DIY: Bookshelf

You know how they say one person's trash is another person's treasure? Well I'm a big fan of refurbishing something old and discarded into a new gem for your home. Plus, the extra work you put into it makes you appreciate it THAT much more. A little windex (My Big Fat Greek Wedding anyone?) to remove any dirt and bacteria, some elbow grease, and a smidgen of creativity and you're set!

My recent DIY (Do it Yourself): A bookshelf for the bedroom.
Colors: A vibrant autumn red with white semi-gloss trimming.

The bedroom has a lot of warm nudes and soft browns so a pop of red is the perfect accent.

Lowes Hardware Items:
One 3 1/2 inch paintbrush & one 1 1/2 inch brush for the trimming.
One quart of Valspar Signature Hi-Def paint in "Art District" red, and one quart of white semi-gloss.
Painters Bundle Set: 1 paintbrush, painter's tape, 1 bucket and 1 drop cloth.
One flat head screwdriver.
Total Cost: $47.51
(Note: This is enough paint for two bookshelves.)

Before and after shots:

1st Picture: In the garage / 2nd. Picture: In the bedroom

I'm clearly using the shelf intended for books to hold my handbags. The majority of my bag-stash is in the City that never sleeps but I managed to transport these few down with me. This shelf is now their home.

The finish on this paint is stunning. It is a paint+primer combo so I used two coats and waited 48 hours before putting the painter's tape on.

Helpful Tip: Sand the piece of furniture down before painting it, especially if it's an older wood. Sanding it will help even out any imperfections and give you a smoother surface to paint on.

Helpful Tip #2: Use a flat-head screwdriver to carefully pry open the sides of the paint can top. To close the can just flip the screwdriver over and use the hard handle as a hammer to  firmly tap it down.

Good luck to all those working on their own DIYs!

'Til next time,

The Fashist