DIY Network

New Orleans Facade From "From Junky to Funky" episode DFJF-104

A New Orleans garden inspires the designers to create a facade inside the homeowner's reading room.

This facade was created by reconstructing various items found by the designers and adding some plants and flowers for a complete garden look.

Materials:

Tape measure
Square
Power drill
Various drill bits and screw tips
Circular saw
Chop saw
Table saw
Hammer
Metal Shears
Wire strippers
Screw drivers
Dog house
Dresser drawers
Windows
Wood trim
Drawers from steamer trunk
Galvanized metal trim
Louver doors
Baby crib
Desk
Mantel
Wrought iron crown
2x2's
2x4's
Drywall screws
Lag screws
Wood glue
1/2" oak plywood
Finish nails
Wood fill
Angle brackets
Electrical Supplies
Rope light
Dimmer switch

Figure A

1. Lay out all the found objects that you might use.

2. Arrange them in a pleasing way (figure A). In this project, we tried to mimic a New Orleans garden.

3. Taking measurements from the final arrangement, begin to plan for the structural framework. We built three frames. Two identical frames for the outside sections out of store bought 2 x 2's, and one large frame for the center section out of 4 x 4's and 2 x 4's.

4. Clean all of the pieces that will be used, and then apply a white wash with a mixture of white paint and water.

Figure B

Side Section:

1. For the side section, we built two frames that became boxes that held dresser drawers, which acted as planter boxes (figure B). These frames were capped on the front with a façade from a found doghouse. The sides were then boxed in with 1/2" oak plywood. We also used legs from a couch to add some extra detail to the façade.

2. The two found windows that we used were attached directly to the homeowner's wall with appropriate anchors.

3. The shelves on the windows were made out of 1/2" oak plywood and were finished with found pieces of door casing. They were attached with metal angle brackets.

4. The boxes on top of the windows were taken from a steamer trunk that we used in another project. They were attached to the window using drywall screws. Lights were then added and installed using chandelier hardware and store bought wiring. We basically built two lamps with these boxes.

5. The light boxes were finished with found pieces of tin siding material.

6. The side sections were then decorated with flowers and other greenery.

Figure C

Middle Section:

1. Build the frame out of 4 x 4's and 2 x 4's.

2. Attach the mantle with lag screws into the top of the framing (figure C).

3. Hang the louver from the 4 x 4 uprights with hinges.

4. Attach doors to the mantle in a half open position by pre-drilling and screwing though the top of the mantle. This added visual interest to our "balcony" and it also added structural support for the front edge of the heavy mantle.

5. Affix the wrought iron gate piece to the top of the mantle by drilling holes through the metal to allow for drywall screws to be sent into the top of the mantle.

6. Custom cut the baby crib gate to fit between the louver doors, and then attach with custom made metal brackets to create a "balcony" effect between the louver doors. We then custom cut an old desk top to fit behind the louver doors that created a shelf for more plants.

7. Attach strings of rope lights at installation to illuminate the painting on the wall behind the "balcony". We used a painting that the homeowner already had, and then made it a new frame.

8. Attach the desk drawers to the faces of the louver doors to offer more places for plants.

9. The center section was then added to the wall by screwing it directly to the wall studs. It was important to attach to the studs because of the weight of the entire unit.

10. Adorn with plants and flowers in a aesthetically pleasing array, and then plug in the lights to finish the project.

Project Expense:

Mantel, crib, awning windows: Free
Ornamental iron top: $200
Plants: $100
Lumber, lights, material: $130

Total: $430