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My First Project (Home Depot Inspired Bookcase)

Submitted by C.Lang on Tue, 01/31/2012 - 19:26

My wife was watching TV and she saw a Bookshelf on a Home Depot commercial with diagonal shelving. She kept telling me how much she wanted a bookshelf like that. So, for my first wood project ever, I decided to try and tackle it for her. It is slightly over 7 feet wide and a little over 6 feet tall. I am currently trying to learn sketchup8 to create plans for this project.

Unfortunately I didn't use a certain plan from Ana's site for this project, but you can find any bookcase plan and place the diagonal shelves in place of the horizontal ones.

Estimated Cost
about 500 ( because I am a novice. Im sure someone with more experience could build it for much less depending on type of finish)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Black with a pearl finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

loniwolfe

Tue, 01/31/2012 - 21:02

So you totally just solved my no fireplace dilemma! I think I'm going to take your design here and leave an open space for some electric logs. Thank you so much for sharing, it is really stunning!

C.Lang

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 06:10

Those were challenging because, as I stated before I am not even a beginner. I was going to try and use my little trim router to cut them but I learned quickly routers cause much saw dust. I don't have a router table and my router is small. I decided to use my miter saw. I measured out where the slots should go and Cut the outside boarders of the slots with my miter saw. I don't have a jig saw either so I chiseled the the remaining piece to form the slot. I then used my small trim router to smooth out the slots. After I got in a groove it went pretty fast. It was a lot of Slots. Like I said before, I am very new and I know there are easier ways to do this lol. Just a hint..If you ever use interlocking slots and plan on painting the project, I wouldn't make the slots exact to the bare wood. The primer and paint add to the thickness of the wood so it is important to take this into consideration before cutting the slots. Again, very new to this.

Guest (not verified)

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 06:28

I don't think that you can say that your "new to this" any more. You cut your teeth on quite an ambitious project. You did a fantastic job! And just wait till you learn sketchup, the FUN you will have! Keep up the great work and keep posting! Can't wait to see your next project!

Robohead

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 12:32

I've never seen a diagonal bookcase before, but I like this one. You'll never have to worry about straightening books that have fallen on their sides either.

Debi G

Sat, 02/04/2012 - 15:22

This book case looks truly expensive! My excuse is always a lack of tools, but look what you did with what you had! Everything is square and precisely done.

C.Lang

Sat, 02/04/2012 - 19:26

Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate all the input I have been getting. I look forward to posting more projects and getting more ideas.

katiesommer

Tue, 02/07/2012 - 12:16

I really hope you post your plans! You did a nice job. I'd like to use a very scaled down version of this to make a wine rack in an open cupboard we have over our sink. Might have to pick your brain later. ;)

mrs2tone

Tue, 02/07/2012 - 20:25

I saw the same commercial your wife saw, and kept trying to describe the bookshelf to my husband. Now I can show him. Thanks for posting,and I hope you figure out Sketch Up so we can see your plans!

C.Lang

Wed, 02/22/2012 - 20:33

I have started to figure it out a little bit. I thank you for the comments and am close to finishing the plans. Again thank you for your comments

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 02/17/2012 - 14:15

My daughter loves to read, I am going to see if my husband can turn this into a headboard.I will post pics if it turns out! Great Job!

C.Lang

Wed, 02/22/2012 - 20:34

That would be an amazing project. If your husband does convert it, I would love to see the final results.

Emily Mazzone (not verified)

Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:09

And I second the headboard idea!

Angela Merrill (not verified)

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 17:29

Wow! That is wonderful...I have a similar one that I LOVE and wanted for years. It was in the Pottery Barn Catalog and OUTRAGEOUSLY priced...I don't remember exactly the $$. When "Hold Everything", a subsidiary of PB, went out of business, I got the second to last one they had in stock for $200. AND...When I saw the HD commercial I realized I might be able to make a more custom version someday. Your story inspired me to plan something, and also to perhaps even open up and learn SketchUp which I downloaded months ago...Look forward to more projects!

Tausha (not verified)

Mon, 10/15/2012 - 20:33

Well it's crooked. LOL Jk I think it is insanely awesome! I hope my first project is even half as good!

alu906

Mon, 07/15/2013 - 10:09

Great beautiful first build! Thank you for this great idea that triggered an idea for myself. Going take this format, and adjust the dimensions to fit as a wine shelf.