COVER STORY

This children’s bookcase displays picture books within easy reach.

Inspired by Montessori-style furniture, where pieces are designed for children to use on their own, Bunnings Workshop member Rufaro (@diy_hausdesigns) built an easily accessible display case for his daughter. Made from budget-friendly plywood, it has simple, clean lines and an attractive natural finish.

“Our daughter has a keen interest in books, which we want to nurture. So I designed something she could use,” he says.

Rufaro used a trim router to round over the edges of the bookcase and engrave his daughter’s initials into the front. “The routed edges make it safer and celebrate the layers of plywood in a lovely way.”

Find out more at workshop.bunnings. com.au/kids-bookshelf.

Tools & materials

n Safety equipment (mask, ear and eye protection) n Tape measure and pencil n Circular saw with straightedge n Jigsaw n Clamps n Drill with 10mm bit n Combination square n 8G combination countersinking bit n Sander with 180grit abrasive disc n Trim router with round-over and straight bits n Microfibre cloth n Mini roller with tray n 2400mm x 1200mm x 12mm plywood• n Woodworking adhesive n 8G x 30mm countersunk screws n Clear matt varnish

Diy Toolkit

Made from 12mm plywood, this bookcase is 900mm high, 925mm wide and 600mm deep, but adjust the measurements to suit your space 1 2 3 4

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1 Ecoply 2400mm x 1200mm x 12mm structural CD grade pine plywood• .

2 Zenith 8G x 30mm countersunk rib head chipboard screws, $7.75/pack of 100, I/N: 2408414. 3 Ryobi ‘One+’ 18V cordless jigsaw, $139/skin only (battery and charger sold separately), I/N: 6210486. 4 Craftright 125mm hook and loop sanding discs, $7.98/pack of 10, I/N: 6310127. 5 Cabot’s ‘Cabothane Clear’ matt water based polyurethane varnish, $57/1L, I/N: 1520404. 6 Irwin ‘Quick Grip’ 300mm mini clamps, $33.98/pack of 2, I/N: 0215574. 7 Ryobi 400W trim router, $99, I/N: 6210607. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Cut Ting List

From a plywood sheet, use a circular saw with a straightedge to cut two 1200mm x 900mm pieces.

From one piece, cut two side panels 900mm x 600mm.

From the other, cut a 900mm x 280mm lower, middle and top backing panel, plus three 900mm x 120mm shelf slats.

From the offcut, cut a 600mm x 150mm front panel.

n When using power tools to cut and sand, always wear the recommended safety gear and work in a well-ventilated area.

n This bookcase is for displaying books only and is not suitable for climbing.

3 On the back of all backing panels, mark a line 5mm up from the base using a combination square, then use a countersinking bit to predrill five holes 50mm from the ends and 200mm apart. On the front of the lower and middle panels, mark a line 90mm down from the top to predrill five holes. Sand over all pieces to remove breakout.

1 On a side panel, 30mm from the top, mark a 135mm x 50mm handle cutout 30mm in from the back edge. Mark a curved edge from above the handle, out to the side 300mm up from the base, down to 70mm in from the front edge. Along the base, mark 50mm up and 150mm in from either side for the base curve. Tip: We used a strip of flexible plastic tongue to shape the curves.

2 Use a jigsaw to cut the curves. To make the handle, clamp the plywood to the bench and drill into the corners with a 10mm bit, then cut with the jigsaw. Position on top of the remaining side panel, base and back edges flush, to transfer the curves and handle; repeat the cuts. Tip: Work off the bench to ensure the blade is unimpeded.

6 Position the shelves on the outside of both side panels, checking the distance from the edges, and mark around them. Predrill three holes each panel, two each slat. Install screws at the top and lower panels to protrude 3mm. Apply adhesive and position the shelves on the screws, secure and install remaining screws. Predrill, centre and secure the front panel.

4 To assemble the shelves, apply adhesive along a slat, position and clamp it against the lower panel to secure through the holes with 30mm screws. Apply adhesive to another slat and position against the back of the lower panel, clamp and secure with screws, then repeat to attach the middle panel, the remaining slat and top panel.

5 Run a trim router with round-over bit around all edges of the side and front panels, along the front of the shelf assembly and top of the backing panels. Mark initials onto the front panel, clamp it to the bench. Change the router to a straight bit, check the depth is less than 10mm, then cut the initials.

7 Sand over the sides to remove pencil marks and breakout around the screws. Wipe all over the bookcase with a damp cloth to remove dust, then apply two coats of clear varnish with a mini roller, leaving to dry after each. Tip: Seal the back first, then flip the bookcase right side up to finish.

