Cottage Style Shutters

At the recent Grand Designs Live show I was blown away by some of the designs on display by American Shutters. For me personally, they just add that extra special touch to a room, a feeling of tropical grandeur. But not all of us can afford to fork out on the real deal, so here’s how to make your mock interior shutters. You’re used to seeing decorative shutters on the exteriors of houses, but we brought a pair of them indoors. They’re the perfect architectural detail for this seaside-inspired room.

DIFFICULTY: Moderate
ESTIMATED TIME: Weekend

1.To create a set of shutters, first measure your window to determine the sizes of the parts. Then cut eight pine planks 20 x 100mm wide (four for each shutter) to your desired length. You’ll also need to cut battens (the horizontal boards) from the PAR pine planks.Cut all your PAR pine planks to length. You can use a mitre saw, jigsaw or handsaw to cut your planks to equal length.

2. Before assembly, take the time to sand all the cut edges and smooth the surface for a nice finish. On the edges start with 120-grit sandpaper, and you might also need to use 120-grit on the surface as well, depending on how well the planks have been cut. Finish off with 240-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish.

3. Attach the battens by driving screws through the backs of the boards. If you are painting the shutters, apply a coat of universal or wood primer to block the surface and then apply two coats of acrylic PVA with a paintbrush or foam roller, or get yourself a can of Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint in flat, semi-gloss or gloss. Since the shutters were painted to match the room’s trim, they blend in perfectly. The shutters have a classic look that makes them a great addition to any cottage-style space.

4. Attach the battens by driving screws through the backs of the boards.

5. If you are painting the shutters, apply a coat of universal or wood primer to block the surface and then apply two coats of acrylic PVA with a paintbrush or foam roller, or get yourself a can of Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint in flat, semi-gloss or gloss. Since the shutters were painted to match the room’s trim, they blend in perfectly. The shutters have a classic look that makes them a great addition to any cottage-style space.