Scavenger Chic

Pallet Wood Shadow Box, Dad’s Shoes on Display

• By Joan
• October 7, 2018
• 7 Comments

As you probably know, one of my favorite things to work with is pallet wood.  It’s never perfect, which may or may not be a good thing, it’s preaged, it’s rustic, it’s shabby and it’s chic and best of all, free. Oh, and did I mention, you can make it into just about anything.

I have made several pallet wood frames but I have never created a shadow box.  A shadow box is a perfect place to display something you cherish and to get it out of the drawer you stashed it in.

Unless I was lied to, this pair of baby shoes belonged to my dad.  If they did belong to my dad they would be just about 90 years old and they are about to get displayed, pallet wood style.

Other than tools, glue and paint, you only need a few things for this project…pallet wood (mine is 2 3/4″), a wide piece of wood for backing and the item you want displayed.

Cut the backing into a square.  The backer board had a previous life as an old cabinet door, but it’s just a piece of plywood cut into a 12″ square.

Lay out the pallet wood around the shoes and the backing to figure out how large your frame should be.  There should be at least an inch of pallet wood overlapping the backer board so that there will be something to nail to.

Measure your frame.

Use a miter saw to cut the 45 degree angles.

Use the same pallet wood to create an upright inner square.

While you’re cutting and measuring start to paint your background the color of your choice.  Waiting for the paint to dry took longer than cutting all the wood.

I chose to layer on chalk paint to cover up the semi gloss white finish.  First, a layer of dark gray, followed by a coat of sand colored chalk paint.  Wait until dry then lightly sand.

If you have one, this is the perfect time to use a Finish Nailer to attach the pallet wood frame to the backing.

Insert the upright pieces and nail the corners.  The frame will hold these pieces in place while you nail.

Take the square back out and lay down a bead of wood glue in all the corners.  Reinsert the square.

On the back, I used  more scrap wood to reinforce the corners.  I started out with more pallet wood, but when that split I switched wood.   Nail in place.

You could also screw on L shaped brackets in place of the wood.

Use Removable Mounting Poster Putty or another similar product to mount your shoes.

Daddy’s shoes are now proudly displayed.

Have a great week and stay inspired.

Shared at Metamorphosis Monday,

Talk of the Town,  Salvaged Junk Projects

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