Repurposed Shutter Shelf

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

You’re looking at the beginnings of shutter project #30, a small shelf for all your little knick knacks.

This is an old interior shutter covered with layers of paint and dirt, combined with a brand new, boring 1×6 with absolutely no character building grunginess.

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

Start this project by removing any hardware from the shutter.

I’ve showed you this trick before, how to get screws out that have either been stripped or, as in this case, become so encrusted with paint there is no hole left.

A Dremel Rotary Tool with cutting attachment. The tiny cutter first knocks away all the old paint then cuts a new slot with which to insert a screwdriver. OK, you can probably try paint remover, but the Dremel is so much more fun.

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

Cut the 1×6 board the same length as the shutter and sand the ends.

You’ll find most shutters have some kind of lip which overlapped the shutter next to it.  Cut that piece off so you have a nice level surface to attach the top shelf.

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

Sand the newly cut edge.

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

Use wood glue and finish nails to attach the shelf to the shutter.

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

You can buy a shelf bracket at your local hardware store, but a much better option is to make one yourself.  It will not only save you a trip back to the hardware store but should save you  $$ as well if you have a piece of scrap wood laying around.

Hold your piece of scrap wood up to your shelf to determine how long you would like it and the basic shape.

Cut out the bracket with a scroll saw, jig saw or band saw.

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

Use the bracket you just cut as a pattern for the second one.  Cut out and sand.

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

Attach the bracket with finishing nails from the top and back.

I’m using a little dark walnut stain on the edges of the newer wood so that when I sand the edges to give that bit of a worn look, it won’t look so white.

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

Paint the color of your choice.  This is white chalk paint.

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

Reveal some of those stained edges by lightly sanding.  If some of the lighter, non-stained wood happens to break thru that’s OK too.

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

Ready to hang and display some of your favorite knick knacks.

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

 

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

Recycled Shutter Knick Knack shelf

Recycled Shutter Shelf-006

Great project for the beginning woodworker, I hope you give it a try.

Until next time, stay inspired.

8 Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.