In an effort to make my home the creative and comfortable place I have dreamed it to be, I have begun the process of weeding out clutter and reorganizing my storage units around the home. I also have been thinking of ways to redecorate the place in a style that was easy to keep up and provide the beautiful surroundings I desired. Among many, I have two old bookcases that I originally stained white and were now pretty tired looking. Now, let's back up a bit as there is a history - albeit brief - on why I am even fixing a beady eye on the bookcases at all. Here's what happened:
My condo sustained water damage from an up-stairs water heater. Two weeks later living room corner walls had been torn out, dried out and reconstructed. In preparing for that I had to pack up books, china and sewing/art supplies. As I was planning to put it all back, I decided to use the paint the constructions guys left behind to refurbish the two small bookcases that I planned to keep. In general, I find that painting furniture is a tedious business! I prayed that it could be done in two coats. The bookcases are totally made of wood - no composite anywhere - and I was able to do the painting in two coats of interior semi-gloss paint. However, the backing is just plan rough plywood which would take a lot more effort to get a smooth paint job done. How could I do finish this project without going to any expense or more time? Light bulb went off! I had an 18th century print shelving paper that I had not completely used. So, I pried off the backs, measured out the shelving paper, peeled off the backing on the paper and smoothed it down with a brayer. I folded the edges over towards the back which would not be seen. Then reattached the bookcase back to the cases. They came out pretty good! Here is one of them:
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| This is the shelving paper pattern I used. It is a pale grey on an off-white background. Very subtle. |
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| The book cases redone. |
As I am going for a Gustavian-French urban country look (yeah, that is a mouth full), having white bookcases is part of the picture. I was very proud of my make-do and mend effort. Besides I was in luck that the workers left the 3/4 gallon can of paint behind, so there was no cost to me at all. Everything that was used was on hand. Expenditures: $0.00 :)
