DIY: Design a Basket Weave Accent Wall

1. GATHER MATERIALS

It might be a bit of a treasure hunt to find used barrels—check local wineries and Craigslist. Each barrel will be held together with several metal hoops. To disassemble them, first use pliers to remove the fasteners. Then loosen the hoop by sliding a flat-head screwdriver or claw between the metal and wood, tapping gently with a mallet. Repeat this action every few inches around the diameter. Once the hoops are slack enough to be removed, the barrel will come apart into individual staves. The number of staves will depend on the size of the barrel, and their widths will vary. You might also be able to find bundles of used wine staves online at eBay or Amazon.2

2. READY THE FOUNDATION

Apply a 3/4-inch thick sheet of plywood to the wall. The plywood will be the foundation. Paint the plywood a dark color, since the staves will be raised in places and the background needs to recede behind those spots.

3. DESIGN THE WALL PATTERN

Before installing, tape out the accent wall’s dimensions on the floor using painter’s tape. Then have fun laying out the staves in the desired pattern, taking care to vary their lengths and markings for visual interest.

4. PREP THE PIECES

Lightly sand the staves with sandpaper and remove any residue. After doing a test patch on one piece, apply a sealer of your choice, either matte or high gloss, depending on preference. Wipe-on polyurethane or Danish Oil are easy-to-apply finishes. Two to three coats may be needed for durability.

5. INSTALL

Attach the staves to the plywood with a nail gun and fill the nail holes with a stainable wood filler that closely matches their color.

Can’t find any used wine barrels near you? There are ready-made wall paneling products, called Nuvelle Deco Strips, that can help you achieve the same look, available at Home Depot.