Kitchen Chronicles: DIY floating rustic shelves

These last few days have flown by! With our housewarming party approaching in May, I've been tackling a handful of other projects. The kitchen is still our priority though, and our newest addition is one of my favorites...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rD8BJQvZmzw3NejpTYgGQt0eZK9iHunjeWojX0uGJCUwIR8QDv6_tbEPZKSgnBuneCQrwQhA-imRUdiweZ-hF5Bywx4au_JE3hx56giNh7Wyxc0REE4C9rBBNDNJ6WyQoEqVAJQgbWdF/s1600/IMG_2497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rD8BJQvZmzw3NejpTYgGQt0eZK9iHunjeWojX0uGJCUwIR8QDv6_tbEPZKSgnBuneCQrwQhA-imRUdiweZ-hF5Bywx4au_JE3hx56giNh7Wyxc0REE4C9rBBNDNJ6WyQoEqVAJQgbWdF/s1600/IMG_2497.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here's how it all began.<br /><br />This open wall between the two windows needed something, and I thought would make the perfect space for a couple smaller shelves:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hSjLWZvOREN0Bw7cQX-BHvkhd4lZxQA94Fh7aBcvxsyEOFzyw11BwZ2Vt33Wy4MIbE2MCdMzZU17o0oXJY88-GLKHnV68MgebcFHhIgP_4qXOEdUWbsAeH9XdiIzgSJliwaAYKcwq3sp/s1600/IMG_2286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hSjLWZvOREN0Bw7cQX-BHvkhd4lZxQA94Fh7aBcvxsyEOFzyw11BwZ2Vt33Wy4MIbE2MCdMzZU17o0oXJY88-GLKHnV68MgebcFHhIgP_4qXOEdUWbsAeH9XdiIzgSJliwaAYKcwq3sp/s1600/IMG_2286.jpg" /></a></div><br />Originally I bought two of these from Ikea because the length could be customized to fit...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/ekby-jarpen-ekby-bjarnum-wall-shelf__0096542_PE236323_S4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/ekby-jarpen-ekby-bjarnum-wall-shelf__0096542_PE236323_S4.JPG" /></a></div><br />But after we decided on a white backsplash, it was just too much white. I needed a more natural element, and wood was the answer.<br /><br />I spotted a couple tutorials on Pinterest that got my attention, like Ana White's <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/04/build-it-with-ana-floating-shelves/">floating shelves at YHL</a>:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.younghouselove.com.s3.amazonaws.com/2010/04/ana-pic5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.younghouselove.com.s3.amazonaws.com/2010/04/ana-pic5.jpg" width="604" /></a></div><br />And <a href="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2014/01/easy-diy-floating-shelves.html">these</a> from Shanty 2 Chic:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DIY-Floating-Shelf-Tutorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DIY-Floating-Shelf-Tutorial.jpg" /></a></div><br />Ultimately, I decided Shanty's version was simpler (+ required less wood) so I used that as my inspiration. They were a bit too thick for what I wanted, so I substituted the top & side pieces of wood for 1/4" plywood instead of 1" boards.<br /><br />Because I would be staining the wood instead of painting, I splurged on the cabinet grade plywood ($30 for a 4x8' sheet) rather than the $15 cheap stuff.<br /><br />I had Lowe's cut it into three 32" strips so I could transport it in my car...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage2.ak.instagram.com/cc82ad84b3a911e38d5c0e4c394d6daa_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://distilleryimage2.ak.instagram.com/cc82ad84b3a911e38d5c0e4c394d6daa_8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://instagram.com/jennasuedesign">via Instagram</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I also bought a couple whitewood 1x2x8"pieces for the shelf supports, and a pint of wood stain.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEx0zcgOMhQNhvKrcheWgST4cJKGL6w_RnMZauDA83rR5J5dd7bYR0ENG9BQQCOiZ7qQKb1Z_EUub0Y73g-blIPZ2adSP8_9eoi-UFFbYRCXejyukC76ONh8mKrtDQqYKbvU_Sgqgl2QDw/s1600/IMG_2445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEx0zcgOMhQNhvKrcheWgST4cJKGL6w_RnMZauDA83rR5J5dd7bYR0ENG9BQQCOiZ7qQKb1Z_EUub0Y73g-blIPZ2adSP8_9eoi-UFFbYRCXejyukC76ONh8mKrtDQqYKbvU_Sgqgl2QDw/s1600/IMG_2445.jpg" /></a></div><br />After deciding I wanted my shelves to be 30" wide and 9" deep, I cut the 1x2's to the appropriate size—30" for the back piece and 8" strips for the depth. I used four 8" pieces for extra support since I was placing thin plywood on top instead of a thicker, more solid piece of wood.<br /><br />Here's what all of the cuts look like, and how they would fit together on the right. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqQEF1FcfwkarIjsiMutXHVwYVf6_0nPbaj2Md78B25GdlXbutQWIV2zCsMciVkoP4iqFTwJmz9H6AYdRff1ibSOP-gvrQ98Hy8KvYJk3_ldyXJaIDFFjprZ9fbeCx-CvwfLmU4YS4fUd/s1600/IMG_2446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqQEF1FcfwkarIjsiMutXHVwYVf6_0nPbaj2Md78B25GdlXbutQWIV2zCsMciVkoP4iqFTwJmz9H6AYdRff1ibSOP-gvrQ98Hy8KvYJk3_ldyXJaIDFFjprZ9fbeCx-CvwfLmU4YS4fUd/s1600/IMG_2446.jpg" /></a></div><br />I spaced them out evenly, made marks then drilled pilot holes into both pieces so the wood wouldn't split...