You Will Need

• from 2 old pallets or 25 pine planks, each 22mm x 75mm, cut 1 of each of the following lengths:

755mm, 735mm, 690mm,
660mm, 615mm, 575mm,
540mm, 500mm, 470mm,
440mm, 415mm, 395mm,
365mm, 335mm, 300mm,
280mm, 250mm, 225mm,
200mm,175mm, 140mm,
125mm, 115mm, 90mm, 80mm

• star-shaped terracotta pot (about 500mm from point to point, available from garden centres)
• 1 laminated pine plank the size of your star-shaped pot
• 1 bag of garden stones or river pebbles
• one 13mm threaded rod (1m standard length)
• 36 x 13mm nuts
• 21 x 13mm large washers
• drill with 13mm wood drill bit
• jigsaw
• white and grey paint
• tree decorations
• 30 tealight candles
• double-sided tape
• ribbon and trimmings

To Make
1 Measure and cut 25 lengths of the planks as per the above measurements. Cut the ends of each plank at a 25o˚ angle to add to the tapering look.

2 Mark the centre of each plank and drill a 13mm hole in the centre. Test to see that your rod fits through. Also drill a smaller hole at the end of each plank to hang decorations from later.

3 Paint all the planks first with a layer of white paint and then a second layer of light grey paint. We used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White and Paris Grey.

4 Give the planks a distressed look by sanding the top layer of grey paint off in places so that the first colour shows through.

5 Put your star-shaped pot on top of the laminated pine plank and draw the shape onto the plank. Cut out the shape neatly using your jigsaw and also cut a hole in the middle of the plank corresponding with the hole in the pot. Glue the plank onto the base of the pot.

6 Attach a nut and washer to one end of the rod and push the rod through the base of the pot. Attach another nut on the inside of the pot.

7 Fill the pot with garden stones or river pebbles.

8 Measure approximately 20cm up the rod and screw on a nut there. Start with your longest plank and drop it down onto the nut.

9 Add a washer then another nut. Screw in another nut, the next plank and a washer. Continue in this way to about halfway up your tree.

10 For the remainder of the tree, use only one nut between each plank, considering the thickness of your planks and the remaining length of the 1m rod to thread on.

11 Finish the tree off with the last four planks without any nuts in between and finish your tree by screwing a nut on top. Move the planks about on the rod to spread them in various directions.

12 Decorate your tree by hanging the decorations through the holes you drilled at the ends of the planks. Add a star or a rosette like ours to the top of your tree.

13 Decorate the tealight candles by sticking double-sided tape around them and then wrapping ribbon or trimmings over the tape. You can also use washi tape to decorate the tealight candles, if you prefer.

Text and image: Ideas magazine