Projects

RM100: Staircase Bookshelf

book bookcase build florida lumber rm100 shelf stacked staircase wood
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“When I found myself constantly lifting my faithful terrier, Chiquita, into the new bunk bed I bought to maximize work space in my bedroom/studio, something had to be done.” —Adrienne Romine

Posted by ReadyMade
Patricia Heal, Styling by Rational Beauty

Build your own stairway to heaven.

Adrienne Romine
Orlando, Florida
adrienneromine.carbonmade.com
“I’m a painting student at the University of Central Florida. I’ve always been crafty but first learned of my love for woodworking when I began building my own canvases.”

From the Judges: “It’s a staircase and a bookshelf (a stairshelf?)...I love objects that are multifunctional and solve a problem.” —Julie Schneider

To see Romine's original entry, click here.

To see the rest of the 2011 ReadyMade 100, click here.

Skill Level

Moderate

Active Time

One day

Cost

Materials

Three 8-foot 1x12-inch boards
Wood glue
Nails or screws
Plywood for backing

Tools

Saw
Measuring tape
Hammer/nail gun or drill
Sandpaper

This bookshelf measures 4x4x1 feet. For ease, the bottom board will be called “the base,” the horizontal board above will be “level 1,” the next will be “level 2,” and so on. The vertical pieces supporting each shelf will be labeled with the corresponding number.

Cut your boards and label the pieces. Start with cutting one board in half to make two 4-foot pieces for the base and the side. Cut the horizontal boards: level 1 is 4 feet, level 2 is 3 feet, level 3 is 2 feet, and the top is 1 foot. The vertical pieces on the base should be 10 inches high. The four subsequent vertical pieces for levels 2, 3, and the top should be 11 inches high.

Start with the base and the side; apply glue where the two boards meet and nail them together with the end of the side board touching the ground on the outside of the base board. This makes a big L shape.

Place L shape on the ground and attach the vertical level 1 pieces. One should be nailed at the open end of the base board, between the base board the the horizontal level 1 board. The other should be nailed in the exact middle of the base board. Continue assembling the pieces—first the vertical pieces, then the shelf on top.