More Fun With Pallets!

Did you hear my husband swearing at me as I made him make a quick U-turn to go back and pick up some pallets I spotted by the side of the road? I think all of the neighbors did! But I always get my gypsy junk folks! and today it was those pallets. And why would anyone want a pile of old pallets you might ask. Because I use them to make all kinds of fun and wonderful things. Today's lesson class is how to use part of a pallet to make a corner coat rack for your home. Very charming and whimsical (and everyone out there could use an extra shot of whimsy)

1. Carefully remove the front "panel" of the pallet so you have a flat "front" that consists of 2 supporting boards and the slats connected to them. A small pallet with yield a small rack, a large pallet will yield a large one

2. Carefully cut the slats so that the heights are alternated, so you will cut a bit off the top and bottom of slat one, leave slat two taller, cut a bit off of the top and bottom of slat 3, etc. Don't worry if they are not perfect, it ads to the charm!

3. After you are done cutting the slats, you are ready to give your rack a finish. You can stain the entire thing dark or you can paint it with any color you wish. Make sure you water down the paint and use a large brush. You are looking for an un-even weathered look here so don't paint every inch of all your boards. Feel free to sand paint off, splatter flecks of white or black paint or every beat the crap out of the thing with some metal tools to give it a nice old, out-in-the-weather look

4. Once you are happy with the finish you can clear coat with a matte spray paint or leave as is (if it is going on your porch or anywhere it might get damp, I suggest the matte coat to keep paint from getting on whatever you hang on it)

5. Hardware: Feel free to go nuts here, you can find hooks at any home improvement or big box store, they ever have ones with birds on them, different designs, and all different finished so you can choose what speaks to you. Make sure you affix your hooks through the cross piece and the slats, not just on the tops of the slats themselves! Otherwise you risk them pulling out.

6. Place and Enjoy! Simple hinge hardware or corner brackets can be used to mount, or ask your handy hubby to do it for you (which is what I usually do!)