So here’s what happened.
I walked out into the garden, holding a cup of tea like a responsible adult, and BOOM — lavender in full bloom. Everywhere. Like a purple explosion of calm and “you totally have your life together.” Naturally, I imagined I was in Provence, where the air smells like perfume ads and everyone wears linen unironically.
And then, obviously, I wanted to craft something.
Enter: the infamous Dollar Store’ cutting board. You know, the one I bought “just in case” sometime in 2019. It’s been judging me from the kitchen drawer ever since. But this time — its time had come.
Mission: Make Something That Looks Like It Was Bought at a Fancy Artisan Market but Cost $3
I wanted something rustic. Something that says “I casually make cheese boards and light candles that cost more than dinner.” So here’s how I turned a cheap, slightly wonky board into a vintage lavender wall hanging. Spoiler: it now lives on my terrace, making me feel like I own a vineyard.
What You’ll Need (a.k.a. Stuff You Probably Already Own)
- 1 suspiciously lightweight wooden cutting board (mine was from Fix Price)
- White acrylic paint
- Brown + black acrylic paint for fake “aging”
- Kitchen sponge (clean, preferably)
- Sandpaper — the rough stuff, not the fancy kind
- Burlap or any fabric that screams “I churn butter in my free time”
- Glue gun (the adult version of a magic wand)
- Lavender (fresh or dried, bonus points if you grew it yourself)
- A bit of ribbon or anything that makes it look Pinterest-worthy
- String for hanging your masterpiece
How To Make Province-Inspired Wall Art
The board? Not exactly heirloom quality. But hey, we love a challenge. Grab some sandpaper and go to town on those splinters and weird bumps. Don’t overthink it. You’re not restoring the Sistine Chapel — just making sure your paint doesn’t slide off in despair.
I used a sponge. Not a fancy paint sponge — a kitchen one. And you know what? It worked great. I dabbed on two uneven coats of white acrylic paint. No need to aim for perfection. Rustic means “charmingly imperfect,” not “I ran out of patience.” By the end of it, I had white fingers, a vaguely textured board, and a growing sense of smugness. So far, so good.
To make it look “authentically vintage,” I mixed some black and brown paint and lightly dabbed it along the edges and corners. Basically, I gave the board the DIY version of a midlife crisis. The sponge’s rough side did the trick, giving those classic faux-aged vibes. Pro tip: if it starts looking like soot from a chimney sweep, you’ve gone too far. Don’t panic. Add more white and pretend it was part of the plan.
I had some burlap ribbon lying around, leftover from a Christmas craft that never happened (RIP). Fold it into a cone like you're wrapping a bouquet.
Glue it shut, then glue it onto the middle of your now vaguely antique-looking cutting board. Eyeball everything. Precision is for engineers, not crafters on their third cup of tea.
This is where it gets fancy. I added an orange gingham bow, because nothing says "this was totally intentional" like an adorable little bow. You can swap it out for lace, twine, or that ribbon you’ve been hoarding for years “just in case.” (This is the case.).
Stuff the cone with lavender like you’re prepping for a photo shoot. You want it to look full but not like it’s attacking the burlap. Once it’s in, give it a sniff and prepare to ascend into your French country fantasy. Side effects may include speaking with a fake accent and craving cheese. Loop some string through the hole in the board and hang it proudly. Mine’s on the terrace, because that’s where the wine lives. But this would be perfect in a kitchen, hallway, or even as bathroom art (because nothing says luxury like lavender near your toilet).
Final Thoughts (or, How I Accidentally Became a Rustic Decor Influencer)
I made this whole thing in about two hours, with no plan, questionable supplies, and a strong desire to escape reality. And it turned out better than expected. Every time I walk past it, I smile… then immediately start sniffing it like a weirdo. Worth it.
So if you’ve got a random board and some lavender lying around — do it. Worst-case scenario? You have a burlap-covered mess. Best-case? You make something that looks like it came from a high-end French boutique… and only you know it cost less than lunch.