In addition to the fireplace surround, we’ve also been busy building a little nook storage. We’re still not completely done (are we ever?!), but a few of you noticed it a few posts back. It was a small project, but we think it will make a difference in the function of the room. Another dead, useless corner, we need not. Ben built a basic cabinet with a floating shelf above. To make the floating shelf, Ben attached thin strips to the side and back walls. A piece of 3/4 inch MDF on top, then a few bracing boards sandwiched between a piece of 1/4 inch MDF.
To hide the gap, he added a piece of 3/4 inch MDF. Wood filler, primer, and paint covers the seams and brightens the little nook. Eventually, we plan to add a tv on top of the cabinet with decorative items and books on the top shelf. Originally, I wanted two shelves, but it would have been too tight and cramped up to the ceiling.
Oh, and I’m testing out a paint color. I picked up many of the swatches you all recommended, and Behr’s Wheat Bread was a close contender. But being on the north side seemed to bring out the blues in every color. Instead, we moved to the next swatch over and liked Behr’s Sandstone Cove. In bright light, it reads more tan, but in dimmer light (natural on the other side of the room or artificial) it has a slight gray undertone. Here it is compared to a 25% tint of Wood Smoke.
Wood storage is necessary close to the fireplace. Right now, we’re going outside to get wood. Every time we want to start or stoke the fire. So that’s how the bottom cabinet will function, once the paint cures that is.
Now we’ve got to install the baseboard, crown, and the rest of the trim around the doors in the hallway. There it is, a quickie built-in.
Have you made any storage additions recently? I’m craving a good organizational fix. Am I the only one that gets that itch after a new year?
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Perfect! Thanks for the picture of the shelf before the face plate was added–I’ve always wondered how to do floating shelves.
Hi Karyl!
I figured that picture might help. 🙂 It was an easy way to do it, too.
Thanks!
Amanda
Looks fantastic!
Hi Jessica!
Thanks, lovely lady!
Thanks!
Amanda
ooooh this is exactly what I want my hubby to do in our basement = won’t he be *thrilled* when I show him this!? lol! Well, at least I thank you!
Hey Hollow Squirrel!
Ha, I totally know the reaction you’re talking about. 🙂 The floating shelves actually aren’t much different or more difficult than normal shelves, so that *might* help ease his reaction. Haha.
Thanks!
Amanda
Awesome idea for wood storage! I’m so jealous.
Hey Jessica!
Thanks! It should be a better solution than what we’ve currently got. 😉
Thanks!
Amanda
Hi. Soooo happy you are back. Would you mind sharing which white you use. It looks so nice and fresh. Really appreciate the tutorials. Thanks for your blog.
C.
Hi Candice!
Aww, thanks! I’m so happy to be back. 🙂 I decided to take the easy way out and use straight off the shelf Glidden white. No tint, no color matching. So far, I’m really happy with that decision. However, I did look into Dove White by Ben Moore…
Thanks!
Amanda
I still can’t believe how much each grey looks crazy different in a room. Glad you liked wheat bread! Though my mom’s comment when I popped open the can ‘WHOSE bread looks like that?!’
Hi Sara!
Paint does vary so much depending on the lighting; it’s crazy! Also, I kind of thought that about Wheat Bread. Doesn’t look like bread I’d be willing to eat. 😉
Thanks!
Amanda
Can’t wait to see it done. 🙂 What are your plans to use this corner for? Decoration? Books?
Hey Autumn!
The lower cabinet will store wood for the fireplace, the middle space will eventually have a tv in it, and the top is for books and decorative items. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
Are you going to line the wood shelf with anything? I just look at that fresh white paint and think about how banged up and dirty it will get from wood that’s been outside. Maybe some tin or copper sheets (like what’s used for backsplashes)?
Hey Amy!
Oh yes, great question! Down the road, we might cover the walls in pallet pieces of other distressed/rustic wood. Something that already looks beat up, but we decided to see how it goes as is for now. Distressed white paint isn’t really the look we’re after. 😉
Thanks!
Amanda
Do you have any posts on how to build the bottom cabinet for beginers? I have a big empty nook next to my fireplace and this is exactly what I want. I was thinking of hiring someone to build it, but you make it seem very do-able. The bottom cabinet scares me though, and because we’re in a manufactured home I can’t seem to find an already built cabinet to fit the space.