Build This Book Nook & Window Seat
(Page 4 of 5)
August/September 2007
By Steve Maxwell
Bring the two shelf base cabinets into position flanking each side of the bench, and fasten them in two separate places: at the back into the wall studs (as you did with the bench), and through the sides into the ends of the bench. All of these screws benefit from cup washers both for strength and aesthetics. You’ll see the side screws quite plainly when you open the doors, so be sure to make them look good.
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If you’ve been careful to level the shelf base cabinets during installation, then the shelves themselves should sit plumb and level on top of them on their own. But check anyway before fastening the shelves to the wall with screws driven through the two mounting strips.
Do you want crown molding around the top of your shelves? It’s tricky applying this in the usual way, but there is another option. See “Easy Crown Molding” below for an attractive alternative to the conventional approach.
This project will do far more for your home than the modest amount of time and funds required would suggest. It’s just one more example of how self-reliance and imagination can multiply to make your home a better place.
Reuse, Recycle, Relax
You can save substantial time, money and resources by making use of reclaimed cabinets and shelves. Follow the guidelines found in Step 2 and you’ll see how easy it can be to turn old, mismatched and unwanted units into attractive woodwork that can add value to your home.
Easy Crown Molding
Crown molding adds beauty to the upper ends of this project like nothing else can, but it’s not easy to install without practice. That’s why you might consider a crown cap instead.
Simply make a panel of three-quarter or 1½-inch-thick solid wood that’s slightly larger than the top of the book nook shelves. Angle or rout decorative details on the three edges that will face outward after installation. Fasten the crown cap to the top of the shelves with screws, and you’re done. Consider adding two crown caps — the top one larger than the bottom — for a deeper, richer appearance. Although this approach uses more wood than traditional crown molding, it eliminates the need to complete fancy mitre cuts. Crown caps are also much stronger than crown molding, an advantage if the book nook ever needs to be moved.
Cutting on a Dime
If you opt to use salvaged cabinets for some or all of your book nook, you’ll almost certainly need to trim them in some way. Perhaps you’ll find a set of lower kitchen cabinets for the bench, though of course they’d be too tall. Maybe you’d like to make an existing set of shelves narrower so they fit in your space. Or how about shortening a set of cabinets that are perfect for the base, but just too long?
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