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Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

Simple DIY tutorials and thrifty furniture and decor makeovers

$6 Thrift Store Shelf Makeover with Transfer

Hello beautiful friends! I’m back today with another thrifty makeover! Is there really anything better?

Today’s project piece is this shelf I picked up at the thrift store for $6:

I almost always grab pieces like this as function sells!

Prep

The only prep this shelf required was a good cleaning with White Lightning, which I did while I was cleaning the pub table I shared on Tuesday:

Paint

To make it easier to paint, and for the idea I had in mind for this makeover, I removed the backing. Then I was able to get straight to painting!

Like many of my makeovers, I started with a coat of white. One coat of Fluff, followed by two coats of Cotton on the back:

I was hoping one coat of Fluff first would make it so that I only needed one coat of the Cotton, but I used a newly rinsed brush and I think that thinned down the paint a bit, so I still needed two coats of the Cotton.

For the shelves, I did one coat of each:

I gave everything a good sanding with 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding sponge and vacuumed up any paint dust with my shop vac.

I knew I wanted to add something pretty to the back, and I first looked through my fabric stash, but it’s quite minimal at the moment.

Adding a transfer

Then, I looked through my stash of transfers and found this oldie:

I have a bunch of transfers that I’ve been holding onto and this one was the perfect fit for the back of this shelf! This one is called L’amour et des Reves by Prima, but I cannot find it available anywhere! HERE is a similar one on Amazon.

This one comes in four pieces total. I lined them up where I wanted them and then started with the first piece.

You simply remove the backing and position the transfer (it will be tacky), and then use the included tool to burnish the transfer to your surface:

Applying a transfer to a shelf

Once you have burnished the transfer to your surface completely, peel away the top plastic layer. If any of the transfer remains stuck to the front clear plastic layer, just lay it back down and burnish some more.

Seal

Once I was done applying the transfer, I sealed the back with Clear Coat in Satin using my blue sponge applicator:

Seal the transfer with Clear Coat in Satin

I applied it going in the same direction as my paint strokes. You can see how I apply sealer with a sponge in the video below:

If you have trouble viewing, find it on YouTube HERE.

I sealed the shelves with the Clear Coat also.

Reattaching the back was the last step to this makeover and I reused the original hanging hardware.

The After

I really love how this sweet shelf turned out!

Painted shelf

Yes? The transfer fit perfectly!

It doesn’t even look like the same shelf!

Painted shelf

All of the ironstone came from thrift stores…

Painted shelf with transfer

And this shelf is ideal for displaying them:

Painted shelf with transfer

Here it is without anything on the shelves…

Still pretty! “A house is walls and beams while a home is built with love and dreams.”

I love this transfer, and I’m so bummed it isn’t available anywhere at the moment.

Painted shelf with transfer

I have a bunch of older transfers in my stash that probably won’t be available by the time I use them!

Painted shelf with transfer

 

Painted shelf with transfer

I really enjoyed seeing this one come to life!

Painted shelf with Transfer

I hope y’all enjoyed it too!

If you liked this one, you might like this one too:

See how this one turned out HERE!

And I get to cross another project off….SO satisfying!!

See any you might have missed at the links below:

Pub Table Makeover
Becky’s Secretary Desk Makeover
Update a Thrift Store Box with Fabric
$5 Buffet Lamps Updated with Decoupage Paper
Mirror Harp Repurposed

I’ll be back on Tuesday with these chairs!

Ya’ll were really excited about these, so I hope I do them justice!

UPDATE: You can see if I did them justice HERE now!!

Have a great weekend!

XOXO,

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Comments

  1. Goodness me!! I love it!! I didn’t think I would have much interest in this shelf, but it’s lovely!! 😍 I’m going to look for a shelf/transfer like this. Perhaps I could do something like this even with the arthritis in my thumbs. Again… GORGEOUS!! That transfer makes ALL the difference… 😝.

    • Aww yay…thank you, Rose! My grandparents lived in Brookings for years! XOXO

  3. That shelf could not be more beautiful. I love pink and the ironstone looks so pretty on it. Another great makeover. Have a great week-end.

    • Thank you so much, Janice! I almost painted the base color pink, but decided to stick to my usual white lol. Enjoy your weekend too! XOXO

  4. WOW It is beautiful now. I love how this one turned out, has a very sweet and cottage look to it now. I still haven’t tried any of the transfers, I have to add that to my looong list of things to do. You have knocked this one out of the park!!

