Cafe Shelves Tutorial

<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Hump Day!  </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the last couple of months, I've received quite a few e-mails asking how I made the cafe shelves in our kitchen.  Sooo, I thought I'd take a moment to I share what I did!  </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Honestly, I can't take any credit for how I made them.  I simply followed Traci's(Beneath My Heart) fabulous <a href="http://www.beneathmyheart.net/2009/08/cafe-shelf-tutorial-and-giveaway/">tutorial</a>.  In fact, you can just go ahead and stop reading my post now and head on over to read her super easy-to-follow steps!  BUT, if you choose to keep reading my post first, h</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ere are my "ingredients:"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 handsome hubby and friend/neighbor ("the handy fireman")</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 crazy decorator</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 kids</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 1x12s (that were cut by the nice folks at Home Depot down to 30" long)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 long pieces of case molding of your choice</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">6 corbels of your choice</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Miter Saw</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Wood Glue</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Finishing Nails</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Zinsser Primer</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">150 sanding block</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">AS Old White chalk paint</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">AS clear wax</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hot Tub</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Cocktail of your choice</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">First step was to convince handsome hubby and "the handy fireman" to take the cabinet down (oops, and, yes, folks you can see that I'm a lazy painter who never painted the inside of her cabinet doors):</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3rVKwQ-vG9L1eqq5bsgE_CB2W8kdA7_iJ30-rS4ePn6hbutk01c4xXid7eTjZ0Adj3rWdAInsCJLtgADoBymKFyAe1DH3stJJYixQ5ONcoRrpA6i6zV-Isowf8mfmgbFJlFTW2y45o8/s1600/shelvestutefellas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3rVKwQ-vG9L1eqq5bsgE_CB2W8kdA7_iJ30-rS4ePn6hbutk01c4xXid7eTjZ0Adj3rWdAInsCJLtgADoBymKFyAe1DH3stJJYixQ5ONcoRrpA6i6zV-Isowf8mfmgbFJlFTW2y45o8/s400/shelvestutefellas.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">While they did this, I set up shop in the garage with my supplies (having already primed my shelves).  </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqvGeLtLCASSrBcDOmx0Gc1CcvjVW285JZw6iz26LOCgrY-QXAB56h1T-EqxpDRJ_VOxovIH_0-EvZxDUQ5UWr6Ss1v_izuATbQPEN3J3QdXy9OBMBd3vL8NU8S6AZHV31rikEQPNs6Q/s1600/shelvestutesaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqvGeLtLCASSrBcDOmx0Gc1CcvjVW285JZw6iz26LOCgrY-QXAB56h1T-EqxpDRJ_VOxovIH_0-EvZxDUQ5UWr6Ss1v_izuATbQPEN3J3QdXy9OBMBd3vL8NU8S6AZHV31rikEQPNs6Q/s400/shelvestutesaw.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once the cabinet was down, it looked like this (ugh):</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHs4Yo2zx_hYloTAl8Xg-vox6vGq8kLTQ9k07MwRkc610KqM5C8enwpbsxTJH-0PxMjffVKoP_yfbO78wsXdjjqw9P4lp7scD3jFMHDYbaStapOmpd8SqTqv5pq-hI6UNI4ZpKKJoY_Q/s1600/shelvestutedrywall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHs4Yo2zx_hYloTAl8Xg-vox6vGq8kLTQ9k07MwRkc610KqM5C8enwpbsxTJH-0PxMjffVKoP_yfbO78wsXdjjqw9P4lp7scD3jFMHDYbaStapOmpd8SqTqv5pq-hI6UNI4ZpKKJoY_Q/s400/shelvestutedrywall.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was worried that we were going to have to paint the entire 18' high wall all over again, but was pleasantly surprised that after my handsome hubby spackled and sanded, and I painted, you couldn't tell that we only painted the exposed dry wall (SW Ivoire)!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZUXU72wQC4xJAd1zfwPzjugHckwoZ9r0PQ1kV8dgY_DJdHSk-HjYNBhAv3NcxGMz1tT3yr8Ysh9O3BHW-aFHH18_agrC-0r3EIsyZK3RDulNJbSjabo9K1edl2CuMSnR7cOHTIEQDRI/s1600/shelvestutorialpaint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZUXU72wQC4xJAd1zfwPzjugHckwoZ9r0PQ1kV8dgY_DJdHSk-HjYNBhAv3NcxGMz1tT3yr8Ysh9O3BHW-aFHH18_agrC-0r3EIsyZK3RDulNJbSjabo9K1edl2CuMSnR7cOHTIEQDRI/s400/shelvestutorialpaint.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, the hardest part ... cutting the case molding, especially because I had never used a miter saw before!  After practicing on extra wood making the 45 degree cuts (and failing miserably), I decided to let the true *professionals* handle it ... kids rule!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4w7SGPPXQYWvLZHDKgEJ47YtgU52JylXNLswX7GqMpf1IBLH81vHWzspriJ0jzxiM8OBJehjiP0HUWC5QiA1GRT1CpgJQBiIb35CS1Ff3on6R-wHQRueKFY9DeKPPK9AhZhqx8IsLKY/s1600/shelvestutekids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4w7SGPPXQYWvLZHDKgEJ47YtgU52JylXNLswX7GqMpf1IBLH81vHWzspriJ0jzxiM8OBJehjiP0HUWC5QiA1GRT1CpgJQBiIb35CS1Ff3on6R-wHQRueKFY9DeKPPK9AhZhqx8IsLKY/s400/shelvestutekids.