These are called Hawaiian shelves only because they are decorated with a lei and little hula dancing doll. They can be decorated using any theme or no theme at all. Instead of painting the edges of the shelves to look like bamboo use any color paint or stain and don't bother about the faux! The shelves demonstrated fit into a triangular shaped frame. The unit could be as easily be a rectangle or square.
Materials:
four 3-1/2" x 24" x 1/4" lengths of wood*
sander
1/2" nails
2' x 4" piece of 1/4" plywood for back of unit
8' of 1/2" wide half round molding
stain or paint
gold acrylic paint
brown acrylic paint
brush
small saw
*The pre cut lengths of wood are available at home improvement stores. Those used on the show were of poplar.
Steps:
- Cut one length of the 3-1/2" wide lengths of wood into one 8-1/4" length and one 13-1/4" length (figure A). These are the shelves. The remaining small piece is extra. Put the shelf pieces aside for later use.
- Sand one end of each of the remaining boards to a 35-degree angle. Many electric sanders have gauges on them so this can be preset.
- Place the three boards together so they form an equilateral triangle (figure B). The bottom board will be considered board #1. This will call for applying wood glue along the angled end of board #2 and placing it on top of board #1, positioning it at the very end of the board. Meet the straight end of board #2 with the angled end of board #3 to complete the triangle. The straight end of board #3 will meet up with the straight end of board #1. Glue all boards together. Hold together with short pieces of tape until completely set. When dry remove the tape and reinforce with three 1/2" nails at each joining. Be sure to pound them in at an angle so they will go into the board on the other side.
- Sand both ends of the two shelf boards at a 35-degree angle. Place each shelf into position inside the triangle. They should fit snugly. Glue to hold and when dry reinforce with 1/2" nails. If the angles aren't perfect and there is a slight gap or unevenness, do not worry. The half rounds will be glued over them and cover any gaps.
- To add the backing, place the shelf unit on the plywood piece and draw around. Saw on the drawn lines. Sand the rough edges. Place the unit on the plywood and glue to hold. When dry reinforce with more of the 1/2" nails.
- Cut the half round into five lengths. Cut one 8-1/4", one 13-1/4" and three 24" lengths. Angle both ends of each piece at 35 degrees.
- Glue one 24" length along the bottom of the triangle bringing one end to one corner of the triangle. Place it so the overlap (the shelf is 1/4"wide and the half round is 1/2" wide) is on the inside of the shelf unit. The bottom edges should be absolutely even. Glue to hold. Repeat with the two remaining 24" lengths and the two shelf lengths.
Note: Should you care to carry out the Hawaiian theme and want the half rounds to resemble bamboo, do this before attaching to the unit. With a small saw make two small cuts about 1/4" apart approximately every 4" along the length of the half round pieces. Paint the wood gold and when dry add touches of brown paint. Place a small dab near the sawed cuts then spread the paint with an almost dry brush. If you will be painting or staining the unit this should also be done before adding the half rounds.
- Add a hanger to the back. To complete the Hawaiian theme, a child's grass skirt can be spread lengthwise over the top of the unit, and a colorful lei draped over that (figure C) or placed on the bottom shelf. Add a small hula skirted doll or any other artifacts desired.
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