I’ve always wanted a secret garden… it seems so intriguing and romantic don’t you think? Maybe you feel that way too or it’s just the sound of crickets out there right now, awkward! 😉 Since we moved here 3 years ago this path has looked naked to me like something was missing. This path leads back to some really awesome trails and to a very busy beaver dam… I’ll let you in on a little secret, there’s not really a secret garden back there at all, shocking I know. Who knows, maybe someday there will be, but right now our naked path has a brand new gate repurposed from an antique crib, I just LOVE the way it’s turned out and bonus, the path is no longer naked!
So naked, right!?
In case this is your first time here let me fill you in and give you the scoop. Since January, myself and a wonderful group of Canadian bloggers are challenging ourselves monthly with a predetermined medium, something different each month and creating something fun & unique. We are also inviting YOU to join us on Instagram and show us your awesome projects at the end of each month. Each of us will feature our favourite project on our own IG accounts. It’s been fun to see all of the unique projects so far, thank you very much to those of you who are playing along, so much inspiration!
This really has been a lot of fun! I just can’t believe we are actually half way through the year already, that means half way through the #12MonthsOfDIY!!! What the… that makes me a little sad.
Here are the projects so far:
and June is… Spray paint!!!
I bet you can guess what I spray painted for June’s challenge?
The secret garden gate idea hit me one day while I was out junking, I prefer “hunting” with one of my bloggy friends, Hi Thea! We came across an awesome antique crib and I just knew I had to have it and I knew what I was going to use it for. I didn’t take it home that day because it was raining and cold, I just couldn’t see my self wrestling with this thing or asking my friend to get all dirty and help me wedge this in my car, but I did go back for it shortly after.
Fast forward a year, a whole year that antique crib sat taken apart in the shop just waiting…
Until Mr. asked me one day, “your spray paint project coming up, do you want to make that gate you’re always talking about”? I did not have to be asked that question twice!
Materials we used to make the secret garden gate
Antique crib (one end – head board)
Heavy duty hinges x 2
1 gate latch
One large round steel pipe (1/2″ diameter – 5′-0″ long) – for hanging the heavy gate off of
One square steel tube pipe (1″x 1″x 60″l) – to use as the gate latch
Grinder with wire wheel and grinding wheel
Welder
Safety glasses and clothing
Acetone
2 cans of white rust-oleum white paint (2x ultra COVER paint & primer)satin finish
Steps to making the gate
**(spoiler alert – if you are against modifying anything antique you might want to stop reading now)**
1 Wire wheel all of the old paint off of one end (we decided to use only one end as the gate) make sure to wear protective gear (long sleeve shirt, gloves, eye protection, if you use a wire wheel to clean the paint off. Note: there are other products out there but for us when taking paint especially old paint this method is the fastest.
2 We cut one foot off of the crib end, this would be the latch side.
3 Weld the female hinge ends to gate.
4 Weld the male hinge ends to the large steel pole (we could not find the exact hinges we needed, so we modified – as pictured)
5 Grind and smooth any welded edges that are not smooth, make smooth.
6 Lay out your complete gate assembly on the floor , double checking heights and design and have one final look over the function of your gate.
7 Hang the gate from the ceiling and wipe the entire thing down with acetone prior to painting, this will clean and prepare your surface for painting.
8 Following the instructions on the paint can, paint the gate (I did 2 coats). Make sure to have lots of ventilation and wear a face mask.
9 While the gate is drying install the posts, we decided to use steel posts sunk into the ground, we did not want to damage the tree by hanging the gate off of it. Bang the large round post (with the male end of the hinges) into the ground with a sledge hammer, hammer it down far enough for the gate to be sturdy (4′-0″ min – below the frost line) Install the smaller steel tube on the other side (latch side), make sure to measure and install as per your required width. Again, hammer the tube until deep and sturdy into the ground, below the frost line (min 4′-0″ deep).
10 Paint the posts in place (to allow for any final welding adjustments, also the posts need to be hammered into the ground we did not want to damage the paint), we used brown paper on the ground to protect the grass and painted the posts.
11 Install the gate to the posts, stand back and enjoy!
Now it’s time to see the rest of the DIY Spray paint project ideas from my Canadian blogging friends!
From the top left, they are:
DIY Spray Painted Terra Cotta Planter from Woman in Real Life
DIY Pencil Holder from Love Create Celebrate
Spray Paint Wicker Chair Makeover from Life is a Party
Recycled Outdoor Plant Pot Using Spray Paint from Time with Thea
Upcycling Outdoor Home Decor with Spray Paint from Sustain My Craft Habit
Painted Closet Doors from Fresh Crush
Gold Straw Himelli Plant Holders from Brooklyn Berry Designs
Repurposed Antique Crib DIY Secret Garden Gate from Vin’yet Etc.
DIY Coral from PMQ for Two
DIY Spray Painted Pink Living Room Side Table from Woman in Real Life
How to Update Your Home on a Budget with Spray Paint from The DIY Mommy
DIY Mirror and Photo Frame from Fresh Crush
Thanks so much for stopping in! xo Now head on over to Instagram and show us your awesome spray painted projects, use the hash tag #JuneSprayPaint, we can’t wait to see them!
21 Comments
I’m so envious of your gorgeous secret garden gate!! I want one now. I’ll totally be eyeing up all the thrift stores for old cribs! So fantastic.
Thanks Jen! Keep your eyes peeled, you just never know where you’ll find one! 🙂
Oh I just ADORE this project! That crib is some amazing find! And how cool you got to shop with Thea!
The gate is truly amazing.. you guys make a great team! All 3 of you! 🙂 Pinned this baby…
Thanks Donna!!! It was a true pleasure to meet Thea and go thrifting with her! Thanks so much for pinning, I’m so glad you like it!
This is beyond awesome! It appeals to all of my literary fantasies of the secret garden too. So beautiful and romantic. 🙂
Thanks girl! I have yet to read that book, I need to find some me time and hunker down with a good book, it feels like forever since I’ve done that! That one may have to be put on my must real list. xo
Beautiful repurposed crib garden gate!
Pinning!
gail
Thanks so much Gail!!! 🙂
Hi Laurie! Popping over from Blogging Fifty…love the white garden gate! It’s just perfect! What a great idea about the challenge you are involved in. Sometime I’d like to participate in one of those! Pinned.
Thank you Florence, this challenge has been so awesome! It’s a perfect way to create content with some creative friends! Thanks so much for popping in! xo
Hi Laurie! I so loved our day we spent together browsing through your favourite antique/used shops. That was an amazing place we went to and it was pouring rain! I had no idea you went back to get the antique crib. Of course you could see the potential and what you did with it was amazing! I think everyone who reads this is wishing they had a secret garden that took you to the beavers. It reminds me of the novels The Secret Garden and The Lion Witch and The Wardrobe. You are so creative and thank you for sharing that special day we had with your readers.
Thank you Thea, I had a great day too, it was so nice to meet you, finally! <3
I should add the rain did a great job on my hair that day!
Haha, you look perfect to my eyes! xo
What a CLEVER solution! I love it! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Your garden gate is as cute as can be!!!
Thanks Pam!!! 🙂
I love the Gate, I love the your choice of using it in the garden, very creative. I love that gates can be used for so many things in decorating.
Maria
This is adorable! What a great vision you had to turn an old crib into a lovely secret garden gate!
I love this project! It looks amazing, and it’s such a great up-cycle. I wish I had a spot for something like this at my house. Great job.
Thanks so much Dannyelle! 🙂