Project Rewind...accessorising built-ins!

 

  

Hey guys, I recently received an e-mail from a Reader asking about inexpensive and affordable ways to decorate bookcases and built-ins.  So for today's project rewind...here's a look back on how I  accessorized our built-in's...on the cheap! 

Here's the "before" picture above.  That's me with my sweet girl, and my two other furry ones.  Ugh, remind me never to cut bangs again :0  There's the dark n' dated bookcase behind us...yup, that dark oak wood just had to go!  And the color we chose was a fresh white to bring more light into the room.

Here's the After...

Amazing what a little paint can do isn't it?  As soon as they were painted, I went straight to work accessorizing these babies!  I really didn't want to spend a lot of money, as we had just finished installing hardwood floors and that was pricey.

The first items I gathered were books...both my favorite ones and some vintage thrift store ones that I snagged for just 25 cents each!  Then I stacked those books and even collections of magazines in various ways to add interest. Then I turned my attention to the picture frames.  I added a new copper frame that I scored from The Pottery Barn Outlet in Gaffney, SC.  However, all the others I already had on hand.  Two frames I spray painted with my favorite Rustoleum Spray Paint in oil rubbed bronze.  

Next I added a few shells from our family vacations.  After all decorating isn't just for show (okay maybe a little)...but I love decorating with items that have personal meaning and memories!  See the small black frame with the shell print?  That's just a dollar store frame with free Vintage Printable Art that I printed from my home computer...so simple!  The small black chest I've probably had for 15 years or more.  It was brown with painted flowers.  I sprayed it black to contrast against the white paint.

And finally the splurge.  With most of my decorating projects I always like to add one cool item that I just LOVE & gotta have.  Here it's the metal Ampersand that I bought from Restoration Hardware!   I love how it adds a bit of whimsy to the whole design.

Okay, so that's how I decorate a bookcase...for less!  It's all about surrounding yourself with the things you love... family memories, a few thrifty finds, and some revamped accessories too.

Happy Accessorizing!