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