You guys were so sweet last week when I told you about my reckless abandon and tackling the breakfast bar project on my own last week! I’ve been having A BLAST. This is where I left you.
It’s almost done! And today, I’m going to show you how to make your own corbels! But first, let me back up and share how I came upon this design.
I knew I wanted something chunky and detailed, but I’m not very good at just coming up with these things out of my head. So, naturally, I turned to Pinterest. I love using Pinterest as a search engine. I just typed in ‘detailed corbel’ and started scrolling through all the gorgeous swirly corbels! Here are a couple that I seriously considered.
But when I saw this pic, I KNEW it was the one! LOVE!
It looked simple enough. I knew I would need to have 3 layers… one center chunky/solid layer, and two outer detailed layers with all the little cutouts. The only problem with the image above is that it has the corbels photographed at such an angle that I can’t just replicate it. I needed it straight-on so I could print it on a transparency and project it onto the wood. So that’s when I called on my BFF Dana and her schnazzy software to straighten things out for me. BAM!
And now I have a FREE Corbel Template to share! You’re welcome!
I printed my new corbel template onto a transparency and projected it onto a piece of card stock. Once I had it adjusted to the exact dimensions that I needed my corbels, I traced with a pencil.
The reason I projected onto paper instead of the actual wood is because I’m making 4 corbels… with 2 detailed sides each. So that means I need to make 8 of these EXACTLY the same. Having a template would make this a lot easier than having to trace all 8 boards using the projector. After I was done tracing on my paper, I used an Exacto knife to cut out the cutouts.
Then I just traced my template onto my wood! Easy peasy! (this is a 1×10 board below for reference)
Then, using my scroll saw, I cut along the outside lines. This is the scroll saw I use and it’s A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. But if you’re looking for a more mid-range (read: less expensive) then this one is also great quality and handles well! Whatever you do, don’t buy a scroll saw in the $100-$200 range. You’ll regret it for sure.
The next step was to drill holes in each little cutout so I could feed my scroll saw blade through and cut them out individually. This looks very tedious, but each one only took me about 20 minutes.
For the middle layer, I found some massive 2×10’s laying around the garage. Since I wanted the ‘inner chunky layer’ to be slightly inset, I let my template hang over the edge about a half inch while I traced. Then cut! No need to do all the little cutouts on the center layer!
Now you’ve got all 3 components!
I wanted my center layer to be stained dark. After sanding a little, I just wiped on the stain (RustOleum Dark Walnut) with a cloth, and used an old craft brush to get deep in those nooks and crannies.
I spray primed and painted the detailed outside layers white, and then glued together with wood glue!
Feast your eyes upon this gorgeous corbel of mine!
Probably the hardest part of these corbels (and the only part I had to ask for Nick’s help) is actually affixing them to the wall. Since these corbels are equally functional and decorative, they need to be sturdy enough to actually hold up the counter top. Using the Kreg Counterbore drill bit, he drilled 3 anchor locations through the corbel. Setting the stop collar on the bit to stop about an inch before it went through the back side of the corbel.
Here’s a diagram showing the angles and locations of the holes drilled.
Then we secured it to the island using 2 1/2 inch screws. And then once installed, I went back and touched up those holes with more stain and they’re practically invisible!
Those bad boys aren’t going anywhere. They’re secure enough that having two on the outer edges would have been sufficient… but I like the look of having 4, and the way it makes little ‘stations’ for each barstool. Speaking of barstools, I need to do some online shopping, because these 50’s barstools from our retro diner bistro aren’t going to cut it for long. But they work for now. (only 2 of the 4 corbels installed on the pic below)
And here she is in alllll of her glory. So fun right?!
If you give this DIY Corbels tutorial a try, please send me pics of how yours turned out! (beth@realitydaydream.com) or tag me on social media! We’re @RealityDaydream on Instagram and Facebook.
HAPPY WEEKEND!
P.S! Come check out other projects where we’re used our overhead projector HERE, and projects where we (*I*) used the scroll saw HERE!
Thanks for pinning!
