Hello awesome Friends! Did you miss not having a fresh new makeover from me on Tuesday? I’ve spoiled you, haven’t I? Well hopefully I’ll make it up to you today!
If you missed it, on Tuesday I shared 10 tools that are must-haves in my workshop, a great resource if you are just getting into the upcycling game!
I shared a peek at today’s makeover on Tuesday and in my Vintage Night Table post I shared a couple of weeks ago, it’s this bookcase I scored at an estate sale for $40:
I loved how big it was and that it was hand-built. Pretty no?
No really it is not so pretty here, but I knew a little paint would fix it right up.
Who knew that old bookcase could be so pretty? I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I use. Read my full disclosure here.
I started by removing the original plywood backing, and patching the holes/gouges with woodfiller:
Bookcases are so much easier to paint if you remove the back. I planned to replace the back on this one anyway. I used hardboard that I found at Lowes. It’s the same thing I use to make chalkboards, and looks like pegboard, but without the holes. It was around $9 for a 4X8 sheet of it, and I had Lowes cut it to size for me.
Adding stripes is always easy to execute and I like easy!
I used FrogTape for delicate surfaces in the almost 2″ wide size, then doubled to make my stripes almost four inches wide:
See how I “measure” out my stripes HERE. (That is one of my favorite makeovers!)
I love this tape, I always get these beautifully crisp lines…
For this piece, I used Annie Sloan’s French Linen Chalk paint mixed 50/50 with my DIY chalk paint in Ultra Pure White. The stripes are Fluff by Dixie Belle Paint. I removed the tape immediately after adding my second coat of Fluff white paint.
Then I gave it a light sanding after it had thoroughly dried, followed by a coat of Polycrylic Sealer in satin.
I kept the back pretty and clean, but only gave the bookcase itself one coat of paint followed by a light sanding. Since this bookcase was a little rough already, I wanted it to look a little more distressed:
I used the same Polycrylic sealer on the shelves. Normally my favorite sealer would be wax, but for a piece that will possibly have to handle the abuse of books being slid in out often, I opted for the Polycrylic. I don’t love the finish quite as much, but it works on this more distressed piece.
I don’t have a ton of pretty books so I chose to fill it with pretty ironstone instead.
These little pieces came out of my hutch. I love the simple greenery for Winter…
As a bonus today, I have four more talented friends sharing furniture makeovers of their own, as part of a new group called Furniture Fixer Uppers!
Click on the links below the image to see each makeover!
1. Girl in the Garage 2. The Interior Frugalista
3. Petticoat JUNKtion 4. Just the Woods
Don’t you want to go paint something now? 🙂
I’ll be back on Tuesday with the makeover of this little cutie:
See y’all then!
UPDATE: No need to wait….see how this cute stool turned out HERE now!
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Mary Kaiser says
WOW, How lovely!! I LOVE how that turned out. I need to find a piece like that in Michigan! Thanks for sharing another great makeover!
Christy says
Thanks, Mary! It was fun seeing this one come to life! 🙂
Janice says
Beautiful. Love everything about it. The ironstone goes perfect with it. Did you collect it over time or buy it pice by piece? Did kinda miss not having something up cycled from you Tues but it was good to know that my husband has almost all the tools in his workshop.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I collected all those pieces from thrift stores over time. I have a hard time passing up a good deal on ironstone! XO
Rose L. says
A world of difference! Love the stripes.
Christy says
Thank you, Rose! Yes it is amazing what paint can do! 🙂
Joanne Taggart says
Christy, it turned out lovely. I was wondering what you use to sand with when you lightly sand after finishing painting. Do you use a sanding block and which grit? And thanks for the tidbit about frog tape. I have heard it does wonderful work of clean lines. And love the stripes. Thanks for sharing.
Christy says
Thanks, Joanne! I use an old foam sanding block with a piece of 220 grit wrapped around it. And yes, FrogTape is fantastic! XO
Tina Matteson says
Another beautiful transformation, Christy! Yes, i do want to go paint something now! I also enjoyed the other makeovers.
Christy says
Thank you, Tina!! Ha ha! 🙂
Karen Moore says
Do you have much trouble with paint lifting underneath when you pull tape off? What’s your secret? I know to remove the tape soon after painting to prevent the paint edge from lifting, but I’m referring to underneath tape where the paint is fresh.
Christy says
Hi Karen! That’s why I use the yellow FrogTape for delicate surfaces…never have any issues. 🙂
Becky says
Wow! Light, bright and bold! Your shelf came out very pretty! I like it!
Christy says
Thanks, Becky!! XOXO
kandice says
I love this! The stripes are perfect!
Christy says
Thank you, Kandice! XO
Anne says
Love the stripes! Great piece!!
Christy says
Thanks, Anne! Yes it so functional too! 🙂
Sherry Stuifbergen says
Wow, what vision! The stripes make it for dishes and books. Love the subtle color combo. I like how you “styled” the bookcase. The pinnacle on top of bookcase is nice. Excellent make-over. YES, I missed your blog!
