DIY Board-and-Batten Shutters

These show-stopping board-and-batten shutters are an important element in the coastal-style room featured in this week's eNote. A number of retailers sell similar shutters, but they're cheaper (and easy to customize) when you make your own. You'll just need some poplar 1x4s, screws, sandpaper, primer, and paint.

To get started making a pair of shutters, measure your window and cut eight 1x4 poplar boards to length — four for each shutter (photo 1). Also cut the battens that go horizontally across the vertical boards. Next, use a sanding block to bevel the edges of all your pieces (photo 2). To assemble your shutters, attach the battens by driving screws through the backs of the vertical boards (photo 3). After priming and painting your shutters, you can go ahead and hang them with heavy-duty picture hangers.