Thrift Shop Shelf Upcycle with Hardware Cloth

April 26, 2017

This little homemade shelf was a recent purchase at the Littlefork Thrift Shop. It was quite rough plywood except for the back which was a smooth shiny piece of wall paneling. I removed the paneling back.

Here is the side view.

My first plan was to stain it with vinegar and steel wool homemade stain, but I soon saw that wood putty used on the shelf showed up everywhere as lighter spots on the corners and nail holes.

So Plan B was to paint the shelf with Dutch Boy Chalky Finish Paint in Antiquated Lace (available at Menards).

I painted across the grain and left some of the dark spots showing through my paint. More paint than dry brushing, but not a fully loaded paint brush.

I also added a piece of 1/4 Inch x 24 Inch x 5 Feet Hardware Cloth to the back with thumbtacks.

Upcycled Plywood Thrift Shop Shelf organizedclutter.net

I stenciled "Farmers" and "Market" on all four sides of the shelf with FolkArt Farmers Market Stencil.

A sawtooth hanger was added to the back for hanging. Or the shelf can also stand on a counter top. I sealed the shelf with Rust-Oleum Chalked Sealer/Wax Topcoat Spray .