*this post contains affiliate links
Related:
-
My kids are getting to the age where they want to tape pictures, cards, notes...…
-
It's been awhile since I've done a sewing project, and as weird as it sounds,…
-
These DIY Planters are perfect for cascading Wave Petunias, and it will be so fun…
My raised kitchen countertop lives with the skeleton frame exactly like what’s in your previous post. Finally I come across to this post today and immediately decide to steal your idea. What is the thickness of your corbels? They have to be screwed in the 2×4 frame, right? But I see in the pictures they don’t look like only 1 1/2″ thick.
There’s a 2×4 sandwiched by two 1x boards that are scrolled. Does that make sense??
Can u put the template on here? I have never done this before but believe if I had a template with the actual shape to trace out I might could do it. I want 2 corbels so bad I can’t tell u. Thanks 4 your help. Ginny
THis post is 6 years old and nobody has ever asked me for the template! Too funny! I do have it, if you want to send me an email, I can email you back with an attachment. My email is beth@realitydaydream.com
i love your design as well. could I use your template?
Yes! Send me your email and I’ll email over the corbel template!
Great job! Wondering how you fixed the live edge slab to the corbels or vice sersa haha
…I’m searching for different ways to attach from the bottom. I’ve got a bookcase banister just waiting for the live edge slab to be installed on top. Guess I didn’t end up bookmarking what I found initially when I started the project!
Any help would be appreciated!!
We drilled up through the corbels into the live edge. Hope this helps!
I am just starting a project in the laundry to install a shelf above the washer/dryer to hide the ugly plumbing. I needed pretty corbels and hopefully an easy DIY and I found your tutorial. Thanks so much for this. I am ready to start my project and can’t wait to install. I think I am going to put utilitarian brackets under the shelf that can’t be seen, and these will go on the ends on top of the shelf, like book ends anchored to the wall.
Hi Bethany- I have an overhead projector that I purchased for this type of project among others. however, I struggle with getting my image to “show-up”, as well as sizing to my project/paper template. I gotta be doing something wrong. I can bust a move with planers, grinders, sanders, saws… but overhead projector? Not so much.
Any tips?
I’ve had to play around with the size that I print (or draw) on the transparency. You’ll get a feel for what size shows up the most crisp for the size of the item you’re tracing into. Lots of trial and error! Sometimes when I’m using a projector to project an image onto a piece of wood about the size of a football, the image on the transparency is the size of my thumb! Play around with it and be patient!
‘looks very nice and simple. I just want to ask that can you cut a curved line with a scroll saw on a 2×10 board
Just in case you ever get bored, and want to build 2 more of these beauties, let me know. Would be happy to purchase them from you!
Anna, I could totally do that for you! Corbels are FUN to make! Send me an email and we can talk details 🙂 sawdustandembryos@gmail.com
I love your scroll work! What brand of saw do you use? I’ve been looking around for one.
HI Mary Ellen! We use the RYOBI brand scroll saw, and LOVE it!!!
Which Ryobi do you have? I am to get one for Christmas and I want one that is really dependable.
Thanks
Love this idea! How did you choose where to place the support screws through the corbel? My *coughs* …eventual design will have at least two holes to accommodate drapery rods, which also means I can’t make the center piece solid. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Congrats on Baby Girl #3! I never comment on any blog I read, but I keep seeing these projects that you do with your scroll saw and can’t help but think of the extra steps(=time) you are taking. I would have never know this unless I hadn’t seen my dad do it, but instead of tracing your patterns onto wood you can print them and place them directly on your wood with spray adhesive. The paper peels right off (if you put too much some sanding will fix it). I like it because it’s one less step and better/straighter lines show up. Also I highly recommend attaching one of these to the table your scroll saw sits on (https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1549076861061008894?q=magnifying+glass+lamp&client=safari&rls=en&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.77880786,d.eXY&biw=1713&bih=877&tch=1&ech=1&psi=auNLVP1hy5WDBPDcgKAJ.1414259563312.3&sa=X&ei=cONLVPbEJYLGgwTt_4GoAg&ved=0CMACEPMCMAs)
I hope that is helpful.
Dear Beth and Nick, What a dream life the four of you have. Your home is beautiful and the girls are adorable. You are blessed. I would love to be able to do all the things you do. I am going to give it a go. I will send some pics when I get some stuff done. Thanks for all the inspiration. God Bless you Ruth-Ellen
Awesome, you have a right to be proud of them! I love the 2 tone, brilliant idea.