Pinterest and Pallets

Once again, damn Pinterest has got me!  I know that pallets and reusing, redoing, fixing them are all the latest rage.  But, when I saw this, I knew I had to cave in also.

Unfortunately, this was just a pinned picture on Pinterest, it did not lead me to a website where I could give credit where credit is clearly due.  Remember, when using Pinterest, pin the site where the pic came from, or at the very least, copy and paste the link so when reusing you are giving proper credit.  A lot of DIY and projects just aren't getting the proper credit with the whole Pinterest craze.  *stepping down off soapbox*

But, seriously, how great is that?   I've got a big wall in my kitchen where I just never could figure out what to put.  For the past 8 years I've had 2 big wrought iron circles that really belong in a yard hanging there.  They looked nice, but plain.  When I saw this, I knew exactly where it would go.

But, where to get pallets?  Do I buy them?  Put a ISO on Craigslist?  I did use Facebook to ask a few people, but I ended up just using my own great wit!  (haha!)  I was driving back to work from my lunch hour and passed a big plumbing warehouse.  It was a gorgeous day and as I drove by I saw some men unloading a bunch of cargo with pallets just strewn around the parking lot.  So, naturally I stopped.  It went something like this...

Me:  What are you guys going to do with all those pallets?

Guys:  I don't know, what do you want to do with them?

Me:  a few projects I guess

Guys:  How many of these pallets do you think you can fit in your car?

Me:  Car?  I don't drive a car, I drive a pick up truck!

Guys:  Well, back it up here and we'll load 'em on!

So, as I head back to work dressed as any professional would be, I pull into the parking deck, driving my pick up truck with the back FULL of wood pallets.  I can only imagine what others were thinking, but really, I didn't care.  I scored!

Just a warning, recovered pallets don't really look like the ones on Pinterest or other websites.  They are really very utilitarian, meant to sit heavy crap on.  It doesn't matter weather the wood planks are evenly spaced, or the same size, or even missing half the slats.  But, if you get plenty, like I did, you can use 2 or 3 to make one really good one.  Plus, the whole point is to have a rustic finished product.  Not a product that looks like you went to Lowes and had the wood guy carefully cut all your pieces.  I think my husband had a small heart attack when he saw our back porch:

But, I came armed with my printout of the project I wanted to do.  I think he saw the light!

I found the perfect sized one to use.  All I had to do was tear out the middle slat to make an open looking shelf:

I lightly sanded it, didn't want it too smooth!  Then, I stained it a dark walnut and topped it with a coat of poly:

I was able to get all this work done peacefully yesterday because the weather was fantastic!  My little helper got herself dressed and played happily while I worked.  Truthfully, I think even she thinks I'm just a little bit crazy, but anyone who picked out this outfit certainly can appreciate a little craziness, right?

So, here it is right at home.  I need to get a few little knick knacks still.  I'd also love to get a few small bunches of dried lavendar and hang them in the empty spaces to give it some more pop, but still, even not all the way dressed up, I couldn't be happier with the way it came out:

Closer up:

Once again, a reminder to click on the pictures to make them bigger to really see how great this is!  I love, love, love it.  Even my husband who had a case of severe angst when he saw the cluttered patio thinks it was well worth it!  Also, I have another project in mind for the rest, so......stay tuned!

Sharing at:

Primitive and Proper and Miss Mustard Seed