Building A Live Edge Floating Shelf

In this episode, I build a custom floating Shelf with a live edge for a Colorado Home.  The shelf is made from a walnut slab and is adorned with ebony bowties inlaid into a defect in the slab.

Summary

 Transforming a Rough Walnut Slab into a Floating Shelf

I’ve had this walnut slab sitting in my shop for a while, and I finally decided to turn it into a floating shelf. It wasn’t without its challenges—the slab had a rough chainsaw cut where a branch had been removed, and one end was pretty rotten. But I saw potential in its natural cracks, which I planned to highlight with hand-inlaid ebony bow ties.

Flattening the Slab

The slab had a slight twist and was just a bit too wide for my jointer, so I had to get creative. I used a router sled to flatten one side, then ran it through the planer to smooth out the opposite face. After flipping it back, I cleaned up any remaining marks for a perfectly flat surface.

Shaping the Organic Edge

Next, I power-carved the rough chainsaw-cut edge to create a more natural, flowing shape. I imagined water running off the edge, following the contours of the wood as if it were stone. The initial carving went well, and I refined the curves later with a sander for a smoother finish.

Dealing with the Rotten End

The rotten section needed attention, but instead of cutting it off entirely, I opted to preserve its character. I used a wire brush to remove loose material, then sealed it with resin to stabilize the wood.

Inlaying Ebony Bow Ties

To accentuate the natural cracks, I sketched out several bow tie designs on paper, chose my favorites, and glued the templates onto ebony. After cutting them out on the bandsaw, I cleaned up the edges with a chisel and added a slight bevel to ensure a snug fit.   I secured the bow ties in place using double-sided tape and carefully traced their outlines with a razor blade. Then came the meticulous process of chiseling out the mortises—working from the corners inward to avoid overcutting.

Cutting the Shelf to Size

I decided to angle the cut on one end to make the rotted section a focal point. The idea was to create the illusion that the shelf was emerging from the wall, as if the wood was naturally decaying into it. It was a small artistic touch that added depth to the piece.

Fitting the Shelf to an Uneven Wall

Installing the shelf in a stairwell meant dealing with an out-of-square wall. To simplify the process, I scribed the wall’s shape onto a plywood template, sanded it to fit, and then transferred the profile to the walnut slab. A few adjustments with a block plane ensured a perfect fit.

Mounting Hardware and Final Adjustments

Since the floating shelf hardware required precise placement, I taped kraft paper to the wall to mark stud locations and transferred them to the slab. Using a block of wood as a guide, I drilled straight holes for the mounting brackets and chiseled out recesses for a flush fit.  To fine-tune the shelf’s level, I added countersunk screws along the bottom edge, allowing for minor adjustments. A story stick helped me accurately position the wall-mounted hardware before the final installation.

The Moment of Truth

With everything prepped, it was time to hang the shelf. After a few nervous moments, it slid into place perfectly—floating effortlessly against the wall, with its organic edges, ebony bow ties, and weathered character on full display.

This project was a great reminder that even flawed materials can become stunning pieces with a little patience and creativity. The walnut slab, onc