Thursday, November 8, 2012

Fresh Look: my first roadside rescue {bookcase makeover}

Blog Bookshelf Makeover
First let me start by saying, I tip my hat to you ladies and gents that do these roadside rescues on a regular basis. I’ve seen your photos. I’ve read your tutorials. You grab the item at the side of the road. Bring it home. Sand it up, add some pretty chalk paint and show us your beautiful new piece of furniture.

Now I’m even more impressed with you diy rescuers because it’s a lot of work. There are creepy crawlies to deal with. Water damage. Ugly old stain that won’t go away. Storage issues and weather conditions to consider. I somehow muddled through all of those and finished my first roadside rescue.




It was just a small bookcase but I’m so pleased. Here it is all finished and being used for craft supply storage.


homework diy bookshelf makeover (14)I found the bookcase down the street from my house. I made my son jump out of the car and grab it. It sat in our backyard for a few months because it was too hot to sand and paint. And then out of nowhere we had rain. I dried off the poor rescue the best that I could and repaired the wood damage. Then as long as I was at it I might as well start sanding it. At this point I was motivated to finish it and primed and painted it.


The wood on the inside of the bookcase wasn’t in good condition and I had always planned on covering it up with something. I used gift wrap that I had on hand and Mod Podged it to the back of the bookcase.


The shelves were actually in good condition but I wanted to line them with something so I used scrap pieces of battenburg lace linens.


I also found a couple of tension rods to use for ribbon, tape and other goodies.


Here’s the first rod with my Washi Tape. I could stare it all day. I just love the pretty colors and patterns. 


The bottom shelf will hold all my craft paints and paint brushes. I haven’t added anything to the tension rod on that shelf yet. The holidays are coming so it might be a good spot for ribbons and trims.


homework diy bookshelf makeover (13)Baker’s Twine, Washi Tape and vintage buttons… is it strange that these things make me so happy?



So there you have it. Nothing fancy but I love the extra storage. Total cost for this project:

Bookcase = free
Paint = leftover from old house projects
2 Tension Rods = $3.00
Wrapping Paper = $1.00
Satisfaction = priceless

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19 comments :

  1. What a perfect craft station!!! Great job!
    hugs,
    Suzan

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  2. That's wonderful. From roadkill to loved and useful item. Of course it isn't strange these things make you happy - remember who your readers are! xx

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  3. Looks great. I love turning trash into treasure. I love the hanging rod.....may need to borrow that tip.

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  4. Nice makeover! I've not found anything on the side of the road yet to rescue but I see lots of redos in blogland.
    Your old/new craft station looks nice, love the tension rod idea.

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  5. Wow! I love the way you have a rail to put all the washi tape on ^_^

    Great roadside rescue!

    ~Bevolee

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  6. Love this transformation! How creative! This is inspires me with ideas for an old armoire I have...thanks you!
    http://www.the-finishing-touches.net/

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  7. What a great project - isn't it great when you find something headed to the dump and are able to make it into something so useful... love it....

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  8. You did such a great job on this! It's the perfect craft station. Thank you for sharing. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House which goes live at 8am CST on Monday. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  9. Great job! Great use of an old bookcase! Stopping by from Happy Hour.

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  10. Nice job! I bet this won't be your last curb-side pick up! Many years ago I made my son pick up a couple of dining chairs ... he is 27 now and still gives me a bad time about it :)

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  11. Great job, Carolyn! I love your Washi tape--so pretty! The tension rods are a great idea--and the Battenburg lace is just the perfect touch. Thanks for sharing, and giving me some ideas! (Visiting from The Shabby Creek Cottage.)

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  12. This is so pretty! I love the backing you used - it's so eye catching!

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  13. what a great transformation! love the wrapping paper idea.

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  14. Carolyn! What a lovely job! Looks beautiful!

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  15. I love this...I want to make one too!

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  16. Love this and love all your washi tape!!!

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  17. You did such a great job on this! It's the perfect craft station. Thank you for sharing.very nice i have some more to see them
    go here

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  18. The thing is that making these storage units and other items from old pieces of wood and bits and pieces all takes up quite a lot of time, and you have to have a lot of patience too! I have made a few bookcases myself from old-style wood frames someone left at the bottom of our street once, however I’m so busy at work most of the time I’m afraid I generally end up buying new things for the house.

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