Stenciled Window Box

Thanks to Thompson Creek via BloggyMoms for sponsoring today’s post; all opinions are my own.

Stenciled Window Box Herb Planter

Creating a Stenciled Window Box

Ever since moving out of my parents’ house, I have dreamed of owning a home with a big, bright bay window. It ended up not being a possibility in the townhouse hubby and I bought when we first married back in 2001, but when we started house hunting two years ago, I was thrilled to find that the home we loved had a big bay window in the kitchen overlooking the backyard. Last March, we moved into that home and I have enjoyed my window ever since. Although it doesn’t have a window seat {yet}, it’s the perfect spot to grow fresh herbs I can use in the kitchen all year round. Since I love to make things myself, I decided to create rather than buy a planter box that would match the room and make the window look even better. Here’s how I did it…

Materials

Unfinished wooden tool box {mine was from my favorite store’s Dollar Spot}
Chalk paint in two colors {I used Delta Ceramcoat Chalk in Cadet Grey and White Lace}
Geometric Stencil
Paintbrush
Stencil Brush

herbs1b

Instructions

Step 1: Paint your box with a base coat of your lighter color.

In my case, this was White Lace. I used a large brush and made sure to cover the entire surface of the box both inside and out. My particular box has a divider in the center so I made sure to paint that part too. Once you’re finished painting, let it dry completely before moving on to step two.

Step 2: Center and tape your stencil onto the side of the box. Use a stencil brush to fill in the open areas.

I used to have a terrible time with stencils; every time I tried to stencil a project, the paint would bleed underneath and blur the image. The best tricks I’ve learned for getting a crisp image are to use a stencil brush that’s specifically designed for the job, and to remember that less is more. The more paint you have loaded on your brush, the more likely it is to go where you don’t want it! Apply just a small amount each time you dip your brush, and you may even want to offload any excess onto a paper towel before touching it to your project surface. It’s far better to take your time and go back to add more paint than to use too much all at once.

herbbox2

When you’re finished stenciling, gently remove the stencil by lifting straight up while the paint is still wet. This will keep it from sticking to your surface and pulling paint off when you remove it later. Let your box dry completely.

herbs3

Step 3: Plant your herbs!

Since my box was naturally divided in two parts, it made sense to plant two different herbs. I chose lavender for its wonderful smell and beautiful purple flowers, and mint for its scent and the fact that I love to add it to my iced tea.

Stenciled Window Box for Herbs

You can, of course, plant any herbs you like best and will use in your own kitchen.

Step 4: Place the box in your window and enjoy!

Luckily, herbs are hearty and easy to grow, so even if you’re like me and not a green thumb at all, you should be successful!

Stenciled Herb Window Box

Speaking of windows, it’s important to periodically make sure the ones you’ve got are keeping your home energy efficient! Here are some things to look for when you assess the windows in your home.

Six Signs You Might Need New Windows

Drafts: If your windows are drafty, that means they’re allowing heat exchange between the inside and outside air…and you’re throwing money out the window when you’re trying to heat or cool your house!

Single pane windows: Double pane windows have an insulating layer of gas between the two glass panes. The single pane windows found in many older homes don’t have that benefit, so they’re less energy efficient.

Frame condition: Older windows, especially wood windows, take a beating over the years. Wood window frames can become warped and cracked due to temperature changes over time.

Inoperable windows: Often going hand-in- hand with poor frame condition, older windows may eventually not open at all due to sash wear or being painted shut.

Glass condition: Over time, the seals between the two panes of glass can weaken and break. Then, the gas fill escapes and isn’t there to help insulate anymore.  One sure sign of this is fog or condensation on the inner glass.

Increased utility bills: Compare your utility bills from the last few years, including both dollars spent and kilowatt hours used in the same month.  If you see an increase, your home may not be as energy efficient as it once was.

If one or more of these signs describes the windows in your house, it might be time to replace them. Check out Thompson Creek Windows for more information and to see their current promotions!

Stenciled Herb Box

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2 Comments

  1. Love the stencil!! I have a flower box we made several years ago out of reclaimed wood (our privacy fence fell during a tornado) and I haven’t used it in a few years now and I was thinking its time to get rid of it. But maybe it just needs a face lift!!

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