Alright, let me tell you about this little project I tackled recently – making some country kitchen signs. My kitchen walls were looking a bit plain, needed some personality, you know? That cozy, lived-in farmhouse vibe. So, I figured, why not make some signs myself?
Getting Started
First thing, I needed wood. Didn’t want anything fancy or new. I went digging around in the shed, found some leftover pine boards from another project. A bit rough, but that’s exactly what I wanted. Perfect for that rustic look. Also grabbed some sandpaper – different grits, coarse for shaping, fine for smoothing.
Then, paint. I already had some white chalk paint lying around, which is great for that matte, country finish. And I picked up a small can of black acrylic paint for the lettering. Found my trusty brushes, some old rags for distressing later, and clear matte sealer to finish it off.
Prepping the Wood
Okay, so I took those pine boards and decided on the sizes. Didn’t measure too precisely, just eyeballed what looked right for the space above the window and near the stove. Got my saw out and cut them down. Safety glasses on, of course!
Next up, sanding. This part takes a bit of elbow grease. I started with the coarser sandpaper to knock down any really rough spots and soften the edges and corners. Didn’t want them perfectly smooth, just enough so they wouldn’t give splinters. Then I went over them lightly with the finer grit. Wiped all the dust off with a damp cloth.
Painting and Lettering
Time for the base coat. I slapped on that white chalk paint. Didn’t worry about perfect coverage on the first coat; chalk paint covers well but sometimes needs two. Let it dry completely – went and had a cup of tea while I waited. Then added a second coat just to even things out.
Now for the words. This is where you decide what vibe you want. I went for classic stuff:
- “Gather” for one
- “Farmhouse Kitchen” for another
- And a simple “EAT” for a smaller spot.
I thought about using stencils, and I did for the bigger “Farmhouse Kitchen” one just to keep things lined up. Printed the letters, traced them onto the wood lightly with a pencil. For the others, “Gather” and “EAT”, I just went for it freehand with a small detail brush and the black paint. Took my time, kept the brush steady. It’s not perfect, but I think that adds to the charm, makes it look handmade, which it is!
Finishing Touches
Once the black paint was totally dry – and I mean totally dry, don’t rush this bit – I moved on to distressing. This is the fun part where you make it look old. I took some fine-grit sandpaper and gently rubbed along the edges and corners, letting some of the wood peek through. Even scuffed the surface lightly here and there over the letters and the white paint. Don’t overdo it, just enough to give it that worn look.
Wiped off the sanding dust again. The final step was sealing. Sprayed on a couple of light coats of the clear matte sealer. This protects the paint and makes it easier to wipe down if it gets splashed – it is for the kitchen, after all. Let that dry completely.
And that was pretty much it! Hung them up using some simple sawtooth hangers I screwed onto the back. Honestly, seeing them up on the wall, they just fit right in. Made the whole kitchen feel a bit warmer, more like home. It wasn’t complicated, just took a bit of time and patience, and it’s satisfying knowing I made them myself. Gave the space exactly the touch it needed.
