The idea of making a square wreath for my front door has been bouncing around my head for a while now and when the lavender came in bloom I knew that I had to make it. When I mentioned it to mom she said “you should make it look like a window”. And voila, the window wreath was born!
Given all the time we’ve been spending at the beach, nothing but driftwood would do for the frame of this project.
What you’ll need:
- Bunches of dried lavender
- 6 pieces of driftwood: 4 for frames and 2 more interesting pieces for the cross-bars
- Floral wire
- Fishing line
- Scissors
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Tweet it: Rustic driftwood and fragrant #lavender window #wreath. #decor #nature #DIY
We cut the fresh lavender when it was at the peak of it’s bloom and not yet drying out (mid-July). While still fresh, we tied together 15-20 stems of lavender in small bunches with the lavender stems themselves and put them in a cool, dark place to dry for one week.
In the meantime, we began to form the “window frame”. We chose driftwood at varying lengths and textures and played around with the look until we were happy with the arrangement. We started to assemble the wreath at one corner by overlapping and twisting wire in an “X” shape until the corner was secure. We repeated this technique on all other corners. The cross-bars were attached using a similar overlapping and twisting method.
Once the lavender was ready, we took one bundle at a time starting at one corner and began to tie them to the frame using fishing line. This really works best because of it’s strength and invisibility. With a cool summer breeze and the sweet and soothing aromas of the lavender, we continued tying the bundles all the way around until the window frame was fully covered. The final bunch was gently tucked under the first one, and then we trimmed the ends for a tidier finish.
The combination of the delicate and fragrant lavender with the raw and natural driftwood is a perfect balance. It has inspired us to grow more lavender in our gardens next year and to collect more driftwood from the beach!
What unique wreaths have your created or thought to create?
Allison Katelyn
September 7, 2015 at 10:40 pmThis is such a unique project – I love it! You’ll also be able to smell the lavender every time you come home. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
~Allison Katelyn @ http://SimpleSilverLinings.blogspot.com
Jane and Sonja
September 9, 2015 at 11:06 amThe soothing scent of lavender was one of our favourite parts about making this wreath. We love your easy to follow DIY projects at Simple Silver Linings. Thanks for visiting!
Joanne @ Sea Glass Cottage
September 11, 2015 at 2:25 pmWhat a beautiful and unique wreath idea! I love driftwood and I adore fresh lavender, so win win! Thanks for sharing this neat idea.
Jane and Sonja
September 14, 2015 at 2:47 pmThank you for stopping by Joanne! You must have some nice driftwood pieces at your beach? We love the coastal-inspired projects on your site.
Jamie (TigerStrypes)
September 11, 2015 at 8:41 pmThat is adorable!! I just recently planted lavender and didn’t have much of a harvest this year, but will defiteinly try this next year!! #HomeMattersParty
Jane and Sonja
September 14, 2015 at 2:49 pmThank you Jamie. We hope your crop will be full next year. We were lucky and had so much of it, that we wanted to use it up. The lavender just dries so nicely!
Audrey
September 11, 2015 at 11:28 pmI bet the lavender smells great every time you open the door.
My front door is actually glass, but I have been trying to think of something to put on the wall next to it (that I think should have a real window). I think this would work there wonderfully! #HomeMattersParty
Jane and Sonja
September 14, 2015 at 2:51 pm😀 Yes- we originally were going to put it on our front door, but there’s already a window there! So we went with a windowless door and love the effect. Thank you for being such a great co-host at the #HomeMattersParty!
Enzie Shahmiri
September 12, 2015 at 6:53 amThis looks so pretty! I am co-hosting with you this month the #HomeMattersParty, please visit me too.
Jane and Sonja
September 14, 2015 at 2:53 pmHi Enzie! Thank you for stopping by. Your paintings are just so beautiful and lifelike! We wish we had more of a talented for painting.
Judy
September 12, 2015 at 12:23 pmBeautiful door wreath! Thanks for showing how to make it. Have a great weekend.
Jane and Sonja
September 14, 2015 at 3:01 pmThank you Judy! It’s great to have you stop by. And we really enjoy your paper-craft creations on your blog, especially your recent owl card!
Heather Serra
September 12, 2015 at 4:58 pmI love the country look of driftwood and lavender is one of my favorite scents. Beautiful wreath. It really creates an inviting feel.
HomeMattersParty
Jane and Sonja
September 14, 2015 at 3:11 pmThank you for stopping by Heather and joining us at the #HomeMattersParty. You have a beautiful blog and I just love the name "Frost on the Vine".
Sarena
September 13, 2015 at 5:12 amThis is so pretty and I bet it smells amazing! Great to be co-hosting the #HomeMattersParty with you!
Shann Eva
September 13, 2015 at 7:57 pmThis is so cool…and I bet it smells wonderful too. So happy to be co-hosting #HomeMattersParty this month with you!
Shann Eva
September 13, 2015 at 7:57 pmThis is so cool…and I bet it smells wonderful too. So happy to be co-hosting #HomeMattersParty this month with you!
sahana
September 14, 2015 at 2:30 pmWhat a cool idea to do wreath with lavender !! Brings fragrance as well as adds elegance. You could have added some words like "Smell the lavender "(like smell the roses) 😉 .But this window wreath looks great 🙂 Happy to be co-hosting with you at #HomeMattersParty.
the johnsons + dog
September 14, 2015 at 8:32 pmLove this idea. I’ve been wanting to make a lavender wreath, but now it’s too late for my lavender. Next year I’m for sure cutting it early in the summer and drying it out to make some fun projects. It’s been fun co-hosting with you at the #HomeMattersParty
Michelle
September 15, 2015 at 12:48 pmOMG! You guys do the coolest things. I am in love with this. I wish I was by a beach but I will have to live vicariously through you and your blog. Your pics are amazing too.
Alayna
September 15, 2015 at 7:38 pmPretty. I love the look of square wreaths.
It’s been a another great #HomeMattersParty weekend co-hosting with you!
Across the Boulevard
September 17, 2015 at 12:21 amThis is so pretty and I’m sure the fragrance is lovely. Pinned and Tweeted. Thanks so much for partying with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday.
Christine
September 17, 2015 at 5:46 pmA very lovely project, I absolutely love driftwood and lavender! Thank you for sharing at #OhMyHeartsieGirlWW! Looking forward to seeing you next week! Pinned and Tweeted! Have a beautiful rest of your week!
Sarah R.
September 18, 2015 at 10:56 amGor-geous!!! Seriously, I just love it. Thank you so much for linking up at Snickerdoodle Sunday- hope to see you again this weekend.
Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)
Mary, Living a Sunshine Life
September 19, 2015 at 4:31 amI love this idea! We’re stuck in suburbia and I want nothing more than to live in the country. With the lavender growing outside my backdoor, this is the perfect project to bring a little country into my city life. Thanks so much for sharing in the Sunshine Life link up! I really love the earthy feel to the crafts you share with us.