Board & Brush
Portsmouth, NH
 Situated in the heart of this historic New England town, Board & Brush offers a unique escape for both locals and visitors alike. Step into this inviting studio space and unleash your inner artist as you craft one-of-a-kind wooden signs under the guidance of expert instructors. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a complete beginner, Board & Brush provides the perfect opportunity to unwind, get creative, and leave with a personalized masterpiece that captures the essence of your time in picturesque Portsmouth.
What did I create?
I created a 20×24 Vintage Family Frame
Take a peek at how I created my board
We started off our project by getting 2 minutes to distress our boards. It was so fun using hammers and mallets to bang up our boards to give it a more rustic look.
Next, we sanded the edges so we didn’t have any sharp spots.
After that we were able to choose from a variety of different stains.
I love that we were able to see several completed projects that used each stain. It was hard to choose because I liked several, but in the end, I chose dark walnut.
Staining changes the whole look of the wood. My dark stain really brought out the grain and knots in the wood.
Now it was time to screw in some support planks to hold my 2 boards in place.
Since you choose your project when you register for the workshop, they have your stencil ready when you get there. It took a bit of work to remove the backing of the stencil since it was a detailed image. I had to work slowly and be patient.
It was starting to look good! Time to choose my paint! They had lots of colors to choose from. Since the wood had a darker stain, I decided to do a simple white to keep the border and words crisp.
 We were told the key is to blot, to make sure you don’t have paint seep under the stencil.
Here’s the fun part…time to remove the stencil. Not going to lie…it was a little scary because I had worked so hard and was afraid of messing this part up. I took it slow and it was satisfying to see it take shape.
I LOVE HOW IT TURNED OUT!
A few more touch-ups and my board was ready to go! They set it out to dry and then put a hook in the back.
Look at how pretty it looks in my dining room!!
What kinds of workshops do they offer?
PYP (PICK YOUR PROJECT)
Their PYP workshops are a Board & Brush staple! They offer a wide range of personalized wood projects that include signs, trays, coat racks, boxes, and more!
- SPECIALTY WORKSHOPS
While their wood sign workshops are their signature wine and paint offering, they have a variety of specialty DIY workshops available. These include doormats, porch planters, backyard games, benches and more!
What kind of projects do they offer?
Click HERE to view their project gallery.
Not artistic?
No worries. The staff gives you step by step instructions and everyone is working on the same step together. For example, they give instructions on staining and then everyone stains together. Then they give instructions on stencils and everyone does that. The whole time, staff is walking around checking on everyone and offering help. They are so kind and make you feel like an artist!
Where can I find a workshop date?
Click HERE to view their workshop calendar.
Looking for projects to do at home?
They offer a nice range of projects that you can purchase. They contain everything you need to have your own paint party at home.
Great place for a party!
While I was there, a bachelorette party was celebrating the bride. They had so much fun and even set up a table with brunch items and a mimosa bar.
Tips for a Great Day
Reservation: In order for them to have everything prepared for you, you must sign up for a class ahead of time.
Parking Information: There is a parking lot right outside with plenty of spots.
Board & Brush
95 Brewery Ln, Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 373-8122
A warm thank you to Board & Brush for having me as your guest. It was a fun, creative way to spend the afternoon in beautiful Portsmouth, NH. As always, all opinions are 100% of MyTravelingKids.com.
