Pottery Barn Knock-Off Giant Map

I got a request to made this GIANT map from an Etsy customer…..
She seen my smaller USA hanging map 
I have listed and ask if I could recreate it on a larger scale.  Of coarse I said YES! I'm always up for a fun challenge....
Please excuse my poor hanging…this was the only wall large enough to hang this 80”x 60” wall art.

This project is a Pottery Barn Knock off….the original can be found HERE for $349
{Which I think is a very fair price considering the time and materials it takes to recreate}
I think I came pretty close to recreating the original for
a fraction of the price…..
I’m excited to share with you how to make your very own!

First you will need some 1x4’s.
You could always tear apart free pallet wood or
you can purchase pine 1x4's  for between $3-$5 for a 12ft piece. Cedar is also a great option for around $1 per 6ft
I used 9 pine 12ft 1x4’s.

I used my compound sliding meter saw to cut
 the 1x4 in various lengths.
No precise measuring here, I just used the PB picture as a guide.

This thing is HUGH! It measures 80” x 56”. There is 16 1x4 strips. I left most boards one long length, some I made 2 cuts and some  3.
Remember this will be cut in fours so it will create even smaller boards

I use two 12ft 1x2’s to hold the whole thing together. These were $7 each.

I cut up the 1x2 and slid it under the boards in 4 areas…I just secured it enough to move it, paint it and cut it up.
I used one box of 1 1/4” screws and screwed them
 to the front because the
original has visual nail heads adding to the character of the piece.

Then I stained it using my vinegar/steel wool stain. It brings out a different aged look on each board and will darken
even more once it is sealed.

Next I used my projector to trace the outline of a map. This is my favorite way to add giant art to walls in my home.

I painted one coat white. The stain will seep thru giving the white an automatic aged look….a second coat
will be needed after it’s cut.

Mark the center………

and cut it into four pieces. 

Now you’re ready to secure all the loose boards.

I cut pieces of the 1x2 and secured a few areas with screws.

See the back…..
Two D-rings will be added to the back of each section to hang.

Once it’s all secure, I gave the white areas a second coat to cover the extra screws added and I stained the cut areas and applied another coat of my vinegar stain for a darker look.

Then each section got distressed with my palm sander.

Finally 2 coats of Poly and it’s ready to hang or in my case ship to my customer

I used 2 D-rings on the back of each section…..
Here's a great easy way the hang a double hanger picture from the girls At the Picket Fence

Isn’t it pretty?!

Paint, stain, sealer and screws I had on hand but I think all materials total was a round $50-$70. I worked on this project over a few days but I think working non-stop you could complete in a full day  I did have fun making this but I would say that the Pottery Barn’s price is well worth the price if you want to save  the time and materials

I'm entering this project over at The DIY Monthly Project Party!

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Please check out all the places I party!