Pottery Barn knockoff Noel sign

I love the look of this Noel sign from the pages of Pottery Barn:

Noel Pottery Barn image

Source

I’m not so enamored with the price tag, however. Cue brainstorming for a thrifty, DIY version.

I headed to Hobby Lobby and picked up four, large MDF letters for $3.50 apiece. I also used a 40-percent-off coupon that brought the price down further.

Hobby-Lobby-MDF-letters

As soon as I got home, I took the letters outside and gave them each a coat of my favorite black primer.

Rust-Oleum-primer

I brought the primed letters inside to dry in warmer conditions.

Primed-MDF-letters

Here’s where I veered a bit from the Pottery Barn version. My goal was to create letters that looked like aged metal. I used this Etsy sign I saw online as my inspiration:

il_fullxfull.564789187_qu8x

Source

Next, I lined up a bunch of containers of Modern Masters® Metallic Paint.

Modern-Masters-Paint-inspiration

The main colors I used for this project were Copper Penny, Pewter and Black Pearl.

Modern-Masters-Metallic-Paint

I gave the letters a base coat of Copper Penny first, since it was an opaque color with fuller coverage.

Modern-Masters-Copper-Penny

Copper-Penny-Noel-sign

After that dried, I used a sponge to apply the Pewter color randomly.

Mixed-metal-sign

Then I used the same technique to dab on two more coats, one of Black Pearl and one of a mixture of Black Pearl and Copper Penny.

Finally, I turned the dried letters over and stuck on a few Command™ Strips to hang them on the wall. I’m not a big fan of punching holes in my walls, especially for seasonal decor.

Command-strips

Here’s the final result:

Noel-sign-1

Mixed-metal-Noel-sign1

Mixed-metal-Noel-sign

What do you think of my “aged metal” Pottery Barn knockoff Noel sign?

Special thanks to Modern Masters for proving, at my request, the metallic paint needed for this project. As always, all opinions – and sweat equity – are 100 percent mine. 

Before I go today, I want to announce the two winners of the $100 gift cards from Duluth Trading Co. Merry Christmas to:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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26 Responses

  1. Kim R says:

    Your sign looks wonderful! And it fits so well with your other decor. Congrats on a great project – pinning and maybe I will get it done soon. 🙂

  2. andrea bayot says:

    Love that! Inspiration for all kinds of signs.

  3. Kathleen says:

    LOVE this!!! I’m definitely going to make one for next Christmas, but I have ideas for other words. Thanks for the inspiration.

  4. That is awesome! I tend to love all decorating with letters, and your end product is perfect. Great idea!

  5. Doreen says:

    WOW I love it when you/we find a way around something so expensive and can provide a beautiful addition to our homes. Thanks so very much for posting this detailed educational process,I’m going to use it too! I don’t think I would have figured it out on my own otherwise-thanks for your generosity.

  6. Lucy says:

    Love your sign and step by step!

  7. Beverly says:

    Love this! I have admired the Pottery Barn sign, but not the price. This looks terrific!

  8. Stacey says:

    Hello! They look great. I too have been obsessed with trying to re-create Pottery Barn’s version. It’s kind of late in the game but I’m going to put mine together this weekend. I’m going to put it on our mantle. I hope mine turns out as good as yours! Merry Christmas!

  9. Donna Gibson says:

    I wonder that after Christmas, won’t removing it from the wall leave a mark? Will you hide the marks by hanging up something else in its place then after the holidays? This is a simple yet creative project that anyone could do. Nice!

  10. Pepsigirl13 says:

    Great hack! if you wanted to go for a “deeper” NOEL (I think the PB one is thicker) you could use two sets of the letters with a small piece of styro in between OR just glue both sets togethe! I think you should now do LOVE, as in the USPS stamp! Merry Christmas.

    • Susan says:

      Great idea! Hobby Lobby actually has larger, thicker letters available – think jumbo cardboard blocks – but they were about $10 apiece. If you wait for them to drop to 50 percent off, you’ve got a real steal.

  11. Linda J says:

    I am on my way to Michaels. Geez, I love this! I also love your very *Pottery Barn* *Ballard* style décor. May I please make a suggestion not meant to offend anyone? Pull your chair and floor lamp into the room more to give depth to the grouping. Merry Christmas!

    PS Haters pls don’t write. I don’t mean to be rude only helpful.

    • Susan says:

      Great suggestion. I have a challenging room layout. I’m open to other suggestions. Check out my home tour here:http://livingrichonless.com/house-tour/ for a look at the entire living room. I’m always stumped with layout ideas in this room.

      • Linda J says:

        Terrific space! I am a retired residential interior designer. I never want to sound like a know-it-all so I don’t often offer suggestions. I viewed you space and would love to make other suggestions privately if you would be interested. Mostly just adjusting what you have already done and some other good stuff!

  12. Carrie says:

    Oh my goodness!!! How I wish I would have seen this before the day AFTER Christmas! LOVE it!! I may have to make another word or at least a letter now just to appease my obsession with this.

    • Susan says:

      Glad you like it, Carrie. I’m sure it would work for most four-letter words. Nice four-letter words … like L-O-V-E, that is. 😉

      • Carrie says:

        LOL! Absolutely! Maybe even a three letter word…EAT. I am thinking they would look great in the space over my cabinets in the kitchen. I’ll go to Hobby Lobby and keep you posted! 🙂

  13. Godiva Choco says:

    GREAT! I did it! Very easy & worthwhile. Great Tutorial!

  1. December 22, 2014

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