DIY Project :: Wood Wall
So, I've gotten it in my head that I would like to make a wood wall in our apartment. Cause, why not?
The outside of our bedroom, which actually used to be a recording studio, would be the perfect spot for this project. The room is made up of these three very thick walls that look like half of a hexagon or, as I like to imagine, a little cabin inside our loft. There's even a window on one side that allows us to peek into the back room.
Maybe it's the fall weather, maybe it's because we just returned from a weekend trip to a town of wood panelled homes or maybe I've been to Anthropologie too many times over the past few weeks..... but, I'm itching to make this project happen.
Here are the predicaments (cause there's always a party pooper to my magical DIY plans) ::
- We rent, we do not own (but have a lot of freedom to do whatever with the apartment)... so I'm thinking of measuring out the wood pieces and building the 'wall' on the floor first and attaching the pallets/planks together with simple fasteners then just leaning it against the wall and then attaching it a handful of places to the wall itself. This is to keep the number of holes put into the wall on the lower side.
- I live in Brooklyn. Where can I find clean and cheap wood pieces? I repeat.... clean! That is a hard thing to come by in the city. There's any number of scenarios of what could've happened to a piece of wood left on the streets of New York City. I advise you don't use your imagination. So where would this wood come from?
- My 'backyard' comes in the form of a sidewalk that runs in front of our apartment. You'll likely find me out there spray painting (accidently graffiting the side of the building when the wind doesn't cooperate) varies objects. But, I'm not sure I can cut wood out there. Where/how do New Yorkers cut wood?
As you can pick up, I'm at the amateur stages with this project. So I wanted to call upon you... my trusted, crafty and genius friends. Collectively as intelligent and creative folks, do we think I stand a chance of making this happen? Your advice, tricks, tips, hands-on help and knowledge are welcomed, and frankly, desperately needed!
October 16, 2012
Reader Comments (5)
Hey, I know you have rental, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend this DIY at all until you're super sure your landlord is okay with it! That being said, I recommend Stikwood. http://www.stikwood.com/
It's on my DIY dream list, too.
I have had some success building projects with pallets. You can purchase them, depending on your budget from Home Improvement Stores, (i purchased two from home depot when I was building a bed frame for 15$ each) they sell them to painters and other construction workers. There are also many construction yards, that have entire lots full of pallets. I'm fairly certain if you ask enough construction yards nice enough, you may be able to persuade one to sell you some at a decent price. Of course, I could be completely wrong, but I think this project sounds amazing, so you should definitely give it a try!
Hey girl!!
THIS IS MY DREAM TOO!!! This place is a salvage building supply in gowanus: http://www.bignyc.org/ and I'm sure that they would have old (probably awesome looking) wood to buy on the cheap.
As far as cutting--do you have roof access? That might be easier than the sidewalk. OR...sometimes at lowes or home depot you can sweet talk the people that work there to cut things for you (they have table saws on the floor in the wood section).
For wood, I would check out www.bignyc.org - they sell salvaged materials (including wood!) for cheaps. You can go to their warehouses (in Gowanus and Astoria), buy stuff, and then arrange pick-up later. They sell everything from old movie set pieces, to furniture, to hardware. DIY heaven. I got two old doors from there to make into a headboard.
You totally need a wood wall :)
The Villio's would love to help!!