We were in some little town in Texas, I have no idea where, just someplace between San Antonio and Houston. I got both of these slabs for $90. I knew the moment I saw them what I wanted to do with them. Lake house decor.. But when I got them we had just started looking for the lake house. So they set in the garage in our Houston home. Yes I neglected them. They got eaten on by some bugs, and the bark started to separate. Here is one sanded down and one in the natural state.
This is my fault, I should have sanded down and put the poly on them right away.
As for the bug holes- I think it adds character. I did glue the bark back on the wood, I used bungee cords to hold it while I waited for the gorilla glue to set up. Yeah, I do like my gorilla glue. It is good stuff. I did lose some bark completely on both boards on the ends that they were standing on in the garage floor for over 9 months. I just sealed the ends. Again it just adds character. Below is the before.
Here it is sanded up close.
One is completely finished now. I sealed all the sides, front, back and two heavy coats on the bark. (one coat from the front seal and another when I sealed the back, so the bark got coated from two angles) It is a semi gloss poly, I couldn't get my hands on any satin. I didn't want any sheen but semi is better than gloss for this project.
I finally got them on the wall. I love it. I used the ook 50lb eyelet hooks, one on each end of the plank. I then used the 50lb sheetrock hooks. It was a kit $5 each from Home Depot.
This is where the farmhouse table is going. We put the chandeliers up.
I keep moving the stripes around.. Not sure I like them there either.. I like that painting just haven't found it a home yet.
When doing a vacation home, think rustic and bring the "out doors" in whenever possible. It adds to the fun carefree ease you are trying to establish. Set your quests in the vacation mindset. I want everyone to know that a little sand and mud is not the end of the world. Have fun.
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