  5. I love how this shelf turned out. I absolutely love transfers. And that $2 shelf you redid , I have one in my dining room! Maybe I should transform it too!! Love you ideas and inspirations. Thanx for all you do and share.

    • Thank you so much, Robin! Transfers are awesome! Have fun with your shelf if you decide to redo it! XOXO

  6. Christy, you did a fabulous job with the dingy shelf! I love that transfer and have used it several times so I have pieces of it left over…I hate it when they discontinue my favorite ones (like the mermaid). How are your braces doing? We are getting fresh sweet corn straight from the fields and I think that is what I hated most about my braces…not being able to eat it off the cobb! Hang in there! You will be over the moon when they come off 😉

    • Thank you, Cecilia! I was so bummed to see I couldn’t find this transfer anywhere! I am doing great with the braces…I’m on to the bands now…woohoo! They are actually really making big changes and it is fun to see. Yes, there are a few things I miss too, but it won’t be forever. Thanks for asking! XOXO

  7. Wow, Christy, this is not the same shelf! Love the transfer which fit so beautifully. Exceptionally feminine and so delicate looking. This is going to sell FAST!!
    Have a wonderful weekend!!

    • I know, right?? The transfer looks like it was made for this shelf. Thank you, my friend!! XOXO

  8. So beautiful Christy, a gorgeous makeover, well done🌸🎨🌸🇦🇺See you inspire people all over the world.

  10. This is just beautiful, makes me want to try a transfer on something.Love seeing all these transformations.

    • Thank you, Margie! Transfers are really easy to use on flat surfaces…go for it! XOXO

  11. Great job, Christy!! I believe this is now one of my favorite projects you have done thus far!

  12. Hi Christy! The shelf turned out great. I was looking at the remains projects in your stash and you have some great pieces. Cannot wait

    • Thank you, Cheryl! In my last haul, several pieces that I’ve been holding onto for years were included. These are all new to me, so I’m really excited about that! XOXO

  14. Wow! That transfer along with the paint really transformed that shelf! Just gorgeous!

  15. Oh, I absolutely love this! Thanks to you, I started using transfers a few months ago. I had never used them before. When I started seeing your beautiful pieces, I had to try them. I LOVE how they can transform a blah piece. How do you price a piece like this? The shelf was only $6 but the transfer was probably close to $25. I find myself being a bit stingy with my transfers. Have you ever combined a stencil with your transfer? Once again, I love seeing your creativity! Have a marvelous weekend! XOXOXO

    • Oh yay! Transfers can work miracles! I went back and looked at what I paid for this one…it looks like I must have gotten a deal as it was only $18 on Amazon. That’s still a chunk when you’re using it on a smaller piece like this, but I will probably price it in the mid 60’s. That’s still a decent profit. I have not combined a stencil with a transfer, but that could be a great way to stretch those transfers! Thanks so much, Mikki! XOXO

  16. I am always drawn to these kind of shelves to redo also!! And this makeover is absolutely beautiful! LOVE IT!! Can’t wait to see the chairs!
    Have a great weekend Christy!! 🙂

    • Thank you, Toby!! I scooped this piece up right away when I saw it! See ya Tuesday…enjoy your weekend too! XOXO

  17. That shelf turned out PERFECTLY! That transfer was perfect for the job. Congratulations on a job well done. Absolutely love it!

  18. Soft and pretty! I like little shelve like this, I need something by the window in my kitchen.
    Thank you for posting the links to similar items, I enjoy being able to see more of your pieces. One day I just sat and hit link after link. ….I may need a day like that again. 😊

    • Thank you, Niki! It is fun to go down the rabbit hole sometimes when you have the time…I find myself doing it too ha ha! XOXO

  19. It sure doesn’t look like the same shelf, Christy! The transfer is beautiful, and looks like it was made for this shelf.

  24. This is beautiful 🙂
    I wish I lived closer so I could visit your booth. White isn’t usually my thing, but I’m often inspired by your process and end up living the finished pieces. You’ve got a great eye, and definitely have the talent too!

  25. Hallo Christy, I absolutely love this transformation! It´s as you say, transfers make miracles! Inspired by you, I purchased some from “Redesign with prima” and used them in a chest of drawers. It turned amazing! I know that white or neutral furniture sells better but i love to see transfers applied on colorful ones as well. Congratulations on your work!

