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Modern Shelf (glass)

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Cathy and I curbed some glass shelves a couple of years ago. They have been hanging around in my garage ever since. I saw a project in a new publication called, My Home My Style. (updated to add–the publication is no longer in circulation, but you can check out their website.

*this post contains affiliate links, read more here*


The glass was shipped in plywood pieces.


This is what I found upon opening that plywood box. Two very heavy duty tempered glass shelves.

Rip 2 x 6 on table saw

ripping lumber
Because this shelf is modern, the boards needed to be squared off. I removed some of each side of a board (2×6?)  I really can’t remember. Do you see that green paint? .51 cents at Home Depot.


Looking at the picture of the shelf in the magazine, there was a little extra space at the top and bottom of the “support” piece.

100_9751
I needed a square board to place on top of the support piece. I was going to go with a 4×4 but it was too large. My table saw will not rip such a large board, so I went with plan b.

Cut and glue two 2 x 4’s


I ripped a couple of 2×4’s and glued them together with Gorilla Wood Glue as though they were one board.

Clamp 2 x 4’s


I clamped them using quick clamps and allowed them to set.

 


If you look closely you will see that I have a scrap piece of wood between my board and the clamp. This wood is soft. If I had tightened the clamp on my board, it would leave a dent.


I used some more Gorilla Wood Glue to attach the “new” square boards to the support piece.

Add support boards


This is the support piece with three “square” boards glued in place.

 

Soap screws for easy application

soap a screwAfter the glue set up, I turned the piece over and screwed some screws through the support piece into the “squared” boards. TIP-soap your screws for ease. You won’t hear that dreaded SQUEEK!!!!!

 

Paint modern shelf black

Can you see that the “squared” boards resemble 4×4’s? Hindsight 20/20 I would have used 4×4’s and then made the support piece wide enough that the 4×4’s would have worked. I spray painted it with my el cheapo primer.


I painted it black with some oops paint.

Insert glass shelves


Now you can see how it all came together. Very modern floating shelves hanging on a privacy fence for staging.

wood and glass shelf
The gap between the boards was a little difficult to pull off. The gap had to be just wide enough for the piece of glass to slide in.

black wood glass shelf

I think it looks pretty neat hanging on the fence.


I put some little candle holders on the shelf to help the shelf “show up”.


These glass shelves are very thick and very heavy. I have attached two “D” rings on the back for hanging. However I think I will have to make a slight change. I have them centered from side to side, 24 inches apart. Because the “D” rings are centered, the piece sort of goes wibble wabble while being hung on the fence.

Cost? zero! Although there was quite a bit of work involved since I really didn’t know what I was doing. There were plans in the magazine, but they didn’t fit the materials I had. You know I’m a use what I have kinda girl!

Do you like it? or is it too modern to suit you? I highly recommend this magazine. I subscribed to it as soon as I saw it. There are no advertisements and I read it cover to cover. That is something I rarely EVER do.

gail

 

I used a large piece of free glass to make a top for this pallet sofa table.

28 Comments

    1. seriously, you have to say something so negative, why not just click away and move on?

      I hope you have a wonderful day, and that someone’s smile will warm your heart and give you a good feeling.

      gail

    2. To commenter – your dad: Your ignorance is ugly. And you misspelled believe. If you didn’t care for the shelf, fine, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, there was no need to criticize someone’s creation; you should’ve just gone on about your day or better yet – go make something you do like, then post it for others to admire – or criticize, if they don’t find it to their liking. Gail – kudos to you for using your time creating and inspiring others to take whatever they have in life and make it into something pleasing and useful. Maybe for Christmas that negative commenter will get a slice of happiness to fill up their empty, negative life. God bless you and your family this holiday season!

    3. Jenn,

      I could have deleted the negative comment, but chose to leave it because everyone is entitled to their opinion. I appreciate your sweet comment, and it makes me so happy that you enjoy the projects I work hard to create. May God bless you and your family as well, wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

      gail

  1. You did a wonderful job on this! I love it. Your little tips on making things is so informative. The soap tip? I am going to have to pass that one on to my husband, I bet he doesn’t know about that.

  2. I think your shelves are very attractive.

    Thanks for the link to the magazine. It looks like a good one so I signed up for a free copy to look it over.

    Elisabeth

  3. Great job! You always impress me with what you can do with what you have hanging around your house. I love your blog b/c you are real… very talented and make your home fabulous on a real budget.

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