A large wall in any room can be very difficult to decorate. A collection of
artwork can look forced, and in most cases, the larger a painting, the more
expensive it is. Built-in bookcases are great, but they also can cost a lot.
This plate rack-turned-bookshelf creates a focal point and provides storage
space in a nursery. This enlarged plate rack was inspired by a project plan
in a 1999 Southern Living Idea House. Consisting of 1 x 6s and window
molding from a local home-improvement store, the entire project took less than
two hours and $25 to build. All you need are a hammer, handsaw, drill,
and screwdriver to construct and hang it. (An inexpensive jigsaw can help you make the curved ends, but it's not a must.)
Step 1: Determine how large you want your plate rack to be. Because you can buy 1 x lumber in 4-, 6-, and 8-foot lengths, try to pick a size that
matches closely with one of those precut lengths. The one shown here measures almost 6 feet square.
Step 2: Cut and sand the curved ends that form the tops of the
vertical side supports. (Tip: Use a coffee can or other circular item to
trace a rounded pattern on the 1 x 6s.)
Step 3: Glue and screw horizontal shelves, evenly spaced, to the vertical side supports.
Step 4: Tack window molding to the faces of shelves and between them, using 1-inch brads.
Step 5: Sand, fill holes with wood putty, and paint the desired color.
This version is white to match the room's trim.
To order the project plan that this shelf unit is based on, send $4 and a self-addressed, stamped (with two first-class, letter-rate stamps),
business-size envelope to Plate Rack Project, Southern Living Projects,
P.O. Box 523, Birmingham, AL 35201.
Enclose a check payable to Southern
Living Projects. Allow four to six weeks for delivery. (For another clever way to make the most of your space, see "Hidden Step
Stool, on page 158 in the September 2002 issue of Southern Living.)
This article is from the September 2002 issue of Southern Living.
