Claire here! And today I’m bringing you a DIY project that’s so simple, I’m wondering why I didn’t attempt it sooner. I don’t know if you have ever seen this beautiful piece by Lightly, but my friend showed it to me and I fell in love — the clean lines, unfinished materials, and simple design make it a gorgeous addition to any space. So I was determined to make my own simplified version of the piece, and threw in a touch of gold to make it my own. Follow the simple steps below to see how it’s done!
- (1) cowhide strip 1.5″ x 50″ (I bought a pre-cut strap made from sturdier leather, vegetable tan, what they use for belts)
- (1) whitewood board cut to desired length (I did 28″ long)
- (2) #3 x 1.5″ brass flathead phillips head wood screw
- (2) #4 6 x 7/8″ ribbed plastic anchors
- Krylon metallic gold spray paint
- X-acto knife
- ruler
- tape measure
- blue painters tape
- pencil
- phillips screw driver
- drill
- Using blue painters tape, tape off your board on the top and bottom, leaving the edges revealed. Spray the edges gold using about 2-3 coats.
- With the exacto, pencil and ruler, mark the middle of your 50″ strap and cut it in half. Now you have your two shelf straps.
- Fold each strap in half, and drill a hole 1/2″ down from the end of the strap
- Hand screw the brass screws through these holes, creating two loops.
*to install: Mark where your two straps will hang on the wall, keeping in mind their distance in from the edges of the board. Follow the drywall anchor instructions but use the brass screws holding the leather loops instead of the screws provided. Drill in the screws and set the wood board through the loops.
