Vail, Colorado is known for their window boxes with overflowing greenery and flowers during the summer. Every store and restaurant in Vail have window boxes overflowing with greenery and flowers. Seriously, every window.
I wanted to recreate the look with my flower boxes, but I also wanted something a little more flexible for the windows outside our back patio and dining room. And, when I say flexible what I really mean is easier than building a flower box.
I turned to my kitchen’s farmhouse shelves for inspiration and decided shelves would be an easy alternative to window boxes.
alternative to window boxes
I had three windows facing the back yard and I loved the idea of flowers outside the windows. I used my skills from the open shelves to create window shelves.
Actually, I didn’t create it; I just purchased a 2×12 select pine board. I love the chunky look of the 2x 12 Pine.
window shelves
Supply & Tool List:
- 1-2 2×12 select pine boards; unfinished
- 6 brackets (2 for each window shelf)
- favorite pre-stain wood conditioner, stain and water based sealer.
- tools: drill, miter or chop saw, level
Before I stained the boards I took a few minutes to prep the wood with a pre-stain wood conditioner. I love this stuff and use it on every stain project. How I describe the pre-stain wood conditioner is similar to an ACT question: Moisturizer is to your face like pre-stain conditioner is to unfinished wood.
I cut three boards the length of my two kitchen windows. The dining room window is wider, but I liked the symmetry of the three window shelves cut the same length. I stained each board several times (both sides) and finished with two coats of a water based sealer.
The hardest part was waiting for the boards to dry.
I grabbed the brackets from Home Depot. What I loved about these shelves was the simplicity. Installation included attaching the brackets followed by placing the boards on the brackets.
I love the stain against the flower pots. Check out how I get the most of my flowers and tricks to make it look like there are more flowers. Thanks for stopping by and check out my porch & patio tab at the top of the home page! I like easy projects!
Sharing to:
I love this idea! Maybe now I can finally get some flowers in front of our windows.
It is so much easier and during the holidays I add fresh garland! Thank you Carol for stopping by, laura
Good idea. I put my containers around the cabin deck. Some are edibles and a few are flowers. I enjoy all of the green and colour after a long, cloudy, rainy winter. – Margy
I have always loved the look of a garden shelf and really they are probably much easier to care for than window boxes. Great idea, Laura! Thanks for sharing this at the garden party. 🙂
Laura, this is such a clever alternative! I love visiting Vale and seeing all of the gorgeous flower boxes too. the chunky wood is fabulous! Your plants will only get more beautiful with time. Thanks for sharing with the Garden Party.
hugs,
Jann
What a great idea and you can put anything on them! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
Thank you Kim! I love the shelves… great for all holidays! laura
Great idea!!