Repurposed Shutter Storage Space

Assemble column.
 
Determine which shutter will be the front door of your finished shelf unit. Remove extra hardware, leaving only the front door shutter still on its hinges. Position remaining shutters to form a four-sided box with the operable door facing forward. If your shutter’s louvers are fixed, make sure they are pointing in the same direction. Secure fixed sides with right-angled metal fastener plates screwed into place at the top and bottom in each back corner.

Construct top and base.
 
Position two 16-inch lengths of 1x8 lumber and screw into place forming the base of your shelf unit. Mount the four porcelain knobs to the outside bottom of the shelf unit; drill pilot holes and screw into place with the mounting hardware that came with the knobs, working from inside the cabinet frame. Form the top of your shelf unit with the remaining two lengths of 1x8 lumber and screw into place as you did on the base.

Install interior shelves.
 
Cut screen molding or lath strips into two supporting cleats for each plywood shelf. I cut 11-inch cleats to fit the 12-inch wide shutters. Recessing the shelves allows clearance for the door of the cabinet to open and close. Drill pilot holes at the end of each shelf cleat. Carefully measure down from the top of the cabinet so each shelf sits level and mark cleat positions. Screw supporting cleats into place and position shelves.

Affix tile top.
 
Trimming mesh between tiles with tin snips, cut and arrange mosaic slate tiles to cover a 14 x 16-inch area. Apply heavy-duty construction adhesive to the back of each tile section and glue tiles to the top surface of your shutter shelf cabinet. Weight the glued surface and leave to dry for at least 24 hours before grouting.

Grout tile.
 
Apply pre-mixed grout according to package instructions, carefully working it into all the joints and crevices around each individual 1-inch tile. Using a \ damp sponge, remove extra grout and clean the surface of the tiles before the grout begins to set.

Finish.
 
Screw short lengths of leftover screen molding or wooden lath around the top tiled surface to finish off raw edges.
 
Variations
 
A. Sturdy hooks easily fit over shutter louvers keeping garden snips and a small container for seeds handy. Scrap linoleum tiles lend color and durability to finished shelves.
 
B. Grill masters can turn shutter shelf columns into an outdoor pantry stocked with barbeque utensils and accessories.

Excerpted from Handmade Garden Projects: Step-by-Step Instructions for Creative Garden Features, Containers, Lighting & More by Lorene Edwards Forkner and published by Timber Press.