Main Project Plans and Alternatives: Mountain Shelf

For my main project, I will be recreating a mountain shelf I previously made. I discussed my ideas and inspiration for this project in detail in Post 6. The aesthetic I am aiming for is Rustic Modern. The Rustic aspect comes through the use of natural materials, specifically wood, while the Modern style is reflected in the clean, visually appealing lines of the mountain peaks. To fulfill the dynamic requirement of this project, I will be incorporating a sleek drawer that complements the design.

Figure 1 shows the CAD model I created to visualize the final product. I plan to use a similar warm tone as seen in the model, aligning with the Rustic Modern aesthetic, which emphasizes warm tones and natural textures. Instead of paint, I will use stain to highlight the wood grain. I chose to create a CAD model over sketching to accurately determine the dimensions and angles needed for cutting each wood piece.

Exploring Alternative Aesthetics

The goal of this post is to explore vastly different aesthetics for my design. While I am committed to the Rustic Modern style, it was interesting to consider how my project could fit into other aesthetics.

One drastically different aesthetic is Industrial. To achieve this look, my design would be made of metal instead of wood, as shown in Figure 2. This would require welding experience and access to more specialized tools than I currently have. The Industrial style often incorporates raw materials, exposed hardware, and a utilitarian feel, which would significantly change the character of my piece.

Another alternative aesthetic is Modern. While Modern design also emphasizes clean lines and geometric shapes, it lacks the warm, natural tones of Rustic Modern. Instead, it typically features a monochromatic palette, often in black and white. In Figure 3, I envisioned my design in a Modern style. This variation would be easier to achieve than the industrial version since I could still use wood as my primary material. However, instead of staining it to showcase the natural grain, I would paint it in a solid black or white finish for a sleek, minimalist look.

Exploring these different aesthetics helped me appreciate the versatility of my design and how material choices and finishes can completely transform its visual impact. However, my original Rustic Modern direction remains my preferred choice for this project.