Cassie Bustamante

living an ordinary life extraordinarily

Navigation
  • home
  • about me
  • home tour
  • project gallery
  • shop my home
  • Let’s Collaborate

DIY Live Edge Shelf

June 1, 2015 by Cassie 33 Comments

1PinterestFacebookTwitter
1
SHARE

Over the past two months I’ve made several small changes around our home that have made a large impact.  Today I want to show you a simple DIY live edge shelf I created in my small and awkward entry.  This simple change had a big impact and really helped open up this small space and bring an organic feel to it.

DIY Live Edge ShelfPin

Our small entry is where the front door of our house sits, and upon walking in one faces the staircase upstairs, the hall straight ahead, the dining room to the right, and the living room to the left, so there is minimal wall space.  The wall the door sits on houses our chalkboard wall.  This photo taken last fall shows that wall.

chalkboard entry hall wall decorated for fallPin

Opposite that wall, there is a teensy tiny little sliver of wall where I’ve got my little sheep wall, and for the last couple of years, I’ve kept a vintage desk there simply because it fit perfectly, was up on high enough legs that it didn’t block the wall vent, and I liked the look of it.

This photo is from waaaaaaaaay back when I first stenciled that wall, but it shows the desk in all its glory of filling that teeny space.

wall5Pin Almost 3 years later, that desk was still sitting there, and I came to realize that it wasn’t serving any purpose… I would hide things in it that I didn’t want to look at, and then forget where I put them!  It simply became a collecting piece for homeless home decor items, and I decided it needed to go.

I knew exactly what I wanted to do and that was create a live edge shelf.  I contacted my neighbor, whose website is now live at Middle Creek Woodworking to see if he had any live edge pieces.  He did have some in stock and he was able to cut it down exactly to the size I needed.  He also sanded it for me to a semi-smooth texture as I wanted to keep it somewhat rough and rustic, but not so rustic that we all got splinters from it.  I do believe he will be carrying live edge pieces so contact him if you’d like to get your own!

I finished my piece of live edge with an aged oak gel stain and also applied a polycrylic top coat to protect it and make it last.

To mount the live edge piece, I knew I wanted gold or brass brackets to bring in a little touch of glam.  I searched and found some I loved, but I wasn’t crazy about the price.  My father had recently given me some plain white shelf brackets in case I had a use for them.  Ikea also sells some similar brackets, in case you would like to get some.

IMG_1198Pin

 

These had a glossy white coating for a finish, and I tried my trusty Rub N Buff on them but it just didn’t work out well.  I decided to spray paint them with my other trusty gold….   Rust-Oleum Metallic Spray in Gold. I gave them a very light sanding by hand first to help the paint adhere, and then gave them a couple coats of the paint.

Tip: When I spray paint small items such as this, I place them in a cardboard box, and use the box as a little spray booth.

Once I had them painted, I decided which way I wanted to hang the brackets.  I was having a hard time visualizing, so this is where an 8 year old assistant can be handy.  My assistant took photos for me while I held the brackets each way.

IMG_1212Pin

IMG_1213Pin

I studied the photos she took and decided I preferred the brackets to be under the shelf as support.

I began by placing the brackets on the bottom side of the shelf and I marked where the holes lined up.  After removing the brackets,  I drilled lead holes for my wood screws.  Once I had the lead holes, I replaced the brackets, and screwed them into place.

Next, I placed the shelf where I wanted it on the wall, and used my level to make sure it was straight.  I then marked where the holes sat on the wall with a pencil and set the shelf aside.  I was lucky that one bracket lined up with a stud, so for that side, simple lead holes were all I needed.  For the other side, I inserted anchors where my marks were.  Finally, I was able to put the shelf back and screw it into place!

Live edge shelf bracketPin
DIY Live Edge ShelfPin

I am so in love with this shelf and I love how much more open even this tiny little space feels.

DIY Live Edge ShelfPin

And there is a little sneak peek of another project coming soon!

I kept the decor on the shelf really simple, and just placed a stack of vintage books, candlestick, and an aloe plant in a gold leafed milk glass vessel on the shelf.  I didn’t want to overdo it as I wanted the beautiful wood of the shelf to stand out.

IMG_2710Pin

IMG_2711Pin

It really is amazing what a small and simple change can do!  I love my live edge piece from Middle Creek Woodworking and now I want to live edge all the things.  It’s a great way to bring a natural and organic feel indoors.

This post contains one amazon affiliate link.  Middle Creek Woodworking is not a sponsor- I just love the brand and want to share!

 

Related

Filed Under: hall, Uncategorized

Subscribe for Email Updates!

« Printing a Downloadable Printable with SnapBox (Our “Let It Be” Art)
DIY Cedar Planked Mudroom in a Closet »

Comments

  1. Kimm at Reinvented says

    June 1, 2015 at 7:02 am

    Beautiful! I love the rustic look, and the gold shelf brackets are perfection. 🙂 Have a great day Cassie!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 1, 2015 at 9:47 pm

      thank you so much, kimm!

      Reply
  2. Kristin @ bliss-athome.com says

    June 1, 2015 at 7:14 am

    Looks so great Cassie! I like that it frees up some space and your line of sight too 🙂 Love a live edge and it fits your decor so werll 🙂 xo

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 1, 2015 at 9:47 pm

      thank you, kristin! i love the more open feel so much and it’s just from a minor change!

