This inexpensive and easy to make DIY Rusted Antique Gate is the perfect farmhouse style wall decor to get that Fixer-Upper look!
Hello friends!
Welcome to another #MonthlyDIYChallenge! Y’all know how much fun I have teaming up with my talented bloggy friends the first Wednesday of each month to see the different ideas we can come up with from the very same starting point!
This month we teamed up with Modern Masters to give our projects an old, weathered patina with their Metal Effects paint line.
It’s a brilliant line of reactive paints available in a three different colour palettes (you can check them out here), but just couldn’t resist that rusted iron finish! And I had just the project to try it on…
If you’re a fan of the show Fixer-Upper (and, let’s face it, who isn’t?), you’ll know that Jo (I like to pretend we’re close enough for me to call her that) loves to decorate with old architectural details. Bringing in these amazing vintage finds is such a brilliant way to inject so much charm and character to a newly designed space. And she just has this magical way of finding the most perfect pieces and putting them to work in the most perfect ways. {sigh}
Obviously, she’s a creative genius when it comes to seeing a ton of potential when the rest of us can only make out disaster and disappointment.
But, after watching every single episode (most multiple times even), I feel like I’m picking up ways to create this farmhouse look she’s perfected in a way that speaks most to me and my own space (proof that watching hours of television isn’t so bad after all!).
There are countless gorgeous details from each and every show burned into my brain. And many, many more pinned to my {Dream Home} board on Pinterest, including these two, which have had me hunting for an antique gate to hang on my wall for ages now…
Problem is, we’ve got a pretty limited supply of antique stores around here, which unfortunately, also means a limited supply of pretty vintage finds waiting to be discovered. It also means that when you finally do come across the perfect piece, often times it’s far too expensive to justify.
So, what’s a girl to do in a land of no antique shops?
Well, ya’ll know the answer to this one…
-How to make your own rusted antique gate-
I started with a simple metal gate that I picked up at the hardware store for $40. Amazon had a great selection too – see my favourites here, here and here – but, these would have cost me a small fortune to ship up here to Canada.
Armed with my Metal Effects kit, I got straight to work giving my gate a rusty, old patina worthy of the ship lap walls I plan to hang it on. Making sure to follow the directions, I painted the gate with 2 coats of primer and two coats of iron paint.
Then came the fun part, using the handy spray bottle, I gave my gate a fairly thin coat of the rust activator and watched as it turned to rust before my very eyes. And, after this magical transformation was complete, I gave it a quick spray of the Permacoat Extreme to ensure all of that rusty goodness stayed on the gate (and off my walls).
Finally, I was left with the rusty old gate I’d been hoping for!
I really couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! I really think it will make for the perfect farmhouse style wall decor and I cannot wait to show you where I plan to hang it (hint: it just might have something to do with our latest reno project)!!!
What do y’all think? You’d never know this wasn’t the real deal, would you?
HUGE thanks to Modern Masters for sponsoring this month’s challenge! We had so much fun playing around with their Metal Effects paint kits!
Now be sure to check out what my talented bloggy friends came up with for this month’s challenge too!
Anything & Everything | Average But Inspired | Brepurposed
Canary Street | DIY Passion | Dwell Beautiful
Houseologie | Little House of Four | Little Red Brick House
Making it in the Mountains | Table & Hearth | The Inspired Hive
*UPDATE*
Pop on over here to see where I put this pretty gate to work:
And you won’t want to miss all of these other fab {farmhouse style bathroom} projects:
Wishing you SUCH a lovely day!
PS. I totally started using the phrase “y’all” since watching Fixer-Upper! Nobody (seriously, NOBODY) says that in Northern Alberta, but I think it’s just too cute a phrase to leave all the way down in Texas, don’t you?
PPS. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. For more information, please read my privacy and disclosure policies.
This is gorgeous, Kristi! Jo would definitely approve :).
Awwww, thank you Amy!!!
Gosh, this is gorgeous, Kristi! It really looks like it’s been sitting out, weathering away in the elements for a long time. SO cool!
Thank you Sarah!!! I cannot wait to get it hung on the wall!
Wow, that gate is just amazing! I never knew such products existed. Thanks for the post, can’t wait to give it a try!
Thank you Kim! Honestly, I hadn’t heard of it either and now I can’t wait to create rusty projects all over the house!
Oh my goodness, Kristi, I love it so much! You’ve inspired me to add a gate to my shopping list. This beauty totally looks like a piece Joanna would choose!
Thank you, thank you, thank you Kimm! I’m so happy you love it as much as I do!!!
