Let there be Light, Candle Holder, Frugal Home Designs

Hello Everyone, it is Fawn again excited to be here on Remodelaholic. This month I have a Pottery Barn hack for you. I noticed the Wood Block Votive Holder in my new Pottery Barn catalog and thought it would be awesome out on the patio table. It seemed like a pretty easy thing to make. Turns out it was so let’s get started. Here’s what you will need: 4 x4 cut to length (I found mine for 51 Cents in the hull bin at Home Depot) Drill with a spade/flat bit Sand paper Stain Legs First, you need to find the center of your 4 x4 (remember the actual measurement isn’t 4″). You will notice in the picture below that I measured and marked the center. I did this on both ends they used a straight edge to connect the dots. It is a little hard to see, but there is a light pencil line right down the center. Next you have to determine where you want the votive/tea light hole to begin and mark that off. I wanted there to be about an inch and a half on each end. I measured and drew a straight line with my speed square. Here is quick preview to illustrate. Now on to drilling the holes. I used a 1 1/2″ spade drill bit. You will notice in the picture below the spade bit has a point in the middle. I lined that up with the center line I drew in the first step. I am a pretty visual person so this is how I went about spacing out my tea lights. I put my first one lined up with my line I measured for my “edge” then measured one inch-ish from the tea light. I knew I wanted that one inch mark to be the edge of my next tea light so I lined up the drill and went to town. Notice the edge of the drill is at the one inch measurement mark. Then repeat Until you are finished. Time to sand. I used 80 grit first then 220 grit to make it nice and soft. After sanding remove all of the dust. I used Minwax Dark Walnut stain. I have found a lint free rag is the best tool for applying stain. Also, do your self a favor and invest in some rubber gloves–I learned this they hard way. I had some knobs that I got at the Goodwill for 49 cents. They happen to be flat on the bottom so a little dollop of Gorilla Glue later and this lady has legs. Perfect for the patio table, now it goes right over the “bump” for the umbrella opening.
Now I realize those aren’t actual votives. Let me explain. I found some votives that would be perfect for super cheap, but it turns out that they don’t make 2″ spade bits and I didn’t want to have to buy new tools. If you want to use votives larger than 1 1/2 inch you will need a forstner bit. I didn’t want to spend the $20+ so I just switched to tea lights.
My whole project cost $2.50–not bad.
Come on over to Frugal Home Designs to see what else I have been up to.

Published: June 16, 2010Filed Under: Guest Bloggers Tagged: Catalog Inspired, Knock Offs, Lighting, Monthly Contributor

About Cassity

Cassity started Remodelaholic with her husband, Justin, to share their love for knocking out walls together. She is an interior designer, wife, and mother of two. She and Justin have remodeled three homes from top to bottom and are working on their fourth. Making a house a home is her favorite hobby.