How to create a fantastic Rustic Shelf… even if you have absolutely NO skills.
I love anything rustic. There is a calming feeling that comes over me when I see something that was loved and used back in the days before cell phones, hybrid cars, and the internet. I could visit a home, antique dealer, or museum and deconstruct the scene. The depiction of the wax created homestead woman in the one-room cabin churning butter as a necessity makes me see beyond her task to understand how they truly lived. I look at the fireplace, the dirt floor and the crocks on the wall and think “What a FANTASTIC shelf!” This obviously draws many squinting eyes, smirks, and “shooshes” from my fellow museum goers, but it draws me, it excites me, and it inspires me. The beauty of nature that was so utilitarian back in the day just makes me realize that I was born one century too late.
Not everyone can just go out and lay their hands on a piece of history or rustic find at that absolute time when they need it. Here is a way to re-create that rustic shelf by not over-complicating it, by being drawn to it, excited by it, and inspired by it. Best part is anyone can make this shelf with no creative talents, woodworking abilities, or special skills… and it’s inexpensive… now you really gotta love that!
Here’s what you need to know…and four things you need…
You would first be surprised who has a sawmill and how close they are. Now I’m not talking to just go out to the Lowes® or Home Depot® and find a piece of wood, make a shelf… that’s no fun and it’s too expensive. I’m talking about finding a piece of wood just off the mill, soft, and with the bark still on – THAT is where the beauty is and THAT is how the homesteaders did it.
When a tree is first cut on the mill and the bark remains on, these pieces are called “slab wood”. Too small for lumber, these pieces are half moon and make great firewood. But those of us who like Primitive and Rustic home décor can see so much more potential for slab wood than mere winter-time heat.
Slab wood is inexpensive. It’s the “throw-outs” of the milling world. Mostly sold as firewood, longer pieces make beautiful signs and creative shelves. I actually found a sign at a mill that said “Slab wood – truckload $10”.
When the log is turned in the mill for the second cut (this log we were making into a 6X6 for our barn), one edge becomes straight with the other end remaining bark. The bark end is considered a “live edge” but the piece is still considered slab wood, it’s still relatively thin… and it’s still cheap.
Now if you aren’t sure where to find a mill, you can check the phone book, ask local farmers, or go to the websites of mill manufacturers. Google “sawmill manufacturers” and go to their sites. Sometimes you can find a list of mill owners near you. If you are near Amish country, many of them have mills within their communities. They typically don’t mind unloading a piece or two of slab wood.
So now the fun begins.
All you need to do to create your fantastic rustic shelf is to get a piece of slab wood, buy some urethane, a brush, and some brackets at the local hardware store (industrial pipe brackets look amazing also). Make sure the brackets are sturdy enough to hold up your wood and anything you want to display on your shelf when it’s done.
Brush the urethane on the entire piece. Let it dry 24 hours and repeat. When that is dry, hold up your shelf to the location that you want it and screw the brackets into the wall and wood. That’s it. One piece of slab wood, urethane, and a couple of brackets. Now sure you can get really technical and use a level and a screw gun (I use them because they are always readily available), but you can achieve this with a screwdriver and you can get it really straight with your own eye for detail. It’s such an easy way to add some rustic charm to any room of your home. You will definitely get compliments when your family, friends, and guests ask… “What a FANTASTIC shelf. Where did you get it?”.
Won’t they be impressed you did it yourself!?! 😉
(Photo courtesy of S. Mowery- it’s her bathroom, it’s now her shelf… and both are gorgeous).
(Towel bar by Misfit)
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Have a fabulous day 🙂
~Susan
I think this would be perfect in the barn. I have a shelf like this as a mantle. We don’t really have mills anymore, but I bet the log home companies would have this in their scraps.
That is gorgeous!! I absolutely love it and have so many friends whose homes would be the perfect place for an addition like this. Great job!
I have always thought this stuff was so neat. Looks awesome.
Those do make gorgeous shelves! Great idea. I love repurposing items like that.
I love rustic with a flare of modern decor. The finished product is beautiful! I’m impressed on how handy you are! Wow! It looks easy but I don’t know if I can do it 🙂
An amazing idea and the finished product looks spectacular!
This looks great!
This is a great idea! Inexpensive and seems fairly easy!
What an awesome display! I love this type of look.
Beautiful! I love the raw edge.
What a gorgeous sink, shelf, and mirror. I wish I was this creative – I look your picture and it makes me want to rent a treehouse in Maine in the winter – that is the first thing I thought of!
What a cool idea! And I’ve never thought about making one myself. That’s good advice on where to find the piece of wood. You made it look so nice in your bathroom!
Gorgeous! I never thought to look for slab wood at a sawmill! Thanks for the tip! I have so many ideas now!
This is absolutely beautiful. I love seeing all the work that went into it!
Very cool and great job explaining the steps! Thanks so much for this 🙂
Love the shelf and the raw edge. Thanks for sharing your process and tips!
I love creating home decor items! Makes them that much more special. Thank you for posting.
This is awesome! I will try this someday.
I love the rustic look as well! Great pictures!
I loved learning all about the saw mills and types of wood! Cool thanks for sharing.
I love that this uses the waste part of the log. We love to upcycle so this was fun to read about.
This is pretty, you did a great job!
Great instructions! I never thought of this before!
Thank you for breaking down the process to make this in an easy to follow and understand manner! Great idea!
What a great DIY! I might even be able to do this!
Nice job and results look great in the room.
I LOVE this idea! Going to try this as a Christmas gift for my brother. Thanks for the inspiration!
Looks wonderful! I am inspired to check out my local wood sawmill for some pieces!
Thank Lee Anne. Just be careful…it gets addicting…lol
I love it. absolutely stunning and do able!
Thank you.
I love this!! I never thought about doing something like this on my own! Great instructions and tips! Thank you!
Thank you Holly. It’s so easy to do.
Wow, how beautiful! I loved seeing the progress =)
Thank you Brittany. I’m very happy you enjoyed it and I’m pretty proud of it 🙂