Monday, April 23, 2012

{Craft Room Redo: Laminate Bookcase Revived}

Do you remember this?  
Unfortunately, it may be seared into some of your memories because you probably still can't believe I actually posted this picture on my blog.  (I know it's seared in my mom's memory because she couldn't believe I posted it!)  Well, take a look at the cluttered bookcase.  That is a laminate book case that was a hand-me-down from my grandmother.  I've had it for about seven years.  And it's pretty much looked like that for seven years except for brief moments when it was actually organized.  When I decided to do my craft room makeover, I knew something had to be done about the bookcase.  It did its job, but that was about it.  It needed a new look.  I knew from my extensive blog stalking...uh, I mean, reading, that laminate can be painted.  (I've painted laminate before but not the really cheap laminate like this bookcase.  You know the kind I'm talking about.  It practically looks like a wood grain sticker over particle board.)  I decided to go for it and paint the bookcase.  Even if I totally screwed it up, it would still hold books--at least that's what I told myself to convince me to do it.  I started by painting the bookcase with Zinsser primer.  
I used the water based primer to cut down on the mess and smell, but it still smelled pretty badly.  After priming the bookcase, I freaked out.  I really did.  The primer was just scraping right off, so I did what I should have done to begin with and consulted the trusty internet.  I found this post from Living with Lindsay and got totally angry with myself that I didn't read the post first.  Lindsay says you should gently sand the laminate piece first.  I didn't do that.  And then the worse thing that I read was that you should let the paint cure for SEVEN DAYS!  I can hardly wait the fifteen minutes you should wait between spraying coats of spray paint, and I was attempting to get this project done for Creative Bloggers Got Talent.  I found another post from Centsational Girl that recommended using the oil based Zinsser primer because it can be recoated in like an hour.  An HOUR?!  And I had to wait SEVEN DAYS?!  Yeah, I wasn't too happy when I read that.  But I was going on vacation, so I left the primed bookcase to cure while I enjoyed a few days in Charleston.  When I returned, I waited as long as I could stand it, which was six days, and I sprayed the primed piece with white Krylon.  When the spray paint dried, I glazed the bookcase with a black glaze to make it look old and worn.  I thought it would help if any of the paint ended up peeling off--maybe it would look like it was supposed to be peeling if it already appeared worn.  I didn't prime or spray the back of the bookcase, which I'm sure you noticed from the picture.  The back is this weird wood-looking cardboard.  So I decided to Mod Podge some paper to it.  I found the most awesome paper at Hobby Lobby: turquoise, worn-looking beadboard like paper!  
I used Mod Podge to adhere the paper to the back of the bookcase, and I used two coats of Mod Podge to seal the paper.  Yes, there were some bubbles in the paper because of the weird cardboard material, but since the paper itself looks worn, you can't really see them.  Then I covered the entire piece with a couple coats of Polycrylic.  I used the satin finish, which also cuts down on being able to see the bubbles.  When I put the shelves back in the bookcase, there was a bit of scraping of paint, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  And the scrapes could be repainted, but I just covered them with books.  I LOVE my "new" bookcase!  It goes well with my new gray walls.  
Would I do it all again?  Hmmm...if I could afford a new bookcase, I would just buy a white one and use fabric covered foam board on the back like I did with my hutch.  BUT I didn't want to invest in a new bookcase, and so far, the piece has held up really well--better than I thought it would after that first night of priming.  So if you need a quick inexpensive fix, I would say paint your laminate.  (I don't know that I would paint over the cheap laminate like my book case on a furniture piece that gets heavy wear and tear, though, so keep that in mind.)  Also, learn from my mistakes and use the oil based primer so that you aren't old and gray by the time you can paint over it.  I promise to give you a full view of the book case in the BIG REVEAL of the craft room!  I can't wait!
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30 comments:

  1. This came out great! I love the paper you used.. so pretty :)

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  2. Moma's proud as always!

