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kojodesigns

how to make a reading nook from two wooden palettes (part 2)

December 6, 2010

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Allright, friends! It’s time for the second installment of Build A Chair Using Palettes. In part 1, we built the platform of the chair/reading nook. Today, we’ll be attaching the sides of the chair and painting it!

For this second part of the chair building, you’ll need:
-a wooden palette (if you already collected two for part 1, this part will use your second palette)
-two pieces of scrap 2×4 at least the length of each of your ‘chair’ sides
-a sander (I used an orbital sander, but any will do… you could even hand sand if you were really into manual labor)
-circular saw
-crow bar or reciprocating saw (to pry planks of wood off of the palette)
-nails

1. Sand down all of the planks of wood on the top and bottom of the palette. For me, that was eighteen planks of wood. If you have more or less slats, adjust accordingly.

2. Using a circular saw, cut each piece of wood on one side (either top or bottom) as close to the edges as possible, detaching it from the side framing.

3. Detach each plank of wood from the palette.  You can either use a crow bar to do this or, if you have a reciprocating saw, loosen the plank by pressing on either end. Since the plank is only attached to the frame of the palette at the middle, rocking it back and forth (carefully!) will loosen those middle nails that are still holding the plank in place. Then place the blade of the reciprocating saw between the plank and the middle board of the palette (where it’s still attached) and cut the nails that are holding the two together.

4. Repeat this entire process on the other side of the palette. You should now have at least eighteen planks of sanded wood that are the same size. If they vary in size, cut them to match.

5. Using nails, attach the planks of wood to the back of your ‘chair’ platform, with even spacing between the slats. Overlap the planks at the corner. Make sure the smooth, sanded side of each plank is facing toward the inside of the chair.

6. For stability, reinforce the top of the slats with your scrap of 2×4 running the entire length of the side. Attach to the planks with nails.

7. You’re ready to paint!

Remember, this is part 2 of a series to make a reading nook using palettes. We’re making this…

*Find part 1 of this series here.

 

decor, furniture 80 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stacy Kristine says

    December 6, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    I just checked out your knotted quilt on SYTYC… and I'm just dying to know how you made it! GORGEOUS! I would LOVE to see a tutorial, soon! 🙂

    Reply
  2. CraftCrave says

    December 7, 2010 at 2:52 am

    Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [07 Dec 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria

    Reply
  3. Ann On and On... says

    December 7, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    A haven for learning….outstanding!

    Reply
  4. Tasha says

    December 8, 2010 at 6:27 am

    So incredibly super darling. I want one in my own corner.

    Reply
  5. Brian and Natalie says

    December 9, 2010 at 1:28 am

    I second the notion of a knotted quilt tutorial! Pretty Please!

    Reply
  6. eva says

    January 6, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    this is such a great idea!
    i'm due in february,finishing my nursery and i'm dying to know where you got this white blanket from!!!
    can you please share?
    it is exactly the thing i was looking for!
    thanx!!
    eva (italy)

    Reply
  7. eva says

    January 6, 2011 at 8:20 pm

    this is such a great idea!i'm due in february,finishing my nursery and i'm dying to know where you got this white blanket from!!!can you please share? it is exactly the thing i was looking for!
    thanx!!
    eva (italy)

    Reply
  8. kirstin & jordan says

    January 7, 2011 at 1:34 am

    @eva
    Hey Eva! Thanks for the kind words… the blanket was actually made by my mother-in-law. Sorry I can't be of more help there. 🙂
    kirstin

    Reply
  9. kirstin & jordan says

    January 7, 2011 at 1:34 am

    @eva
    Hey Eva! Thanks for the kind words… the blanket was actually made by my mother-in-law. Sorry I can't be of more help there. 🙂
    kirstin

    Reply
  10. bethany says

    January 12, 2011 at 3:55 am

    This is an awful tutorial-I love it! So creative! Thanks so much for sharing the instructions! I posted about it here: http://makealong.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-keep-coming-across-these-amazing.html

    Reply
  11. mydolly says

    February 1, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    That's really creative! I love this reading corner. Although tutorial is great I think I am not able to do something like that. But love to read about it, anyway.
    Greetings from Croatia

    Reply
  12. Dominique @ Craft Couture says

    March 23, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    This is darling! what did you use for the mattress?

    dominiquesboutique@yahoo.com

    Reply
  13. Beth@The Stories of A2Z says

    April 18, 2011 at 12:19 am

    Eleven comments? WHAT??? This is Brilliant! Expect some more traffic the beginning of May when your project is featured on Tip Junkie Decorate!

    Reply
  14. Angela says

    April 21, 2011 at 3:48 pm

    Great idea!
    I think that will do for the kids to school!
    Thanks!

    Reply
  15. Jacqueline says

    April 23, 2011 at 3:20 am

    This is just awesome! I love pallets….I just made myself a sofa table and a crate on wheels…thanks for sharing this! I might need to make one for the kids rooms.

    Reply
  16. **Maria ** says

    May 4, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    Still waiting for part 3 of this tutorial!!! Please post!!!

    Reply
  17. Christie, Jeff and Kennedy says

    June 7, 2011 at 3:49 am

    yes, where is part 3? My husband just brought home palette number 1 from work, and we're going to be putting this in my older daughter's new room!

    Reply
  18. Amber says

    July 21, 2011 at 1:10 am

    Do you have Part 3 available to post yet? I just got a ton of pallets and am excited to start. Thanks!