    • Thank you so much, Val! I love transfers! I almost painted this shelf pink! XOXO

  26. Oh, Christy, you did it again! I love, Love, love this little shelving unit! It is so delicate and pretty. You have such true instincts. Are you going to keep it, or will you put it in your store? It will be gone before it is hung. So sad that I do not live in your area. I have the perfect place for it.

    • Aww thank you so much, Marian! I dropped this off at the shop today…I wish I had a spot for it! XOXO

    • Thank you so much Ruth Anne! I dropped it off today. We’ll see how long it lasts LOL! XOXO

  28. it’s amazing how beautiful your shelf became!! ( i hope my english os correct! ). so delicate and elegant! really gorgeous !

  29. Christy: OH EMM GEEE! I absolutely love this! It’s hard to chose because I love so many, but this is one of my favorites you’ve done! Thank you for your beautiful inspirations! I’m currently working on the lamp project you recently posted. Have a great weekend!

    • Oh yay!! Thank you, Vicki! I really love this one too! Have fun with your lamps!! XOXO

  30. Hi, what a lovely transformation! I love white in almost anything, next to black and white and blue and white! The transfer is so appropriate. I do wish it were still available! I love the saying! “A house is walls and beams while a home is built with love and dreams.” You certainly gave this saying a special place on the shelf! I went online and had this saying translated into French, and it is exactly the same as your transfer. Now if I could find someone who could make it into a transfer!! I always enjoy your posts and the details you share! Thanks so much. Have a wonderful and fun weekend.

    • Thank you so much, Sue! I couldn’t believe how perfectly this transfer fit this shelf! And I too love the saying. It is such a bummer that it is not available anywhere. I couldn’t believe that when I tried to find it! I hope you have a lovely weekend too, my friend! XOXO

  31. I’ve been with you for a long time and this is one of my favorite projects of yours. This is only the second time I have ever commented. It’s very beautiful!

    • Thank you so much, Teresa! I appreciate you taking a minute to reach out and for following along with me for so long! This might be one of my favorites too…it just came together so nicely! Take care! XOXO

  32. I love that shelf so much, and am always amazed at how your gorgeous transfers fit your “flips” so well 😀 I can never find shelves like this so I’m tempted to make my own!!! Have a great weekend xo

    • Thank you, Petra! This transfer could not have fit this shelf better…what luck! I don’t come across great shelves like this often, but I grab them when I do! Have a great weekend too! XOXO

  33. Oh, my word = what an amazing transformation, Christy! That shelf is stunning. Wow. Well done, ma’am!

  34. Christy,

    When buying a piece to paint and it is painted, is there anyway to tell if it has been waxed as the sealer? Will chalk paint adhere to wax?

    • Hi Sandy! If you take your nail and run it across the surface, wax will peel up a bit and colect under your fingernail, but other sealers will not. Some waxes are not water-based, and if you are trying to paint over that type of wax, it will not adhere well. You just need to prep it first by giving it a good wipe down with mineral spirits. That will remove the old wax. XO

  35. That shelf turned out beautiful, Christy! You are certainly making me a believer in transfers. I’m thinking I need to find a great one and use it on something! If you ever happen upon that transfer again, please let us know1 Nice job! xo

    • Thank you, Karen! Transfers are such a great way to create unique pieces! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! XOXO

  37. Christy, you never disappoint sweetheart. Such a beautiful makeover… as always.
    Thank you for sharing this project at Create, Bake, Grow and Gather this week. I just had to feature it at the party this week… it’s totally gorgeous. Pinning too.
    Hugs,
    Kerryanne

  39. WOW, WOW, WOW! That really is night and day beautiful! I love how many of the the decals work out for you! I think your brain is two sided for sure, one part is buying and getting the pleasure but the other part, which you are not listening to right then, is still sizing everything up and making sure that it the right size for all the things your work with. I keep filling like I am getting my brain trained and then I see you guys have picked up and made beatutiful something I just passed by at my last trip to the thrift store!

    • Aww thank you, Marietta! I could not believe how perfectly this transfer fit this shelf! It was definitely meant to be!! Glad we can show how those forgotten pieces can live again! Have a wonderful day, my friend!! XOXO

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