Scavenger Chic

Upcycled Candle Holder with Oak Flooring

• By Joan
• February 27, 2020
• 13 Comments

Upcycled Candle Holder

My oldest son is an architect and often his company will acquire a house where the previous homeowners have left some odds and ends behind.  And sometimes what is left behind is perfect for someones mom to upcycle and reimagine. I think that is where he came across a pair of iron and carved wood screens.

The carved wood that had been in the holes in the above screen became a pair of sconces.  This was back in 2016, and yes, the screen leftovers have been sitting in my garage ever since.  Actually, I have one more of these screens that I haven’t even touched…maybe in another 3 years  🙂 .

While I used a couple of the wooden inserts last time, this time I was eyeing those metal pieces.  I’m envisioning another candle holder, the beautiful metal work would allow the light to shine through.

I used a jigsaw to cut off 4 of the metal pieces leaving as much of the trim as I could around each insert.  I sliced the piece of wood that went up the middle in half.

I had nice thick borders around each of the metal pieces but I ended up with grooves on the sides that I didn’t particularly care for.  I ended up sawing the grooves off leaving a nice smooth edge.

I used wood glue and finish nails to attach the four sides of the wood box together.

Cut a thin piece of scrap wood (1/4″ plywood or mdf), the length and width of the base of the box.

I’m using some vintage oak flooring to cover the scrap.  This is the same flooring I used for a frame last year and the base of the life boat supply trunk.

Miter the edges of the flooring to form a frame around the base.

For the outside frame pieces have all of the tongues of the tongue and groove flooring pointing outward.

Cut more wood flooring to fit inside the frame.

Use wood glue to attach the oak flooring to the 1/4″ base.  You’ll need to cut the tongue off the last piece of the  tongue and groove flooring to get it to fit into the frame.  Let dry.

I  liked the oak flooring base so much that  I decided to use the same oak flooring to make a top, making the candle holder into an enclosed box. It’ll give me options.

For the top, cut a 1 inch thick piece of scrap wood large enough to just fit inside the top of the box.

This piece will serve 2 functions, it will keep the lid from sliding and it will give you something to nail the top oak flooring to.

Cut pieces of oak flooring the same as you did for the base.

Turn the pieces over, lay them out exactly as they’ll be used for the lid.  Apply wood glue to the raised portions of the flooring.

Center the 1″ scrap wood piece over top of the oak flooring and let dry.

For added stability (and I got tired of waiting for the glue to dry) use finish nails to secure the top.  So easy if you have a nailer.

Stain the bottom oak flooring and attach to the box with more finish nails in the corners.

Fill in any nail holes, or any other strange holes like I have at the base of these side pieces, with wood putty.

Let the wood putty dry and sand.

The 1 inch pine piece that fits inside the box got a  coat of black chalk paint.  Sand the edges when dry.

Sand any and all rough edges and stain all the pieces.  This is a dark walnut stain.

The wood putty that I filled in the holes at the bottom of the box did not particulary like the wood stain.  Went back to the vintage wood wax that I use for chalk paint and that covered the wood putty beautifully.

Since this project originally started out as a candle holder, I’ll show you the candle first.

If you’re using a real candle, leave the top off.  If you’re using a battery operated candle, the choice is yours.

The top of the box with a knob attached.

Looks great filled with fruit or even ornaments for Christmas.

Until next time, stay inspired.

Related posts:

A Trio of Barrel Stave Upcycles Throw Rug Pillow Cover, Thrift Store Makeover Thrift Store Upcycle, Belt Candle Holder Bathroom Makeover, 20 Upcycled Towel Holder Ideas