Week 6 dining room renovations & built-ins

I wanted to show in photos as many stages of my build that I could so that if you wanted to build something similar you can see how I built my project.
So I added the vertical pieces and then I added braces for the shelves attaching them to the studs and to the side panels with pocket holes.

I decided to make the thicker shelves out of 2 pieces of mdf simply glued together...I just clamped them and let them sit for 20 -30 min and then installed them using clamps to help me place and level
the shelves as I installed them. I screwed through from the outside of the side panels but in hind sight I would just drill pocket holes on the bottom of the shelves and attach them from the inside next time and use plugs to hide those holes.

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I then filled holes and added more 3/4" supports to the backs of the shelves so that I had something to nail the wood backing to.

  

I cut 5.5"planks from plywood for backing the shelves.I stained this plywood the same Kona color I love then top coated them with satin clear coat and rubbed them down with a fine steel wool to achieve a nice smooth surface. I used sureplay underlayment because I love the backside the way it looked when stained.

Priming and three coats of paint was much easier with out the face frames...

I cut off 3/4" off of a pices of 12" wide mdf to cover the upper part of the bookcase to hide the bones...

I am getting so anxious to get this project completed to get the wine cooler in place a to have this room furnished and ready for fun...
I am even surprised at how long this is all taking but every step seems to require a step then waiting another step then waiting....I just want it completed already because I am ready to get decorating for Christmas...

I am  hoping to get all the backing installed today and the face frames completed...hopefully things will go smoothly and I will have the built-ins completed today....then I can get to sanding the floors and a couple of days of snading.

Adding upper shelving to built-ins

I decided to keep the uppers shallow as to not block the window..which  meant I could use MDF 12"x 8' boards which are under $6.00 each.... I was going to take a break and not install these uppers at this point but I figured why not just get it done now. 

I really love having 9' ceilings, these built-ins are so tall.

I used 1x3" pine to create these simple boxes I attached them using Kregjig pocket holes.

 Here I am testing out some shelf placement.

As you can see creating these boxes is really simple 4 boards and 2 sides that's it, this will all be hidden. I can use these pieces that lay up against the wall to attach the boxes to studs in the wall.

Today I will work on the shelves which will be thick 2" shelves....I just don't know if they will be painted or stained...I will know when I go shopping for materials.
See you soon.

Base cabinet tops, DIY wood counter tops

Its amazing that you can take boards of wood and create a pretty solid surface...I did it in the laundry room 2 years ago (you can see that here) and I always thought it would make a great surface for built-ins...like the guy at Home Depot said to me , "it's not the most affordable way to make a cabinet top but it will look good".

 I did't want to look back at my dining room built-in and feel like I cheaped out at all, I don't think the dining room is the place to cheap out. I am tackling this project a little at a time as funds allow. I plan to complete the lower cabinets and then take a break in between then I will complete the ceiling portion after that  I will move on the bookcase upper portion. I am not rushing this, there is no rush.

 I took the 2"x 3" knotty pine boards and glued them and screwed them together with pocket holes.

I let the boards and glue set for a few hours with pipe clamps.

 After sanding the ends flush with the belt sander I sanded the tops flush also , although the boards are the same dimension they need a good sanding to get the surface even, after that I used my orbital sander to get a nice smooth surface. Then I routered the edges. I have only routered once before...its not as perfect as I would like it to be but it's pretty good and I am a novice at this for sure but I'm confident it will look great when it is all completed.

 I am ready to prime and paint these bases and get onto making the doors...I should order my hardware now...

 Using the router is a little messy...

I applied one coat of Kona colored Varathane oil stain, I will give it a light sand and wax the tops tomorrow.

So there is a little update for today, I will be taking a couple of days off , feel free to follow along on Instagram for more frequent updates and photos... link on the left margin up near the top of the page.

Face framing

I have jumped back into the dining room project after a little break...it was difficult to get a lot done between dropping kids off and letting dogs out and picking kids back up .... challeging. I got the face frames all attached and added a couple of shelves as well as the baseboards things are looking up.

Today I will start making this 2x3 pine into a counter or top for the bases. I am still hopeful to have marble for the middle section ....