Breathing New Life into a Bookshelf

Probably around 10 years ago my grandma gave me a pair of these bookshelves because they weren’t the right size for her room.

(please ignore my messy garage in all these pics)

These bookshelves are that cheap “fake” wood (probably from Wal-Mart), but have surprisingly held up really well. After we moved the furniture around in the nursery this weekend I realized it needed a little something else like a bookshelf, but I don’t have the money to buy anything so I scavenged my house and remembered these. I was going to eventually get rid of them once we got the office/craft room furnished so why not refinish one!? It’s a little taller than I wanted, but free = make do!

And again, I don’t care for blond wood so it HAD to be painted! I started with white primer – I had two cans on hand and then bought 2 cans. Since these aren’t real wood it HAD to have a good coat of primer or the paint just wont stick. Then I used the paint left over from painting the baby furniture. I used a small roller and a foam paint brush for the corners – it went on like a charm. (we used oil/alkyd paint by Valspar and mixed paint thinner in it when painting the furniture – the color is Eloquent Pearl by Glidden)

The only bummer about this paint is it takes a few days to fully dry, but it only took one coat.

Then I went to my favorite scrapbook store Scrapbooks Etc. and searched their huge room of paper for the perfect paper. I had something totally different in mind, but ended up with “Waiting For Santa: Wrapping Paper” by Webster’s Pages. It had all the rich colors (avocado green, mustard yellow and burnt orange) from the rug and the turquoise I used on the Rocking Horse and other pieces for the room.

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I then Modge Podged the paper onto the backing of the bookcase.

I had to piece it together since the papers only came in 12x12. (wallpaper would be great for this too!) I brushed Modge Podge onto the shelving unit and the back of the paper. I tried my best to rub all the bubbles out, but sometimes it’s just impossible. Once that was dry I painted a coat of Modge Podge on top of the paper as well. This gives it a slight glossy look and keeps the paper from peeling. [Modge Podge dries rather quickly so you have to work fast!]

Once dry I put the 2nd shelf back in, but had a couple issues!! Since I had painted everything the shelf didn’t quite fit anymore!!!! I had to shove it in which then scratched up the paint!! I was SO mad and since I am pregnant I will admit I cried too! So I got my foam brush and paint back out and touched up the scratches. It doesn’t look as nice as it did before the scratching because it really needed primer again, but honestly I wanted to be done and I am probably the only one who will notice once everything is on the shelf.

 

 

I have to say I am pretty pleased despite the complications at the end.

And I am SO anxious for The Mister to get home to haul it into her room!

 

Total cost was under $8!

I had the book case, brushes, Modge Podge and paint on hand and I had a gift card to Scrapbooks Etc. (Thanks Sunny). The only thing I bought was the primer for under $4 a can at Home Depot. It took some patience and time, but I enjoy doing it!

  Before

After