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  3. Hi, Bethany

    The bookcase looks great! I love the paper you used too. Great job!

    Vanessa

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  4. It looks great I love the paper. I have painted laminate before and I always use a product called Grip and Lock you can pretty much paint anything with it right now I'm painting my fridge and no paint is peeling off. Anywoo just wanted to say I love the blue and white looks gorgeous xx

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  5. Ok, here's the plan: I close on my new house June 4th, so on June 5th, you need to fly in to Atlanta and help me put together my craft room. Deal? :-) This is fabulous! Your furniture makeovers always are.
    ~ Kirsten @ One Tough Mother

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  6. I just love this addition to the place.

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  7. WOW! What an improvement! Great job.
    Blythe
    www.thedesperatecraftwives.blogspot.com

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  8. It looks so good Bethany! I love the contrast of colors!

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  9. Bethany,

    I am so excited to see the big reveal! I think you were brave to tackle the laminate bookcase. I have two from Ikea that I have had for over 12 years and think this might work. Yours came out really well, so I guess it was worth all the trauma. Thanks for keeping it real for us.

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  10. Wow, that looks super fabulous! That looks awesome!! I would love for you to share this on "Pin It and Win It Wednesday" @ www.cheapcraftymama.com!

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  11. I love the paper you used in the backdrop! Was it scrapbooking paper you used? You should link this up to my link party today!

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  12. Look's great!! I love the chevron frame too. I am pinning this :)

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  13. It sure looks like it was worth all the effort! I really love the turquoise paper too! Great makeover...I can't wait to see the rest! Thanks for sharing at the Rock N Share!

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  14. All that work, but it sure looks lovely! I love the paper you chose!

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  15. This is truly amazing! You did a great job- Thanks for linking to Things I've Done Thursday!

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  16. I love the way this turned out. I totally thought you bought bead board for the back. Visiting from Sarah Dawn Designs. http://sarahdawndesigns.blogspot.com/

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  17. Turned out great, love the color combo of Aqua and Gray

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  18. What a wonderful transformation. Well done!
    Lisa

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  19. You have inspired me to save a craft station in my bed room from certain demise. Thanks for sharing at SweetTalkin' Sunday :°)

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  20. Oh Bethany it's so gorgeous! What an incredible transformation.

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  21. Wow, what a transformation! This is a great project! Would you consider linking it up to my Pinworthy Projects Linky Party over at Just Us Four?

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  22. This is gorgeous!!! Love that paper! Awesome :)

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  23. Featured you over at my link party today! Don't forget to pass on by.

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  24. Wow, it sounds like it was a lot of work but the end result is amazing! Like many others I absolutely love the paper you chose for the backing. I was hoping to find out how to duplicate the look so I was surprised to find it was paper!

    Visiting from your feature on I Heart Naptime :)

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  25. That sounds like me a couple of months ago! Though I skipped priming and went straight to just painting it with white paint. It wasn't covering really well, good thing I noticed after 2 surfaces and primed the rest, but still, 4 coats of white paint... Did not feel like letting the primer cure either. Scrapped a lot off while putting the shelves back. Oh well lesson learned. I also google after the fact and found the same posts as you, haha! And that's just paper, not old pieces of wood that you salvaged, painted and destressed?! Soooo much simpler! Anyway, loving your blog, you remind me of me :) New follower :)

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  26. Super cute! I love the fact that you used paper at the back of the bookcase! I couldn't figure out what is was and then I read you mod podged it! Simply perfect! Have a great day! Smiles, Jill

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  27. I came across your blog link today and I have to tell you it was meant to be. I have the EXACT same book shelf, inherited from my mother. In fact I just came in from the garage after giving it a loving coat of home made "annie sloan" chalk paint. I am NOT liking the ugly backer board and I have random sheets of that same style paper from HL. I wanted beadboard for the back, but that is too much for my budget. I am going to borrow your idea and use my paper. Thank you for the much needed inspiration.

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