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A stencilled planter box made from timber and given an ebony-coloured stain.
The project
A month ago, I didn't know the difference between a nail and a screw. In my first D.I.Y. project, I used both.
I had seven pieces of wood all measuring at 250 x 125 x 20mm. I arranged them into three pieces to form a backboard. Here's the backboard layout.
Then I needed to arrange the planter box which will attach onto the backboard. I have a front and a bottom that fit perfect to the backboard. I cut two side pieces from my extra pieces of wood, measuring the equal amount of 125mm – 20mm off the bottom = 105mm.
Planter box - the sides are too big and need to be cut down.
First, I sanded my pieces so it was smooth around all the ends and edges, particularly where it had been cut. Then I did all my marking. Being dyslexic I need to label my "top", "front", "bottom", etc. to avoid confusion.
I also measured and marked where I drill my holes. I wanted them to be even. Tip: I use an old screwdriver as an awl to really mark my spot and as a guide for the drill bit. Then I used some Tarzan's Grip glue that I had lying around and I glued all three of my back pieces together on their edges. Then I clamped them in place, so they really stick.
Because I want the backboard pieces to be stable, I decided to use two straight brackets to hold it all together.
I placed my two brackets as close to each of their side ends as possible as well as placing along the line that will also meet the box sides on the front. I positioned the bracket holes so that two bottom holes were hitting the bottom piece with just one hole each in the top two pieces. Make sure that the holes you will be screwing into on the brackets don't hit the joining line of the wood.
I used small screws in the top two holes so that it doesn't protrude into the backboard. For the bottom two holes, I used longer screws so that they would also embed into the sides, which I left until I was joining the box to the backboard.
I marked my holes and with a 2.8mm (7/64 inch) bit and drilled holes just deep enough to get my screw to self-drive itself into the wood. With my brackets screwed on and secure, the back was done.
Now for the planter box. I did it the old-fashioned way with a hammer and nails. Starting with the front and the two sides, I used wood glue and placed the front on top of the sides like a little table. Then I hammered in some flathead nails.
Next was the bottom. Gluing the other ends of my sides, I followed much the same process to attach the bottom. But because I didn't want to hit the nail that was coming from the front, I moved my marks on the bottom to be 20mm rather than the 10mm from the front and back edge.
Once it was together, I drilled 8mm holes into the bottom of the box for drainage.
I managed to get two L brackets on the front and the bottom. I used two L brackets because I also knew that the straight brackets on the back would hold the planter. I thought this was clever of me.
L brackets attaching the front to the bottom.
Now it's all joined, it's time to make it pretty. I sanded again, this time with an orbital sander. I used a coarse-grain sandpaper (240-grit) then a fine grain (80-grit) and rounded out my corners just a little for an extra-smooth look.
All put together.
I sprayed the wood all over with water. This brings out the grain of the wood so the stain can catch it better. Then with a foam brush, going with the grain, I applied Sikkens ebony stain. After leaving it a few minutes (still wet, not sticky) I used a rag to wipe/blend the stain.
I repeated this about four times, then with the last coat I left it for 24 hours to set in. Because the ebony colour is so dark I was achieving the depth of colour I wanted quite quickly but to be honest it was all just guesswork until I was happy with the colour.
While my wood was staining, I used my Cricut to design and cut a stencil to put on the backboard. I used a gorgeous image from a fellow Cricutter and added our surname. It's extra cute for me because I'm new to the Hill family and we live on a hill.
Using Cricut stencil vinyl I cut my project, weeded it, applied transfer tape and then I was ready to stencil.
My Cricut design.
Centring the stencil onto the back of the board I applied it with the transfer vinyl. With acrylic gold paint I stamped my stencil design and then sprayed over it with Squirts gold gloss spray paint.
Stencilled and stained.
Now I've got my stencil and my stain on, it's time to add a finish so my project doesn't rot away. With a bristle brush and I coated my planter with Intergrain Exterior UltraClear over three days for extra security against rain, plus it will have a plant in it, too. Coating with a bristle brush helps avoids streaks and clumps when applying.
Next, we need to put our numbers on. I bought Sandleford 100mm "Windsor" screw-on numbers in Polished Brass.
Using the back of some contact paper to help line up my numbers.
Pilot holes for numbers.
Screwed in.
Now all I have to do is put it up out the front. I made four clearance holes with a 6mm drill bit.
Clearance holes for wall attachment front view.
I use my hammer drill setting on my Ryobi cordless drill and made four holes with a 6mm masonry bit. With my amazing hubby to help me line it all up, I gently hammered my 60mm dynabolts (that I pre-hammered through my clearance holes) into the brick. Then with a spanner, turned the nut until it was tight and my box was flush against the wall.
Dynabolts pushed through planter front.
Use masking tape to mark the depth of your drill bit as well as on the brick to avoid slippage. It helps with brick dust, too.
Just tap it in.
Voila! My very first project and I'm so proud. I love that the arrow head shape of the syngonium matches my design. Totally on purpose.
More inspiration for your planter box project
Workshop member Rylie used recycled timber to build these pallet planter boxes with home-made stain.
This D.I.Y. timber planter box by community member Rufaro became a garden feature in a spot where the grass was struggling to grow.
You'll find more inspiration in our Top 10 most popular planter box projects.
