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This little wall shelf is just an example of something fun
you can make to fit your décor.
Make it a contemporary, artsy or country shelf design. The
bright colors and free style design of this wall shelf reflect a
funky and relaxed style. The colors chosen were matched to a
painting that is a focal point in the same room.
Your wall shelf should
be painted in the colors to work with your color scheme. Look around the room where you will hang it to make your
color choices.
Notice the carved crown and rounded uprights.
You may prefer something more squared or triangular.
Maybe even something a little simpler.
Make your decorative wall shelf just like this one or use
these instructions as your guide for proper proportions for your
own style.
A few design notes:
If you know specifically what you are going to display on
your shelf be sure it will fit.
Measure the tallest item and add an inch and a half. These
instructions are thirteen inches between shelves.
The InOutDecor philosophy and kind of design and carpentry is
pretty loose with no rules,
except safety. Improvise wherever you see fit.
Don’t worry about being exactly right or the same as what
you see. This is
about your creativity…letting loose, trying things, having fun
and sometimes starting all over.
You are creating your own Art Object.
Rather than a rounded crown and uprights on your wall shelf.
you may choose a more angular design.
No matter what your design you may want to draw it on a
piece of paper first to get the overall feel.
The proportions of this decorative wall shelf works.
If you are more dramatic go for larger proportions.
The only thing you want to be careful of is that your shelves
will be level.
Let’s get started.
Supplies:
Wood can be assorted from scrap. If you buy new and have your lengths cut at the home center,
pine would be your best choice.
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Three
shelf boards 32” long,
¾” thick wood 6 ½ ” wide (can be from 4” to
8” wide).
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Four
uprights, 31” long, 2”
wide ¾” thick.
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(If
you are planning a more dramatic piece, you may want to use
3” wide wood and a little longer for the
uprights. For
your length add the measurements
between each shelf, the thickness of each shelf
and how long you want the part that extends below the bottom
shelf).
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One
board for the “crown” 32” long, ¾” thick at least 8
inches wide. (For
the more dramatic shelf, you may want a taller crown – use a
wider board).
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19
each 2” wood or dry wall screws
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Wood
Glue
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Heavy
books or clamps
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Craft
acrylic paint in your choice of colors
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Paint
brushes.
Tools:
Steps:
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Shape
the crown of your decorative shelf.
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Draw
the design you want on your crown board.
Starting in the middle at the top helps you to get
the full height. Graduate
your design down to the sides.
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Clamp
your board to hold it tight while you cut.
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Cut
your design with your jig saw.
For the curves you may need to make several straight
cuts from the outside of your board to the marked edges of
your design. Cutting
is easiest if the cuts are about ¼” apart on sharp curves
or circles.
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Drill
your holes for your design.
Drill a ½” hole in the center of each “circle”
in the design of your crown.
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For
an angular design you may want to cut out a square or
triangle. Do
this by drilling a hole to fit your jig saw blade into.
The cut your shape with your jig saw.
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Sand
all edges.
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Shape the uprights.
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Mark
your circle design on your uprights.
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Cut
the semi-circles on each side of the board.
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Drill
a 1/2'” hole in the center of each circle. Before drilling
check to see that you do not have a circle in the inch below
13” and 27”. If
you do, skip that hole.
This has to attach to the shelves.
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Sand
all edges.
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Measure shelves for upright notches.
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Lay
two of your shelf boards flat.
Measure in 3” from each end and mark. Draw a
straight line across the board.
Measure in 2” from this line to the center
and draw another straight line across the board.
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Draw
a line between your two lines ¾” from the edge of the
shelf board.
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You
should have four rectangles 3” from the ends of your two
shelf boards.
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Double check measurements.
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Double
check your notches by placing an end of the upright on each
marked rectangle. Each
should be exactly the size of the upright board.
5.
Cut out the notches for the
uprights.
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Take
your jigsaw and cut out
the notches. Cut
straight back first on each side of the rectangle.
Then drill a hole for your blade to fit into for the
connecting line. Cut
right on the line or a smidgen inside for a tight fit.
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Smooth
edges with sand paper.
6.
Mark all four uprights.
