Custom Shelving That Fits the Way You Live

August 2026

Music lovers know that one size rarely fits all when it comes to storage. From vinyl records and sheet music to amplifiers, guitars and books, every collection has its own unique requirements.

Ladder Frame Shelving System designed to fit the space.

Joan from Dickson was looking for a custom shelving solution for their music room and study. The brief was for two free standing shelving units with a variety of shelf heights to accommodate everything from books and decorative pieces through to musical equipment. A dedicated space in the custom shelving was also incorporated for guitar storage, although sadly we couldn't quite make room for the baby grand piano.

Designed Around the Space

The project consisted of two shelving units based on our Ladder Frame Shelving system. The first, measuring 2000 x 2415 x 300mm, was designed to fit neatly along one wall and included two built-in cabinets to provide concealed storage. The second, a much larger unit measuring 5660 x 2415 x 300mm, spans the entire back wall of the room and forms the feature of the space.

Guitar storage was factored into the height of the shelves.

Designing the larger shelving unit required careful planning. A beautiful circular porthole window overlooking the backyard needed to remain a feature rather than disappear behind books and décor. The shelving layout was designed to frame the window while still providing practical storage. The existing reverse cycle air conditioner also needed to be incorporated, ensuring sufficient clearance was maintained for proper airflow and future servicing.

Recycled Timber with Contrast

The shelving was manufactured using Canberra Local Ash, while the ladder frame was crafted from Blue Gum / Coastal Reds with an ebony stain, creating a striking contrast between the shelving and the frames.

To soften the overall appearance, all Canberra Local Ash shelves were finished with a 2mm rounded edge profile, while the Blue Gum frame received a finer 1mm round-over. These small details remove sharp corners and give the shelving a refined, tactile finish.

The shelving flows around the porthole elegantly.

The cabinet handles of the concealed storage, were also made from Blue Gum.

The Canberra Local Ash was finished in Osmo Polyx Oil Matt, while the Blue Gum / Coastal Reds was stained in Osmo Ebony wood stain. The darker stain transformed the rich red tones of the Blue Gum into a deep, dramatic frame that beautifully contrasts with the lighter Canberra Local Ash shelving.

Made to Fit Perfectly

Because our team also completed the installation, we carried out a final site measure before manufacturing commenced. This ensured every detail, from the wall dimensions to the window and air conditioner clearances, was accounted for, making installation straightforward once the shelving was complete.

Storage Designed Around You

Every home stores different things, and that's why we don't believe in one-size-fits-all shelving. Designing and manufacturing in our Canberra workshop allows us to tailor every shelf height, cabinet, timber species and finish to suit the way you'll actually use the space. Whether you need shelving for a study, living room, library, home office or a collection that's grown over the years, we can create a solution that's built around your home rather than asking you to adapt to a standard product.

Planning Your Own Shelving Project?

If you're planning your own shelving project, we'd love to help. Contact the team at Thor's Hammer to discuss your ideas or visit our showroom at 10 Mildura Street, Griffith. We're open Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm, and Saturdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

SPECIFICATIONS (as pictured):

TIMBER SPECIES: Canberra Local Ash shelves and Blue Gum / Coastal Reds frame.

DIMENSIONS:

Large Ladder Frame Shelving Unit - 5660 x 2415 x 300mm

Small Ladder Frame Shelving Unit - 2000 x 2415 x 300mm

FINISH: Clean dressed finish, shelves finished in Osmo Polyx Oil Matt, frame finished in Osmo Ebony Satin.