Have you ever been so sure you wouldn’t be able to do something that you didn’t even try? That’s how I felt about building furniture. I thought there was no way I’d be able to build a usable piece of furniture on my own. The plans intimidated me and I just thought it would be too hard or would end up looking like a piece of abstract art.
This project is part of the #monthlyDIYchallenge. Big thanks to Kreg for sponsoring this month’s challenge. This post contains affiliate links.
This month we partnered with Kreg for the Monthly DIY Challenge and used their R3 pocket hole jig to build something. I was tempted to take the easy road and just build a picture frame or something small, but my mom really wanted this shelf for her office, so I decided to just go for it. I learned as I went and had a couple setbacks, but I ended up building this piece 100% by myself. Overall it was much easier than I thought it would be.
Be sure to scroll all the way to the end of this post to enter to win your own Kreg Jig R3 kit!
To build the shelf, I used these free plans from Shanty 2 Chic.
Supply List
- Kreg Jig R3
- Kreg clamp
- Power drill
- Kreg pocket hole screws
- Wood glue
- *See free plans for specific wood needed to build shelf
Don’t be afraid to ask for help at the hardware store if you need it. If you give them the supply list from your plans they will help you pull all the wood you need. They’ll even cut it to size for free if you ask them to, so if you don’t have a saw or you’re not comfortable using one, you can still totally do a project like this. I did use a miter saw to cut the 2×4’s myself, but beyond that, the only power tool I needed was a drill.
I had no clue how to use the R3 before this project, but it really is so simple to use once you get started. The R3 creates pocket holes in the wood so you can easily screw two pieces of wood together. I definitely recommend reading the instructions yourself and maybe checking out a few YouTube videos, but to give you a very basic idea of how it works: Measure the thickness of the wood you’re drilling the pocket holes into. (It’s important to measure because a 2″x4″ piece of wood isn’t a true 2″ thick. Mine was 1 3/4″). You set the jig to the thickness of the wood and clamp it in place. Then, using the drill bit that comes in the R3 kit, you drill holes by sticking the drill bit in the holes on the R3. It’s so easy. When you’re done drilling the holes you just place a screw in the hole, put the second piece of wood in place and screw them together.
After a day and a half of work, I had a finished shelf! At this point, I was shocked I had actually built something myself and was feeling pretty proud. I’m telling you guys, having the Kreg R3 is the only reason I was able to build this. And I’m not just saying that because they sponsored this post. If you’re at all interested in building furniture, this little tool really does make it so easy to do. (Psst..in case you didn’t see the note above, we’re giving away TEN Kreg R3 kits at the bottom of this post, so be sure to scroll all the way down and enter!).
Now for the paint. Vicki decided she wanted it painted white, so we threw on a coat of primer then a couple coats of Annie Sloan Old White chalk paint. And it looked like this:
Not sure if you can tell from the picture but it was just boring with a capital B. It wasn’t at all what either of us had in mind, so we started experimenting with some color layering. I got a bunch of different paints and stains out and started doing a thin wash over the white paint on the back side.
A few of the colors we experimented with above (from left to right): General Finishes Walnut gel stain, Velvet Finishes dark glaze, and Annie Sloan’s Coco chalk paint. Vicki liked Coco best, so that’s what we went with.
First, we heavily distressed the whole piece with a power sander to let a lot of the raw wood show through. We knew the Coco wash would show up darker on the raw wood, highlighting the wood grain and giving the piece some dimension.
To do the Coco wash, I did a really easy, lazy-girl technique. I used a spray bottle of water to mist the shelf, one section at a time. When it was damp, I squirted a little glob of Coco paint right onto the shelf (I have these paint storage squirt bottles pictured above and they’re awesome!). I used a foam brush to spread it out, misting more water on top as needed. I had paper towels on hand thinking I’d have to wipe some of the paint off, but it soaked right into the raw wood and worked beautifully without having to use the paper towels.
After the Coco wash it looked like this:
Like the original shelf in the plans, we decided to add these rigid tie connectors to the corners. I just spray painted them oil-rubbed bronze. I stuck the screws into the back side of a paper plate and spray painted them as well. Prior to screwing in the tie connectors I sealed the piece with GF High Performance top coat.
The shelf isn’t perfect, and I made a few mistakes along the way, but overall I’m really happy with how it turned out. I learned a lot and feel confident I can build more pieces in the future.
You can enter to win your own Kreg Jig R3! Just fill out the Rafflecopter below. Each option is a separate entry, so just filling out one will enter you in the contest, or you can do more for extra chances to win. Ten lucky winners will be chosen at random to receive their own Kreg R3, courtesy of Kreg Tools and the Monthly DIY Challenge.
