I am super duper pumped to say that I did this project completely mostly by myself. I even used a compound mitre saw for the first time (in the driveway at 10:00 at night, which was completely thrilling I might add).
Here are some photos which were my inspiration for this project:
Cute, right?
Materials I Used:
- Pepsi with ice (essential)
- 1 piece of pine board (with no knots, boo to knots!)
- 2 pine shelf brackets (I had to find ones that were slim enough to fit on either side of the doorway)
- 1 piece of pine trim (the same width as the pine board)
- compound mitre saw (woah!)
- carpenter's glue (sticky)
- staple gun (Alex's idea)
- nail set (I like this little gadget)
- wood filler (tinted white)
- sandpaper (fine grit)
- primer (Fresh Start - Benjamin Moore)
- paint (Simply White - Benjamin Moore)
- screws (long enough to go through plaster and then wood)
- drill (I finally know how to change the drill bits, woohoo!)
See the sawdust on there? That's from me!
First, with Alex's supervision, I used the mitre saw to cut the pine board to the length I needed. I also cut each end on an angle to match up with our charmingly crooked walls. I also cut the piece of trim to match the length of the front of the board. Before I attached the trim I made sure to sand and prime each piece.
Because the trim I selected was so thin, I was able to use a staple gun to attach it to the front of the pine board. I also used carpenter's glue to make sure it adhered properly. I used a nail set and wood filler to conceil the 7 staples I used. Easy peasy.
Finally, I gave everything 2 good coats of Simply White by Benjamin Moore (which matches the trim in the room). I attached the brackets to the wall on either side of the doorway with a drill and screws and simply placed the board on top.
And here's how it looks all finished, crooked walls and all.
I don't have alot of trinkety things to put up top this little shelf yet, but I'm always looking for an excuse to go shopping. :)
Omg. I LOVE it!!! You are so impressive. I want one!!!
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't love a gal with a power tool!!! Great idea, I might just steal it for myself. xx
ReplyDeleteThat looks great! And in my opinion, every girl needs a compound mitre saw. :)
ReplyDeleteIt would be a great place for some of the Ethiopia souvenirs you will bring home too... decorative and safely out of reach until Roary's friend is older!
Hello! I saw your comment on the Fresh Coat Fridays post on Life in the Fun Lane about the fabric I used for my chairs....well, I bought it at Joann Fabrics and tried to find it on their website but to no avail..I also don't know what it's called because I already cut off the little label part. :/ If you happen to have a Joann Fabric store near you I found it in the home dec section so they might have it at your store!
ReplyDeleteSorry I couldn't be more help!
Hi Sarah!
ReplyDeleteLove the shelf!
S
Sarah, I am passing along an award - The Sunshine award to you! I think you and your blog are darling!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I just might have to steal the idea! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, ladies!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd of course you should steal this idea, as you can see I stole it from the first 4 photos. ;)
Awesome! Congrats on tackling that yourself, such an accomplishment. Little surprises like this throughout your home make it so much more charming and personal:)
ReplyDeleteLOVE this idea!
ReplyDeleteI love it, looks so wonderful. Your blog is so sweet.
ReplyDeleteLove the little shelf! You've got me thinking where I can add one... I'm your newest follower.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen anything like it - love love love love it!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to add the same thing to a little nook I have in my back bedroom. While no one will hardly ever see it, it would still give me great pleasure! Maybe in the next few years I'll have a kid, so I can put cute things up there. I've got to make it first though, so let me add that to my million things to do in the house list.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I am passing along an award - The Sunshine award to you! I think you and your blog are darling!
ReplyDeleteLooking through your projects to find your curtain tutorial {yeah, I am attempting to do that- wish me luck} and I saw this. I thought I was being all original and stuff and I see I am a step {or two years} behind. Your over the door shelf is super cute and your tut is a lot better than mine. I love the little zebra up there.
ReplyDeletenice to look at but not useful who can reach up there to use anything up there ,,,,
ReplyDeleteI believe the Pepsi was the deciding factor in the immense success of this project :)
ReplyDeleteFIRST: Love your writing style, your excitement and personal pride shines through. SECOND: That funky little monkey doll nook with a door under it? The vibrations caused by opening and closing the door (or slamming open and closed, if you've got kids) will knock anything up there askew in short order. More stuffies might be a good idea, but be resigned to picking them up regularly if that door is used regularly. Fair warning.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic idea! Too bad I am so short I wouldn't be able to reach the storage my husband put up there!
ReplyDeleteYour idea is fantastic and that shelf looks fab in your crooked bathroom! :) You gave me a wonderful idea for some over-the-toilet storage shelves instead of paying $115.00+ for a proper over-the-toilet storage cabinet. I am helping my son re-do the inside of an old 1970s ranch style home (on a budget) and in my granddaughter's bathroom there is a large blank wall over the toilet. Two or three of these shelves would look great over the toilet and add a little punch to a large blank wall. I will try to find some decorative wall brackets to even add a little more punch. Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteIM NOT EASILY IMPRESSED AS IM CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR STORAGE IDEAS ONLY TO FIND MOST ALL DONT APPLY TO WHAT IM WORKING WITH OR MY DECOR-THIS IS ONE IDEA ALMOST ANYONE COULD USE!! I WOULD LOVE IT IN MY OWN RM MY DAUGHTERS RM,EVEN ABOVE THE OUTSIDE OF MY SONS DOOR CUZ OUR PET MONKS ENCLOSURE IS RIGHT THERE AND I WANNA HANG A T.V. FOR HIM OUT OF THE WAY-IT WOULD WORK PERFECTLY!!! I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU SHARING THIS IDEA W/EVERYONE!!
ReplyDeleteCool idea BUT...when you're 5'2" tall (short?) reaching whatever is on a shelf above a doorframe is a bit of a problem!
ReplyDeleteJeez, I don't know what I did wrong. I had to use twice the amount of Pepsi you stated.
ReplyDeleteDon't plan on using the shelf to store things you use on a regular basis. I have one on each side of our bathroom door. Each is done 16 inches deep. There are 2 hat boxes on each shelf. One is full of extra shampoo and soaps and things, the other is full of extra toilet paper. If we have guests, and paper is low, I can grab the hall step ladder and pull some down without running through the house:) The ones on the outside of the bathroom have guest supplies in one and nice guest towels in the other. I can pull them down and sit on the counter, as display point for their use and then put back up when they depart.
ReplyDeletejust a cautionary note - don't store anything up there you wouldn't want to fall on you or the floor - no large glass jars!
ReplyDeleteBeyond cute!
ReplyDelete