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seriously, though, once I (and a neighbor) figured out which way to angle the saw in order for the corners to sit flush against one another, it went really smoothly (although, your arms will ache after you're done ... this is where the hot tub and a drink came in handy)!  LOL</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN519RJygxMaLxTiZfuUEyHTCqm1ktATmKCEfazePQ24Ud-eCKQotHM5pAxqM99J-RUxj9NWnxDS6mmLW0HsGSTwbVzciqIqvqN5opX1oweRQM7aKUJZ0qQ0b6zc7oes7fL5E8d3NLpJA/s1600/patiohottub1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN519RJygxMaLxTiZfuUEyHTCqm1ktATmKCEfazePQ24Ud-eCKQotHM5pAxqM99J-RUxj9NWnxDS6mmLW0HsGSTwbVzciqIqvqN5opX1oweRQM7aKUJZ0qQ0b6zc7oes7fL5E8d3NLpJA/s400/patiohottub1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the cuts were made for each shelf, I simply added wood glue to the back of the longest piece of molding and pressed it against the front of the shelf.  While I held it, my hubby added five finishing nails.  We then did the same for each side piece (only adding three finishing nails to the side pieces).  </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After that was complete, I added a fingertip full of spackle to each nail hole ... sanded after the spackle was dry and then painted the shelves with AS Old White chalk paint (propping each one up on various soup cans), followed by distressing and waxing.  I did the same to the corbels, as well:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_7Py9_ZCta1Kau_aJhIo7piKTmQaAPAXoYLD9Xi_JcNITM7Ux7b0TDi8-0EtsMTKgs2xY0qxYoFer2QWdi4usXetxSjxBlOHkqQat-49Sf4iFY0MeRPRS_0FoScKIwKmgSp5k226wlQ/s1600/shelvestutedry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_7Py9_ZCta1Kau_aJhIo7piKTmQaAPAXoYLD9Xi_JcNITM7Ux7b0TDi8-0EtsMTKgs2xY0qxYoFer2QWdi4usXetxSjxBlOHkqQat-49Sf4iFY0MeRPRS_0FoScKIwKmgSp5k226wlQ/s400/shelvestutedry.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After they were dry, it was time to hang them.  This was the second hardest part because I am OCD when it comes to measurements being exact (and I fail miserably getting said exact measurements on the first, second and even fifth *trys* (lol) ... that's when the frustation come into play.  In fact, I'm surprised that this picture isn't out of focus from my husband laughing at my use of "not so pleasant" language as he took the picture.  I ended up placing the corbels 7" apart.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBaz1XLh0pIVH5BvoIj9NcZKCN7k9OwViLsy4j5Sic6YR9LaKl33WU08K_GTWXHF89mfvmYRWJp6sByM3N7nzL-P8TAZ0hF-kcm61nNspgxim-reM2XGml_CZ95Z8Prp0AqsNAQUfbFI/s1600/shelvestuteme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBaz1XLh0pIVH5BvoIj9NcZKCN7k9OwViLsy4j5Sic6YR9LaKl33WU08K_GTWXHF89mfvmYRWJp6sByM3N7nzL-P8TAZ0hF-kcm61nNspgxim-reM2XGml_CZ95Z8Prp0AqsNAQUfbFI/s400/shelvestuteme.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After I mounted all of the corbels, I placed the shelves on top and added two flat head screws (one on each side towards the back, seated into the corbels) so that the shelves would sit firmly in place.  Once that was done, then came the fun part ... accessorizing!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's look back one more time ... BEFORE:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyW35b266U1SPok-RyP3D_DJketYLGVh_HEOAq9eiqzoqe5gATuo048tPfbwosi5EbIFgGL8J9qJoaMH0rc3-AjWqBmqN5gfmF7wHcTidnx6nSqgSKueLHwS0utsmxHj6eLqt7VEUfw0/s1600/shelvestutebefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyW35b266U1SPok-RyP3D_DJketYLGVh_HEOAq9eiqzoqe5gATuo048tPfbwosi5EbIFgGL8J9qJoaMH0rc3-AjWqBmqN5gfmF7wHcTidnx6nSqgSKueLHwS0utsmxHj6eLqt7VEUfw0/s400/shelvestutebefore.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AFTER: Here is how they look today, with splashes of Easter added:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuio5XHX0N1BYgGloBpw32ZhNKX_XZDXz0fD5kiZQnshJvOBEhK9o_q3DUAxsb0h19zH1cHikJQWZYMnV4guOOO3Xk-faYTZkMjRZGe4beX11E19ojy0PlFIvPbRWq5vbkrv44RauXGtQ/s1600/shelvestuteafter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuio5XHX0N1BYgGloBpw32ZhNKX_XZDXz0fD5kiZQnshJvOBEhK9o_q3DUAxsb0h19zH1cHikJQWZYMnV4guOOO3Xk-faYTZkMjRZGe4beX11E19ojy0PlFIvPbRWq5vbkrv44RauXGtQ/s640/shelvestuteafter.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, I leave you with this ... if there is a place ANYwhere in your home where you've wanted to add shelves or just a blank space and you're not sure *what* to add ... truly consider adding cafe shelves that you can build yourSELF.  If I can make them ... YOU can ... I promise (but, if you need to borrow my husband and/or Jax and his precious buddies, you may)!  LOL!  And, don't forget to check out Traci's tutorial (linked above)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thanks for stopping by!  </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/248/3B01215062574D4D6FFA221C1E7FF50B.png" style="border: 0px currentColor;" /></a></div>

Cafe Shelves Tutorial

Happy Hump Day!  Over the last couple of months, I've received quite a few e-mails asking how I made the cafe shelves in our kitchen.  S...

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