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbyKiNPW9LwqX_AcL3KrW60ACqnYZUKQDHkCXaeRuVdz2ktGEYDrVIdrTEQ5QRR29Cv90wEIFNmfOfwjYgwoG9T50NPxI1pEF5rv96ffNetAXuzluyjnjodlLXhWUoIiVRH21NcqAPi2i/s1600/IMG_2447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbyKiNPW9LwqX_AcL3KrW60ACqnYZUKQDHkCXaeRuVdz2ktGEYDrVIdrTEQ5QRR29Cv90wEIFNmfOfwjYgwoG9T50NPxI1pEF5rv96ffNetAXuzluyjnjodlLXhWUoIiVRH21NcqAPi2i/s1600/IMG_2447.jpg" /></a> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQU3EOLm4UY2aviitKoNG1usbpUxW2BxZLgo31jDCgCh99Flzg0_Jjz5HoMUPpHdA2Fq-A7mI0MQD2Bq9U99V31SACVAq1CJ8EjbgTRSxJSMnh8sUuLPoVIkmwCgTASYb2F1DrEWmdqyCY/s1600/IMG_2448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQU3EOLm4UY2aviitKoNG1usbpUxW2BxZLgo31jDCgCh99Flzg0_Jjz5HoMUPpHdA2Fq-A7mI0MQD2Bq9U99V31SACVAq1CJ8EjbgTRSxJSMnh8sUuLPoVIkmwCgTASYb2F1DrEWmdqyCY/s1600/IMG_2448.jpg" /></a></div><br />Then I dabbed some wood glue onto the ends and secured them with 3" wood screws. These might have been stronger using pocket screws from my Kreg Jig, but I thought they were strong enough for my purposes (plus they'd be hidden).<br /><br />Here's one finished support piece:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy4NvU9z8C_0qO6rLqfsqLwLaM3G8IrLSi9HCsRI_VLC1VfsDSRf9W13l1r26EOgikG8Krrpr-BPj2zr9FkOR5o_uZMaBtlkNqihRmSV6UEL0Tuh4_gc-ligYGMO0y4cjUx1eIkNSr2Om/s1600/IMG_2449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy4NvU9z8C_0qO6rLqfsqLwLaM3G8IrLSi9HCsRI_VLC1VfsDSRf9W13l1r26EOgikG8Krrpr-BPj2zr9FkOR5o_uZMaBtlkNqihRmSV6UEL0Tuh4_gc-ligYGMO0y4cjUx1eIkNSr2Om/s1600/IMG_2449.jpg" /></a></div><br />Next it was time to cut my plywood pieces. The top and bottoms would be identical, as would the sides, and then there'd be one front piece which would be slightly wider to hide the right and left edges of plywood. Here's how it went down:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4nZJOwBsY5YiDnqHW4odknG7T5JXs6jWMKlfTJjskOmCECsSY4fz9qaY4JkAVkAMPPGxWJBhg8VE_ruP_8mNjnEwbi3EUweWfldTvignpxOjC2grxNuWOf4WcXkLBi98xCCJ6hYckHlp/s1600/IMG_2453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4nZJOwBsY5YiDnqHW4odknG7T5JXs6jWMKlfTJjskOmCECsSY4fz9qaY4JkAVkAMPPGxWJBhg8VE_ruP_8mNjnEwbi3EUweWfldTvignpxOjC2grxNuWOf4WcXkLBi98xCCJ6hYckHlp/s1600/IMG_2453.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbyKiNPW9LwqX_AcL3KrW60ACqnYZUKQDHkCXaeRuVdz2ktGEYDrVIdrTEQ5QRR29Cv90wEIFNmfOfwjYgwoG9T50NPxI1pEF5rv96ffNetAXuzluyjnjodlLXhWUoIiVRH21NcqAPi2i/s1600/IMG_2447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>The edges splintered a bit when I ripped them down with the table saw, so I went with it and decided to make these "rustic."<br /><br />Time to get these babies up!<br /><br />We were never going to find the studs, so we needed anchors that were long enough to go through both tile and drywall. I found these at Lowe's ($3 for 2)...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TYQWnorT2fYxu1dTmo-HskZVOPt53Z_WiJW_OV4eBLd34QAiVGoJ64Nd2RtXyLcXEvgq3FyYYT-R28TFFFw3DJZzIejDX96TEEjgazF6KZ1MrBxwlcBTIALTmuIZ8zx9sIiuXi4aSQ2J/s1600/IMG_2465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TYQWnorT2fYxu1dTmo-HskZVOPt53Z_WiJW_OV4eBLd34QAiVGoJ64Nd2RtXyLcXEvgq3FyYYT-R28TFFFw3DJZzIejDX96TEEjgazF6KZ1MrBxwlcBTIALTmuIZ8zx9sIiuXi4aSQ2J/s1600/IMG_2465.jpg" /></a></div><br />They were <i>way</i> overkill, but were the only ones I found that were long enough and they didn't break the bank so I picked up two packages (two for each shelf). I also had to drop $11 on a special 1/2" carbide bit made for cutting through tile.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hisltd.co.uk/images/IrwinGlassTileDrillBitSet-super.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.hisltd.co.uk/images/IrwinGlassTileDrillBitSet-super.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It put up real fight. It took Brad several minutes to get through each one. These bits get real hot and smoky so I had to constantly spray water as he was drilling to cool it down.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrcdds6eHTAsS3M2rc0qG_UqT3htk5qIfo9l5etxrvuoonRBe7ZEe4_53dQVIia-affZ5J_b8ujtiZ33Vi9HARt7Yh4rrnL33KW4JE3X5nt237IeHKgcR8WuLlBU3y0sLFtU0NBR-sg94/s1600/IMG_2455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrcdds6eHTAsS3M2rc0qG_UqT3htk5qIfo9l5etxrvuoonRBe7ZEe4_53dQVIia-affZ5J_b8ujtiZ33Vi9HARt7Yh4rrnL33KW4JE3X5nt237IeHKgcR8WuLlBU3y0sLFtU0NBR-sg94/s1600/IMG_2455.jpg" /></a></div><br />After going through two batteries for our drill they were finally in. Then we slipped the anchors in and were good to go (actually, two of them broke off inside of the wall so I had to run back to Lowe's for more)...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2U8mrVt22XgXdaWPP7BZj3-GYhQyAzvyqLHxykplSQjmk9liFKzrSX5VqWBxvzV-y2KomeDUISwhJJVeYmO2gbY3r6l-DKqhT7gXyWu3S7VMSwbvsmHpiCBTlTfEM9mGWVV6yXT5eYg7s/s1600/IMG_2457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2U8mrVt22XgXdaWPP7BZj3-GYhQyAzvyqLHxykplSQjmk9liFKzrSX5VqWBxvzV-y2KomeDUISwhJJVeYmO2gbY3r6l-DKqhT7gXyWu3S7VMSwbvsmHpiCBTlTfEM9mGWVV6yXT5eYg7s/s1600/IMG_2457.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Once that was done, we drilled holes into our support shelves and then secured it with the bolts that came with the anchors.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAx_2-t_LkEdNqKo6voOegwKEdoKmIH2IqjBu07cqS60krM_GzqFGLi96kizwmZ8YCHlizTZI5V67BJIrNFm_Ds0Hmnps6HCnthhfAxn3V7KaxAW-fZgSBiKcqx16GLL1h3h288QbIrcE_/s1600/IMG_2459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAx_2-t_LkEdNqKo6voOegwKEdoKmIH2IqjBu07cqS60krM_GzqFGLi96kizwmZ8YCHlizTZI5V67BJIrNFm_Ds0Hmnps6HCnthhfAxn3V7KaxAW-fZgSBiKcqx16GLL1h3h288QbIrcE_/s1600/IMG_2459.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />These shelves aren't coming out of the wall. The wood would split in half before those bolts came out.<br /><br />Finally, it was time to build our shelves!<br /><br />I attached the top & bottom pieces with 1" brad nails...