Let’s pick up where we left off: on Monday our open shelves had been primed and were ready to go up.
While the primer was out, we also painted the hood cover. We used a 2″ angled brush to get into the cracks and finished with a small foam roller to create a smooth surface. The paint instantly softened the woodsy look on that wall.
After the primer dried — we used Zinsser Smart Prime, a low-VOC option recommended by a few pro cabinet painters — we painted the brackets, shelves, and hood with the same durable paint used on our cabinets. Two thin coats over the primer did the trick. We applied the paint with the same method: a 2″ angled brush for the details and a small foam roller for an even finish. The paint is Benjamin Moore Advance in Cloud Cover, which many pros use on cabinet interiors and exteriors because it cures hard and holds up to everyday wear.
The real excitement began when we actually started hanging things on the wall. Since we had already drilled the screws into the wall, the installation went smoothly. We mounted the brackets on the short side first…
…and moments later the shelves were in place. It was a satisfying “ooh” and “ahhh” moment.
We didn’t leave them unsecured; we just paused to double-check that everything remained level. It was, so we moved on to the long side of the wall and repeated the process.
In the previous post we mentioned planning to screw the shelves into the wall and even prepared pocket holes for that purpose. Once we felt how solid the brackets were, and not wanting to add a dozen more holes through tile, we decided to fasten the shelves to the brackets instead. We used the pocket holes as guides but drove the screws straight down into the brackets rather than at the original pocket-hole angle. In hindsight we could have skipped making the pocket holes, but the screws end up hidden in a place we can easily caulk over.
Next came caulking. To hide dark seams where the shelves met the brackets, we ran a thin bead of white, paintable caulk along the top of each bracket and smoothed it with our finger so the shelves and brackets read as one unit. It was a little tedious, but worth the clean, finished look. We painted over the caulk for a seamless match.
With that, the installation was complete — aside from waiting for everything to cure. As eager as we were to fill the shelves with plates, bowls, and cups, we held off so the paint and caulk could fully cure. Jumping in too soon risks dents and dings during the first few days of use. For now, we’re enjoying these empty “after” shots and following the paint can’s curing instructions. Tomorrow we’ll load them up — Sherry even plans to shoot a timelapse of the process.
We still need to add crown molding at the ceiling to make the top of the hood more seamless, plus patch a few ceiling spots. But painting the hood and installing the shelves has moved the room from “just started” to “definitely closer to done.”
We’re pleased with the brackets, and we’re glad we didn’t pursue true floating shelves. The brackets have a charming look and feel very sturdy — probably more than enough to hold whatever we put on them. Sherry likes the idea of filling them with ceramic animals; I’ll make sure they stay useful for everyday items instead. The shelves are deep enough for 12″ dinner plates, and the 15″ spacing between brackets provides plenty of room for daily essentials, which helps keep items from getting dusty since they get used often.
At first it felt odd to see the penny tile interrupted by bright white lines, but it’s rewarding to watch the vision we’ve had for this space take shape.
Tomorrow we’ll share photos and a video of the shelves fully loaded. Meanwhile, here’s a slightly closer “after” shot so you can see how things are shaping up. We’re getting there, and a few remaining tasks are still on the list: installing crown molding, patching the ceiling, adding a pendant over the sink, covering the peninsula base with decorative wood planks, hanging art near the fridge, and finishing the pantry side.
It’s fun to look back at how the room used to look and how much has changed. We lived with the old look for months before finally painting the paneling, and once we started the project momentum carried us forward. Is anyone else in the final stretch of a home project? Knock on wood — literally.
If you’re looking for more shelving and vertical storage ideas, check out our post with a collection of DIY shelving projects and ideas for inspiration.