Build this beautiful Pottery Barn Knock Off Wooden DIY Barn Star Art for less than $20 in lumber. Yay!
Guys, this Wooden DIY Barn Star Art is my latest obsession. I’ve been obsessing over it ever since I saw the Pottery Barn Christmas catalog. Have you seen it? This Barn Quilt art is absolutely stunning in those photos. And, I think it turned out pretty stunning in mine too. This Pottery Barn Knock Off Wall Decor is just so so beautiful. Can you tell I’m a huge fan? 🙂
AND, the best part is the price. I spent about $20 on the lumber for this easy build. Pottery Barn sells theirs for $399. Happy Dance! If you are comfortable with a Miter Saw, you can do this build. DIY Wooden Wall Art and DIY Barn Quilts are a fun way to be creative. My DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art is another fun woodworking project.
This Wooden DIY Barn Star Art isn’t just for Christmas. I’ll be moving it into the playroom after Christmas. It’ll fit in perfectly with the fun Modern Farmhouse theme in there. Especially since I used that exact red paint on the DIY Kids Desk with Drawers and DIY Kids Play Kitchen. I’ll be sure to share pictures of this Barn Quilt once I move it to the playroom too. But, let’s get to the build now.
FYI, I’ve teamed up with a big group of 20+ talented and creative bloggers this Christmas to share lots of DIY Christmas crafts, signs, ornaments, door decor and more. This week is all about DIY Wooden Christmas signs. You can find a link to see all of their ideas at the end of the tutorial. Merry Christmas, guys! And, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for more DIY Projects and Home Decor Inspiration.
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Here’s What You’ll Need
- 3 – 8′ 1×3 Common Pine or Whiteboard Dimensional Lumber
- 3′ x 3′ of 1/4″ plywood or beadboard
- DecoArt Rouge Chalk Paint or Waverly Chalk Paint in Crimson (at WalMart)
- White Chalk Paint or your White Trim Paint
- Minwax Finishing Paste Wax in Natural or Water-Based Polycrylic
- Miter Saw, Brad Nailer, Kreg Jig R3 and Power Drill
- Wood Glue and Paintable Caulk
- 2″ Nylon Brush and 1″ Foam Brush
Watch this to See Exactly How I Painted the Barn Star
Steps to Build your own Wooden DIY Barn Star Art
Step One
Build the frame. Cut 4 pieces of your 1×3 dimensional Lumber with 45-degree angles on each end. Each side should be 3′ long. Put 2 pocket holes on each end of 2 of the boards. Then use glue and screws to assemble your 3′ square.
Step Two
Add the back and build the X. Start by attaching a 1/4″ thick back to the frame. I happened to have 5 3/4″ wide strips of primed plywood leftover from my DIY Planked Plywood Ceiling. So, I cut those to 34″, then glued and brad nailed them to the back of the frame.
I think varying the widths of the plywood strips or using a flat plywood panel would look good on this too. So, go for your favorite or whatever you have on hand.
Now, we can build the X. I find it’s easiest to cut one side with a perfect end. Then lay that over the frame to pencil mark the other end for cutting.
After that is cut and sitting in the frame. I measured and marked the center of that board. That makes cutting the shorter sides of the X easier to line up. I then marked the center of the short arms and used that to lay the board on the frame and cut that end.
Then, I used paintable caulk on the front of the Wooden DIY Barn Star Art between each plywood strip for a seamless look. Let that caulk dry, then paint the whole back with 2 coats of the white chalk paint. Letting it dry between coats.
Use wood filler as needed and sand the frame with 150-grit (or similar) to smooth any rough spots and the corners of the frame.
Step Three
Next, use a straight edge to draw the barn star with a pencil. Use painters tape to tape off inside the star shape. After the taping is finished, seal the tape edges with 1 coat of the white tape. Keep it nice and smooth so that your paint job doesn’t look lumpy or rough. Watch the DIY Video Above to see exactly how I draw and paint the Barn Star.
Once that dries, paint the frame and all of the back outside of the barn star with the red chalk paint. Red always takes 3 or 4 coats to get a nice finish. Let that dry between coats.
Step Four
When the red chalk paint looks great and dries, you can slowly and carefully peel the tape off. Then carefully paint over the pencil marks with white chalk paint. Touch up any imperfections with a foam brush. They’re perfect for painting straight lines.
Step Five
Now, it’s time to add that X across the front. Normally, I would have added this before doing any painting. But this Barn Star shape is a little complicated. So, I decided it would be easier to draw the barn star without the X. With that barn star painted. We can add the X and use the already painted barn star shape to tape off the lines for the X.
Glue the X into place, then flip over the Wooden DIY Barn Star Art to brad nail the X onto the frame.
Step Six
Finish your new Wooden DIY Barn Star Art with a good coat of a non-yellowing sealer. I used Minwax’s Natural Wax, but I also recommend this Water-Based Polycrylic.
More Wooden DIY Barn Star Art Photo Inspo
Thanks for checking out my Wooden DIY Barn Star Art tutorial. Now, some of my incredibly talented blogger friends have also shared their latest DIY Christmas Projects. See all of their Holiday Wood Sign Projects here or click the image below. Have fun crafting and Merry Christmas!
Looking for more homemade Christmas Inspiration? I have 40+ DIY Christmas Projects, Crafts, and Home Decor Ideas in one big Christmas-y post.
Or, have a look at how to faux paint 20 different metal patina looks.
I love this beautiful DIY Acrylic Paint Pouring Wall Art tutorial.
Feeling inspired? Now that you’ve seen this Wooden DIY Barn Star Art tutorial, you can do it too. Let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.
This is a fantastic project! Affordable and turned out great. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Sarah. I love this one. 🙂
Beautiful. I always love the Barn Star in quilts. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best. I’ll be featuring your post.
Yay! Thanks so much, Rhonda. 🙂
Stephanie, your sign is so good looking. What a brilliant money saver too. I’m excited to share your project this week on Tuesday Turn About. Hope you will stop by again and link up with us!
Yay! Thanks so much, Michelle. I really appreciate the share!
This is a GREAT tutorial. I’ve been wanting to learn how to make a frame properly. Looks amazing!
Yay. So glad I could help. Thanks, Pamela!
Beautiful! Great project!
Thanks so much, Amy!
I LOVE a great knock-off. Especially when you can do it for pennies! I know you worked hard on this.The layers and colors are perfection. Thanks so much for sharing. Pinned!
Thanks so much, Meegan!
Whoa, almost $400 for a wood sign, that’s crazy! Your version turned out beautiful and love the center cross board detail. Pinned 🙂
Yay! Thanks, Marie. $400 is insane. But, I’m glad they gave me the design idea. 🙂
Cool project, thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Anita!
Love your Christmas barn quilt!!! The extra pieces in the center sure make it pop. Great job!
Thanks so much, Christine. This turned out as pretty in real life as it looked in the pictures. I’m so glad I built it!
$399 for a sign?? I can’t even believe people pay that, but I know they do. This looks beautiful and so pretty with your decor. That is awesome that it will work in the kids playroom too.
Thanks, Jenny! IKR, that price is crazy. So glad I know how to build things like this for myself. 🙂