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5v1OjX_2J2yLGJlsaLoYaxdgm_bV00327YMG3r-7UDw3qGs6hZkePEwJuXcFopiwseIMTHj15LWl7Mkr9TIOEeQQ06TT-N3TsaoIENbVJqQEk7TkfpSbcXUnixLPrXtcxw-LyT5RtZ_jA/s1600/IMG_2460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5v1OjX_2J2yLGJlsaLoYaxdgm_bV00327YMG3r-7UDw3qGs6hZkePEwJuXcFopiwseIMTHj15LWl7Mkr9TIOEeQQ06TT-N3TsaoIENbVJqQEk7TkfpSbcXUnixLPrXtcxw-LyT5RtZ_jA/s1600/IMG_2460.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2hND52zx_1ZrtZmR-8k1t3VOowBC9CCnl2WUQWMjEIjO_vhIPaYODDTWQnw2Y6Dzy8k66Khg1PiMIgDDRoz2FsFKWrW9iIeaKeIuJHLlA-ceTM0Xjn2d1gZuUnncEolW8CezuK-BQKns/s1600/IMG_2461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2hND52zx_1ZrtZmR-8k1t3VOowBC9CCnl2WUQWMjEIjO_vhIPaYODDTWQnw2Y6Dzy8k66Khg1PiMIgDDRoz2FsFKWrW9iIeaKeIuJHLlA-ceTM0Xjn2d1gZuUnncEolW8CezuK-BQKns/s1600/IMG_2461.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Now, I'm no <a href="http://ana-white.com/">Ana White</a>—wood work is not my forte. My measurements did not end up perfectly and I was a little bummed. But then I remembered that in the world of rustic/farmhouse style, imperfections = character. And I remembered why I chose this style (or did it choose me because so many of my creations have been imperfect and I had no choice but to embrace it?) Either way... rustic for life.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEQS3TCdgCZEI1hTNiF-S5ax_OrTJK24Fx4igQy65zKJKHBoMAklldRBf2cLv3jN55CagRpm7mJtQjcRBE9JkwrUhZe0Sv4BA9trmFU54S_qDxrbseuQ7G4NGGQvkPdOvncOywukrDVMj/s1600/IMG_2463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEQS3TCdgCZEI1hTNiF-S5ax_OrTJK24Fx4igQy65zKJKHBoMAklldRBf2cLv3jN55CagRpm7mJtQjcRBE9JkwrUhZe0Sv4BA9trmFU54S_qDxrbseuQ7G4NGGQvkPdOvncOywukrDVMj/s1600/IMG_2463.jpg" /></a></div><br />Even still, I used wood filler to help conceal the most obvious seams and gaps.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQr4IY6EUpbMZ3LCcbTWqTlLtdYhXKokaCeq7vMARUqXSt4D70fBiSgZqNsV7c5hcJ-dvHZ5ih3-HAqOsAMSy8fhxrNOe0nkLAVpfl4vH5Yiob4_RrCiRMoOlfGHZhAcld532UzJ-ENAUP/s1600/IMG_2464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQr4IY6EUpbMZ3LCcbTWqTlLtdYhXKokaCeq7vMARUqXSt4D70fBiSgZqNsV7c5hcJ-dvHZ5ih3-HAqOsAMSy8fhxrNOe0nkLAVpfl4vH5Yiob4_RrCiRMoOlfGHZhAcld532UzJ-ENAUP/s1600/IMG_2464.jpg" /></a></div><br />But I also just went for it and banged it up a few times with sharp tools.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDk9fwlG2oGoU_3HfAIGSexN2yJcPN3UXY1aJd2aKs7AxM019gCqY4EaQ-b18njvI9NPpEAuhXaYdMvYZv7gWJJJfQFF7vhFV3-dJud1BUYSAddW3KyZZNKKOqqDaMsllrBa6bO-hzF9a/s1600/IMG_2470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDk9fwlG2oGoU_3HfAIGSexN2yJcPN3UXY1aJd2aKs7AxM019gCqY4EaQ-b18njvI9NPpEAuhXaYdMvYZv7gWJJJfQFF7vhFV3-dJud1BUYSAddW3KyZZNKKOqqDaMsllrBa6bO-hzF9a/s1600/IMG_2470.jpg" /></a></div><br />I wanted the color to be a neutral mix of gray-brown to tie into our wood floors, so I grabbed all three stains I had—Rustoleum in Driftwood, and Minwax in Dark Walnut and Ebony.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2eEQIU_uzNYZqxRczzwyt3DFa3LBddMHPYFDPxv-grfEHJBJXixPg6dFbLtvj0M8nuUYX6UYUgeC-rHpIn3W8bl-LSRy9ScYXi3olNeZmUfBzlJoAZrzx5XgrsH0qsocYtgDq6PwAAlt/s1600/IMG_2474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2eEQIU_uzNYZqxRczzwyt3DFa3LBddMHPYFDPxv-grfEHJBJXixPg6dFbLtvj0M8nuUYX6UYUgeC-rHpIn3W8bl-LSRy9ScYXi3olNeZmUfBzlJoAZrzx5XgrsH0qsocYtgDq6PwAAlt/s1600/IMG_2474.jpg" /></a></div><br />I played around with the mixture until I found a combination I liked...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgXFpdNrsQnrF3dMYY1md1rBWXTYMjQHZ9TFuWQJugwhI0B3_pp7jush1sR7ABAQbF_C0xYYclVUP_GFWUDwpWbR59Q4Hwf5u0X23YT1OoffFDiF9MJwG1RsV_1LzkLX8B9K0TkA933kA/s1600/IMG_2476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgXFpdNrsQnrF3dMYY1md1rBWXTYMjQHZ9TFuWQJugwhI0B3_pp7jush1sR7ABAQbF_C0xYYclVUP_GFWUDwpWbR59Q4Hwf5u0X23YT1OoffFDiF9MJwG1RsV_1LzkLX8B9K0TkA933kA/s1600/IMG_2476.jpg" /></a></div><br />Staining is always my favorite part. I could do it all day.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlynQByorsgH9KuTMGhPegvy991TabclaA6LFEe2tOuQBWPj4PA6WkbjGMGIrulVZ5ya53CV5EXItOYVvFUF3qShfwBc0mUr-inGWpCm5k3o1ehNtSMsA_RwlWZHFguydgpS4LlMram3pT/s1600/IMG_2477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlynQByorsgH9KuTMGhPegvy991TabclaA6LFEe2tOuQBWPj4PA6WkbjGMGIrulVZ5ya53CV5EXItOYVvFUF3qShfwBc0mUr-inGWpCm5k3o1ehNtSMsA_RwlWZHFguydgpS4LlMram3pT/s1600/IMG_2477.jpg" /></a></div><br />Once it was colored to my liking, I sanded down the edges to give it that extra distressed touch.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFtJiwdwI2FgUGjlSEaKp48BljxDb6Bp0N5GGiOgoO9BxdBiPkbAg7WF4VcQlFRnjwEcKBWMVNYpdELfvBtXLJQHQsRGuBFv77kLAgkr5IJLud-kkqLE1-OjN5h_GBrHuy9SGht5YkO31/s1600/IMG_2479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFtJiwdwI2FgUGjlSEaKp48BljxDb6Bp0N5GGiOgoO9BxdBiPkbAg7WF4VcQlFRnjwEcKBWMVNYpdELfvBtXLJQHQsRGuBFv77kLAgkr5IJLud-kkqLE1-OjN5h_GBrHuy9SGht5YkO31/s1600/IMG_2479.jpg" /></a></div><br />And finally, I sealed it with a few coats of Polycrylic I had leftover...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJ7hdOHk27ytbRjpOz7KhD30BSwZdxJQxZG-9kA3fBdKTkm9_G-vc1sB7laLHPzHZjJDuEWp6uUlL7StSuK_wqLMbjxVnxyBIeZpmeDqpRWOAiM0JJL2ofRbjWKUlwe36vb79MUTXqtHB/s1600/IMG_2480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJ7hdOHk27ytbRjpOz7KhD30BSwZdxJQxZG-9kA3fBdKTkm9_G-vc1sB7laLHPzHZjJDuEWp6uUlL7StSuK_wqLMbjxVnxyBIeZpmeDqpRWOAiM0JJL2ofRbjWKUlwe36vb79MUTXqtHB/s1600/IMG_2480.