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Mark
uprights 13” from the top. Take a shelf board and set the
edge right under the 13” line.
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Mark
the thickness of the shelf.
Measure 13” from the bottom line for the bottom
shelf.
7.
Check your
measurements.
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Wedge
all four uprights into place. Make sure you have 13” on
the top shelf and 13” between the bottom shelves.
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Check
if the shelves are level.
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Make
any adjustments.
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Before you glue, you may want to put
newspaper on the surface you will lay your project.
It’s easier to peel newspaper off the project that
pry the project from your table.
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Attach uprights to bottom two shelves.
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Glue
each of the uprights in place.
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Lay
the assembled piece on it’s front with the uprights flat
on the table with the shelves glued snug in the shelf
notches.
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The
shelves are perpendicular to the table.
The back uprights will be sitting on the top of the
shelves, glued snug in their notches.
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Check to be sure shelves are level and squared with the uprights.
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Clamp and let dry overnight.
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Clamping
can be a challenge.
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If
you don’t have clamps or can’t figure out how to make
them work on this awkward piece that’s O.K.
Heavy books worked best for me.
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Stack
books on the table on each side of the shelves all the way
to the uprights on the top.
This will help to hold the shelves level and square.
They will also build a base to hold the heaviest books.
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Place
the heaviest books on top of the upright where it is glued
to the notch on the shelf.
Be sure the weight is on all the glued notches.
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You
may want to put newspaper between the book and the project.
It’s easier to peel than pry!
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Screw the uprights to the shelves.
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For
extra strength and security drill a 2” deep hole in each
upright into the shelf using a 3/32” drill bit.
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Screw
in a 2” wood or drywall screw.
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Attach the top shelf.
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Drill
and screw it together with 2” screws through the top shelf
to the uprights from the top.
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Put
glue on the top of each upright.
Place the top shelf in place checking to see that it
is centered and the top shelf is flush with the other two.
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Attach the crown.
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Drill
5 holes through the top shelf along the back edge.
Place the crown on the back edge.
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Mark
the holes on bottom edge of the crown.
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Drill
the five holes in the bottom of the crown.
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Run
a long line of glue on the edge of the crown and on the back
of the top shelf.
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Place
the crown on the shelf.
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Screw
the crown to the shelf with 2” screws.
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For hanging.
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Mark
two inches below the top shelf.
(Or as high as you can with enough room to use your
power drill to put a screw through the upright into the
wall).
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Drill
a hole for the size screw or bolt you will use to hang your
shelf.
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Prepare to paint your project
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Smooth
any rough areas with sand paper.
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Wipe
off all grit and dust with a damp cloth.
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Go
over all surfaces with 6 x 6 pieces of brown paper bag.
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Paint your project.
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Using
the colors in you have chosen paint your project.
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Be
as free as you want. Or
as tight as you like with your painted design.
Just be sure it is fun.
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This
shelf has a periwinkle blue background.
The underside of each shelf is forest green.
The accents are in burgundy, red and some black and a
little dry brushed white. Paint what is right for your style!
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Let
dry.
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Hang your shelf.
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Use
a secure molly type wall fastener putting your screw or bolt
through the shelf. Follow
the directions on your choice of fastener.
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Put
a dab of paint the color of the upright on the fastener to
make it disappear.
Display all your great Objects on
your decorative wall shelf built by you and Enjoy!
P.S.
Better Homes and Gardens has instructions for a Country Wall
Shelf:
_______________________________________________________
Let me know how your shelf turns
out. Send me a photo!
Bye for now,
Vickie
www.inoutdecor.com
mailto:vickie@inoutdecor.com
P.S. Get great decorating tips and projects in our occasional
newsletter InOutDecor Decorating Tips Subscribe here!
ALL
OF OUR PROJECTS ARE EVIDENT OF OUR PERSONAL APPLICATION OF THE
STEPS INVOLVED, WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THE OUTCOME OF ANY SUBSEQUENT
APPLICATIONS AS WE CANNOT CONTROL THE APPLICATION OF THE STEPS BY
THIRD PARTIES. **SAFETY AND CAUTION MUST ALWAYS BE USED WHEN
ATTEMPTING ANY CRAFT OR PROJECT.
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