How to Make an Open Shelving Unit

You'll find open-shelving kits in almost any home store, but their boxy designs can leave you with a case of the blahs. This Old House general contractor Tom Silva amped up the style of this common piece by making it from shelving planks sold in 8-foot lengths and turned spindles cut to size. To streamline construction, 
Tom cut the shelves to 5 feet and used the excess to create supports 
for the base. (Five-foot shelves can hold lightweight items without sagging; if you plan to add heavy items, like books, cut shelves to no longer than 3 feet.) Trimmed with crown molding, this piece will prove the perfect spot to show off all your treasures.

Spindles: 2¼-by-2¼-inch Colonial deck spindles;
 Lowe's.
Shelves: 1x12x8 utility shelving; Lowe's.
Paint: Valspar's Deep Earth; Valspar.