Adding character (& function) to our builder basic home
Like I mentioned before, I’m generally not one to get excited about palette wood projects (probably because most of the time the original palette is still a little too recognizable). But, as we’ve attempted to add inexpensive character to our very boring builder basic home, we’ve found that palette wood can actually look like much more expensive re-claimed wood…when done correctly!
So here is our latest palette project (baring no resemblance to it’s former palette self ;), a baby gate made completely from the leftover wood from our Palette Wood Fireplace Surround. (Click here to see where we got the wood and how my husband prepared it–you’ll want to read this, don’t try and pull the nails from the palettes, you’ll lose your mind!)
I was originally inspired by this post I came across on Pinterest and added it to my honey-do list. And there it sat…but when my husband finally got around to it, we were pleasantly surprised that with the plans found HERE, it only took 3 hours to make.
And because the wood was FREE and the hinges and latch can be found at any hardware store, Home Depot, Lowe’s or Menards for under or around $10, it was really inexpensive, too.
Our Palette Wood Baby & Pet Gate
We love the character that this gate adds to our house.
And it’s functional, too! The little reason we need this gate made his way up the steps while we were taking pictures :) The nice part is that his older sisters (2 1/2 and 4) can still get through it when they need to.
Palette Wood Baby Gate: The Latch
Because we wanted to be able to latch the gate from either side (it swings both ways), we deviated from the original plans and placed our latch on top. You can purchase it HERE.
And a few more angles…
It looks great from either side. Thank you to Remodelaholic for their great, easy to use plans!
If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I’ll get back to you right away!
And definitely check out the palette wood fireplace surround if you haven’t had a chance to do so yet, my husband really knocked it out of the park with that one :)
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Aneris
Mar 24, 2016 at 6:49 pmMy husband and I are pretty new to all woodworking and diy activities.. I to am a stay at home mom and trying here and there to give our home that homey feeling.. My questions are aimed more to cuts and I would love if could get your thoughts and input to make sure I’m able to correctly do so! Yours btw is gorgeous and truly soo much better than the plastic one.. Thanks a bunch
Dawn
Apr 1, 2016 at 2:05 amHi, that’s awesome that you want to give this project a try :) Our friends at Remodelaholic where we got the plans from (their link is below the last picture), might be a little more helpful with the actual how-to of building it, but if you have specific questions, let me know and I’ll ask my husband :)
Karen @ Karen's up on the Hill
Mar 10, 2015 at 11:47 amI have been wanting one of these for my dogs for the longest time! Yours looks amazing! I’m going to show this to my husband in hopes to motivate him! Great job!
I would love for you to stop by my blog and join our Something to Talk About link Party each week!
Have a great day!
Karen
@karensuponthehill.com
Dawn
Mar 11, 2015 at 1:20 pmThanks for letting me know, I added it to my calendar, looks like a great party :)
Travis
Jul 1, 2014 at 6:00 amI love the gate and plan to try to build one myself. I also like the fire place, is there any concern about it catching on fire. Did you treat the wood with anything.
Thanks
Dawn
Jul 1, 2014 at 12:01 pmThanks Travis! Our fireplace is gas so we didn’t worry about the wood around it catching on fire (although my husband says I’m not allowed to burn candles on the mantle ;) however, if you have a “real” fireplace, it may not be the best idea. And we didn’t seal the gate or fireplace surround. We may do so in the future (our daughter drew on the baby gate and if it were sealed it would probably be easier to remove).
Lisa
May 25, 2014 at 2:58 pmThis looks great! I’m wanting one of these at the top and bottom of our staircase and yours looks great!
Michele
May 20, 2014 at 2:52 pmWe made a gate like this when our daughter was small, but I <3 your rustic/pretty version:) Pinned
Stacy
May 20, 2014 at 12:42 pmGreat! Pinned for later :-)
Julie@Sweet and Spicy Monkey
May 19, 2014 at 4:15 pmThat is such a cute idea!! It reminds me of something out of Country Living magazine!! Where were you when I was searching for a pet gate years back? If I ever need one again, I will definitely be making this. Pinning this and thanks for sharing ;)
Ashley @ PioneerMomma.com
May 19, 2014 at 4:13 pmThat is really beautiful! And I totally wouldn’t have guessed that it was originally a palette. Way better than the plastic ones we usually see. Thanks for sharing and linking up to What’d You Do This Weekend! Pinned and scheduled to share on FB :-)
Aedin
May 19, 2014 at 1:14 pmGorgeous gate-I found your blog through #magicmoments.You ve got some really lovely ideas.Will be checking back especially if we finally manage to buy out own house later this year!
MJ @ Daisy & June
May 18, 2014 at 6:49 pmI so want this for my deck! Its perfect fro outside and inside! Great post – thanks for sharing!
Dawn
May 19, 2014 at 1:39 pmAh, I didn’t even think about it for a deck, you are right, that would be perfect, too :)
Christine Graves
May 18, 2014 at 12:02 pmNice gate…love it!
Carrie This Home
May 18, 2014 at 1:34 amThis is the most beautiful baby gate I’ve ever seen! So much better than the ugly plastic ones from the store! My two kiddos are past the need for a gate but if I needed a gate I would love to have this one! Pinning this to my baby board! So glad I stopped by from Skip The Housework Saturday!
Dawn
May 19, 2014 at 1:40 pmThank you! I hate the plastic ones, too…mostly because I’m not tall enough to step over them, especially if I am holding a baby ;)
Cassity
May 16, 2014 at 9:01 pmIt looks BEAUTIFUL! I love the look that the palette wood ads to the gate! I will share this with my readers on Facebook if you are cool with that?! Thank you SO much for linking to the plans and not re-creating them! That made my day, it really means a lot!
Dawn
May 19, 2014 at 1:42 pmNo, thank YOU! The plans are perfect and easy to follow, SO glad to have found them :) I had seen a couple of palette style gates on Pinterest, but they didn’t seem as sturdy, this gate truly is perfect :) And I would of course love for you to share on Facebook–thank you!
Carmody
May 15, 2014 at 4:56 pmAmazing idea!!!!
Bobbi - 3GLOL
May 15, 2014 at 11:16 amI had to jump over here after seeing your post on the fireplace. This turned out great and looks so much better than you’re typical gate. ;)
Crystelle Boutique
May 14, 2014 at 4:24 amI really like this gate! It is super functional and super cut on top of it! I hope you will enjoy it for many many years!!! :)
hugs x, Crystelle
Crystelle Boutique
Ashley O'Dell
Jan 15, 2017 at 10:05 amHi Dawn! Curious, what hinges did you guys choose for your gate? Thanks so much!