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />And now I have these beauties:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Xig6Onmgaarpo7dBlkxk1vR6_QRZEZtEnP6Fam9-yvVLj4L8WeGTAKyMqg8Xh7iU4b9amjmRthxnT6dkIA-5IcqGfQq4FXqc5RCCfGdh9jXY2-qKH7tt7KaDL-T8KRApzw4F6OlCdFm3/s1600/IMG_2485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Xig6Onmgaarpo7dBlkxk1vR6_QRZEZtEnP6Fam9-yvVLj4L8WeGTAKyMqg8Xh7iU4b9amjmRthxnT6dkIA-5IcqGfQq4FXqc5RCCfGdh9jXY2-qKH7tt7KaDL-T8KRApzw4F6OlCdFm3/s1600/IMG_2485.jpg" /></a></div><br />Sometimes I'll walk in the kitchen and just stare. I heart them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingythuizpWIkFIGHoNtozkwzOy54OYcwTDE6gticBsRALS7NOjEMh82tqeEOWyJDAKfc6_NWzJVFdZ9JM62JeLXjrA9dBhxFnSMXhhacoeISTMsI8v0DUfkxKA_TGq-L-0UP8xwBGgjQy/s1600/IMG_2492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingythuizpWIkFIGHoNtozkwzOy54OYcwTDE6gticBsRALS7NOjEMh82tqeEOWyJDAKfc6_NWzJVFdZ9JM62JeLXjrA9dBhxFnSMXhhacoeISTMsI8v0DUfkxKA_TGq-L-0UP8xwBGgjQy/s1600/IMG_2492.jpg" /></a></div><br />The second the polycrylic dried, I ran to storage and pulled out some of my favorite things to display. I've got to save something for the official "After" photos, but here's a sneak peak I shared on <a href="http://instagram.com/jennasuedesign">instagram</a> because I just couldn't wait...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage1.ak.instagram.com/e2288038b54211e3a02f12c442f65965_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://distilleryimage1.ak.instagram.com/e2288038b54211e3a02f12c442f65965_8.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Tomorrow morning we're road tripping to Sonoma for a weekend of wine tasting, but there's some major changes happening in the living room. I'll be back Monday to share!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePsDFnnEsdCOFBSHdpQJod4_ZVZzT0legJgp79b48LMFMMKnsj3ERWghdY8xhMgo5_PMovtN0sKzRDatsUWGR6Czo9Wzl9lkTXOuobvqZJKSyWZuKho9iAhfWSu5K6QMi9GfJqoCw7dxS/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePsDFnnEsdCOFBSHdpQJod4_ZVZzT0legJgp79b48LMFMMKnsj3ERWghdY8xhMgo5_PMovtN0sKzRDatsUWGR6Czo9Wzl9lkTXOuobvqZJKSyWZuKho9iAhfWSu5K6QMi9GfJqoCw7dxS/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br />

Kitchen Chronicles: DIY floating rustic shelves

These last few days have flown by! With our housewarming party approaching in May, I've been tackling a handful of other projects. The k...

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Kitchen Chronicles: Stacked stone bar wall & DIY floating shelves

How about a brand new bar wall to start your week?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Q2T6PQzn8kISwGlYIjNPWpHZPWdChIr8kyobiDkLcd6Ukq8hkjJEYAyrYX-Rzv3Ssbfaj5USrxao1bWQwzBC7N5grTDd25xiAFcsUvkHa6AzfznUfAxkzw2Hxz_UzZk5fR7YuxfVvUEB/s1600/IMG_2429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Q2T6PQzn8kISwGlYIjNPWpHZPWdChIr8kyobiDkLcd6Ukq8hkjJEYAyrYX-Rzv3Ssbfaj5USrxao1bWQwzBC7N5grTDd25xiAFcsUvkHa6AzfznUfAxkzw2Hxz_UzZk5fR7YuxfVvUEB/s1600/IMG_2429.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />As a reminder, here's what it looked like Friday:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZ0mn8bmDGhQa2P77rZdp_id_mSrzN1OfJW-boQlv3Bl0Yqkwz80Dvkngw8gOPRrIkSBe5xTN1PMixXDHLrITgGm1MKPAciAygI8q_hyphenhyphenr0FX1u_99F_EYPQph0kZRrmv9sXb2xCTcVN_a/s1600/IMG_2192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZ0mn8bmDGhQa2P77rZdp_id_mSrzN1OfJW-boQlv3Bl0Yqkwz80Dvkngw8gOPRrIkSBe5xTN1PMixXDHLrITgGm1MKPAciAygI8q_hyphenhyphenr0FX1u_99F_EYPQph0kZRrmv9sXb2xCTcVN_a/s1600/IMG_2192.jpg" /></a></div><br />Let me start by saying this project was not a happy one. The tile install itself wasn't so bad—there were just a number of small setbacks and frustrations that made this drag on for over ten hours and wear our patience thin. Renovation has its ups and downs... this was definitely a low point.<br /><br />Just need to keep it real once and a while and let you guys know that this DIY stuff is not all sunshine and rainbows :)<br /><br />On that note, let's start at the beginning!<br /><br />I mentioned a bit in my <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2014/03/kitchen-chronicles-diy-subway-tile.html">subway tile post</a> about wanting to use stone on the backsplash. That didn't happen, but I knew I could at least incorporate it into the bar wall. I've always obsessed over stacked stone and now was my chance to use it.<br /><br />I found <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_354393-93840-20-616_4294735483__?productId=3477519&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=">these quartz ledgestones</a> at Lowe's for $4/ea:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage10.ak.instagram.com/d37b3122b0a911e38e671220bc4e24d2_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://distilleryimage10.ak.instagram.com/d37b3122b0a911e38e671220bc4e24d2_8.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://instagram.com/jennasuedesign"><i>via Instagram</i></a></td></tr></tbody></table>We bought 80 pieces but ended up using only 62 of them (+ we had a 10% off coupon), for a total of around $240.<br /><br />I also wanted to make the wall functional with shelving. On our Ikea trip, I bought a couple of <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/ekby-jarpen-ekby-bjarnum-wall-shelf__0096542_PE236323_S4.JPG">these...