Mantel Decor Made from Wooden Bed Slats

When we took apart a twin size IKEA bed to get rid of it, I saved the wooden bed slats that go under the mattress.  I had an idea for them that I finally accomplished this past weekend.

I pulled the ribbon off the slats that joined them together.  I thought it was going to take a lot of prying with tools, but actually I just had to pull on the ribbon and the majority of the stalples came out (well flew out) and I took the rest out with pliers.

Then I checked the front side of each of the boards so I could place the holes and knots where I wanted them to be. 

I then glued and nailed and screwed some boards on the back to hold the slats in place.  This was a true do-it-myself project - thus the random assortment of boards and nails and screws.  I know, I know, a fine furniture maker I am not.

I then turned the raft of slats over and painted them white.  Not so hard, eh?

I know some people would have left it as wood and others would have distressed the boards once they had been painted - all of which are nice options, but I wanted a simple white backdrop for some mantel displays so I painted it a few coats of white paint.
Then the decorating began!
I used some braided jute twine hung across the boards as the base of my display.  The jute twine was already braided as youngest son had made a DIY boho guitar strap from it.  After almost a year of use he decided that a real strap would be more comfortable so the braided twine was returned to the string basket.  I attached it to the back of the boards with nails.

I then hung some painted faux acorns (from Pier One, I think?) with invisible thread and used a fancy paperclip to hang a painting of a sunflower that I made in art class. I also made a faux oak leaf out of some corrugated cardboard material.  

I decorated the rest of the mantel with two tin IKEA lanterns, a branch from our Amur Maple tree in a sap bucket, some faux bois vases (this mantel isn't anything, if it isn't faux),  

and some sheets of birch bark.  

Hard to imagine those boards were under an IKEA bed for years and years.

Stay tuned for the exciting adventure of how the bed slats-cum-mantel boards get dressed for Christmas.

Linked to Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming,
Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking,
Home Decor and Organizing Link Party at Organize and Decorate Everything,
Favourite Fall Projects at The Inspired Room