After you’ve entered, be sure to check out the rest of the Monthly DIY Challenge posts below to see what the other girls built with their Kreg R3. Simply click on the pictures to read the full post!
Interested in more woodworking tools? Check out the new Kreg Accu–Cut. Paired with the Kreg Rip-Cut, it makes ripping boards a breeze!
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I would love to build a new coffee table-from architectural salvage. I have the pieces, but need the Kreg jig to put them together! Pictures to follow!
That sounds amazing, Lois! I’d love to see it when you’re done!
I build children’s step stools.
Adding those corner pieces really makes the shelves pop! You made a beautiful set of shelves. I followed the link to Shanty 2 Chic’s free plans, and wow… I found the dining room table I need to build. We live in a row house built in 1880, and it’s deep and narrow. I’ve never found a table that fits right… with the Kreg jig, I could make my own!
Thank you, Cait! So cool you found plans for the dining table! I’d love to see it when you’re done. xo
I would love to make a rustic dog bed for my three fur babies!!
That sounds adorable!!
Love everything about this! I’ve been hesitant to attempt shelves for my laundry room but this post has given me the courage to go for it.
Kathy, it’s SO much easier than I thought it would be! I hope you’ll give it a shot!
This is awesome, Amy!! We are planning to build a dining room table, and I’m excited to dive into building!
Love the shelf, the color is perfect. Great job, thanks for sharing.
Oh my gosh Amy! Look at you go!!! It’s absolutely amazing my friend! I love the paint finish (totally pinning that to try) and the extra little details you’ve added to this gorgeous piece! It’s perfect!
Gotta keep learning aand growing!
I’d love to win this for my husband who is Mr. Fix It for the furniture I rescue!
Congratulations on being able to add furniture builder to your resume! The shelf looks great and I love that you added the connectors in the corners.
Thank you, Jamie!!
Wow, you did a great job! I am so intimidated with actually trying to build something myself. I think my hubby would faint if I could actually pull something like this off without having to ask him to do it for me! LOL
Haha!! I’m telling you, you can TOTALLY do this! Once the wood is cut to size it’s not much harder than putting together a piece of IKEA furniture. Make him faint, sister! 🙂
If I won the R3 I would probably try to attempt something very small at first maybe a bench.
I want to build an outdoor sectional.
That sounds amazing, Jodie!
LOVE Your Charming Rustic Shelf – You did a fabulous job – Your tutorial is very well done also! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win the R3! I have several projects in mind, especially shelving in my Apothecary Room!
Sincerely, Laurie
Thank you so much, Laurie! And can I say how jealous I am that you have an apothecary room?! So glad you stopped by!
I would build end tables. I’ve been wanting to build end tables from salvaged wood and paned window frames for a long time. I always have these great visions of what I could make with this item or that. I’ve just never the woodworking knowledge to build anything. This blog really gave me some confidence to finally step out of my comfort zone and bring those visions to fruition. Thank you!!
I would love to make a farmhouse dining table!
It turned out great, Amy!! I love the corners, and the coco wash you chose is the perfect color!!
Thanks so much, Amanda!
First I want to make a shelf for my daughters Doctor Who and Sherlock DVDs and memorabilia.
That sounds perfect, Pam!
I have been wanting to learn how to use the Kreg system for a while now….. I hope I win!
You’re going to love it, Janie! Thanks for stopping by!
Wow. I love your shelf, you did a great job. And those tie connectors you put in the corners(LOVE), give it a bit of a rustic feel. I have never built anything before but I have been planning and watching videos so if I win an R3 I am going to try to build this t.v centre that I saw on Ana White, it has mini Barn doors. I’m so excited. Thank you for the giveaway!!
Thank you!! I just saw a little console table at HomeGoods with little sliding barn doors and I thought it was so cool looking! Fingers crossed you win one of the R3 kits!
I really would like to make a farmhouse coffee table!
That sounds awesome! I’m also planning to do a coffee table next :).
This turned out great! Did you seal the ASCP cox wash with poly or anything?
Sorry, meant to say coco wash… apparently siri doesn’t like that word!
I knew what you meant! Gotta love auto correct :).
Thank you, Jodi! I sealed it with General Finishes high performance top coat. I should have mentioned that in the post so thank you for asking! I’ll add that info.
This is such a gorgeous piece, Amy! I love the finish on it too!
I need a Kreg jig! 🙂
Wonderful shelf. Would love to have the clamp!
Wow! It is stunning. You did a great job building it, and the finish is incredible! Great work, friend!
I want to make my son a kitchen island.
After 30 years of watching my husband build things I finally broke down and built a crate out of recycled pallet wood. I completely agree about how intimidating it feels, but how awesome it felt to have done something “all by myself” 🙂 Great job – and thanks for the giveaway opportunity!