Old Barnboard Porch Display Platform

Kenneth Paul
by Kenneth Paul
1 Material
My thoughts were to have a platform on which we'll maintain displays in accordance with the seasonal changes. As my youth was spent growing up in and working on rural farms, I wanted reminders, in materials used, to reflect those cherished memories. So I searched in many places, for example fields long abandoned from use, barn boards which had been reclaimed from abandoned, burnt or weather ravished wood. As I did not want "unwanted critters" to use this area as their "abode", I used spruce and cedar woods for the frame and the actual floor is 5/4's x 6" composition boards pieces I had. I then looked online to find an original antique sign "common in the woods of my youth"!
The project from start to finish.
The two 2"X 4" to "create the fence posts".
We purchased a wiskey barrel "water fall" and after preparing it for use, my thoughts went to "where should I put it"?
75+ Year old barn siding boards.
I purchased two 4"x4"x8' spruce posts for the floor frame. Additionally, I secured two 1"x 4" x 8' cedar boards for the finish work.
The composition boards floor.
After making my saw cuts, I assembled the floor, allowing room for the "fence posts" to be added last.
The "base" with the fence post .
Last, I put on the "fence boards" and then mounted my "sign". (I ordered an old piece of barbed wire fence but it was not received in time for these pictures).
"Final" but missing barb wire.
Took pictures!
The finished project!
Finally I had the time to finish this. I was pleased when I found two real field stones, at a yard sale, which had been drilled and they had inserted a small metal cylinder to hold liquid citronella or lamp oil. So, in keeping with the "rocks" theme, I took a ride to a river bed near our home. There I got six rocks which matched my "yard sale" find. (See at each side). Then I finished by stapling on my "old, actual barbed wire fencing at the top".


So now we're ready for the season changes and will alter and view our display through the "eyes of the years of our past." Thanks for looking!
Suggested materials:
  • Old barn siding boards and rafters. Spruce posts and cedar slates. Also found an antique state game   (Online sites, overgrown farm fields and a salvage yard for old woods.)
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4 of 6 comments
  • Lana Lana on Aug 03, 2016
    I am so stealing this porch idea for fall!
    • Kenneth Paul Kenneth Paul on Aug 03, 2016
      I hope you do. It is so much fun and we now have our "whiskey barrel fountain flowing with water" which adds a soothing sound as we sit outside. I also just received my ordered piece of "original old barbed wire fence" which is going to be put across at the top front of the "posts".
  • Nancy A. Creese Nancy A. Creese on Aug 06, 2016
    This is great.... did you buy your fountain like that? I have the same one except mine is just black.. I love the barrel look of yours
    • Kenneth Paul Kenneth Paul on Aug 06, 2016
      Yes, we purchase the fountain at Lowes during a sale. Thanks for looking.
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