To find wood, Amy goes to a lumberyard specializing in old wood. She sits on reclaimed wood with the distinctive grain that marks old wood.
Measure the space and draw a layout for the project. Unlike most shelving, this one is not held together by glue or nails. Instead, a few large pieces of wood fit into the notches, like children's construction logs. Two notched pieces of wood will be attached to the wall, with the shelves fitting into the notches. Two more vertical supports will fit on the outside of the shelves. Large, sturdy lumberyard beams are perfect for this type of project.
The rustic look of this reclaimed wood may be a bit too rough for shelves. To create smooth, flat sides, measure and cut the wood for the project, then run the pieces through a planer. Place the shelves next to each other to make sure they are the same thickness. Ensuring a similar thickness is especially important because the notches on the shelves and legs will need to match exactly.
Carefully measure the thickness of the shelves. Align all four legs next to each other and mark the position of the shelves on the legs. Cut a wooden template to match the thickness of the platform; Use this template to mark the notches on all four legs.
Cut the notches in the legs using a circular saw. Make several cuts inside the marked area, then use a chisel to remove the wood chips.
Locate and mark the posts where the brackets will attach to the wall and measure the distance between the posts. Use this measurement to mark the location of the notches on the shelves; the center points of the notches should be the same distance from the wall studs. Cut notches in the shelves using the method above.
Mount two of the legs to the wall by running the screws through the notches and into the wall studs. Make sure the legs are vertical and the notches line up perfectly before placing them on the wall.
Align the notches on the shelves with the notches on the legs and push the shelves into place. It may be necessary to tap the shelves with a rubber mallet to mount them properly. Once the shelves are in place, place the notches in the other two legs over the notches in the shelves.
For a finished look, sand the piece and rub it with tung oil.
