FOR DETAILS ON OUR 100 FOLLOWERS GIVEAWAY CLICK HERE!
Oh, the built-in’s.
They are a thorn in my side, constantly nagging me to do something with them, to give them a little love as I do the rest of the house.
And yet, this is how they were looking a couple of days ago….
Just a cluttery, big mess. Every picture that’s ever given to us goes there. Books go there. It seems that over time they just became my “dump” spot–no decorating, just sitting it up there. I’m not sure if I thought it would just all combust into some beautiful display or what.
And that doesn’t even cover the clutter on the desk and counter space. In all fairness, my office used to be entirely functional. All organized and everything had its spot, etc. So this little area just got the dumping. From my time working as a Southern Living at HOME consultant, I know all about organization and using pretty and functional to make your life easier. But you know what?
Knowing is just the first step.
So, after a couple days of attention (and a lot more organization to go), I give you the new look:
Not so different.
But entirely different. I can actually see the counters, for one. And I can actually see what’s on the shelves. They’re still full, because you know what? That’s me. I see blogs of beautiful displays with three items per shelf and it looks great. But I’m a bit of a clutter-bug. And I love things…pictures of my family, collectibles, books, you name it.
Still, even though they are full, I love that I can see and appreciate each piece individually and the display as a whole.
I did a few small things to achieve the look….
Obviously, first removed all that clutter. All of it. I knew I wanted to paint the inside of the cabinets to make the display pop, and I wanted the color scheme to be, you guessed it, white and grey.
First things first, I painted all those mismatched frames. I had frames from my freshman year of college still up there! I wanted them to look like they had always been white, so I did prime them with Kilz spray primer to coat them a little thicker. You might be able to skip this step, but it worked for me. Then just spray painted them white with whatever can I had lying around at the moment–I think Krylon Fusion in white.
I also recovered all my books in coordinating paper to showcase them, and again, keep one palette. If you haven’t seen my tutorial on this and you’d like to check it out, go HERE.
Don’t they look so much better? I did sand the edges of the black books with a 320 grit sanding block. Just gave them some wear and some character. I still love these matching mugs someone gave us for our wedding. 🙂
I meant to take a picture of the actual painting process, but alas, I had to paint while the boy and girl were sleeping, as it was impossible to do while they were awake. I had some high hiding primer that I had tinted a charcoal grey, and loved the color, so I just used that. I knew that would be the perfect backdrop and depth for the white accessories.
Here are some detailed shots of the contents…because you know I love some close-up’s!
I just looked down and saw that the word “wish” was peeking from in between our two mugs…so sweet.
I went against every bone in my body and framed two shots I’ve taken (instead of family photos) to display as art. It’s nice to see something that inspires you up there!
I mean, I know she’s my kiddo, but isn’t she adorable in this photo? I love the little fat rolls on her back– and could she be posing anymore? 🙂
A couple of my blue mason jars for a pop of color and a hurricane of one of my favorites–seashells. I got this huge bag of grey and white shells for $3.00 at my favorite antique mall the other day. Yes!
This is so funny to me–I couldn’t cover this book. Do you see the title? It’s a 1930’s edition of the “Do It Yourself Encyclopedia!” It’s so cute–it even has a section on attic renovations. (oh, I’m sure you notice that smudge of grey paint on the adjustable notches–plenty of touching up to do!)
Again, one of my favorite parts of the transformation in simply being able to see my photos. (and yes, there’s an empty frame back there, b/c apparently walmart and I were not jiving the other day with my wallet order) Because there are fewer to look at, each piece stands out so much more.
What do you think? I am thrilled with the results. The older I get, the more I realize that my home is haven for my family. And I want every nook and cranny to exude beauty and peace and coziness (among lots of other things) if at all possible.
One more project down. Only about 325 to go!
–shaunna 🙂
P.S. I’m still looking around for a couple more features this week. Should come to you on Saturday!
