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Wednesday, August 30, 2017

"New" Pantry Shelves ~ DIY

"We need to just throw that stack of boards on the on the burn pile."
Those were the words of Mr. LB in reference to my stack of miscellaneous boards that I've had for - err, uh-hem, well, not sure how long.
They are stacked behind the shop, under the lean-to taking up valuable covered  (dry in the winter) space. 
My response: Internally = Gassssp! Cough! Sputter!
Out loud= I'll get on that ASAP.
So as part of the "Make the Stack of Scrap Disappear" effort,
I made a set of small shelves for the pantry.
I've been having to rearrange with every season 
keeping empty jars and longer-term canned goods out in the shop.
The first step was to pull out boards to see what I had enough of
then think about how I could put them together to make them work.
For the shelf parts, I used 2X10s that had a coat of grey enamel on them.
I got the paint stripper out and started on those.
Once I got the thick part of the enamel off, I took a sander to them.
Then for the sides and back, I used old 1X4s that are old enough that they are actually 4 inches wide.
They had been dark green at one time then white at another time
though it was difficult to tell for sure since most the paint had chipped away.
I did measure my existing pantry shelves 
since I wanted the space between the shelves to be about 1/2" more 
so I could stack two small-mouth pint jars if need be.
I decided it was going to have a rustic or primitive look to it 
no matter what I did so just ran with it.
Once I got it assembled, I took the sander to it one more time 
just to knock off any extra loose chipping paint.
Then I wiped it all down and put a coat of polyurethane on it.
I know I was going for rustic, 
but A: it will be in the house and B: it will be holding food type items
so I wanted it to be sealed and washable.
Surprisingly, it went together pretty easily.
I was concerned about getting it square since that can be a challenge at times,
but I must have done something right this time.
It's now in the house and I am working on rearranging the pantry yet again.
With any luck, we will be doing tomatoes soon so will be adding those
as well as spaghetti sauce and chili during the same time.
Never mind that this is where the unsightly internet router is and that there is still no trim on the window.
Evidently, utility room window trim is pretty low on the priority list.
I was going to do it before taking these pictures, 
but we are out of the correct stain so will have to get more 
in order to finish that project.
In the mean time,
my stack of scrap lumber is dwindling which I'm sure Mr. LB appreciates.
By the way,
he likes the shelves and how they turned out.
That kinda surprised me since he doesn't usually care for such a look.
In the end (or for now at least,) I decided to put my herbs and such
on this shelf and have the food items on the big shelves.
As the season progresses, we'll see if it remains functional.
One thing is sure nice, I like having more room
 in the house and up off the floor.  


37 comments:

  1. Good for you! I'm sure your Mr. is quite proud of you, not only for getting 'rid' of the wood, but also for your carpentry expertise.

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    1. The stack isn't entirely gone, but I put a good ent in it 😊

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  2. Your pantry is wonderful... love the new shelf unit... it looks great and didn't cost a lot to make. Very nice! I also love all of the beautiful canned goods. :)

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    1. I love that it suits the need and didn't cost a dime. See that's why I've kept it all these years - heehee.

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  3. It's hard to tell from a photo, but those boards look like heart-pine or pumpkin-pine. If so, you have a VERY expensive set of shelves! ;-)

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    1. I've never heard of pumpkin pine. Now I have to look it up. It's good solid wood but not a hard wood for sure as I didn't bend many nails. You are a wealth of timber knowledge!

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  4. LOVE it and your pantry in general!!! It gives me the happy chills :)

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  5. Great job with the shelves! That's a beautiful pantry too. I've pondered looking for a vintage(?) butter churner like yours. Forgive me if you've posted about it in the past, but I wonder if you use yours and how you like it?

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    1. I've not yet used the hand cranked one but have used the electric one on the bottom shelf. I haven't had it all that long and have been on the run. The gears are all tight and it functions smoothly which is important so I will have to try it out.

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  6. That looks fantastic. I love the cover photo. It reminds me of the Olson's store in Little House on the Prairie.

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    1. Oh funny. I suppose as long as I don't act like Nelly. . . :-)

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  7. I love this shelf! You did an excellent job on it.
    I'm also in awe of the butter churn. I've never had homemade butter, but it sounds delicious. I've been looking at garage sales and thrift stores for a vintage churn lately.

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    1. I did a post on the churns just a few posts back. You should have "home grown" butter. Like anything else, it's sooo much yummier (yep, that's a word.)

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    2. I will check out the post! I love yummier.

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  8. You rock! It looks great. I am inspired. The only problem is I have used all my scrap lumber. I love how your other shelf has Ripon for your canner. That is why I taught my nieces to make their own bird houses. It is better to be elf sufficient than always breathing your husband to do things for you.

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    1. Thank you, and my husband actually tells me "Please don't do that yourself." Many years on my own make it a difficult habit to break.

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  9. Beautiful pantry. My mom and grandmother were so proud of their pantrys. all the work in jellies and jams and preserves. Sadly I have neglected mine Thanks for the post and the picture because I am thinking I would like to make some pickles now and start restoring my pantry.

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    1. Yes! You go for it! It is work, but both enjoyable and rewarding.

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  10. you can certainly turn your skills to anything now a carpenter this will be so useful, I could do with a couple of large ones for books

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    1. Ooooh, we won't mention the books - heehee. Those breed in the corner when I'm not looking:) Actually, I've been trying to thin those out too. They just shouldn't be so difficult to get rid of.

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  11. Hello!!! I just found your blog through the Raising Homemakers Linkup and I am in love! I'm off to look around but thought I'd pop in and say hello!

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    1. Howdy, make yourself at home. The teacups are in the cupboard next to the fridge:)

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  12. Great save on the lumber by making the shelves! I am smitten with your pantry! Thank you for sharing @ Vintage charm! Pinned!

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  13. Your "new" shelves look sturdy and beautiful. They will serve you well. Isn't it great when the tomatoes ripen? We just got tomatoes from the sweet neighbor couple and will be making a hoard of salsa today!

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    1. We have a late season - so far just an occasional ripe one which Mr.LB eats like an apple. Have fun with salsa! It always adds a little color to the pantry.

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  14. I love this! Your pantry and the new shelves are wonderful! That's exactly how a real pantry looks in my mind's eye. I love the churn too. Is it a Daisy? I should post pictures of the churn I bought last year. I went to get an antique rocker off Craig's List, and the guy had a wooden crank floor churn. He sold it to me for a great price, because, "I don't know what to do with it. I mean who's gonna make butter?!?" If you and Amanda are having a tea party, I want a cup! Thanks, for sharing!

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    1. Thank you Anne! Not sure of a brand on the churn. It's actually not the original jar but just a gallon jar I had. Now I have to keep my eye out for an original as the "rim" is slightly larger than the gallon jar it's on. Oh, and pick a cup - the more the merrier.

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  15. I have pantry envy, I have always wanted a pantry, maybe one day.

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    1. You'll certainly have one then. It usually starts with a small shelf or two then grows😉

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  16. You have a wonderful pantry, and the shelf unit you built with those valuable scraps is sweet! Nice that you have a shelf that will fit just what you need it to.

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    1. Thank you. I'm enjoying it so far. It cleans up the room which is also nice.

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  17. I love your little shelves, well done! And I agree with everyone else - your pantry looks amazing!

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  18. It looks awesome! I have one of those piles too - I'm glad to see you found a use for some of yours! THanks for sharing on Homestead Blog Hop :)

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