Dear friends, welcome back! Today, I’m sharing an antique bookcase makeover and some helpful tips on how to style shelves. I first shared this post as the pandemic was ramping up, and many of my posts were missed during that time, so maybe this will be a new one for you!
The reason for the repeat is that as I mentioned on Thursday, I was having dental surgery that day. I had a couple of areas on my lower gums that were severely recessed. (I’m sure that isn’t something you ever wanted to know about me ha ha.) Then, when the braces pulled my lower teeth forward a bit, it became even worse, so the procedure I had on Thursday was a gum graft to remedy that. I had it done in two areas of my mouth and I’m afraid the recovery has been far more painful than I had anticipated. I was told that day five should be the peek pain day and that is where I’m at as I am writing this, so hopefully, I’ll be on the mend and pain free soon! Also, I’ve never written a post while on drugs…a new experience!
I first became a Dixie Belle Retailer back in 2019. In 2020, I decided to expand my inventory, and so I was on the hunt for more display pieces for my shop.
Just before the pandemic hit, I found this cabinet on Facebook Marketplace listed for $75:
I thought it would be great for holding the additional inventory I would be carrying in my booth.
The pictures in the listing didn’t do it justice at all. I’m guessing that’s why there had been no takers in the week it was listed. I thought it was well worth that price so I didn’t haggle. It was listed as vintage, but I’m sure it’s older than that. The doors still had wavy glass which is kind of difficult to see.
Unfortunately, when I got it home and unloaded it, one of the doors had a broken area on the glass:
I had planned to keep the doors on, but just prop them open for my display, but I decided to just remove the doors altogether instead to make this piece easier to shop. I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Fill the holes
I filled the hinge holes with Dixie Belle’s Mud in brown:
This works great for filling holes and deep scratches. A light sanding with 220 grit sandpaper once it was dry and the holes were ready for paint:
Clean
But first, it got a good cleaning. I used to use Lysol type wipes to clean my pieces. When they became impossible to find during Covid, I finally gave White Lightning a try. After seeing how dirty my water gets when cleaning now, I will never go back to wipes! They just don’t do as thorough of a cleaning.
Paint
I don’t believe this wood was cherry or mahogany, but just stained to look like it.
I didn’t take any chances though and gave it a coat of BOSS in white just to be safe:
BOSS is by far the best thing I’ve found to combat that dreaded bleed-through, hands down and it has no harsh smell to it at all.
I let it dry overnight, and the next day I painted it in a 50/50 mix of Driftwood and Cotton:
You can see the coverage is fantastic after just one coat, but I did give it two coats.
I love Driftwood on its own too!
Once it was dry, I lightly sanded all over with 220 grit sandpaper. I cleaned up all the dust with my shop vac and then sealed with Dixie Belle’s Clear Coat in Satin using their blue applicator sponge. The satin has a beautiful, soft sheen.
See a video of how I paint and sand a piece of furniture in THIS POST, and you can see a video of how I apply sealer using a sponge in THIS POST.
THe After
Here is how this pretty antique cabinet turned bookcase looks now:
I would normally NEVER remove the doors as closed storage is always so coveted, but since I planned to use it as a display piece for my paints, it made more sense.
I probably would have just loaded it into my booth and taken photos of it as my new display, but because that was not an option while our antique mall was closed for business at the start of the pandemic, I had fun staging it here in our dining room!
And what happens to the dining table and chairs when I use it for photos?
Ha ha! It all ends up in my office!
How to Style Shelves
I thought this was a great opportunity to share a few tips for styling shelves, but first let’s see what I found to play with!
Most of the items I found are white like this basket I recently redid:
Ya’ll know how much I adore a painted basket! I found it at our antique mall for $6 and gave it a couple of coats of Cotton.
It looked like this when I found it:
Some of you may remember this tote I redid way back when we first moved into this house:
It’s not white, but very neutral and I love a cute tote, except this one was anything but cute when I found it!
It looked like this:
It looked like it had been a hard worker though! I was happy to give it the TLC it deserved.
You can see this makeover HERE.
This enamel kettle was a thrift store find…I just dropped a faux plant into it:
This small ironstone pitcher was a thrift store find:
The books in both of those photos were thrift store finds as well.
You probably remember the horse:
He was also a thrift store find and he was missing his tail. I didn’t even notice that when I found him!
I gave him a new one by gathering several strands of twine with a rubber band on one end and sticking that in the hole!
And of course, treasured photos are always perfect for styling shelves. I love to print mine in black and white.
This is me and my sisters on New Year’s Eve a few years ago…
And you may remember we hosted my brother’s wedding a few summers ago in our back yard. I was also his photographer.
The white boxes and the clock came from TJ Max or HomeGoods.
Styling shelves
Now I’m no expert on styling shelves, but here are a couple of tips that seem to work for me!
- Alternate how many items are used on each shelf.