</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/ekby-jarpen-ekby-bjarnum-wall-shelf__0096542_PE236323_S4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/ekby-jarpen-ekby-bjarnum-wall-shelf__0096542_PE236323_S4.JPG" /></a></div>But the brackets ended up creating a problem. We couldn't install the shelves on top of the stone because it was an uneven surface, and we couldn't tile right over the brackets without notching them because they had a slight curve at the back. And you can't really notch quartz stone anyway because they don't break off easily like porcelain or ceramic tile.<br /><br />So I had to come up with a plan B quick.... and that's when I spotted these unused desks from the old studio...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiHvFygDQOr3eGGp6KGr60APb3egwkuqPIiFDB5UQH6XIbTQMaIz6NVQhyphenhyphenxlaSxcRasc7FKGRkOoyGRZWzUp2356rx-6GmyvijRE7YBXEj5Q99LmEhxNCJiZ3i1QiGSSFSL97r3z6IRXV/s1600/IMG_2366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiHvFygDQOr3eGGp6KGr60APb3egwkuqPIiFDB5UQH6XIbTQMaIz6NVQhyphenhyphenxlaSxcRasc7FKGRkOoyGRZWzUp2356rx-6GmyvijRE7YBXEj5Q99LmEhxNCJiZ3i1QiGSSFSL97r3z6IRXV/s1600/IMG_2366.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />They certainly weren't the right depth, but the length was perfect, and they were lightweight. I could make them floating shelves!<br /><br />First I patched and sanded the small holes where you attach the legs:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdSHDQO60GceS3zK9SWSh1N1Fb_7yuRoZmgzk-S0YB_Ly2XAXw7WmwBaMj0sdDC2WJ0aatIY2D5XhRqsejhJIlTmGI5B1RQrMxfOMFbia_8Qu1R3lXfBo8zdzytP24wdtBDbMGRtdMt9r/s1600/IMG_2365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdSHDQO60GceS3zK9SWSh1N1Fb_7yuRoZmgzk-S0YB_Ly2XAXw7WmwBaMj0sdDC2WJ0aatIY2D5XhRqsejhJIlTmGI5B1RQrMxfOMFbia_8Qu1R3lXfBo8zdzytP24wdtBDbMGRtdMt9r/s1600/IMG_2365.jpg" /></a></div><br />Then we ripped them down to 11" on the table saw. They have this paper/cardboard filler inside of them that can be easily pushed down...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmQR2oNWrrEeXcofleWkocfccz17fxIhdtyAvRcidqglXcJMl5MIVamAZAUj1ODdN1lTSkPOvXdiqPxngQcF4rv8XwxkACwhYAsoeeCKkO_jFhmfnSr-tUUNWko-6FbWKnzFo4T6cdFHm/s1600/IMG_2367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmQR2oNWrrEeXcofleWkocfccz17fxIhdtyAvRcidqglXcJMl5MIVamAZAUj1ODdN1lTSkPOvXdiqPxngQcF4rv8XwxkACwhYAsoeeCKkO_jFhmfnSr-tUUNWko-6FbWKnzFo4T6cdFHm/s1600/IMG_2367.jpg" /></a></div><br />It makes the perfect pocket to insert a cleat.<br /><br />For the cleats, we ripped down some spare 2x4's to 1.75" by 1" to fit snugly inside the shelf opening. Here's the cleat going into the shelf on the left:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQJ9-WgdO8La_ttaAsW0BmUD-CCuBLzouwW-UmdufrIuf7h4jT5nOMrImmkz6BOd-NqCkTD2lYMuLXLo4LKQBMhviGnJUejqJssppu9sqN_wnWIC5BObZ9VGBJvRu1v34eOH2No_pgtrX/s1600/IMG_2368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQJ9-WgdO8La_ttaAsW0BmUD-CCuBLzouwW-UmdufrIuf7h4jT5nOMrImmkz6BOd-NqCkTD2lYMuLXLo4LKQBMhviGnJUejqJssppu9sqN_wnWIC5BObZ9VGBJvRu1v34eOH2No_pgtrX/s1600/IMG_2368.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Now that we had that part figured out, it was time to start tiling!<br /><br />Originally we thought we would need a cement board backer, but I discovered that the manufacturer says it's only necessary for walls 10' tall or more. Whew! Drywall it is.<br /><br />We used the same Type 1 mastic we had used for the backsplash tile (the guy at Lowe's said it would be fine). We just made sure to use a lot more to get into all of the grooves and hold it (these tiles are heavy!) and we buttered the backs of each piece.<br /><br />The pieces fit together quite nicely...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzexPC6T_AZstP57jYryBdW84zakjHBTE20WX55OOYo6V9BB724bmHGyb5VhPgXpL3wBFitBV0WigU-RiA9Cml62duO6lma-uJVOmVJAfUoCFy9XRJ-LjwbMyfTONf4GWDAYB30dF0MTL/s1600/IMG_2374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzexPC6T_AZstP57jYryBdW84zakjHBTE20WX55OOYo6V9BB724bmHGyb5VhPgXpL3wBFitBV0WigU-RiA9Cml62duO6lma-uJVOmVJAfUoCFy9XRJ-LjwbMyfTONf4GWDAYB30dF0MTL/s1600/IMG_2374.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here's something else we had to deal with—this outlet. I really didn't want it breaking up a wall of tile. In hindsight we should have rewired it to the side of the cabinet before we installed the bar but it was too late for that.<br /><br />I have to give credit to my dad—he came up with pretty genius solution: hide it behind a removable piece of stone, James Bond style.<br /><br />To do this, we first had to position a piece over it and trace it so we wouldn't get mastic on that area. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_duPfVqYtrVSCEL1FkhbREjthOJ3sTfa4XecfNMTB0pDA0kvTEW6nSTPIkSUoauG_-LxPQ-03Lm6drkMITcJLh13igBQhwpAcd0q_Yrmd25wTvWyQYKWolKoo3GSLoAmi0JK2Roc5y46/s1600/IMG_2370.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_duPfVqYtrVSCEL1FkhbREjthOJ3sTfa4XecfNMTB0pDA0kvTEW6nSTPIkSUoauG_-LxPQ-03Lm6drkMITcJLh13igBQhwpAcd0q_Yrmd25wTvWyQYKWolKoo3GSLoAmi0JK2Roc5y46/s1600/IMG_2370.jpg" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHspy5j9eaQLfcAYNWUEo3DFvJ_lSKKOTsYt8qg3ZVhHHhw2NH-tI-w5GKHje12YEAf8laGeoROYrnESttysLZIrk5PJYRnaXBV_20CvyDO7hV1ruptB8hBt34Iy-CQ8OqM2a9hmVLIYw/s1600/IMG_2371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Then we tiled around it as normal.