2020-03-01_Do_It_Yourself

BHG.COM/DIYMAGAZINE DO IT YOURSELF Summer 2020 63

MATERIALS

• 2×3 pine boards


• Table saw


• Miter saw


• Wood glue


• Clamps or strapping


• White semigloss paint


• Paintbrush


• 1×6 cedar boards


• Exterior-grade stain (We used oil-base
  Cabot Semi-Transparent Deck and
  Siding Stain in Natural.)


• Stain brush


• ¼×2-inch lath


• Staple gun and staples


• 2½-inch hole saw


• Screwdriver


• #9 2¾-inch star-drive screws
  
  
  • Drill and star-drive bit
  
  
  • Mailbox
  
  
  • Plant hanger
  
  
  • Exterior light fixture
    Step 1 Measure the location and the size
    of your elements to determine the size
    of the plaque. If electrical wire does not
    already exist, run it in the wall for the
    light fixture or hire a professional to do
    so. For frame, use table saw to cut pine
    boards to desired size, mitering corners
    and rabbeting the back 1×1½ inches.
    Step 2 Glue the frame assembly, holding
    pieces together with clamps or strapping
    pulled taut around the length and width
    of the frame. Let glue dry, then paint the
    frame and let dry.
  
  
  
  

Step 3 Cut cedar boards to fit inside

the rabbeted frame, allowing ¼ inch

for expansion and contraction at sides,

top, and bottom. Coat with deck stain

and let dry.

Step 4 Lay cedar boards into rabbeted

side of frame, keeping them in place and

allowing for expansion and contraction

by stapling lath to the back of the

frame (A).

Step 5 Using a hole saw, cut the opening

for the electrical wires. Secure the

plaque to wall using two screws that

will be concealed behind the mailbox

and light fixture. Screw the mailbox and

plant hanger to the plaque, and install

the light or hire an electrician to do so.

WALL PLAQUE

MAKE IT

A

FRAME OF MIND Give functional

items the attention they deserve by

creating a three-dimensional exterior

work of art. Fashioned from cedar

and pine, this wall plaque, opposite,

corrals a light fixture, mailbox, and

planter into one tidy and attention-

grabbing exhibit. When measuring

placement of each item, consider the

height of growing plants as well as

opening the lid of the mailbox. Resist

the temptation to distribute the items

evenly and instead allow for visual

resting space in the composition as

we did under the light. In keeping with

a modern vibe, the steel ring bracket,

left, gives the illusion the flowerpot

is suspended midair. Consider a

flowerpot with an attached drainage

dish to keep water and soil from

dripping onto the porch.

58-65_Front_Door.indd 63 FINAL 2/24/20 12:19 PM