Hey there, amazing friends! I’m so glad you’re back! I’ve got another small, but brand new redo today! I’m sharing a mass produced shelf makeover.
This shelf looks like it came right out of Hobby Lobby:
Hobby Lobby does have cute decor, but you can tell that some pieces were one of thousands made just like it.
This shelf was $6.75 at the thrift store, and I knew toning down those colors would do wonders!
I had no ideas for this piece, but it turns out that sometimes all a piece needs is a simple paint job!
Clean
I had already given this shelf a good cleaning with White Lightning while I was cleaning a few other items a couple weeks ago. I mix 1 TBSP of White Lighting in a small tub:
I use the terrycloth applicator pads to clean well and then swap out my water for clean water and wipe down once more. White Lightning is a degreaser and a deglosser and gloves are recommended.
Paint
You’ve heard me say before that when I don’t know what I want to do with a piece I’m working on, I often just start painting!
Especially with pieces that have color, it helps to have a blank canvas to work with, so I started with a simple coat of Fluff since I had it out from Tuesday’s Cabinet Door project:
Ahh now with a blank slate I can better imagine what it can be! Sometimes it stays white but not always.
I ended up deciding on a 50/50 mix of Driftwood and Cotton for this shelf:
This combination is the loveliest warm gray tone, almost more of a very light taupe.
I painted everything but the louvered part in that shade:
The louvered part got painted in Cotton using a small brush…
I lightly sanded everything smooth when it was dry and vacuumed up any dust with my shop vac and brush attachment.
Seal
Finally, I sealed with Best Dang Wax in Clear using my La Petite brush to apply:
I buffed any excess off with a clean soft cloth…
And this mass produced shelf makeover was complete!
The After
The after is so much more serene!
It’s hard to see the distressing on the louvered parts from afar. I did just a little, trying not to let the blue come through.
I hit the brackets up a bit more with the sandpaper:
I had originally planned to add three wooden knobs embellished with one of these knob transfers across the bottom, but they looked off balance, so I kept it simple instead.
The neutral pallette allows what’s on top to be the star of the show.
And there, you can add any color you like!
For me, it’s almost always a coastal blue!
To hang this shelf, it already had these hangers embedded in the back, except they were upside down lol! A quick switcheroo and they were good to go!
This shelf is now a clean and simple shelf that could fit in just about any space AND a great reminder that sometimes all a piece needs is a little paint!
That’s another one from my current haul complete!
Here’s what I’ve shared so far if you’ve missed anything:
Repurposed Cabinet Door
Oak Drop-Leaf Table Makeover
Child’s Rocker Makeover
Vintage Banker’s Chair Makeover
Terra Clay Paint Case Makeover
Tea Kettle Makeover
Tray Update with Stencils
Painting the Smalls #18
How to Turn a Spindle Bed into a Bench
Dated Shelf Makeover
80’s Clock Repurposed
Stenciled Demilune Table
DIY Fabric Lamp Shades & $5 Thrift Store Lamps
Thrift Store Dresser Makeover
I’ll be back with my Trash-to-Treasure girls on Tuesday with a for real trashed piece…this basket that Brennan thought would make the perfect chair:
I was just going to toss it, but you know me lol. I had to try and salvage it!
UPDATE: See how I saved it HERE now!
Have a fantastic weekend…we’re looking forward to seeing the sun again!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
AHHH so fresh and clean now! I love it, and the colors are great for this piece! I love that the shelf is not the star of the show, but what you display on it is!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! Nice and neutral just like I like ha ha! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
I think it’s perfect the way it is. The color is rich! Have a nice weekend!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! Enjoy your weekend too! XOXO
Denise Cox says
Have never seen a shelf with “louvre-thingies”…lol. I love it, and of course , the neutral palette!!
Christy says
Thank you, Denise!! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Yes, simple but very pretty shelf it turned out to be. Looks totally different. Now how in the world will you salvage that basket? Can’t wait to see. Have a great week-end.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I’ll see you on Tuesday with the basket! Happy weekend, my friend! XOXO
Lisa says
Thank goodness you are in my in-box! I would have never reimagined this piece like you did. It’s fantastic and I love it! Now I need to go find one for myself😊
Christy says
Aww I’m so glad you like it, Lisa, thank you!! A little paint can do wonders! XOXO
Lorri says
Hi Christy..you know simple sometimes is best. This shelf is going to fly off the shelf at your booth. Like you said in yr comment ..it is so serene. I can be stlyed so many ways.🤩
Christy says
Thank you, Lori! So true…it was hard for me stop at just paint, but that is all this shelf really needed! And yes, you can change out the decor for the seasons too! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! Very serene it is!! Love it.
Christy says
Thanks so much, my friend! XOXO
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
‘Just start painting’ is the best place to start!😉 And I can’t wait till Tuesday to see what youre going to do with that basket!… or what’s left of it!😂 Have a great weekend my friend! XOXO
Christy says
It really is lol! I do that often! I’m so glad I didn’t trash that basket… I almost did! Have a wonderful weekend too! XOXO
Cecilia says
What an odd little shelf with the louvers. And painted blue! You made it look so much better!
😊Cecilia
Christy says
It was certainly an odd color combo, but paint to the rescue! Thank you, Cecilia! XOXO
Cyndi says
I love this (but I’m a sucker for louvers anyway :). I agree…neutral & simple is often the way to go, especially if this was put on a wall of contrasting and/or darker color. Two thumbs up!
P.S. I hope your back is feeling much better now, and that you are not overdoing it with clean-up after Ian.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cyndi! Neutral and simple is always a safe bet. My back is doing better, thank you! I’m at about 90%, so I’m still being careful for sure! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
Cute. Much better look!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Rose! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Michele M. says
Bravo! That’s truly all it needed!!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! XOXO
p says
You are right ! Simple can be so pretty 🙂
A nicely detailed shelf, and the colors are perfect.
It looks stately, and will enhance all the pretty treasures on it.
Thanks for sharing.
p
Christy says
Thanks so much, P! Yes, it will definitely let whatever is displayed on it shine! XOXO
Terri says
Awesome makeover! Love the color you used on the shelf!
Christy says
Thank you, Terri! XOXO