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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

DIY aged wooden trough Fall table decoration with paitned gourds.


I have been so inspired by all the beautiful table decoration done on a long board, shutter, dough bowl, trough, runner or whatever that I just had to try it too. 

 
So, one day, these two long, beautifully weathered, eight-inch wide boards that I had been saving for signs ... became a trough. 
(sorry, no before pictures) 





 

I cut them about 44" long and the end pieces about 8" wide at the bottom and about 11" inches at the top. The cuts are at a 15° angle to make them wider at the top.  The boards were cleaned, but left natural. I stained the fresh cuts on the side boards with the vinegar and steel wool solution. 

A little too dark, but better than fresh cut wood showing.





I lined the trough with burlap and filled it with gourds, leaves, faux berries, flowers, dried and faux artichoke and anything Fall. 

Vintage wooden spools were used for risers.




Nothing was purchased new this year to make this arrangement ... well maybe this little piece of fruit on the table for $1.00.


 Painted gourds are my favorite. 



Just look at all the beautiful knotholes all around the trough.

I love the age spots and the cute stem on this little gourd. 
The leaves that are scattered around the trough are natural leaves picked up out of the yard and bleached. Love how each one turns out different. Just toss them in a bowl of bleach water and leave them for a day or two ... 
but check them and pull out the ones that are bleached to suit you.

Store them in a plastic bag or box and save them for next year ... 
I have some that I have used for two years. 


The gourd dipper is the perfect vessel to hold my antique miniature stone fruit. They are about the size of a quarter or half-dollar.


My palm leaf pumpkin that I made last year looks right at home in this arrangement. Can be seen here.

Karah at The Space Between did a beautiful job of making one and I was so impressed and inspired ..

I made two!

I hope you are enjoying Fall weather at your house. 

We got an nice soaking rain ... much cooler weather with less humidity. 

Loving it. 

Thanks for visiting ... hope you enjoyed my Fall arrangement. 

I love it, but a little too big for my table, so will soon be replaced.

Have you ever built something too big for the intended spot and have to remove it even-though you really loved it?

Love hearing from you.
Blessings ...
Audrey Z. 


 



23 comments:

  1. Hi Audrey, the minute I start to read your posts my mind starts racking in all directions - now those very weathered planter boxes leaning against my shed might be just right for....

    Love your weathered board trough/dough box and love those knot holes. Great collection displayed too.

    Isn't it just a bit of great fun to work of fall displays, pulling together whatever is around.

    Nice to see/read your post tonight.

    Joy

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  2. 'racing' not racking, and I forgot to say thanks for the bleached leaves idea, never heard/thought of that before. Great idea though.
    Joy

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  3. It looks wonderful, Audrey! You'll be able to use it all year long.

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  4. Love the trough Audrey. You filled it just perfectly, and the gourd spoon is super cute too! I'm pinninthis for sure!

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  5. Love the trough you made, but I will be honest and say I am stealing the wooden spoons as risers idea! You know how I love to bleach stuff. I never have bleach leaves - do you condition them with glycerin to keep them supple?

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    Replies
    1. hi Donna ... you can ‘steal’ anything that you want and I will be flattered. Old wooden spools are so much fun to decorate with.

      No to the glycerin ... the leaves are just dry and curl or cup/bend into different shapes as they dry. I have some cupped over some LED amber lights on my mantel and they look really good. (Lights do not get hot). Hope to do a Fall Mantel post soon. The last ones I did was with bleach/wash like for stain spots. Mr. Z. bought it by mistake. I think it has soap or softener in it. They were soft when taken out of the water, but after rinsing, they dried, like dry ... but not real brittle. I just toss them in plastic bags, careful not to mash and I don’t think any have broken.
      Thanks for the question.
      Audrey

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  6. The beautiful fall colors look so pretty in the wooden trough, Audrey! I like your bleached leaves too. I might have to try that.

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  7. Your trough turned out so pretty and the fall arrangement so cheery! Maybe it could be set elsewhere if too big for your table. I hope you find somewhere to enjoy it! Nancy

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  8. Oh my gosh....this is absolutely AMAZING. I enjoyed it all...from the beginning [about 'staining' the end cuts ---and personally I like the darker edge, gives it dimension and contrast] right down to how to add the fruits/gourds, etc. I may do this myself...on a smaller scale. Thanks for the idea and the tutorial.

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  9. Audrey,
    Simply stunning!! Love it!! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind comments!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  10. Oh, my....this is just beautiful. I love that you made you own container...the trough is fabulous.
    I also love the bleached leaf idea...must try that one, for sure.
    No decorating going on here...too busy just trying to make a path to walk from one room from another...:) Just about have all the boxes unpacked and things put away, tho. The kitchen, dining and living area looks pretty good...the master bedroom is a fright.....will work on it this week, tho.
    hugs to you, my friend.

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  11. Audrey-
    Your fall arrangement is lovely. I want to make a wooen countainer, too. My sister-in-law and I were just talking about it yesterday. Yours is so much nicer than the one that we saw as an inspiration.

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  12. Oh Audrey, your fall centerpiece is gorgeous! I love the trough you made to gather all the beauty of the season.
    Mary Alice

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  13. What a gorgeous centerpiece! You did an awesome job making that trough- and I love the idea of using old spools as risers. I wouldn't have thought of that:)

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  14. Hi, dear heart...just to let you know I have a new blog address...
    bj-sweetnothings.blogspot.com
    Come over and read why.....:)

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  15. It is the perfect centerpiece Audrey for a Fall table. I love it. Thank you so much for your sweet comment.

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  16. Love your trough made from boards! I actually like that the ends are stained a bit darker. It adds character. And the bleached leaves .... LOVE them! I have never heard of doing that but you can bet I'm going to be out in the yard picking up leaves to bleach. So excited to try it!!

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  17. What a beautiful trough...I'm so impressed with your carpentry skills! It really does make the perfect centerpiece. Your gourd dipper is fantastic. Everything looks wonderful together.

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  18. beautiful centerpiece for your table, audrey:) love your new trough and i have to try bleaching leaves now!-tfs! happy weekend to you!

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  19. A very pretty centerpiece! I am your newest follower. Stop by for a visit when you have a chance.

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  20. Very Pretty and I like how you used the spools to vary heights.

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  21. Your centerpiece is gorgeous! The old wood trough is the perfect vessel, and you did an amazing job!

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