Christy says
Ha ha thanks, Sherry! I have to admit I had fun styling it! 😀
liz says
The bookcase turned out fantastic – I get so many wonderful ideas from your posts! The post on the tools you use was extremely helpful as I am slowly adding more to my diy toolbox.
Christy says
Aww thanks, Liz! Glad I can offer some inspiration! XO
Marie from The Interior Frugalista says
Oh, do I love those wide stripes, Christy! This baby isn’t going to last long in your booth. Another gorgeous makeover my friend.
Christy says
Thanks, Marie! I do hope I have a quick sale! XOXO
Cecilia says
Love it – the stripes really make it but I love the chippy finish of the front. Makes me want to paint our bookshelves…someday, I’m going to! I’m working on my argument to convince my husband! 🙂 Projects like this are good ammunition lol.
Christy says
Thanks, Cecilia! My hubby gave up a long time ago ha ha! 😀
Kathy Owen says
Oh Christy! That bookcase is to-die-for. I love the stripes. Very designer looking. I agree with removing the back to paint. I hate painting bookcases or anything with shelves. Drives me crazy. Your bookcase brought a smile to my face this morning.
Christy says
Thank you, Kathy!! Yes, removing the back makes it SO much easier! Fun touring with you today! XO
Jolinda says
The stripes make it look so classy. Love it.
Christy says
Thanks, Jolinda! XO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
First of all, kudos to whomever built that bookcase because it is a very cool piece. I love the white distressed look on it – so charming! And the stripes make it fun and unique also. Beautiful work again, Christy!
Christy says
Thanks, Jen! I loved that bookcase the moment I saw it…couldn’t believe it was only $40, pretty cheap for an estate sale! XOXO
Diane Kaskel says
I enjoy your posts with all the creative things you do. Was in Va. Beach last week to help care for my granddaughter so decided to find your booth at the antique shop & actually see your work in person. It was worth it to see your items & how creatively you stage the booth. I did purchase 3 small items I could get in my suitcase & would have liked to purchase a few more but am happy to have the items I selected (one was a gift for someone).
Christy says
Thank you so much, Diane! I am thrilled you had the chance to visit my booth! January has been very good to me, so I’m sure it wasn’t as stocked as I like it to be, but I’m thrilled you found a few pieces to take home with you! 😀
Marcie Lovett says
Holy cow! I knew you’d do something marvelous, but I didn’t expect it to turn out quite so divine. Another ugly duckling rescued. Keep ’em coming!
Christy says
Thanks, Marcie! I’m so glad you like it…sometimes these makeovers surprise me too! 😀
Karen Marie Kedzuch says
Christy,
This piece has gone from worn out to a statement in a room. Fabulous job!
Karen Marie
Christy says
Thanks, Karen Marie! XO
Suzan says
Any tricks to sealing chalk(ish) paint with polycrylic? I was told by someone that when she did it the chalk paint sucked up the poly and made a huge mess of streakiness. I have a nightstand that I would love to seal with something really durable because I leave a water bottle on the nightstand every night. Thanks!
Christy says
The one thing I would recommend is to make sure you have the right kind of brush. You need a brush designed specifically for applying polyurethane like this Wooster one: http://amzn.to/2if6Xzj. It really helps to minimize brush strokes. 🙂
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
What a refreshing makeover! I love the new look, Christy.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Larissa! XO
Megan @ Adventure & Home says
Wow— That would actually be a nice alternative for someone who can’t afford a hutch, too! Your dishes look so pretty in it!
Christy says
Thanks, Megan! And you are so right…this would look just as pretty as a hutch would. 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
So pretty! I love how you have it styled. 🙂 Who needs books??!! xo
Christy says
Thanks, Nancy!! I have a lot of books, just not the kind that would look pretty styled on this bookcase lol. It was much more fun to play with the ironstone! 😀
Annie (Canada) says
Very nice! I like the rustic feel of this bookcase and the stripes are the perfect touch 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Annie! I think I have a thing for stripes! XOXO
Olga Hatzichristou says
Oh yes! I really do want to go paint something right now! Love it!
Olga
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Olga! XO
Marcia Banach says
I love this bookshelf makeover, and the tips for making it easier! Keep sharing please.
Christy says
Thank you, Marcia!! XO
Debbie says
I love your work! Do you mind contacting me about the trouble I experience scrolling through your posts. Thanks!
Christy says
Thank you, Debbie! Feel free to email me at christykjames@cox.net 🙂
Brenda Young says
Christy I love the crisp clean stripes paired with the distressed shelves, a perfect pairing of design techniques beautifully put together, Sweet makeover!
Christy says
Thank you, Brenda! It was fun to see this one come together! 🙂
Tracy says
Wow! It is stunning!!! It doesn’t even look like the same piece of furniture. I love the stripes!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Tracy!! XO