Rustic birdhouse

Mark Rayner shows just how easy it is to create this simple rustic birdhouse using reclaimed wood and Resene Waterborne Woodsman wood stain.

You will need: 40mm and 75mm galvanised nails, drill with 40mm hole-cutter attachment, 4mm drill bit, hammer, offcuts of timber from an old wooden pallet (our planks measured approx 20mm x 110mm), offcuts from an old wooden garden stake (ours measured approx 20mm x 20mm), exterior PVA glue, paintbrush, paint stirrer, pencil, sandpaper, saw and tape measure, Resene Waterborne Woodsman wood stain tinted to Resene Bark.

Top tip: For a neater finish, smooth any rough sawn edges with coarse sandpaper as you cut each piece of wood.

Other ideas: This birdhouse could be given a paler finish with a coat of Resene Woodsman Whitewash, or, for a more colourful effect, it could even be primed with Resene Quick Dry and painted with a selection of Resene testpots.

Step 1
Cut two equal lengths of wood measuring approximately 360mm. Cut across at an angle to create two equal sloping side walls. The front should measure 240mm and the back 120mm.

Step 2
Measure, mark and cut two pieces of garden stake to fit across the top of each side wall. Fix with PVA glue and 40mm nails.

Step 3
Cut a 300mm length of wood and fix in position to form the base.

Step 4
Measure, mark and cut two pieces of wood to form the front wall and fix into position with PVA glue and nails. Cut another piece of garden stake and fit along the top edge of the front wall.

Step 5
Measure, mark and cut a piece of wood to form the back door, and attach a small piece of garden stake as a handle. Fix the back door into position using two 80mm nails either side (near the top), drilling pilot holes first. Ensure the back door opens freely.

Step 6
Measure, mark and cut two 350mm lengths of wood and fix into position to form the roof. Ensure the centre join is well sealed with PVA glue.

Step 7
Fix a piece of garden stake to the underside of the front edge of the roof and drill a circular hole in the front of the birdhouse to form an entranceway.

Step 8
Fix a 170mm piece of garden stake to the front of the birdhouse to form a perch.

Step 9
Carefully stir the Resene Woodsman with a paint stirrer, apply one coat to the birdhouse, and allow two hours to dry.

Step 10
Apply a second coat of Resene Woodsman to the birdhouse. Allow two hours to dry.

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