This project was built and designed by Jonny from Jonny Builds. It’s a compact, functional cookbook stand made from reclaimed wood and metal, designed to keep your cookbook open and upright while adding rustic charm to your kitchen.
By combining scrap lumber and salvaged angle iron, Jonny creates a sturdy, purpose-built accessory that’s simple to make and surprisingly effective. It’s a quick project with long-term usefulness, especially for those who cook with physical books.
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Reclaimed Materials with a Purpose
The body of the stand is built from a discarded 2×4, full of character from wear and age. Jonny salvaged this piece from a roadside pile, showing how scrap can still serve a real function.
A section of 2-inch angle iron is added as the working front edge—the part that keeps the cookbook open. The blend of rough-cut wood and industrial steel gives this stand its signature rustic aesthetic.
Thoughtful Design for Everyday Use
The stand is set at a 37-degree tilt, making it easy to read pages without bending over or fighting glare. The angle is chosen for stability and visibility, so it holds your book upright without risk of tipping over.
Two wooden uprights are cut with angled bottoms, forming the back support. Matching support feet at the base keep the whole assembly sturdy on a countertop, even when flipping through pages mid-recipe.
Smart Page-Holding Solution
The real standout feature is a pair of bolts inserted through the angle iron. These bolts act like page stops, holding the book open exactly where you need it.
Instead of folding corners or using kitchen utensils to keep pages flat, this design does the job neatly and securely. It’s one of those small features that makes a huge difference in daily use.
Wood Cutting and Joinery
Jonny starts by trimming the salvaged 2×4 to size. He makes careful angled cuts on the ends to ensure the support legs lean back properly and meet flush during assembly.
After test-fitting the boards, the parts are glued and nailed together. Brad nails add strength to the glued joints, which is especially helpful when a project needs to endure frequent use and the occasional bump in a busy kitchen.
Custom Metalwork for the Front Edge
The angle iron is cut to size using an angle grinder, and its ends are smoothed with a flap disc. This removes any sharp burrs and gives the metal a worn, user-friendly finish.
To blend with the rustic look, Jonny uses a DIY weathering mix of steel wool and vinegar. Applied to the metal, this mixture accelerates oxidation and gives the steel an aged patina without painting it.
Attaching the Metal Securely
Holes are drilled through the angle iron and into the wooden face to secure the metal lip with lag screws. Additional holes are used to insert the bolts that hold the pages in place.
Paste wax is rubbed onto the metal to protect against future rust while preserving the aged look. It’s a subtle finish that adds durability without turning the piece glossy or overly polished.
Why This Stand Works So Well
Jonny’s cookbook stand solves a familiar set of kitchen frustrations. The angle is easy to read from, the page stops actually work, and the materials are durable enough for real-world use.
At the same time, it’s compact enough to sit on a kitchen counter without taking up too much space. The weathered wood and industrial edge also make it a great match for rustic, farmhouse, or modern kitchens alike.
Optional Tweaks and Customizations
While Jonny keeps the build straightforward, the design leaves room for personalization. Here are a few variations woodworkers might explore:
- Use hardwood offcuts for a sleeker finish or greater weight
- Substitute tung oil or wipe-on polyurethane for the wood finish
- Add a small back shelf or ledge for extra stability or holding tools
- Scale the project up to fit oversized cookbooks or down for tablets
These tweaks help tailor the stand to different preferences while keeping the build approachable.
A Quick Win for Woodworkers
This is a low-effort, high-reward project. It’s perfect for gift-giving, craft fair sales, or simply upgrading your own kitchen with something both good-looking and genuinely useful.
From start to finish, Jonny keeps things simple, showing how even scraps can become well-made, problem-solving items. The final result is proof that you don’t need complex joinery or expensive wood to build something with value.
Please support Jonny by checking out his website here: https://www.jonny-builds.com/.