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHspy5j9eaQLfcAYNWUEo3DFvJ_lSKKOTsYt8qg3ZVhHHhw2NH-tI-w5GKHje12YEAf8laGeoROYrnESttysLZIrk5PJYRnaXBV_20CvyDO7hV1ruptB8hBt34Iy-CQ8OqM2a9hmVLIYw/s1600/IMG_2371.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHspy5j9eaQLfcAYNWUEo3DFvJ_lSKKOTsYt8qg3ZVhHHhw2NH-tI-w5GKHje12YEAf8laGeoROYrnESttysLZIrk5PJYRnaXBV_20CvyDO7hV1ruptB8hBt34Iy-CQ8OqM2a9hmVLIYw/s1600/IMG_2371.jpg" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_duPfVqYtrVSCEL1FkhbREjthOJ3sTfa4XecfNMTB0pDA0kvTEW6nSTPIkSUoauG_-LxPQ-03Lm6drkMITcJLh13igBQhwpAcd0q_Yrmd25wTvWyQYKWolKoo3GSLoAmi0JK2Roc5y46/s1600/IMG_2370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>The secret stone was done last so we'll come back to it—back to the rest of the wall.<br /><br />We used the same wet tile saw from our backsplash and it worked great. It was a little trickier to maneuver since there wasn't a flat surface to hold the tile down, so it was difficult to get straight cuts sometimes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mg2YMRHlgADGw2Fmw5u5N1gYb3hTvtqalXMTzZSkXyZlgRSY0VxxBzem4BaBA6kYqJeGzm0h01IkRXTT2RyIsDe-KFsax5ZBRbdp7BfZPogjxXvlds8BfZGquB5Ovwt_lknSBfMzWaaW/s1600/IMG_2380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mg2YMRHlgADGw2Fmw5u5N1gYb3hTvtqalXMTzZSkXyZlgRSY0VxxBzem4BaBA6kYqJeGzm0h01IkRXTT2RyIsDe-KFsax5ZBRbdp7BfZPogjxXvlds8BfZGquB5Ovwt_lknSBfMzWaaW/s1600/IMG_2380.jpg" /></a></div><br />The two pieces on the left were notched from another tile to fit. The great thing about this stuff is that there are uneven gaps everywhere, so if you mess up a little, it's no big deal!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrctUlNetnWXVXad4grZghHZX8500HZkUGMoe2NpIW1afmuQA_6EuoS5iiS1YQZC93K2hq4ErcUfG_NH8v-cct7VXkgitB58QhG4T6PLvBGS0P50k75TdF-WRvgqVqUsIAdD6L0gRlpOL/s1600/IMG_2381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrctUlNetnWXVXad4grZghHZX8500HZkUGMoe2NpIW1afmuQA_6EuoS5iiS1YQZC93K2hq4ErcUfG_NH8v-cct7VXkgitB58QhG4T6PLvBGS0P50k75TdF-WRvgqVqUsIAdD6L0gRlpOL/s1600/IMG_2381.jpg" /></a></div><br />Some of the gaps are bigger than others, naturally, and you end up with parts like this...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0xArLsszbCIhX9dOMjsLzkZEYpRNf0F_eJ2RtuPJe2NpUbvc2YYVUySghVAGJUMAyo-r_PbVFPFNiQ1kBGVYdPX5vp0wbySyEoAOD6ysVOWPImCiWoZfLoIV-WxECYHeiJDe8K_jGXnQ/s1600/IMG_2403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0xArLsszbCIhX9dOMjsLzkZEYpRNf0F_eJ2RtuPJe2NpUbvc2YYVUySghVAGJUMAyo-r_PbVFPFNiQ1kBGVYdPX5vp0wbySyEoAOD6ysVOWPImCiWoZfLoIV-WxECYHeiJDe8K_jGXnQ/s1600/IMG_2403.jpg" /></a></div><br />It all blends together when you step back, but I could always go back in and add some colored caulk.<br /><br />After our second row was complete, it was time to start planning out our first shelf.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRN3BIjTLa0YXKIpr_qI0sKt8yASsT3Nl61phWYFqGD64drBkSEr4IjB4WnKvmgUJgCTRgb2_XoQJb3ZJaWr7rEvuPPsdb-vYDBidMm4V7ES3XSdE1Zh62THD641yz2k-bnyJ3oH7MSu22/s1600/IMG_2383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRN3BIjTLa0YXKIpr_qI0sKt8yASsT3Nl61phWYFqGD64drBkSEr4IjB4WnKvmgUJgCTRgb2_XoQJb3ZJaWr7rEvuPPsdb-vYDBidMm4V7ES3XSdE1Zh62THD641yz2k-bnyJ3oH7MSu22/s1600/IMG_2383.jpg" /></a></div><br />We marked the studs and drilled our first cleat into them using 4" decking screws (making sure it was 100% level—this part is essential!)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHblvE92eX1-MTq4kjkWsD4_UKp6FhL3xcMrZcFJ13bLnbQMH6mKsbXe4ZVgSyzc5uSFcl9XuSwybT1Kbmc5TXSZfN2d3OwGlUEF9Y7z6hp5ucpavajastmkefKcTG31KvQjQb_ZQwD2r/s1600/IMG_2385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHblvE92eX1-MTq4kjkWsD4_UKp6FhL3xcMrZcFJ13bLnbQMH6mKsbXe4ZVgSyzc5uSFcl9XuSwybT1Kbmc5TXSZfN2d3OwGlUEF9Y7z6hp5ucpavajastmkefKcTG31KvQjQb_ZQwD2r/s1600/IMG_2385.jpg" /></a></div><br />Then we slipped the shelf over it and secured it from the top using screws every 8" or so.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_3eyzv773wjmCEFARYKWju8GR8r21xfkA-lMOtqIicBlZWt_vvieQ4KBpzSTicryV0G0UjyM7jIGDKLxFZzk8wdILy6g1tdRHY0DIIXWO99u1aku_zOX7eBwKrlS12ywmdTPrv9bsNJa/s1600/IMG_2387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_3eyzv773wjmCEFARYKWju8GR8r21xfkA-lMOtqIicBlZWt_vvieQ4KBpzSTicryV0G0UjyM7jIGDKLxFZzk8wdILy6g1tdRHY0DIIXWO99u1aku_zOX7eBwKrlS12ywmdTPrv9bsNJa/s1600/IMG_2387.jpg" /></a></div><br />For those of you who want to try this at home, it's worth nothing that this method won't support a ton of weight. We're only using this for lightweight items so it will suit our needs, but I wouldn't use it as a bookshelf or anything.<br /><br />After the shelf was up, we tiled around the bottom... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZzo7tqnMROfrZpglzXiI3d009Ed9Nu-KyKgmEMz63eoW_2ymE-8rNfjsXG4VOYwSYzZ1o54GO5n52eYY3ZYKSqnVvQ1Z57pN3TywYbPEvjXI6d6sZG9yH6bvT_lCyG65prPM1OiRsKLy/s1600/IMG_2392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZzo7tqnMROfrZpglzXiI3d009Ed9Nu-KyKgmEMz63eoW_2ymE-8rNfjsXG4VOYwSYzZ1o54GO5n52eYY3ZYKSqnVvQ1Z57pN3TywYbPEvjXI6d6sZG9yH6bvT_lCyG65prPM1OiRsKLy/s1600/IMG_2392.jpg" /></a></div><br />And up to the edge so we would have a level surface for the next row.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXKfxzbK-yDtjX_ZvaCukw4sbgdG5QCvoKJ2kTxECn0Z-zbu662r8ZISaHBlbpCGU9Lih6hQvSLeGmJJbjuxipuMEbMRMSJ1vIaJ6wPDLqpFD-fwhwfCeqek5zhBlhiXF_N6Fp5wX8fWc/s1600/IMG_2390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXKfxzbK-yDtjX_ZvaCukw4sbgdG5QCvoKJ2kTxECn0Z-zbu662r8ZISaHBlbpCGU9Lih6hQvSLeGmJJbjuxipuMEbMRMSJ1vIaJ6wPDLqpFD-fwhwfCeqek5zhBlhiXF_N6Fp5wX8fWc/s1600/IMG_2390.jpg" /></a></div><br />And the tiling continued...