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Open Shelves and Buyer's Guide
Open Shelves
Converting a few of your wall cabinets to open shelving is a great way to create display space for dishes or to keep cookbooks and cooking supplies within easy reach. Anyone handy with a paint brush can complete this project in a leisurely weekend. Don’t forget to order the glass shelves about a week before you need them.
You’ll need a screwdriver, hammer and tape measure as well as basic painting equipment like a paint brush, putty knife, masking tape, and sandpaper or sanding sponge. Use a drill with a 9/32-in. bit to drill holes for the metal sleeves.
Some cabinets, like ours, are easy to convert by simply removing the doors and ordering glass shelves. Others may require a little carpentry work, like removing a fixed shelf. Take a close look inside the cabinet to see whether there are hidden challenges. If it looks good, remove the doors and carefully measure for shelves. Measure from one side of the cabinet to the other and from front to back. Deduct 1/8 in. from these measurements to arrive at the glass size. Look in the Yellow Pages under “Glass” to find a company that will cut the glass and polish all of the edges. We spent $60 for the six 1/4-in. thick glass shelves in this kitchen. Ask the glass salesperson what thickness you need for strength and safety. Longer spans require thicker glass.
While you’re waiting for the glass to arrive, paint the cabinet interiors. Choose a color that matches or complements a floor or wall color. Preparation is the key to a long-lasting, perfectly smooth paint job. If you’re painting over Melamine or another hard, shiny surface, make sure to thoroughly roughen the surface with 80-grit sandpaper and prime with shellac before brushing or spraying on the coats of paint.
If you don’t have holes for the shelf pins, use a tape measure and square to mark the hole locations and bore 9/32-in. holes to accept the metal reinforcing sleeves. The shelf pins, sleeves and round rubber pads are available from Rockler Woodworking and Hardware. Call 1-877-ROCKLER for the store nearest you or for mailorder information.
Buyer’s GuideStainless steel hanging rail by Rosle available by mail from Kitchen Window: (888) 824-4417. www.kitchenwindow.com
Low-voltage lighting system by Tech Lighting: Call for the closest showroom. (800) 522-5315. www.techlighting.com
Kindred stainless steel sink No. KSDC 2233 and Moen pullout spout faucet No. 7385C One Touch Chrome are available at full-service home centers and plumbing supply stores. Other manufacturers offer similar styles.
Stainless steel backsplash material is available through your local sheet metal fabricator.
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