DIY Network

Rotating Art Display Show off an art collection with minimal wall space. From "Wasted Spaces" episode DWSP-308

Just turn the page for another masterpiece.

Great art doesn't do anybody much good rolled up in a tube or shoved in a closet. This easy-change art display, designed as a giant three-ring binder, makes it easy to flip between pieces and rotate art in and out of the display.

Host Karl Champley shows how to create this binder-style art display and even recess it inside an interior wall. It's part of an office makeover that includes recessed shelving for treasured collectibles and even a storage-heavy desk with room for art supplies and work materials alike.

advertisement

Rotating Art Display

Tools: safety glasses carpenter’s pencil drywall saw razor knife hammer nail gun screw gun level drill chop saw paint brushes, trays

Materials: wood glue plywood nails wood trim sandpaper paint and primer screws frames split pins U-bolts nuts washers

	Figure A
	Figure B

• Determine the display location. Pick an interior wall for the recessed art display. Choose a spot that doesn't have plumbing lines in the wall and is neither above or below a light switch or electrical outlet. Locate and mark the studs in the wall, and measure the distance between the studs.

• Design the display. Measure the pieces of art that will go in the display and choose inexpensive plastic frames of an appropriate size. Sketch out a design for the display so that the pages are large enough to hold the artwork, and the sides of the recessed box will be against two wall studs. Allow extra space inside the recessed box so the pages can turn easily (figure A).

• Cut the wall recess. Remove drywall to create the wall recess. The recess should be bordered by a wall stud on both sides to give support to the display. For this project, Karl removed part of one wall stud to accommodate the size of the display (figure B). Measure the exact space between the studs and adjust the design as needed.

• Build the box. Cut plywood to the appropriate sizes and build the open box that will house the display. Use wood glue and nails to secure the sides, top, bottom and back. Prime and paint as desired.

  Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses and use caution when using power tools such as saws or drills.
  

  	Figure C
  	Figure D

• Make the pages. Cut plywood sheets to the correct size for the pages. Drill three holes down the "binder" side of the pages, spacing them evenly down the side of the page. Paint the plywood pages to match the frames and let the paint dry completely, then use screws to attach the frames to the pages.

• Bind the pages. Position the pages inside the box and mark the location of the page holes on the back of the box. Remove the pages, drill the holes, and replace the pages. Bind the pages to the box using U-bolts: Slip each U-bolt through the pages, then place a nut and washer on each threaded end (figure C). Insert the ends through the box. On the underside of the box, slip a washer over the bolts and secure with a split pin. Back on top of the assembly, tighten down the nuts.

  Tip: Karl used split pins instead of nuts behind the display to save space inside the wall.

• Install the display. Fit the display into the wall recess. Check it for level and attach it by driving screws through the plywood box and into the wall framing (figure D). Use a finish nailer to install wood trim to the wall around the box for a more finished look and to hide any gaps between the wall and the box.