Looking for a school holiday craft project to do with the kids? Try these cute animal-themed wall hangings made from old woven placemats. See how at bunnings. com.au/kids-bedroom

Reading Nook

Tools & materials

n Safety equipment (mask, ear and eye protection, gloves) n Tape measure and pencil n Mitre saw n Drill n 6G combination countersinking bit n Nail gun with 35mm and 50mm brad nails n Microfibre cloth n Sawhorses n Drop sheet n Paint sprayer n Timber cot n Five 1200mm lengths 89mm x 19mm DAR pine• n 180-grit abrasive paper with sanding block n Timber adhesive n 6G x 40mm timber screws n 6G x 30mm timber screws n Timber filler n Primer n Interior acrylic paint (we used Dulux Earth Warming)

Take one outgrown cot, reinforce the frame, add shelving and a new mattress cover to upgrade it to a snug retreat. 1 3

1 Remove the front gate of the cot with attached brackets. Adjust the slatted base to the highest position in the frame, then measure between the uprights to find the length of the front rail and shelf slats, and from the ground up to the base for the back supports. Tip: The front rail and slats for this cot are 1197mm, back supports 389mm.

Diy Toolkit

LEFT Verve Design ‘Lizelle’ tripod floor lamp, $139.31, I/N: 0261996 (globe sold separately). Flexi Storage ‘Home Solutions’ 2 runner mesh baskets, $27.29 each, I/N: 2590165, and half width mesh basket, $20.34, I/N: 2583982, all in White. Fiddle leaf fig plant in Northcote Pottery ‘Ava’ 25cm x 25cm egg pot, $26.23, I/N: 0312605, and 30cm x 30cm egg pot, $34.63, I/N: 0312603 (used as a stand), both in Sage (plant sold separately). Rug, for similar try Bayliss ‘Dura’ 225cm x 155cm jute rug, $256, I/N: 0045233. All other products, stylist’s own.

3 On the outside of the front mark 20mm and 70mm up from the slatted base, then predrill through the centre with a 6G combination countersinking bit. Apply adhesive to front rail edges, position and secure with 40mm screws. Secure through the rail into the base using a nail gun with 35mm brad nails.

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4 Position the back supports under the slatted base, equal distance from the ends. Predrill through the back of the frame, apply adhesive to the supports and secure with 30mm screws. At the top, secure through the base into the supports with 50mm brad nails.

5 Position a slat at the back, flush with the bottom of the frame and against the back supports. From the outside, on both sides, mark 20mm and 70mm from the back uprights, 10mm up. Predrill, apply adhesive, then position and secure with 40mm screws.

6 To install the front slat, on both sides of the frame mark 20mm and 70mm from the front upright, 10mm up. Predrill and countersink, apply adhesive, then position and secure with 40mm screws. Centre the middle slat and repeat to predrill and secure.

7 Fill all screw holes with timber filler, leave to dry and sand flush. Wipe all over with a damp cloth to remove dust. Mask over any parts of the cot that aren’t timber, position it on sawhorses and prepare the area with a drop sheet.

8 Pour primer into a paint sprayer and lightly coat all over, flipping the cot upside down to coat the underside, leave to dry. Clean the spray gun and fill with paint. Beginning with the cot upside down, lightly apply two coats all over, leaving to dry after each coat.

9 Cover the mattress in a fitted cot sheet and stitch ties to matching pillow covers to attach to the frame. Tip: If you have a sewing machine, make a new mattress cover and cushions from a curtain, as we did here.

Keep in mind…

n You may require an Allen key or hex head bit to remove the front gate of the cot.

n Although this cot frame has been reinforced, it’s not suitable for adults or children weighing more than 30kg.

n When using a nail gun, wear eye protection and ensure the nose is flat against the piece before pulling the trigger.

KELPIE CROSS

Mr Softy

This very good Perth boy loves walkies, the beach and snuggles

1 I live in… Perth with Jess (mum) and Conor (dad).

2 My preferred mode of transport is… Walkies.

3 I have a habit of… Doing zoomies when I get overexcited.

4 My best trick is… Catching tennis balls.

5 My favourite day involves… Going to the beach then sleeping for the rest of the day.

6 I sleep best when… I’m in between Mum and Dad, pushing them off the bed.

7 My tail wags… Pretty much all the time.

8 I love to eat… Dental sticks before bed every night.

9 My favourite celebrity is… Leo(nardo) DiCaprio because he has the best name!

10 I show love by… Giving lots of big kisses and snuggling up on the couch.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

HOW TO READ YOUR CAT PURR-FECTLY

Felines can be enigmatic by nature, but Kylie McKendry from the Cat Protection Society of NSW offers these tips on kitty body language to help you read your cat better. Wagging tail: Dogs wag tails when happy, but a swishing or flicking cat tail can signal agitation. This is a cue for you to bring down the excitement level if you’re playing together, or postpone the cuddles to give your feline friend more personal space.

Ears pointing sideways: This can be a sign your cat is feeling frightened or threatened. Proceed with caution; better still, leave your cat alone and let it approach you when it’s ready (and the ears are straight up and alert).