DIY Network

Wooden Throw Rug Get some wood on your floors with this sophisticated rug. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-129

Make this sophisticated rug from beautiful birch.

If you love the look and feel of wood underfoot, but aren't ready to take the plunge and get wood floors, this project is a good first step: Michele Beschen helps you craft a wooden throw rug from Baltic birch.

It's easy to adapt this project for any size of rug—or even cut down the dimensions to make swanky wooden placemats or table runners. It's a fun and easy way to B. Original with wood and beautify your home.

Scroll down for Michele Beschen's how-to.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Wooden Throw Rug

Materials:

sturdy vinyl sheet
1/8" Baltic birch flooring
miter box, chop saw or hand saw
sandpaper
construction adhesive
chalk
carpenter's square

• To make an 18" x 24" rug, cut the vinyl sheet slightly larger than those dimensions.

• Cut (15) 6" x 6" squares of Baltic birch. Sand each square on both sides.

• Lay vinyl face down on a flat work surface; you will be adhering the wood to the back side of the vinyl. Using the carpenter's square, chalk in guide lines for placing the 6" x 6" wooden tiles.

• Butter the back of a birch square with construction
  adhesive (figure A) and place it on the back of the vinyl, lining it up with either the carpenter's square or the chalk lines (figure B).

• Butter and place the rest of the squares: Alternate the grain with each square, and make sure each square butts up snugly against the ones already on the vinyl.

• Cover the project with a large piece of plywood, then weight it with a heavy object. The plywood will distribute the weight evenly over the project so that it dries flat. Let the construction adhesive cure overnight.

• Once the adhesive is cured, finish the wood by staining in a checkerboard design (figure C). Use either colored stain or stain that mimics natural wood finishes.

• Trim excess vinyl from the project.

• Finish the piece with three coats of wipe-on polyurethane and/or paste wax.

• Experiment with different staining patterns and even with different shapes for the birch pieces (figure D). You can create a different rug for every room!