**linking this post to
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello
Frugal Friday’s @ The Shabby Nest
Frugalicious Friday’s @ Finding Fabulous
Remodelaholic’s Anonymous @ Remodelaholic
DIY day @ DIY Showoff
DIY day @ A Soft Place to Land
Just Something I whipped Up @ The Girl Creative
Make your Monday @ Twice Remembered
Show and Tell w/ Blue Cricket Designs
Power of Paint @ Domestically Speaking
Hi Shaunna!!
You're my new friend from TGC! I love your bookshelf. I see all of those clean shelves with 3 items on each and love them, too. BUT, I LOVE how yours turned out. What a great idea to paint all your frames and cover your books. It's those simple details that completely change the look. Love your blog! and nice to meet you 🙂
Hi Shaunna! Stopping by from TGC New Friend Friday. How I long for built-ins…mine would probably get cluttered…I love what you did to them…they look picture perfect. I really need to paint all my frames…it helps so much!
Oh, i love your ideas!!! Awesome!
cAN YOU COME ORGANIZE ME? lol
I ♥the gray in the background! so fresh and crisp! I'm your newest follower! Happy New Friend Friday!
Wow…love your new accessorized bookshelves! It's so clean and calm now! Great job…love it! Thanks for linkin' up to Frugalicious Friday!
Gorgeous! Love the subtle color palette!
Dreamy… love the color on the back of the built ins and the frames really are lovely. Love how you just whipped out that paint like no one's business and made it happen. I could sit there with a cup of coffee and chill. 🙂
Ooh it looks lovely! I especially like the colour scheme, it works soo well! Good tips too – thanks!
Hi! I wanted to stop by and say thank you for your kind comments! My sisters & I just started our own painting business too – we're fixing up furniture for others, staging homes for sale, and also finding our own pieces to have a show & eventually a booth somewhere – we love it! http://www.etheledith.com 🙂
Shaunna,
It looks so great! You did exactly what I've been pondering for our living room shelves – you painted the insides. What a difference. Thanks for sharing!
It looks fabulous, so soothing and calm. It takes great skill to achieve this on open shelves.
wow i like how that looks! i'm really bad at organizing, but having everything uniform like that really DOES look good! :)
Gorgeous! I don't know how you made time to do all of that, but it turned out simply beautiful! Thank you for inspiring me. T
That looks so much better! I love seeing the pictures of your cute baby, and the covered books are gorgeous.
Woooooooow. Beautiful. I love the dark background – I've had a plot to do that to the bookshelves in my bedroom but you know…I would have joined the procrastinator's club if I ever got around to it. ;)
I love what you've done. You are so talented!!I love the color that you picked for the back of the bookcase.
Look out bookcase, here I come!!! :)
Looks GREAT!
Your shelves look fabulous!
that looks so great! i love the pop of color in the background, and i wish i could do that with my cheap old shelves in my office. apparently the particle board backing needs to be there for stability, so i can't take it out to show the great wall color. i am waiting for the many other projects to be done so we can make new open shelving. yours looks so great!
Your shelves now look fantastic. Well done.
I think it looks great! I love that you painted all the frames white and the back of the cabinet being gray does make them pop! I do love your covered books, but I loved them from the original post you did. I'm hoping to try that soon myself as I have a nice stack on the desk that I took over in my living room.
That looks amazing. I love the background color and the uniformity of the colors in your display objects.
Looks great! We have been in our new (but old) house for a year and I don't have one single picture displayed. How YUCK. All of my frames are black black black so maybe they need a paint job as well for some variety. Thanks for sharing!
Individually your accessories are great, but I think that coordinated and grouped together like that they look awesome.
So much better, isn't it a great feeling. Going to de clutter now! I really must follow you for all the good ideas.
Love that gray paint with all the creamy white accessories – BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for sharing it at the POPP.
Beautiful! I love everything that you did. What a beautiful space. And that color you used is so pretty! Love it!