skip to main content

Home Decorating

Bookcase Update - before/after pics

11 years ago

Thanks to all who gave me advice a few months ago on my bookcase. It seemed pretty dark and I didn't think the items showed up as well. I covered cardboard with a remnant of upholstery fabric on sale. I'm still not sure of my placement/items but I am happy with the way it turned out. Suggestions on items/layout are welcomed. Thanks again.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

yayagal
11 years ago
What an improvement! It looks great and is that a carving of the girl on a swing? Being a carver I'm very attracted to it.
Jamie
11 years ago
That looks good! Was it easy to fit the carboard in place? I read about doing this foam board but cardboard is more readily available. Did you glue the fabrid to the cardboard.

I like the green pumpkin. Do you intend to reprise in in the fall?
Related Discussions
Help!Bookcase question morphed into bigger concerns-PICS
Q
Comments (20)
I'm not completely clear on the plan, here: do you want the room to look better, or be better? Looking better from the inside is easy: leave the windows, add shelving below to integrate with the bookcases, pad the tops for seating, fill the space between the seat and bottom of window with custom bolster pillows so the whole thing looks more 'on purpose'. But the windows really are too small and too far from the ceiling: an easy mistake to make, it's hard for those of us not involved in the building trade to visualize the actual size based on the numbers on a blueprint, especially since the actual glass area is so much smaller than the numbers. Lowering them would just look odd and new ones wouldn't add a huge amount to the project [with the caveat that 'huge amount' is very realitive]. So, if it isn't a budget breaker and you want to enjoy those [wonderful] veiws, some changes have to be made. I'd argue-- if you are opening the wall anyway-- that those windows are not only too small, they are in the wrong place. For maximum impact, they should flank the fireplace, and it's the bookcases that should occupy the less important real estate in the corners of the room. I'd use new windows as near the ceiling as possible, and bring the bottom down to the level of the hearth. I'd extend the heath under the windows for extra seating, and add a molding from the FP to the corners to integrate the windows, fp and bookcases into a single unified whole. That way, there would be something wonderful to look at from the main seating, even if the FP wasn't burning. Now here's a thought: leave the current windows, add new ones. It would actually be cheaper than removing the existing and trying to patch the resulting holes, since you'd be removing siding and interior finsihes, rather than trying to add new materail that matches the old. You could put the bookcases in front of the old windows if you really want them on this wall, or move them somewhere else...
...See More
UPDATE Finally finished Nursery. Before & After Pics (pic heavy)
Q
Comments (47)
Hi again, Thanks so much for the measurements! I think we can work something like that in our smaller bedroom and still have enough floor for his bed.... I will have to measure tomorrow when I don't risk making noise near the bedrooms (our sons sleep with their door open). He still wants to sleep with his brother, but they have made a few comments about having their own rooms soon. We can relocate the computer and set up the room as originally intended for him. Thanks again!
...See More
Please HELP: Nightmare Bookcase-Stain Project
Q
Comments (12)
So how did it turn out? I recently did something similar but took a different tactic so don't feel these sorts of things happen to just you. Here is my tale to make you feel better. I wanted to install a recessed cabinet. I saw lots of great looking ones on pinterest. I found this great web site WG Wood Products that had lots of options for you to custom order. Mentally I had placed several of these around the house. To test I ordered one with the extra depth, a door style to match my interior doors, extra glass shelves and I decided to order it in white as that is what my interior doors and wood trim is. The total cost for the unit was $625 including shipping. Definitely on the high side but if it looked as good as I thought it would I was willing to pay. I thought I would get painted wood. What showed up was MDF doors that look like an over the toilet cabinet from Walmart. I was crushed. When I e-mailed the company to complain they said it was wood. I tried to find a place on their web site that stated wood so I would protest and get my money refunded because I definitely have el cheapo MDF doors. Instead I found small print that said if you ordered the door in the style I did and in painted white it was made out of MDF instead of wood. I had no recourse. I took the stinky MDF doors off and put them in the garage. I am using the recessed cabinet for picture frames. It doesn't look that great without the doors and I'm temped the next time I need drywall repair to just take it out and throw it out. Total waste of $625. Your cabinet looks finely crafted. Hopefully you were able to fix the finish. The WG Wood products can be bought unfinished on discount web sites but I didn't take that route for the reason I didn't think I could finish it well. Unfortunately paying the company to finish it didn't work out for me either because they switched up the materials.
...See More
Need help with unbalanced bookcase
Q
Comments (58)
Actually Marcella, while I so appreciate your comments I think you’re not seeing accurate colors and that is throwing you. The sofa is cobalt blue and the pillows add a splash of color to lift the dark cobalt. The chairs are a very soft almost sea foam blue green and the footstool, while a bit large perhaps, came with the chairs and had the same greenish blue in the paisley. It also adds additional seating. As I said in my previous posts, we intend to swap the chairs for smaller yellow barrel chairs that swivel. The great thing about the painting is that it has so many colors in it that it allows for a very colorful palette throughout the room. Everyone who comes in raves about the use of color and the space feels very cheery in person. I was really only looking for feedback on the balance of the shelves and I think by bringing in a white or light stained oval table and new more colorful chairs we will be able to bring the color throughout the room to balance the colors from the shelves better. Also, the painting on the fireplace does not work behind the table - we need to allow space for people to sit close to the wall which is why we’ve had to hang the other painting a bit higher. We don’t want heads hitting it and it’s really too big for that space. The living area is very bright and cheery and the painting over the fireplace works - you’ll all just have to trust me on that one. The colors of the kitchen and living area are very compatible. We just to need brighten up the dining space a bit to pull it all together. I also put the large Italian vase with sunflowers on a small table next to the fireplace and can already see that putting the right objet d’art there will provide the balance I was looking for. I’m out of town but will post better photos of more of the space later in the week when I return.
...See More
tuesday_2008
11 years ago
Looks much better! I love the fabric selection and love the picture over the shelf. Don't you just love little projects like this.

