Materials:
-
A
used coffee or side table of any size. For this project I found a
coffee table at a yard sale for $4.00! (The table used in this
project measures 54"x11"x6".)
-
Paint in your choice of color.
I used "latex semi-gloss wall and trim" paint left over from
when I painted the bathroom and saved money!
-
2 to 4 wall brackets.
The size and the number of the brackets will depend on the size and weight
of the window shelf you will be mounting. You can purchase wall
brackets at any of you local hardware stores or discount retailers.
-
Sheet rock anchors. You
may or may not need to use sheet rock anchors depending on the weight of
your shelf combined with the weight of the item(s) you plan to display.
To be on the safe side I would recommend using anchors in any instance
just to prevent disasters! The anchors can also be purchased at a
local hardware or discount store.
Tools you will need:
Hand saw (or, if you have access,
a circular saw or table saw will cut down on time and labor.)
-
Level
-
Tape measure
-
Sand Paper
-
Hammer
-
Screw driver
Let's start!
1) Using your saw, cut the legs
off of the table. Be sure to take the necessary safety precautions
during the sawing portion of the project (ie: protective eyewear, etc.
And, Watch Your Fingers!)
2) Continue by dividing the table
down the middle, using the level to ensure you are
sectioning it into equal halves. Draw a guide of where you will be sawing with
a pencil after you have sectioned off the table.
3) Saw the table into halves.
4) Depending on what wood the
table is made of, the finish on the table, and any designs the table may have
(such as etching or bordering) you will need to sand the piece of you table
you will be using for your window shelf.
5) Once you have sanded and
cleaned any dust from the piece of the table-which is now your shelf- you're
ready to paint. Get creative with this part of the project! Try
using special painting techniques (such as sponging), stencil designs on to
the shelf, decoupage, or add other personal touches. The sky's the
limit!
(Note: Once your shelf has dried
you may want to add a clear protective coating. This is optional.)
Mounting instructions:
1)
Once you have chosen the window where you want to mount your Sunny Day Window
Shelf measure the thickness of the shelf. (If the thickness of the
shelf, meaning the thickness of the tabletop, is 1 inch, you will want to
place the brackets 1 inch from where the windowsill meets the wall. This
will ensure that the shelf, once placed, is flush with the windowsill.
2) Using your level and your tape
measure section off the area where each bracket
will be placed, an equal distance from one another (be sure to also measure
from each edge of where the window sill and wall meet as to ensure you are
placing the shelf in the center of the window). Keep in mind the shelf
doesn't have to be the length of the entire window.
3) Mount the brackets into the
wall using the sheet rock anchors, following the instructions on the package.
4) Place you window shelf on the
brackets and Voila`! You now are the proud owner-and creator- of a Sunny Day
Window Shelf.
Your Sunny Day Window Shelf can
brighten up your home by using it to display plants, figurines, pictures
and more.
Some suggestions for the
kitchen:
Display your own homegrown herb
garden while allowing your herbs to soak up extra sunshine!
Display treasured collections of
teapots, decorative plates or special containers!
Some suggestions for the kids'
rooms:
Let your child display their
favorite toys on the shelf.
Help you child enjoy the wonder of
nature by planting seeds in small paper cups (which he or she can decorate!)
and displaying them on the shelf. Your children will love to watch the
plants grow!
Some suggestions for the den,
bedroom or else where in the home:
Use the Sunny Day Window Shelf to
display a collection of decorative candles.
Place freshly picked flowers in
several different sizes and colors of vases on the window shelf. The sun
shining through the colored glass is beautiful!
Be creative and have FUN.
The possibilities with this completed craft are endless!
© Rubyglen.com
2003
