We’ve all seen these instagrammable walls with funny phrases, from Pine & Birch to LollyJane. I’ve loved these for over a year now, but did not want to spend the money on buying one. Also, I get nervous putting something up that is so trendy, like will I like it by next Fall? This is why I decided to make a letter ledge that can double as a classic picture ledge for when my itch to switch comes along.
Materials
- Per ledge: (2) 1x3x8, (1) 1x2x8 pine
- Trim nails
- Hammer (if you have a nail gun, that would be easier
- Bar clamp
- Sandpaper or sander
- Stain or paint. We used Varathane Wood Stain in Weathered Gray.
- Paint brush
- Damp rag
- French Cleat, we used 100 lbs rated 12 inch wide. 1 per ledge
- Marquee Letters: 6 inch letters on 6 7/8 inch clear plastic
Nail 1×3 to edge of 2×3, shown in second picture 
Nail second 2×3 on top flush to back of bottom 
Make sure all sides are flush 
Sand and smooth edges with sander or by hand 
Weathered Gray 
Brush on, and wipe off with damp rag 
French cleat holds up to 100 lbs 
Screw french cleat on to middle of top back 
Using level mount other half to wall 
Place ledge onto center of cleat 
Make sure it’s level 
Voila!
Directions
- Cut down all pieces to desired width. You can have this done at both Lowes and Home Depot if you don’t have the tools at home.
- Attach and clamp one 1×3 piece to the 1×2 piece like shown in the picture.
- Use a hammer and nail (or nail gun) to secure both pieces together flush. Make sure that you nail goes in straight so it doesn’t come out through the wood.
- Attach the second 1×3 piece to the back like shown in the picture and clamp.
- Nail together like above
- Sand down all edges and make sure it is smooth
- Paint or stain all sides, except the back, of your shelf
- Center french cleat to the top back of ledge and screw on using hardware provided
- Center bottom part of french cleat to the wall, accounting for that the bottom of it is basically the bottom of your shelf. If you are not going into studs, make sure that you use anchors
- Once you place your shelf on the wall you may notice minor misalignment. You can unscrew a little to move the plate on the wall up or down and then try again. We had to do this with the bottom shelf a couple of times.
- Place your marquee letters and voila!
It can be a one person project, but two people make it go a lot quicker. I am VERY happy with how this came to life and I cannot wait to change up our wall letter ledge ALL THE TIME.
Tis the season,