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8z_QZTmHQquYOtP07vNzwBBjHHVXB90PUyke1BJSneoRgx5IlkS5r6es2zwL5ij8jAI4BbMGSMvFY8jM3H6D8LPGaTO4Hm5o202uxLaZEGy4sloJrqqkPPdYxBBYouXoBmEWIB9GlD3R/s1600/IMG_2391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8z_QZTmHQquYOtP07vNzwBBjHHVXB90PUyke1BJSneoRgx5IlkS5r6es2zwL5ij8jAI4BbMGSMvFY8jM3H6D8LPGaTO4Hm5o202uxLaZEGy4sloJrqqkPPdYxBBYouXoBmEWIB9GlD3R/s1600/IMG_2391.jpg" /></a></div><br />3 rows later and it was time to install our second cleat. The first board we had was bowed a little too much (it was actually a 2x4" we saved from our kitchen demo, so it was almost 50 years old and a little worn down), so we had to rip the shelf out and start over.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQWtVZ2HJKHxvFTQb9ogEm60JyrAxyzvNrVHyzzd2gWYRB5bBXt7FR_Pf6JmrA5qGvYk-yq-3iT2N5Dq3gHosZvbYLwHUDBFlFfJMVtll-kxJChrVD2KmJ81xoG_pmNmdZJvPkuwloaZN/s1600/IMG_2398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQWtVZ2HJKHxvFTQb9ogEm60JyrAxyzvNrVHyzzd2gWYRB5bBXt7FR_Pf6JmrA5qGvYk-yq-3iT2N5Dq3gHosZvbYLwHUDBFlFfJMVtll-kxJChrVD2KmJ81xoG_pmNmdZJvPkuwloaZN/s1600/IMG_2398.jpg" /></a></div><br />The second time around worked out though. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMSebMASNi4rmRVXgLnFDBSEn9DvJ2QVwlBI3qSOnBv0LZ73sBfliD5VC2QAgFrnlSkd8jira9187g8h5TIWsVVqIyg38yqtT1brI_MJHoYAmyIoy2KFaTTMTeeK_3IoaiGBqXlbW4zxS/s1600/IMG_2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMSebMASNi4rmRVXgLnFDBSEn9DvJ2QVwlBI3qSOnBv0LZ73sBfliD5VC2QAgFrnlSkd8jira9187g8h5TIWsVVqIyg38yqtT1brI_MJHoYAmyIoy2KFaTTMTeeK_3IoaiGBqXlbW4zxS/s1600/IMG_2400.jpg" /></a></div><br />And it was about this time late on Saturday night that I started hating life and called it quits.<br /><br />I should also take this moment to thank my husband for putting up with all of these projects I throw at him, especially lately. Renovation is not his passion or hobby, it's mine, and he'd much rather be doing something else every weekend (and most nights). But he always agrees to help me and goes along with whatever new plan I throw at him (I think after three houses he's finally trusting my vision!) So Brad, thank you, seriously, for everything <3<br /><br />The next morning we came back (somewhat) refreshed, ready to finish the job. First we had to deal with a teeny angled slivered cut to fit under the second shelf...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVZCL__WZLK6o-do2LUGNgLItpXAN2Y4_7SL41nmZ-rPcGPjEIRZ0lwCrrnqMlGwShwNE6Cnecm5D-syyYfELjBX8qjHPp6wrJ1GjebN4rLibyhL_8R7PGyEno-Nfb0VB3pk9xNrieaUR/s1600/IMG_2401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVZCL__WZLK6o-do2LUGNgLItpXAN2Y4_7SL41nmZ-rPcGPjEIRZ0lwCrrnqMlGwShwNE6Cnecm5D-syyYfELjBX8qjHPp6wrJ1GjebN4rLibyhL_8R7PGyEno-Nfb0VB3pk9xNrieaUR/s1600/IMG_2401.jpg" /></a></div><br />Stone likes to do its own thing and will just break off sometimes if it wants. We had fun trying to piece this one back together. There were several slivery cuts on the top half. Each time something cracked or chipped off or was cut wrong it was another $4 down the drain (stressful!)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_uI1TQncZU_AwBJ2dZZM-L-MJ0edJFdhyIqVGWv35zCk6LHXKbCEDWANq4PrG2Tpjy_9cV0f-cXYQojguoGkA-mn-7I4xp6mz7fNVK1zbiz8IBmCBIEe7I0IMXZlndphqPxNRcWHWIh3/s1600/IMG_2402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_uI1TQncZU_AwBJ2dZZM-L-MJ0edJFdhyIqVGWv35zCk6LHXKbCEDWANq4PrG2Tpjy_9cV0f-cXYQojguoGkA-mn-7I4xp6mz7fNVK1zbiz8IBmCBIEe7I0IMXZlndphqPxNRcWHWIh3/s1600/IMG_2402.jpg" /></a></div><br />But we forged on and<i> finally</i> made it to the top...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgU0s0bR5_5-p01u0vpmgdo46NwdznEveLW64M1UFbeZDMCeuOS-hibxBP1BDlioeE2W95mb-haAIxjOdZRZHSfri729lGmJzKLmz026X2PhP7kSTLB54tglVV2p2HvSbiWNqWjtmqy_3/s1600/IMG_2406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgU0s0bR5_5-p01u0vpmgdo46NwdznEveLW64M1UFbeZDMCeuOS-hibxBP1BDlioeE2W95mb-haAIxjOdZRZHSfri729lGmJzKLmz026X2PhP7kSTLB54tglVV2p2HvSbiWNqWjtmqy_3/s1600/IMG_2406.jpg" /></a></div><br />Hallelujah.<br /><br />Now to deal with this outlet...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfQBlNxSBTLkXN4LxMc0iuGm_0IwFdfkyArS6pal3qTzy7piQDA71XPajpw1ZQZ4Tw_IMtiku_k6fTnAAX0Fd-UYfkXn8PUtAsJ7XFCscWlRI1yX2qQHEh3n90lDvzeb7X0TV4rb71m1S/s1600/IMG_2393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfQBlNxSBTLkXN4LxMc0iuGm_0IwFdfkyArS6pal3qTzy7piQDA71XPajpw1ZQZ4Tw_IMtiku_k6fTnAAX0Fd-UYfkXn8PUtAsJ7XFCscWlRI1yX2qQHEh3n90lDvzeb7X0TV4rb71m1S/s1600/IMG_2393.jpg" /></a></div><br />Both the receptacle and plate cover had to be recessed so the stone would sit flush. Brad cut the drywall out around the edge to do this. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASa1fTvwOgDHTymVtqfTyNTnN1iL4Thyh99IA-DFESwCTczsNKZX9GxVz5R8zyi9XE8JETnAxMg7xH3jR2qvR7rBreqJExECmwdifudz1O-Amfzaj8ZzGWEzeOXWFpL7ET4kgmJwowo4i/s1600/IMG_2405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASa1fTvwOgDHTymVtqfTyNTnN1iL4Thyh99IA-DFESwCTczsNKZX9GxVz5R8zyi9XE8JETnAxMg7xH3jR2qvR7rBreqJExECmwdifudz1O-Amfzaj8ZzGWEzeOXWFpL7ET4kgmJwowo4i/s1600/IMG_2405.jpg" /></a></div><br />But that left us with a not very clean look, so we made a template using a jigsaw and a scrap piece of wood...