For example, I added three items to the first shelf (the frames count as one item) and I added only two items to the next shelf. Then, I added three items to the third shelf. The spaces between the items are staggered and it seems to be more pleasing to the eye rather than having the same number of items on shelves that are directly above or below. Does that make sense?
- Keep the color palette consistent. I tried to use mostly white items, with just a bit of greenery added.
- Repeat items. I repeated items such as the pitcher on books and the kettle on books, as well as the black and white framed photos, and it appears balanced.
- Also, I love big baskets on shelves as they offer excellent hidden storage!
- If you have double bookcases like you would find on either side of a fireplace, try to have each side mimic one another. You don’t have to use the same exact items on either side, but stick with a similar look on either side to keep it balanced.
Again, I am no expert! These are just things that seem pleasing to my own eyes!
I love how this cabinet turned out since I was unsure if removing the doors would totally take away all the charm.
The legs and the curves at the bottom are my favorite features:
My paint display has really expanded since then, and now it fills several IKEA bookshelves:
So I’ve been using this bookcase to help display the smalls ever since:
It came with this mirror when I bought it, and I decided to bring it home and add that and some stripes, but I think I’m over them…might be time for another update!
I have five items left in my current haul, and I’m considering turning them into a round of smalls, but I probably won’t have those for you until next week! Then, I’ll be done with this haul! I need to shop!!!
I’m hoping to have good news to report on Thursday! I’ll be back then sharing a round up of my most recent basket makeovers:
UPDATE: See 15+ basket thrifty basket makeovers HERE now!
XOXO,
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Janette Deans says
Oh bless you, I do hope your mouth is better soon, I feel for you really I do.. Take care.
I love the shelves, never seen this post before, of course for me the colour is perfect, love it. xxx
Christy says
Thank you so much, Janette! Many of my 2020 posts were missed, so I’m glad this one was new to you! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Oh I am sorry to hear that you are “down in the mouth!” I remember this cabinet, and I loved how it turned out! It is so great to look back at any of your old post, they are all so beautiful I don’t maind taking a second look at them! I have always admired how beautifully you style your shelves. Hope your mouth feels better soon!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I’m a sorry state right now lol, but I’m hoping to turn a corner here soon! And I am so grateful to hear you say that you don’t mind a second look at some of my posts. I always like when I can give them another chance to be seen! Have a great week! XOXO
Sandra r mills says
Hope you’re feeling better…the kitty is probably helping with that… love all your posts..take care ..
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sandra! She is the sweetest and always by my side! XOXO
Jeanne says
Feel better soon! Ugh, I hate dental procedures. LOL!
Christy says
Thank you, Jeanne! Me too! XOXO
Kim says
I’m so sorry you are in pain. I’ve considered that surgery but haven’t proceeded. Prayers for a speedy recovery. And let me know if it was worth the pain! 🥴
Christy says
Aww thank you, Kim! It is a fairly painless procedure. Just be sure to take the good drugs after and follow all their indstructions. And, don’t try to drink soda lol! My recession was so bad that it was almost to the roots, so for me, it was absolutely necessary as I was having a difficult time caring for the areas that were recessed. XOXO
Julie Henry says
Hi…Hope you heal fast and your
feeling better soon. Thank you for sharing another great makeover.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Julie! XOXO
Mary King says
I remember this post. Nice to see it again. Sorry you have had so much pain. I had dental surgery on my gum about 16 years ago. Not fun. Take care and feel better soon!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! Dental issues are the worst! XOXO
Cecilia says
Ouch. So sorry you’ve been dealing with pain. My daughter had to have that surgery – braces caused it. Anyway, I hope you start feeling better.
I don’t know if I saw the original post on this – I think I did because the doors ring a bell – I vaguely remember the glass being broken. It’s such a pretty piece.
Take care!
Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! Yes, braces were to blame in part for me also. Glad you enjoyed seeing this one again! Many of my 2020 posts are a blur lol! XOXO
Deborah Tjarks says
Those beautiful doors. Don’t get rid of them. The cracked glass only adds to the patina. Display the open doors by swapping them right to left, left to right , put back on hinges. Leave them open to show off their beauty.
Elizabeth Downes says
Oh Christy, I am so sorry. It sounds miserable……you are a trooper for even thinking about this . Praying you will feel much better very soon! Liz
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Liz! Hoping to turn a corner soon! XOXO
Jennifer says
I also had a very recessed gum on one front tooth and had a gum graft. It is more painful than you would think. I guess because it hurts where they took the skin from and where they grafted it. Wishing you a speedy recovery! Love your blog!