    Reply
  19. kirstin & jordan says

    July 21, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    I definitely need to put together the Part 3 Cushion Tutorial. Basically, you stack foam egg crates (those bumpy foam pads) and cut to the size of your 'chair.' Then you sew a triangular cover for the custom cushion.
    I've changed computers since I made this, so digging up the pictures will be a little labor intensive, but I will definitely put it on my to do list. 🙂

    Reply
  20. kirstin & jordan says

    July 21, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    I definitely need to put together the Part 3 Cushion Tutorial. Basically, you stack foam egg crates (those bumpy foam pads) and cut to the size of your 'chair.' Then you sew a triangular cover for the custom cushion.
    I've changed computers since I made this, so digging up the pictures will be a little labor intensive, but I will definitely put it on my to do list. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Alicia says

    August 28, 2011 at 10:55 pm

    just found this on pinterest and realized it was YOURS! tooo cool! i'm pinning it and going to have to incorporate this somewhere, somehow…

    Reply
  22. Amber says

    January 17, 2012 at 8:30 pm

    This is a fantastic idea, going to make one in my daughters room. I can not wait to see how to make the cushion.

    Reply
    • Kirstin says

      January 17, 2012 at 10:32 pm

      thanks amber! send over pictures when you get it done- we’d love to see yours! 🙂

      Reply
  23. Rachel says

    February 13, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    I love this idea! We’re about to buy our first house and I’d love to put one of these in with a little tweaking for me! Do you think it would hold an average full-grown adult? 😀 My craft room would be a much happier place if I had one of these to curl up in!
    If it won’t reliably hold an adult on its own, do you have suggestions to make it so it will?

    Reply
    • Kirstin says

      February 13, 2012 at 1:07 pm

      It definitely will hold an adult (and a kid or two!). If you’re just making it for you, I’d eliminate the book holder and cover all of the edges with cozy pillows. I also might make it a bit taller.
      Send over pics if you make one!!!
      love
      kirstin
      ps- I noticed your email address- are you here in Denver? You should come to our creative types meet up on March 10th! 🙂

      Reply
      • Rachel says

        February 13, 2012 at 11:47 pm

        I’m in the Tech Center! I’d love to come to a crafty/creative meet-up! And I’ve got some friends that would like to, too! Just tell me where to be and when! 😀

        Reply
  24. Maegan (1/2 of @ChrncllyDstrctd) says

    March 21, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    This is ridiculously adorable and awesome!!! Great tutorial – and I want one! *yelling to hubby to find me some pallets*

    Reply
    • Kirstin says

      March 21, 2012 at 8:11 pm

      haha! my hubby gets dragged into my projects too (clearly). 🙂

      Reply
  25. Janae says

    March 22, 2012 at 1:08 pm

    I LOVE this! My husband began to make it for my little boy and girl on the way! But we have not finished – we would love to see part 3! We tweaked ours a little and made a flat top and put hinges on it can lift up and we use it for storage! Egg crates were a great idea, we stacked two 2″ ones to make it extra soft. My son loves it so far! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kirstin says

      March 22, 2012 at 7:47 pm

      Janae, I LOVE it- your modifications sound fantastic. Send me a pic when you’re finished, would you??? I’d love to see it. 🙂

      Reply
      • Janae says

        March 31, 2012 at 3:00 pm

        Thank you Kristin, how do I send a picture? I just took two

        Reply
        • Kirstin says

          April 1, 2012 at 1:52 pm

          LOVE it- kojodesignsAThotmailDOTcom. 🙂

          Reply
  26. Karen says

    June 15, 2012 at 11:48 am

    What a cute idea! I wish every parent made reading special and created a reading chair!
    We used your post for our weekly reading series for the summer @ theclassroomcreative . We hope to inspire other parents with your post. Enjoy your summer! Karen & Nicolette

    Reply
  27. Stephanie says

    July 13, 2012 at 11:57 pm

    My husband and I finished making this a couple weeks ago but still working on a pattern for the triangle cover. I’m trying to make it removable with Velcro striping on one of the hidden sides. It’s so simple yet it’s kicking my butt.

    Reply
    • Kirstin says

      July 14, 2012 at 10:21 am

      I love that Stephanie. Simple add-ons kick my tail all the time! 🙂

      Reply
  28. Stephanie says

    July 14, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    Turns out I just needed to sleep lol. I knocked it out this morning. I’ll e-mail you a picture.

    Reply
  29. sailor girl says

    August 19, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    Wood pallets often contain toxic chemicals, carcinogenic formaldehyde. Choose your pallets carefully. There are safe pallets which are stamped with an “HT”.

    Reply
    • Kirstin says

      August 19, 2012 at 9:31 pm

      True, thanks!

      Reply
  30. Rebecca Gardner says

    December 11, 2012 at 9:15 am

    My friend posted this on Facebook. I decided I want one of those for my home school!

    Reply
    • Kirstin says

      December 11, 2012 at 10:03 am

      What a great idea, Rebecca! 🙂

      Reply
  31. Lili says

    January 23, 2013 at 9:29 am

    Idée complètement géniale ! Très joli !
    Lilikaly

    Reply
  32. Marilyn says

    April 1, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    I love this and just posted about it on my reading facebook page (Story Fortress)

    Reply
    • Kirstin says

      April 1, 2013 at 11:09 pm

      Thanks Marilyn!

      Reply
  33. Suni says

    May 3, 2013 at 8:28 pm

    This would make a great pet bed too. Although.. I don’t have pets and I DO have 8 children…not sure why I am even having thoughts about pet beds.

    Reply
    • Kirstin says

      May 5, 2013 at 4:13 pm

      True! And funny! 🙂

      Reply

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