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxqcN7KOWF5amhSTlOaPShiIbBk0WUGzsNfKENsDy8zMzXqW6LuCuf_TWey5lQGYq2gL8F44kTxnjZTKoW_ICxX-r4IWJJEm1wvGliBeIsaD3WdwKGo9BE4ZIWX4KmIxL2cOlM0CLgRMm/s1600/IMG_2407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxqcN7KOWF5amhSTlOaPShiIbBk0WUGzsNfKENsDy8zMzXqW6LuCuf_TWey5lQGYq2gL8F44kTxnjZTKoW_ICxX-r4IWJJEm1wvGliBeIsaD3WdwKGo9BE4ZIWX4KmIxL2cOlM0CLgRMm/s1600/IMG_2407.jpg" /></a></div><br />I painted it white and used mastic to adhere it to the wall, then cut my ledgestone into thirds, secured the two outside pieces around the outlet and caulked them in.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9LnGkqpptZBX3JoRfqmQrrMjfCKU-Y3n59c6WEBHzlINgSUGuqpirKBAOSfeHRTLjFWK6H87bZEKhH-Ja5Nq7shpQgeRoeaZVeJ5bsxn7f4yyUbrzO99IhJbszh-Bt5o6JomRVnWmBIc/s1600/IMG_2424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9LnGkqpptZBX3JoRfqmQrrMjfCKU-Y3n59c6WEBHzlINgSUGuqpirKBAOSfeHRTLjFWK6H87bZEKhH-Ja5Nq7shpQgeRoeaZVeJ5bsxn7f4yyUbrzO99IhJbszh-Bt5o6JomRVnWmBIc/s1600/IMG_2424.jpg" /></a></div><br />The center piece kept wanting to fall out, so we hot glued some velcro to the stone and the wood to keep it in place.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGrh_HBmxfFO2ydhwd44F4MudJYo5FpMGbvfXTDXE2qckKJnyXCYtXYMNTYznuk__MMru7SlIJTw-1y_QSsDBJeR4MUtKv5l8et8gTvv6tIOtAmwqjFd_XYmYVb6HnWFRXBc7SIZ74AKk/s1600/IMG_2425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGrh_HBmxfFO2ydhwd44F4MudJYo5FpMGbvfXTDXE2qckKJnyXCYtXYMNTYznuk__MMru7SlIJTw-1y_QSsDBJeR4MUtKv5l8et8gTvv6tIOtAmwqjFd_XYmYVb6HnWFRXBc7SIZ74AKk/s1600/IMG_2425.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />You can see it if you look closely, but that's okay. Much better than a white square box!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTZa6B0FVQud5SMoVEMBGVcKXVm9qK446HJeADYofG0gk0rzz7qU3gkpG0HByDdr6lvi18KnEiv7n5bpcxkombeAz3Wa35CPd320avko-mcJxj-1IpiAHpqCFarb1ZV-7ysdY9ZLsE56i/s1600/IMG_2437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTZa6B0FVQud5SMoVEMBGVcKXVm9qK446HJeADYofG0gk0rzz7qU3gkpG0HByDdr6lvi18KnEiv7n5bpcxkombeAz3Wa35CPd320avko-mcJxj-1IpiAHpqCFarb1ZV-7ysdY9ZLsE56i/s1600/IMG_2437.jpg" /></a></div><br />I'm not sure if I'm going to do anything to hide the edges. They really don't bother me at this point, but depending on what I do with the wall on the opposite side (the foyer) I may add a trim piece to cover it. Thoughts?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Mo85mOwspuCS4jtIQtyueMPpKGOqatFn_r5ytWWCsLVmQon_7LHDoamS585ZYRbZu1NpWHlwBttWY1lMS8giNc6KHMGdoG8w9yuRvGjUFkffehtUQDf422SbEUGSgcEMn05WIff6C0K_/s1600/IMG_2435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Mo85mOwspuCS4jtIQtyueMPpKGOqatFn_r5ytWWCsLVmQon_7LHDoamS585ZYRbZu1NpWHlwBttWY1lMS8giNc6KHMGdoG8w9yuRvGjUFkffehtUQDf422SbEUGSgcEMn05WIff6C0K_/s1600/IMG_2435.jpg" /></a></div><br />I love the warmth it brings to the room and that it breaks up all the gray. Once I get the jute rug in there, it should really tie it all together.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhHOIavl0-s-oc7_GmflSwbES3y1tWeZt6BqSL_dtbIhQB1-p5tJaKITgmeE437VgrVatf1_j1UE7Qg9-s7BBfBl-ngcfpRWSEkVC9InJnwFBEvmy-OOFc4fspSU0twQlj-Cm3GVbgITs/s1600/IMG_2430-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhHOIavl0-s-oc7_GmflSwbES3y1tWeZt6BqSL_dtbIhQB1-p5tJaKITgmeE437VgrVatf1_j1UE7Qg9-s7BBfBl-ngcfpRWSEkVC9InJnwFBEvmy-OOFc4fspSU0twQlj-Cm3GVbgITs/s1600/IMG_2430-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />These shelves were begging to be accessorized, so of course as soon as I set down the camera I stocked it all up.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk8piyhL8B0x9utP3FVGPzBmWAS3o0-_PplId3V5iYlbDsDKxt03QwpKEECvn_QdKRiqQkVwCd0-cb7N0CCPzKoqux_k7SuPAXznw_qjRQeR1rPCs31IHlNAAQQuQlKGvtjtJrEnK7aAT/s1600/IMG_2433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk8piyhL8B0x9utP3FVGPzBmWAS3o0-_PplId3V5iYlbDsDKxt03QwpKEECvn_QdKRiqQkVwCd0-cb7N0CCPzKoqux_k7SuPAXznw_qjRQeR1rPCs31IHlNAAQQuQlKGvtjtJrEnK7aAT/s1600/IMG_2433.jpg" /></a></div><br />But you'll have to wait until the final reveal to see what I did!<br /><br />Can you believe Brad wanted to keep this originally?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuEyZUwzAIuA0XlhYc5NoW2oFSCWzx4suQ5-CxuMvFXGi-fqXTXGTaC_u4o80LatZhvna0EfAqFqc-WrGpbO8P1tuGqnosyBnylZZQ4PEVNSEGm40sx48nhWgeDYfoKjWBtMgYjpThmfk/s1600/IMG_3049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuEyZUwzAIuA0XlhYc5NoW2oFSCWzx4suQ5-CxuMvFXGi-fqXTXGTaC_u4o80LatZhvna0EfAqFqc-WrGpbO8P1tuGqnosyBnylZZQ4PEVNSEGm40sx48nhWgeDYfoKjWBtMgYjpThmfk/s1600/IMG_3049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />This week I'll attempt to build more floating shelves for the backsplash wall. Check back in a few days to see how that turns out...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePsDFnnEsdCOFBSHdpQJod4_ZVZzT0legJgp79b48LMFMMKnsj3ERWghdY8xhMgo5_PMovtN0sKzRDatsUWGR6Czo9Wzl9lkTXOuobvqZJKSyWZuKho9iAhfWSu5K6QMi9GfJqoCw7dxS/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePsDFnnEsdCOFBSHdpQJod4_ZVZzT0legJgp79b48LMFMMKnsj3ERWghdY8xhMgo5_PMovtN0sKzRDatsUWGR6Czo9Wzl9lkTXOuobvqZJKSyWZuKho9iAhfWSu5K6QMi9GfJqoCw7dxS/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />

Kitchen Chronicles: Stacked stone bar wall & DIY floating shelves

How about a brand new bar wall to start your week? As a reminder, here's what it looked like Friday: Let me start by saying this project...

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