This seriously came out so good. And I can’t wait to see it in your bathroom!!
Thank you so, so much Bre!!!
That is an AMAZING project. Well done.
*Smiles*
Thank you so, so much Pamela!!!
Love this! Can’t wait to see where you put it!
Thanks so much Tara!!!
LOVE this! So brilliant. Can’t wait to see where you hang it up!
Thanks so much Bre!!!
I lOVE MM Metal Effects Kits and haven’t tried the iron one yet. Wowsers, I’m loving the patina on your gate! Looking forward to seeing where you hang it.
Thank you Marie! It’s really such a fun idea and now I’m dying to try the other colours!
Your DIY rusted gate knocked my socks off, especially in the photos of the double gate in front of the doors. And you used y’all correctly, as a plural. I’m from Georgia, but I’ve lived all across the South, 30 years in Texas. I’m honored you have picked up “y’all” for your own.
Thank you so, so much Jewell for your sweet words! I absolutely adore the word “y’all” and use it ALL the time now! 😉 It’s just got such a charming, friendly feel to it, you know? Thanks again!
Kristi – this piece is definitely inspired. I love it and it’s just your style. The rust look compliments the gate spindles perfectly. You’d never know you bought it new 🙂
Thank you so, so much Erin! I’m really so happy with how it turned out!
I just seriously love love LOVE these. The old antique feel and beautiful iron work – it’s the perfect addition to your decor and fits so well with your style! *swoon*
Thank you so, so much Erica! I absolutely LOVE how they turned out and cannot wait to get them hung on the wall!
Wow! Just, wow! I NEVER would have guessed that was purchased new. It’s going to be perfect!
Awwwww, well thank you Emily! I’m really excited about how it turned out and can’t wait to get it up on our wall soon!
Gooooorgeous!!! I love how it turned out, and it looks like it’s been aged for years!! This would make such a cool headboard, too!!! 🙂
Oooooh, you’re right Amanda – I didn’t even think of that! It would be a super fun headboard! Thanks so much friend!
Wow, this is stunning! It totally looks like it’s been sitting outside for years. I can’t wait to see where you hang it!!!
Thank you so much Katie! I really love how it turned out!!!
It’s beautiful, Kristi!! Looks perfectly “rusty” and antique!! Hope your week’s going great! xo
Thank you SOOOO much Kendra! Having a great week, hope you are too!
Very cool! When I saw the thumbnail for this project I actually thought that you had double front doors and had mounted it to them (which I thought was amazing), but wall decor is great too!
Oooooh, yes, that would be neat! I really think they’ll make for some really fun wall decor too! Thanks so much Jenn!
I love this gate and like you not too many antique places around here, or if I find one they are super expensive. Featured you twice today! #P3Party
Best,
Kim
Thank you soooooooo much Kim!
Kristi a year ago I was all about banishing the rust but since I have been cruising in blogland for a year now, I have come to appreciate the beauty of the patina and rust. I have a massive iron gate in my basement which looks a lot like yours but my husband says it is too heavy. But I have the same exact idea as you. Put it somewhere to display its beauty and all the intricacies of the iron. I’ll have to try and sweet talk him into bringing it upstairs. Thank you for sharing this beautiful antique gate at Sweet Inspiration and for giving me bad ideas. 😉
Hahaha, isn’t it funny how our tastes change? SO happy you’re feeling inspired Mary!!!
This turned out beautiful! I don’t do a lot of farmhouse-style decor but I would absolutely rock this gate somewhere in my home! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday this week!
Well thank you SO much Marie! I’m so happy you love it!
What a great idea to make your own “antique” gate! That would be one of the things I wouldn’t hesitate to buy if I found it at the right price, the problem is, I never see them either!
Thanks Jenny! I’m so happy you love it! I’m super excited to have found a way to create my own rusty “antiques”!!!
I would have NEVERED guessed this wasn’t authentic! You’re a genious. I can’t wait until they hire you to do their work up in Canada. ‘Cuz it’ll happen <3
Oh Corinna, you are just too sweet! Wouldn’t that be a dream come true!!! Thank you so, so much!!! xo
love the finished gate but it look as if it is just propped against the door. What did you end up doing with them.?
Thanks JB! I haven’t actually hung them yet, but I’m planning to put them to work in our home soon!
Oh, Kristi! That gate looks stunning against your soft colored doors! You have the most beautiful way of making a subtle, but distinct statement. I just love it! Thanks so much for linking up at the Pretty Project Party — please join us again this Thursday! – Rachael
Thank you SO, SO much Rachael!!!