Christy says
Oh girl, then you know exactly what it’s like! I had two areas they grafted, so they took tissue from both sides of the roof of my mouth. It’s day six today, so I’m hoping it improves soon! Thank you so much! XOXO
Nana Diana says
Love this piece. It is perfect for display. I’m like you-would hate to remove the doors but in this case, for your purpose, it works. Hope you were/are able to use the glass doors for something else. Wish I could see your shop in person. It looks like fun! Hugs- Diana
Christy says
Thank you, Diana! I did hate to have to remove the doors, but it worked for my purpose for sure! You can see what I did with the door with the broken glass here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/glass-cabinet-door-repurposed/ I wish you could see it in person too! XOXO
Joanne Dibelius says
Get well soon, Christy. Love all your projects. I HATE going to the dentist!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Joanne! I’m usually tough when it comes to the dentist, but this may make me a weenie in the future lol! XOXO
Anita Scheiwe says
Hi, just wanted to say I love all your makeovers. Love the new colors that are coming in.
Also, so sorry to hear about your dental work. Hope you’re out of pain soon. I know how that can be.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Anita! I really appreciate that, and thank you for the well wishes too! XOXO
Fran says
It is still great without the doors. However did you consider putting in a new pice of glass or doing it with sold wood panels and maybe some wood u bend and one of your great fabric choices on the inside (decoupaged)? I know you could make it fabulous either way. I agree with you about closed storage it is better. I’ve had a piece that hasn’t moved for what I think is the same reason.
Christy says
Thanks, Fran! I had originally thought it would be more functional for display without the doors, and I already redid the broken one into something else here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/glass-cabinet-door-repurposed/ I do wish I had it back now so I could turn it back into a cabinet lol! XOXO
Niki says
Prayers for quick healing Christy, sorry you’re still in pain. Having pain anywhere is no fun. I don’t know if I remember this cute little shelving unit. I don’t recall how long I’ve been following you either. I feel like it’s been forever. I know I followed for quit sometime before I started to comment. Do you still have the doors for this? Maybe since you’re feeling a new redo for it, you could put them back on? Anyway, take care and when you get to shopping for a new haul enjoy it!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Niki! This was back in 2020 just about the time everything was shutting down, so I know many of those posts were missed. I did repurpose the broken glass door here already: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/glass-cabinet-door-repurposed/ but I do wish I still had both! XOXO
Maryellen Webber says
Sending hugs to you as you continue to recover. Hope you are able to enjoy smoothies and shakes while you are recovering. Take care Christy!❤️❤️❤️
Christy says
Thank you, Maryellen! Pudding, jello, and Panera soups are taking good care of me lol! XOXO
Amanda says
I always love how you style your shelves. You have a great eye for it! Hope your mouth starts feeling better real soon! ❤
Christy says
Thank you so much, Amanda, and I appreciate the well wishes! XOXO
Jackie C says
Oh girl! Best wishes on your recovery!! ❤️❤️❤️
Christy says
Thank you so much, Jackie! XOXO
Cyndi says
Ouch! Bless your heart. I hate that you are in pain. 🙁 But I appreciate the styling tips for shelves. I will be tweaking mine. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! I’m so glad the tips were helpful! XOXO
Liz Shivel says
Hi Christy, I’m so sorry you’re having the dental experience! I certainly hope the pain goes away quickly. The cabinet looks lovely. Do you think you’ll do something special with the doors you removed? For all the “whites” I see in your house photos, is it usually “cotton” that you use? Everything matches so well.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Liz! I am hanging in there. I did do something with the door with the broken glass which you can see here if you like: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/glass-cabinet-door-repurposed/ As for the whites I use in my own home, some are painted in Cotton and some are painted in Fluff, and they all seem to work together. Cotton in more bright white, and Fluff is just a little less bright. XOXO
Ce Ce says
My your dental pain be gone soon and feel better. I love the cabinet. There one my mom has hopefully she will let me make it over to look about like yours.
Prayers for speedy recovery. Ce Ce
Christy says
I appreciate that, Ce Ce, thank you! It’s a great cabinet and nice to know your mom’s can be open or closed storage! XOXO
Cheryl says
Hoping you feel better soon! Love this bookcase!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cheryl! XOXO
Mary says
Ouch Christy! I had periodontal surgery once and praying I don’t have to repeat it..Like you said, procedure not bad but afterward takes some patience. Hope you are feeling well soon! Love this post and I, too, don’t remember seeing it, so happy you shared again. I hope to take some time during the heat wave coming up this weekend and look at your sale! Take care and rest. Hugs!
Christy says
Thank you for the well wishes, Mary! This is not fun for sure! I’m glad this post was new to you, my friend! XOXO
Bonnie says
Oh my goodness I am so sorry for you. Teeth is one of the worst pain I do believe. Had to get upper dentures and has been a bad process with pain but then again made it to 62. My fault TOTALLY and have told my children for years ” brush your teeth or yours will be like mine” that did the trick lol!
Anyway prayers you heal soon.
Love the cabinet but without the stripes I think. Hope you can enjoy this weekend. Hugs.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Bonnie! My mom is in the same boat and has encouraged us for years to take care of ours, so I’m trying my best lol. And I agree about the stripes. It’s about time for a redo! Enjoy your weekend too! XOXO