How to make a shelf inspired by nature

A shelf inspired by trees – Inspired by French designer, Olivier Dolle – make a shelf for gardening books.

Tools for the job

Spreader clamps
tape measure
try square
mitre square
handsaw
marking gauge
pencil
level
claw hammer
rubber mallet
electric hammer drill
dust mask
Jack plane
8 mm and 10 mm wood drill bits and a 10 mm masonry drill bit
Wood glue
4 threaded bars (150 x 10 mm)
16 joining dowels (8 mm)

Cutting List

Pine battens in the following sizes:

2 x 800 x 145 x 35 mm
1 x 600 x 145 x 35 mm
2 x 400 x 145 x 35 mm
2 x 300 x 145 x 35 mm

Step 1

Hand-plane the 1 x 60 0 mm, 2 x 400 mm and the 2 x 300 mm bat tens to taper by 10 mm on the one side. Turn the batten over and taper the other side by 10 mm, leaving one side 15 mm thick while the other remains at 35 mm thick. Using a marking gauge will make this easier.

Step 2

Mark a 45° angle on both ends of one of the 800 mm bat tens. On the other 800 mm batten mark a 35° angle on one side only.

Step 3

Cut the excess wood away using a hand saw.

Step 4

Join together the 400 mm and the 600 mm battens using joining dowels. Join the two 300 mm battens together. Drill three holes into the edge of the batten using the 8 mm drill bit. Place glue on the tip of the dowels and insert them into the holes. Drill three holes into the opposite batten, glue and connect the two pieces.

Step 5

Use this method, plus the diagram as a guideline, to assemble the shelving.

Step 6

Use the spreader clamp to hold all the pieces together, leaving the shelf to dry for 2-3 hours. Apply 2-3 coats of light oak stain.Allow for drying time between applications.

Step 7

Hold the shelf up to the wall and with a tape measure mark where the thread bars will go into the wall. Make sure the end shelf is level.

Step 8

Using an electric drill and a 10 mm masonry drill bit, drill four holes to a depth of 75 mm into the wall.

Step 9

With a pencil, transfer marks from the holes in the wall to where the holes must be drilled in the shelf for the thread bars. Use the 10 mm wood drill bit and drill holes to a depth of 75 mm into the shelves at the markings. Confirm that the end shelf is still level.