      Reply
  3. [email protected] says

    June 1, 2015 at 7:21 am

    It looks so so good and I love the little sneak peek.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 1, 2015 at 9:46 pm

      thank you! hopefully i can get the sneak peek ready to be shared for weds!

      Reply
  4. [email protected] says

    June 1, 2015 at 9:20 am

    Your sheep wall is still one of my favorites! The shelf looks like it went me to live with the flock.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 1, 2015 at 9:46 pm

      aaw, thank you! it does. it just wants to be wooly.

      Reply
  5. Design Chic says

    June 1, 2015 at 9:27 am

    The shelf is amazing and I love the gold brackets. Your wallpaper is adorable!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 1, 2015 at 9:46 pm

      thank you! it’s actually drawn on with sharpies. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Kris {Driven by Decor} says

    June 1, 2015 at 10:06 am

    This is gorgeous – I’m totally coveting it! I pinned a live edge shelf on Pinterest last week and was trying to convince myself that I could put one in my foyer but I just don’t have a good spot for it. I adore yours – it’s perfect!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 1, 2015 at 9:45 pm

      thank you so much, kris! thought of you as i traveled through CT today!

      Reply
  7. Dana says

    June 1, 2015 at 12:31 pm

    It turned out great! I’d put live edges in every room if I could get away with it. My dining room table gets the most compliments out of everything in our house. Love how your shelf opens up that space!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 1, 2015 at 9:45 pm

      yes, your table is AMAZING. i love it so much!

      Reply
  8. Krystine www.KrystineEdwards.com/blog says

    June 1, 2015 at 2:29 pm

    SO good! Love the brackets being gold and the wood is awesome!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 1, 2015 at 9:44 pm

      thank you, krystine!

      Reply
  9. [email protected] says

    June 1, 2015 at 9:20 pm

    Oh I love this! I have a soft spot for live edge pieces and this one is perfect for your space.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 1, 2015 at 9:44 pm

      me, too! thank you!

      Reply
  10. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says

    June 1, 2015 at 10:09 pm

    Perfect solution and crazy cool looking too!!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 2, 2015 at 11:49 am

      thank you, shelley!

      Reply
  11. Pam @ Simple Details says

    June 2, 2015 at 9:38 am

    So pretty, Cassie! I love the more open feel, and the gold brackets are the perfect mix!

    Reply
  12. Dena says

    June 2, 2015 at 10:34 am

    Love this. So nice to live NEXT DOOR to a dude with live edge pieces! Pinning.

    Reply
  13. Tania // Run to Radiance says

    June 2, 2015 at 6:26 pm

    Excellent bracket placement! i love this whole thing. I can’t believe that’s a stenciled wall either. Kinda obsessed! Also, love your chaperone mirror—totally want one!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 2, 2015 at 8:12 pm

      thank you so much, tania! i appreciate it!

      Reply
  14. Amber @ Wills Casa says

    June 3, 2015 at 12:44 am

    I am loving all things live edge. This shelf is perfect in the entry!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 6, 2015 at 4:55 pm

      that’s because you are edgy.

      Reply
  15. Rachel says

    June 3, 2015 at 2:40 pm

    Love this Cassie! I love how it adds such a rustic, natural feel, but the shelf supports keep it looking sleek and modern. Such a cool idea!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 6, 2015 at 4:50 pm

      thank you, rachel!

      Reply
  16. Gretchen says

    June 5, 2015 at 8:53 pm

    It’s so perfect there that I couldn’t remember until you showed the picture what used to be in that space…it’s like the shelf was always there! But…..NOW where do you keep your homeless decor items?!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 6, 2015 at 4:47 pm

      i need to get rid of them- that is the problem. i am letting them go!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Not Jo-Mama's Shiplap & Other Wall Treatments - Cassie Bustamante says:
    September 19, 2016 at 6:44 am

    […] to the rural area I call home, but last year wanted to give it a bit of a modern touch and added a live edge shelf. I simply added brackets that I painted gold.And hey look!  There’s a peek at one of those […]

    Reply
  2. Eclectic Christmas Tour Part 1 - Cassie Bustamante says:
    December 6, 2016 at 7:48 am

    […] (Can you tell I did a lot of shopping there!) Just opposite this wall is our entryway mirror and live edge shelf.  I added a few little decorations like my vintage white hand and LED lights, as well as a pair of […]

    Reply
  3. Project Design Entry: Making the Most of a Tiny Cape Cod Foyer with New Lighting - Cassie Bustamante says:
    March 23, 2017 at 8:51 am

    […] Upon entering our front door, one is greeted with a juncture of spaces… to the left, the living room; straight ahead a stair case, hallway, and small strip of wall respectively; and to the right the dining room.  All of that stems off of this one small space.  Because it’s a small space with so much going on, we need to really use every square inch wisely.  On that little strip of wall, I had my neighbor build me a small live edge shelf that I mounted with some brackets I sprayed gold.  You can read all about that project here.  […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Rss Bloglovin

Categories

Disclaimer

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do we store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. We are not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without our permission. This blog uses affiliate links.

Connect

Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

Recent Posts

Privacy

© 2023 · Foodie Theme Customized by This Bold Girl · Built on the Genesis Framework