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I will be starting a new site with lots of fun new projects, ideas and day to day stuff.

Launching in early June, this site will automatically redirect to the site.

See you all soon.

Bonnie

Ikea semi-built in shelves

I saw these on another bloggers site Kate from Censational Girl, ever since she did these I have wanted to copy them.  I had a different vision for them but close enough.

Shelves $210.00, Trim $40.00, Counter shelf $20, Paint $10 Total cost : $280.00

Here are mine:

These are Kate’s:

I started with the shelves, I bought the 15” deep ones and purchased 3 of them at $70.00 a pop. Total = 210

I put the 2 on the end together simply by following the instructions, easy enough.

It was the third one that got to be a little tricky, I wanted to cut it in half and use it as 2 sections, so I measured where the holes for the shelves aligned and luckily the distance from the top of the shelf to the first hole was about 8” and from the middle shelf to the first hole on the bottom was 8”.  So that means these shelves need to be cut from the bottom of each section to keep the holes in the same place.  I was doing this from home so had a little help, the saw is on the garage floor because we are too lazy to drag out the table. (do not recommend if doing a lot of cuts, but this was nothing, and need to take it back to the shop tomorrow.)

We have one cut and working on the other while taking measurements, I cannot add, at all, in any way shape or form.  So I was a little disappointed when I had nearly 1’ of extra space vs. the ones I was trying to copy, so my wall was a lot longer.  I decided instead of trying to fill that space and cut down the size of the room, I would just leave the sides open.

I tried several different options for the molding, in-between? on the outside?  Ended up going with the 2 ¼” trim x ¼” trim that Kate did on hers.  (only avail at Lowe’s fyi).  Also if you are reading Kate’s and mine, when she says she has 2 1/4 space in-between her bookshelves that includes the sides so it from the inside of one to the inside of another (not the outer edge of the shelve, that messed me up a little too.)

Next was too paint them, I decided to paint the cardboard backs Ikea sent with the shelves, did a test spot on the front and back (I thought it would peel off the white side).  Tested perfect, even scratched with my fingernail and nothing.  Did not sand or use paint and primer, just a Glidden.  I used the same color that I am painting the wall and just added some black to it, so it was different then the wall but in the same color family.

Yes, I am a little crazy and used left over cardboard and did it right there on the floor.  Watch out I tend to take risks, but all went well.  I also used a small cabinet roller because it is the smoothest finish.

Then just slide them into the back and follow the instructions.

Then I decided I wanted to hurry and paint the wall (was going to do that anyway when they were finished) but hate taping so did it now.  Didn’t want a huge change, my husband says he can’t even tell I painted but even in this not so great picture I can see a big difference. Very happy with the color I have too much yellow beige in my house.

Getting there! I have picked out my trim pieces and ready to finish the details.

Mirror is hung! ( $35 / estate sale)

Added bases to the small pieces, since we had to cut from the bottom there was not support added some 1x4’s and had some extra shelves that I was not going to use and put them on top to match the 2 larger pieces.

Added trim to the top of the two tall pieces and one across the top of the shorter pieces and a base trim.  I did not need to raise my shelves or worry about them matching too closely since they will not be touching the wall.  Also went to home depot and bought a long plain piece of this wood to add to the top of the shorter shelves, since there were gaps in between them. 

Touched up the holes where the nails went, with DryDex love the pink stuff that turns white, one less thing to worry about.  Then used a light sand paper (150 grit) and lightly sanded the excess off.  Since the whites of the shleves was creamier then what I had on the walls, I decided it’s easier to paint the walls then the bookshelves. I took a piece of the shelves to the home depot and had them color match it. Then I painted all the molding on the shelves, so it looks like a complete set.

One more Before & After:

Will take me a minute to get them decorated the way I wanted.  Totally happy with them and they bring so much to the room.  I can’t wait to finish this room have some very fun old chairs I am working on.  Love it.

- Bonnie