Custom-Built Minimalist Open Shelving and Reclaimed Wood Slab - Made to Fit

This project was a special one for me and my family. Our kitchen had recently been renovated and we needed a solution for the empty space in the far corner of the room. We decided to build a custom reclaimed wood slab shelf to use as a dry bar with a repurposed french cleat-style open shelving system above:

The 4" thick wood slab was sourced from an antique shop in Philadelphia and the base was created with 2" galvanized pipe, floor flanges, and hidden wall attachments.  There are many different ways to finish and mount large, heavy wooden shelves, but this method added a beautiful, rustic touch to the space.

The open shelving system originally resided in my aunt and uncle-in-law's house and was considered a beloved architectural feature for the family.  Upon their move back to the Midwest, we gratefully claimed the shelves and cut them down to fit our opening exactly. The construction of this system is unlike anything I had seen - a single french cleat header held the entire system in place while the solid oak boards were held in place with nothing but grooves cut into them and mated tightly together with a set of notched rails.

Needless to say, I'll be utilizing this construction method as much as possible in my future designs!