That is a great old bookcase! Is that water damage on the bottom? I bet some of the experts over on Woodworking could give you pointers on refinishing that. I'm thinking with oak, you would only have to work on that bottome piece.
jennifer_in_kansas
11 years ago
It turned out really nice. I like how the fabric adds to the look. Bookcases can be tricky to decorate.

Thanks for posting an update.

Jennifer
gsciencechick
11 years ago
It looks great! I really like the bookcase and the carving.
natesgram
Original Author
11 years ago
I do love these little projects. Thanks for the nice comments.

Here are a few pics to show the way we did it. The board I used a "display board" from the local office supply ($8.50) but the only difference is that it had a white side (not needed). I could have easily done it with a large cardboard box piece. My only regret is my DH insisted on cutting the board with my quilting rotary cutter! We cut out the piece of fabric a few inches larger and used packing tape on the back. I needed the extra hands for pulling fabric and taping, especially the corners. No glue anywhere so I can change fabric when I want a new look. The final piece was put in and is held in place by the books. Oh, and I purchased a new blade and marked the old one for him.
natesgram
Original Author
11 years ago
Yayagal, the piece above is called "Girl on a Swing" and the process is called "Intarsia." Different types of wood are cut on a scrollsaw, shaped for a 3-D effect, and glued on the edges and onto a backer. Sort of like puzzle pieces from a pattern. They are clear finished, making the grain direction and the natural wood color part of the design. No paint anywhere. This one is made with mahagony, oak, aspen, aromatic cedar, walnut, cherry, maple, poplar and birch. Fun type of art that I stopped a few years ago. I can't draw worth beans. I've kept several favorite pieces, gave some to family, and sold a few as well. I'm glad you liked the piece.
beeps
11 years ago
Creative fix for your bookcase and it looks great. The Intarsia piece you made is amazing!!

As for the arrangement, you might try grouping the books by color. I know, I know. I group by subject or author too =) but grouping by color is more pleasing to the eye.
pammyfay
11 years ago
Natesgram -- the bookcase "shuffle" looks great.

But your WOODWORKING! Fantastic! Beautiful!

Related Stories

WHITE KITCHENS Before and After: Modern Update Blasts a '70s Kitchen Out of the Past

By Mitchell Parker

A massive island and a neutral color palette turn a retro kitchen into a modern space full of function and storage

BEFORE AND AFTERS Before and After: 19 Dramatic Bathroom Makeovers

By Becky Harris

See what's possible with these examples of bathroom remodels that wow

FRONT YARD IDEAS Before and After: Front Lawn to Prairie Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

How they did it: Homeowners create a plan, stick to it and keep the neighbors (and wildlife) in mind

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Thoughtful Updates to an Outdated 1900s Home

By Danielle Sykes

Handmade art and DIY touches bring a modern touch to a classic Boston-area home

BEFORE AND AFTERS Gray Cabinets Update a Texas Kitchen

By Mitchell Parker

Julie Shannon spent 3 years planning her kitchen update, choosing a gray palette and finding the materials for a transitional style

BEFORE AND AFTERS 8 Bathroom Updates Have Ideas for Every Style

By Vanessa Brunner

All white, classic vintage and brightly eclectic are just some of the new looks sported by the transformed bathrooms you'll find here

BEFORE AND AFTERS Newly Open Style Updates a Contemporary Atlanta Home

By Becky Harris

Sweat equity over seven years opens up a 1980s home for a Georgia couple who loves a challenge

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Elegant DIY Updates for a 1970s Dallas Home

By Angela Flournoy

Patiently mastering remodeling skills project by project, a couple transforms their interiors from outdated to truly special

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Peek Inside an Artist’s Updated Shotgun Home and Studio

Gorgeous art and elegant style befit this New Orleans live-work property

RANCH HOMES My Houzz: Warm and Airy Kitchen Update for a 1980s Ranch House

By Caela McKeever

A dark and cramped kitchen becomes a bright and open heart of the home for two empty nesters in Central California

Sponsored

More Discussions

Powder room by the kitchen

274

Help with Living Room Furniture & Placement

10

How to design living room-dining room open space?

8

Arched Window In Dining Room

5

Floor lamp with 4 poster bed?

7