DIY Rustic Coastal Decor

Ok let’s chat. How is it July 1 already? June was a crazy month filled with end of the year activities, summer vacations, camps and just getting organized and all of the sudden it’s July. What!? We are already having so much fun this summer, I just love watching the kids experience all of the great summer traditions like afternoon popsicles, playing with the neighborhood kids, lazy TV days and water balloon fights.

Anyway… I digress. Needless to say, we are smack in the middle of summer mode around here and I’m still adding touches to our decor here and there. This month’s Michaels Makers challenge is all about DIY Trends. From tie-dyeing to lettering to tassels, pom poms and even unicorns, Michaels has everything you need for the latest and hottest DIY trends! Since I’m embracing summer around here I decided to add some DIY Rustic Coastal Decor to our mantel. A trend I am loving this year. 

We are only 30 minutes from the San Juan Islands and we spend much of the summer up at the family beach house, so I felt it was only appropriate to add a few coastal elements.

I’ve seen a lot of people creating decor using map coordinates, I love this look and I think it adds a cool industrial vibe to coastal decor. I created this custom piece using special coordinates and I’m going to show you how to make one too.

SUPPLIES

• Half Crate
• Carry All Crate 
• White Chalky Paint
• Gray Chalky Paint
• Stencil
• Rope 
• Foam Brush

Start by giving the crates a very thin coat of white paint leaving some areas visible to create a rustic look.

Using a hot glue gun, wrap the handles with rope.

I used my Silhouette to create this compass stencil. I cut the stencil larger than the surface to create more of an abstract, off centered print. Then, I gently dry brushed gray chalky paint on top. 
For map coordinates, I used Google to find special coordinates I waned to use for the project and then created my own stencil in my Silhouette program. 

Peel the vinyl off and you have custom decorative crates! I also added a few more coastal items I found at Michaels like these net vases and knot.

Be sure to check out all of the other Michaels Makers DIY summer party ideas on the Michaels blog.