine board. Set your table saw to 1″ and rip down the board. This will give you 2 boards, approximately* 1″ wide and the other 2 1/2″ wide. ( It will actually be 2 3/8″ to accommodate the saw blade width when ripping down the board.)

**As an alternate, you could build this from an inexpensive 1×3 and a 1″ square dowel, with minor adjustments to your cuts and measurements.

Step 2: Frame

To construct the outer frame you will use the (2) 24 1/4″ boards, and the (2) 13″ boards. As you can see in the image below you will need to drill pocket holes in both ends of both 13″ boards.

Screw both boards together using 1 1/4″ kreg screws.

Step 3: Grid

For the center gird you will need to drill pocket holes in both ends of all the grid pieces. (4) @ 6″ and (1) @ 19 1/4″

I would suggest marking the grid/board placements before you begin drilling. It just makes it easier, and less room for error.

Step 4: Finish

Before starting on the painting/staining process I sanded down my entire window frame.

I wanted to give mine and old rustic look so I began by staining my frame using “Weathered Oak” by Winwax. I ended up doing two coats in order to get it to the color I wanted.

Once the frame is completely dry I was ready to distress it. Most common way to get the chippy pain look is by using either petroleum jelly or candle wax. I prefer Candle wax, I feel like I have a little more control with it.

In order to distress it, I used the edge of an old candle to rub over various parts of the frame. Basically rub the candle wherever you want the stain color to show through.

DIY Rustic Window Frame By Sawdust2Stitches For Remodelaholic.com 2 Next we add the paint! I know some people swear by chalk paint, but I have found regular old flat latex paint works just as well for this. I applied the paint using a basically ruined paint brush… haha, an old used paint brush makes for a great stiff bristle brush. It made for a streaky application. I literally painted the whole thing in a minute, because I did not need to make it look pretty! DIY Rustic Window Frame By Sawdust2Stitches For Remodelaholic.com 4 Once the paint is dry I was ready to scrape off some of the paint. I use a putty knife and give the whole frame a quick once over. The places where the candle wax was applied scrapes up really easily! Giving it that old chippy paint look. DIY Rustic Window Frame By Sawdust2Stitches For Remodelaholic.com 5

Step 5: Accessorize

While I think that this window frame is adorable as-is, it is the perfect background for many seasonal options! By adding a simple ribbon it becomes an adorable backdrop for a wreath!

To attach the ribbon I used a heavy duty stapler.

Then all you need to do is add your favorite wreath. I have already used this as part of my Christmas decor, and now it showcases a spring wreath! There really are no limits ! Rustic Window Frame By Sawdust2Stitches For Remodelaholic.com If you want to see how I made this cabinet you can see the dresser transformation here.