DIY Countertop Pie Safe Tutorial

One of my favorite and easiest builds was a pie safe I made a couple of years ago (link). It turned out so cute, and has been a staple in my dining room. I then made one for my mom for her birthday, and painted it all white. I changed up the knobs and hinges compared to the first one I built for myself, and loved it. I actually ended up borrowing hers for the photo shoot with Country Sample Farmhouse Style last week, and knew I needed another one in my home. I actually liked the white versus the stain because it blended in better in my dining room. So, I ended up painting my original one white that night. My original one went into my kitchen...which I loved. And I had to give back the other one to my mom....so I built another one so I could have two! Because, why not? :) Confused yet? ha! Now my mom has hers back, and I have two white ones. 

These are so easy to build, and pretty cheap. I usually have all the wood on hand, but had to go out and by a 4' 1x12" for $14 from Home Depot. So, all in all with the extra hardware I was only out about $20 with this build. Not too bad! I took the plans from Ana White's Pie Safe and tweaked to the dimensions I needed and few other things which I'll share below. Her pie safe actually holds pies...for now, mine holds extra cups :) 

CUT LIST

• 1 - 1x12 @ 15-3/4" - sides
• 1- 1x12 @ 11"-bottom
• 1 - 1x10 @ 11" - shelf
• 2 - 1x2 @ 11" - top supports
• 1 - 1/4" beadboard @ 13" x 12" - back
• 2 - 1x4, 2 - 1x2, 1 - 1x3  @ 14" - top
• 2 - 1x2" @ 11" (measure for size, can be slightly smaller/larger) - door
• 2 - 1x2" @ 9" (measure for size, can be slightly smaller/larger) - door

Step 1:

After making the above cuts, I printed off a template I made from Canva to create a fun design on the bottom of the 1x12 sides. I wanted this to a little more fun than the last two I had made :)

I then used my scroll saw to cut out the design on both sides. You can use a jigsaw as well. Canva offers a lot of frames that have fun detail like this. I just picked the one I wanted, add rectangles to the end and printed it off to size.

Step 2: 

I then measured where my bottom 1x12 would go on the side 1x12s. I placed it just above the cut detail. Made sure to measure the same height on each side so the shelf was level when secured. I then placed some wood glue along the line and secure it in place with my brad nail gun using 1 1/2" nails.

Step 3:

Next was adding the top support 1x2 pieces. These were secured flush against the top and top front and back. Secured with wood glue and 1 1/2" nails as well.

Step 4: 

Adding the middle shelf was a little trickier. I placed this 6-1/2" above my bottom support shelf. I added a line so I knew where it needed to be secured on both side supports. The shelf sits flush to the back, leaving about an 1 1/2" gap compared to the bottom 1x12 shelf. This gives extra room for the door to shut on the inside without hitting the shelf.

Step 5:

Now I placed glue on all ends of the pieces I put on in the above steps, and secured the second 1x12 side piece using the 1 1/2" brad nails and nail gun.

Back:

Front:

Step 6:

For the top, I could have use a 1x12 but decided I liked the look of multiple pieces, hence the variety. I played around with the look, and then cut them to size.

I secured them with the glue and nails, making sure the back 1x4 was flush with the back, and the front one left a little lip. Also, making sure the sides were equidistant. 

Step 7:

Now for the door. Measure you 1x2s to fit the inside of the front opening. It should be close to 11" if you went with my measurements, maybe a centimeter added or subtracting depending on your cuts. Then add the two together at the bottom and measure the distance from them to the top opening to get your side measurements for the door...mine was approximately 9". 

Step 8: 

Place the pieces in a square gluing the edges together. 

Secure the joints with a staple gun. I do three per seam. I like this look because it offers rustic character. 

Then secure the back with a single one, or you can do three again here as well. Up to you. It just gives more support.

Step 9: 

Now jumping to the back. Measure the back opening and cut your plywood or beadboard about an 1" wider and longer. 

Secure to the back with a nail gun again with the 1" nails. 

Step 10:

Sand and paint! The color I used was Pepple White by Glidden in Satin.

Step 11: 

Grab some chicken wire and cut it to size, and secure it to the door using staples.

Step 12:

Secure the door to the rest of the piece using outside hinges. I found these cute guys from Ace Hardware. This stuck off a bit on the edge, so I hammered it down. No big deal :)

Step 13:

No picture shown here, but add a doorknob and then your piece is complete! 

I roughed the edges up a little bit and added some stain to them to add some character.  

The white countertop pie safe in this corner is worlds better than the dark stain one that was here before. It blends so much better and doesn't stand out as much anymore. Plus, I love how the legs turned out! When we make cookies or bread, I put them in here to keep the flies off them. But for now, it's the perfect place to store extra dishes :)

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