Get a large tree branch out of the yard and trim off the leaves and twigs.
Spraypaint it white.
Get an oversized galvanized steel bucket.
Spraypaint it white.
Get a round plywood disc from the hardware store that's about the size of the bottom of the bucket.
Screw the base of the branch to the center of the disc.
Put disk and branch in the bucket
Fill bucket w/ white sand or tumbled/recycled glass beads

Shouldn't cost you more than $50 (sand) or $100 (Glass)

I'd do what bepsf suggested. If you're willing to put in a bit of money into the kind of wood, you should check out manzanita branches. They are gorgeous just on their own and if you get the sandblasted ones, you might not even want to paint them: http://www.nettletonhollow.com/manzanita.html

Otherwise, check out a very different rack, with the same general idea: http://www.coatracks.com/standing-coat-racks/metal/southforkstandingcoatrack.cfm

It looks like they don't have many larger sized manzanitas right now, but if you are willing to wait and check back occasionally, they sell branches up to 5 and 6 feet tall (at least they did this summer when I considered using them as decorations for my wedding).

I've been looking for the same thing for months now:

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/twig-coat-rack/?pkey=x%7C4%7C1%7C%7C10%7Ccoat%20rack%7C%7C0&cm_src=SCH

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/03/coat-rack-roundup.html

harlie,
thanks for the Nettleton Hollow link. they have some beautiful things.

i also just spent 30 minutes on the Nettleton Hollow site! i've been looking for a perfect branch to put behind a chair in a certain bare part of my living room...looks like i have some great options there. when i have $100 to spend on branches. :)

Check out www.save-on-crafts.com for more affordable branches (and lots of other decorative DIY items). Not sure if they have the 5 foot tall manzanitas though.

bepsf: from that other post, did you send in the photo for sheers around the corner (giving the idea of more windows)? Hope you will, would love to see the effect, as I cannot quite envision it, but could use that type of solution in my room. Thanks.

I've got the one from pottery barn & really like it

Just paint a real tree branch. DUh.

HOLY SMOKES people. There is a nice one better than pottery barn for $99 grandinrode.com

Home > Indoor Decor > Decorative Accents > Twig Coat Rack

Twig Coat Rack

$99.00

"Mix business with pleasure. Make your home office one of the most stylish rooms in the house." — Grandin Road EditorsOur sculptural Twig Coat Rack is one piece that will never just blend in — you can hang your hat on that. This unconventional coat rack gives coats, hats, and other necessities a more artful place to reside.

Sculptural, cast-iron branches
Powdercoated finish
Hand-applied copper details

Also Zgallerie.com has a really cool silver one as well as a fake brown one.