STEP 1:
Build a simple 24” x 36” x 8” box with a bottom, using sturdy old fence boards.
STEP 2:
Now you are ready to construct the cottage front. Cut five weathered barn boards to make a cottage front. The finished width should be approximately 34”. The height should be 42” from the peak to the floor level. The roof slope should be 45°.
STEP 3:
Cut 2 trim boards 31” long. Cut both ends of each board at a 45° angle. Fasten the trim boards to the roof. Next cut two more boards 22½ inches long for the trim boards along the sides of the house. Then fasten cottage front securely inside the box.
STEP 4:
Now we are ready to do the decorating. For the door, we cut a rectangle with a rounded top. The door should be approximately 7½ inches wide and 10 inches long. Cut two 5” squares for the windows and 1 smaller square for a little attic window. Then paint the doors and windows a color of your choice. For a rustic touch, we then sanded the door and windows, especially on the corners, to “weather” them. For a doorknob, we used a wooden heart.
We added yard decorations with a sign and a path, though the path was hidden by the alyssum.
