This project was built and designed by David from dk builds. It’s a sleek, modern waterfall shelf that functions as a computer monitor stand while adding visual appeal to any desktop.
With clean lines and a wrapped grain design, this build balances form and function. It raises your monitor to eye level while doubling as a beautiful furniture accent, ideal for anyone looking to upgrade their workspace aesthetics.
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What Makes the Design Unique
The standout feature of this project is the waterfall effect, where the wood grain flows continuously across the top and down the sides. This technique gives the piece a refined, cohesive appearance that’s hard to ignore.
In addition to the waterfall edges, the stand includes flared bevels and sharp, minimalist angles. These features make it an ideal match for modern offices, gaming setups, or creative workstations that prioritize both style and performance.
Material Selection and Prep
David starts by selecting high-quality walnut for the project. Walnut is a favorite for fine furniture builds due to its rich color, workability, and elegant grain pattern.
To prepare the stock, the boards are first flattened and squared using a jointer and planer. This ensures every surface is smooth and uniform before any cuts are made, which is critical when creating visible joints like miters.
Cutting for the Waterfall Grain
To achieve a true waterfall grain effect, the top of the stand is cut from the center portion of the board. The side panels are cut from the adjacent ends, allowing the grain to wrap continuously from top to sides.
Each piece is labeled carefully to maintain orientation throughout the build. Precision in these cuts is key, as any deviation will disrupt the visual flow of the grain once assembled.
Creating the Monitor Shelf
The inner shelf is made from the same walnut and milled to final thickness. It’s ripped to width and then cross-cut to fit between the two side panels.
Before final sizing, David leaves the shelf slightly long. This gives him room to trim back and dial in the perfect fit during the dry assembly stage.
Joinery and Construction
For strength and durability, mortise and tenon joinery is used to connect the shelf to the side panels. The mortises are routed using a spiral upcut bit on a router table, with careful reference marks to keep everything aligned.
The tenons are then cut to match the mortise dimensions and adjusted as needed to ensure a snug fit. Dry fitting all the parts before glue-up helps prevent surprises later and ensures a smooth final assembly.
Reinforcing with Splines
To strengthen the mitered corners and add a bit of contrasting detail, splines are incorporated into the joints. David uses a jig to cut slots for the splines—though he notes that older jigs can sometimes warp, so alignment should always be double-checked.
Maple is chosen for the splines, offering a subtle but striking contrast against the darker walnut. These not only improve structural integrity but also enhance the visual appeal.
Sanding, Assembly, and Glue-Up
Before glue is applied, all surfaces are sanded thoroughly to remove any tooling marks and prepare the wood for finishing. Strap clamps and parallel clamps are used together during glue-up to apply even pressure and hold the angles tight.
Mineral spirits are used after glue-up to clean any excess glue and expose missed spots. This step also helps preview the final grain and color before finishing begins.
Finishing the Shelf
The final finish is a semi-gloss armorseal, applied in several coats for protection and depth. Between each coat, the piece is lightly sanded to ensure a smooth, professional surface.
This finish enhances the walnut’s natural tones while providing enough durability for everyday use. Whether used as a monitor stand or decorative shelf, the piece is built to last and impress.
A Functional Upgrade for Any Desk
This waterfall shelf is more than just a woodworking project—it’s a functional furniture upgrade that elevates any desk setup. It combines utility, craftsmanship, and aesthetics in one compact build.
David’s design demonstrates how careful material selection, clean joinery, and attention to grain direction can result in a piece that feels both simple and sophisticated.
Please support David by visiting his Etsy Store and buying his plans.