You can assemble and paint this vessel in a weekend. Filled with a plant or flowers, it adds instant curb appeal to your front door. We chose classic white, but try adding personality with a vibrant hue. Imagine the cheery pop of bright red on your porch! See below for easy step-by-step instructions.

Materials:
table saw, circular saw, jigsaw or hand saw
C-clamps
wood glue
yardstick
pencil
72×17x1-inch boar

hammer
16-penny 1 1/2-inch finish nails
12×12x1/8-inch luan
Saral paper
drill with 3/8-inch bit
1/2-inch brad
putty knife
sandpaper; router (optional)
precut decorative wooden 2-inch-diameter rosette
3-inch paintbrushes
primer
paint
polyurethane
wood filler

Skill Level:
Beginner

Directions:
1. Measure and mark two 13 1/2 x12-inch pieces and two 15×12-inch pieces of wood. Cut these using a table saw. If you’re using a circular saw, jigsaw or hand saw, use clamps to fix the wood to your work surface before cutting.

2. After sides are cut, use wood glue and finish nails to put the box together so that it measures 15×15x12 inches.

3. To make the legs, measure and mark four 14×2 1/4-inch and four 14×1 1/2-inch pieces of wood. Use the table saw to rip the pieces to size. If you’re using a circular saw, jigsaw or hand saw, clamp the wood to your work surface before cutting.

4. Put the legs together using one of each size board to make an L-shape piece that will measure 14×2 1/2 inches. Glue and nail all four legs together. Attach the legs to the box using wood glue and finish nails.

5. To make the overlay inserts, use four pieces of 12×12x1/8-inch luan. Stack the pieces together and put two finish nails through them to hold the pieces together while you cut out the pattern. Using the template below (scaled to size), mark the design on the wood with Saral paper, or measure and mark the design on the wood with a pencil and ruler. Clamp the luan pieces to your work surface, then use a drill with a 3/8-inch bit to make a starter hole. Use a jigsaw to cut out all four pieces at the same time.

6. Using a table saw, cut a 13 1/2×3 1/2-inch piece for the bottom. If using a circular saw, jigsaw or hand saw, clamp the wood to your work surface before cutting. Drill a drainage hole in the center of the bottom piece. Attach the bottom to sides with finish nails.

7. After you have cut out the inserts, pull out the nails that hold the four pieces together. Use wood glue and brads to attach the inserts to all four sides of the planter and to attach the rosettes to the center of each insert.

8. When planter is assembled, apply two coats of primer and two or more coats of paint to the entire planter, allowing each coat to dry between coats. Apply one coat of polyurethane; let dry.

9. Use wood filler to fill all the nail holes. After the wood filler dries, use a palm sander or sandpaper to sand down any excess filler. If you have one, use a 1/4-inch or a 1/8-inch round router bit in a router to round all corners.

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