DIY Wood Quilt Wall Art: How I Created Custom Pottery Barn-Inspired Decor for My Home

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Looking for a unique DIY wood wall art project that makes a statement? This Pottery Barn-inspired wood quilt wall art combines woodworking, custom finishes, and personalized design to create a one-of-a-kind focal point for your home.

One of my favorite things about decorating a home is creating pieces you simply cannot buy in a store. While I often find inspiration from retailers like Pottery Barn, I love taking an idea and making it my own. Custom projects allow you to choose the colors, size, finishes, and details that work specifically for your home rather than settling for something mass-produced.

This DIY wood quilt wall art was inspired by a Pottery Barn piece I admired, but I customized it with blue tones, rich wood stains to my color palette, and added a substantial shadow-box frame that gave it more presence on the wall. The finished piece became a dramatic focal point in our home and a project I still love years later. This tutorial will walk you through the process so you can make one too.

Why I Chose to Build My Own Wood Quilt Art

When I first saw the Pottery Barn version, I loved the geometric pattern and the warmth of the reclaimed wood. What I didn’t love was that it wasn’t quite right for my space. I wanted more of a blue color palette for my house, a little bit bigger, and a framed out piece. The beauty of DIY is that you aren’t limited by what is available in a store. You can create something completely customized to your style, colors, and space.

For me, that’s often the difference between decorating a house and creating a home.

Materials List

Wood

Quilt Pattern

• 6 – 1x4x8 Pine Boards

Inside Face Frame

• 2 – 1x2x8 Pine Boards

Outside Box Frame

• 2 – 1x4x8 Pine Boards

Backing

• 1 – ½” Plywood Sheet or MDF (48” x 48”)

Supplies

• Wood glue
• Miter saw
• Brad nailer
• Measuring tape
• Clamps
• Sandpaper
• Wood filler
• Hanging hardware
• Polyurethane or furniture wax (optional)

Stains and Finishes

I used a combination of:

• Dark walnut stain
• Lighter wood stain
• Navy blue paint
• Light blue paint

Using multiple stain colors allows the wood grain to remain visible while creating depth and contrast throughout the design. For the paints, I diluted them down with water for a stain consistency to be able to see the wood grain come through.

Quilt Pattern Cut List

The pattern is built from four identical quadrants. Build one quadrant and repeat it four times.

Corner Squares

• 4 pieces – 3½” square

Small Corner Pieces

• 8 pieces – 7” long
• One end cut at 45°

Medium Corner Pieces

• 8 pieces – 10½” long
• One end cut at 45°

Small Filler Pieces

• 8 pieces – 4” long
• One end cut at 45°

Medium Filler Pieces

• 8 pieces – 7½” long
• One end cut at 45°

Large Filler Pieces

• 8 pieces – 11” long
• One end cut at 45°

Main Star Rays

• 16 pieces – 14¾” long
• Both ends cut at 45°
• Parallel cuts

Frame Cut List

One of the biggest changes I made from the Pottery Barn inspiration was creating a substantial frame around the artwork. The frame is made from two separate components.

Inside Face Frame

Material

• 1×2 Pine Boards

Cuts

• 4 pieces at 48”
• All corners mitered at 45°

This frame creates the finished picture-frame appearance visible from the front.

Outside Box Frame

Material

• 1×4 Pine Boards

Cuts

• 4 pieces at 48”

These pieces attach to the sides of the artwork and create the shadow-box effect.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cut All Wood Pieces

Begin by cutting all quilt pattern pieces according to the cut list. Organize pieces by size and label them if necessary on the backside. Since the pattern repeats four times, keeping pieces organized will make assembly much easier.

Step 2: Build One Quadrant

Lay out one quadrant of the pattern on a flat surface. Start with:

• One corner square
• The matching corner pieces
• The filler pieces
• Four main star rays

Once you’re satisfied with the layout, repeat the process three more times. Building one section first helps ensure the remaining sections stay symmetrical.

Step 3: Dry Fit the Entire Quilt

Arrange all four quadrants on the plywood backing. Adjust pieces until all center points align and the pattern forms a complete starburst. Take a photo of the layout before moving anything. I also labeled on the back side of each piece the color I wanted it to be, blue, walnut, light blue, etc. This makes reassembly much easier later and the colors are where I wanted them to be.

Step 4: Stain or Paint the Pieces

Before attaching the boards, apply your stains and finishes. I used:

• Light natural pine stain by Minwax
• Dark walnut stain by Minwax
• Navy blue paint – diluted with water
• Light blue paint – diluted with water

Allow all pieces to dry completely before assembly. Dry fit the pieces again to make sure the colors are in the right places. You can adjust some of the colors at this point if needed.

Step 5: Attach the Quilt Pattern

On the plywood backing find the center and then draw a large cross to use as a guide. Working from the center outward:

1. Apply wood glue to the back of each piece.
2. Position it on the plywood backing.

Continue until the entire pattern is attached. Periodically check alignment to ensure everything remains square. Use weights or clamps to hold the pieces in place. I used heavy paint cans as my weights to hold everything down until it dried.

Step 6: Install the Inside Face Frame

Attach the four 1×2 mitered frame pieces around the perimeter. The frame instantly creates a finished furniture-quality appearance. Use wood glue and weights to hold it down until it dries.

Step 7: Build the Shadow Box Frame

Attach the four 1×4 boards around the outside edge of the plywood. This creates the box frame visible from the side. The shadow-box construction adds approximately 2¼” to 2½” of depth and gives the artwork much more visual weight. This modification was one of my favorite changes and helped transform the project into a true statement piece.

Step 8: Sand and Finish

Fill any nail holes on the outside frame with wood filler. Lightly sand rough edges. Make any stain touch ups at this point.

After everything is dry, apply a protective topcoat if desired. A matte finish keeps the wood looking natural while protecting the surface.

Step 9: Hang Your Wood Quilt Wall Art

Because this piece is large and substantial, use heavy-duty hanging hardware and secure it properly to wall studs whenever possible. I used a cleat with drywall anchors to secure mine to the wall. The finished artwork creates an instant focal point and adds warmth, texture, and character to any room.

Design Tips

If you decide to make your own version:

• Choose colors that coordinate with your home.
• Let the wood grain show through.
• Don’t be afraid to customize the design.
• Consider adding a deeper frame for more impact.

The goal isn’t to create an exact copy of someone else’s artwork. The goal is to create something that feels like it belongs in your home.

Final Thoughts

This DIY wood quilt wall art started as inspiration from a Pottery Barn piece, but the finished project became something completely unique.

That’s what I love about creating custom decor. Instead of purchasing something everyone else can buy, you end up with a piece that reflects your own style, colors, and creativity.

Years later, this remains one of my favorite DIY projects because it adds warmth, texture, and personality to our home while reminding me that some of the most meaningful decor pieces aren’t bought—they’re built.

Shop the Project

If you’re planning to build your own DIY wood quilt wall art, I’ve linked some of my favorite woodworking tools, stains, measuring tools, and finishing supplies below to help make the project easier.

Links: Miter Saw | Minwax stains | wood glue | cleat hanger | paint brushes | framing strap |