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How to Change the Look of a Shelf with Book Pages

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This is the story of the shelf that was left behind. It is one of those things I inherited from my son when he left. The shelf had been placed right above his computer desk.  Although it is a nice size and very useful, I felt that the dark color was way too heavy for the look I was after. 

So being a good up-cycler I was going to change it to reflect me!  I was going to change the look of the shelf with…

Did I paint it, like you all think I did?

​No, I used book pages! 

The shelf before, How to Change the Look of a Shelf with Book Pages www.theboondocksblog.com
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Of course not!  I chose to decoupage it!  For a look that was a bit different.
​Anyway I think I need a break from painting after all the furniture painting I did!

In fact it is a LACK shelf from Ikea. It is meant to look like it is floating.  And at 43 inches across it is quite big. My son added a bracket on the side so it wouldn’t come tumbling down on him. Smart kid!  Now I can really fill it up to the gills.

Of course I would have preferred something like this, or this, but we work with what we have. 

What I Used:

Applying the pages with mod podge, How to Change the Look of a Shelf with Book Pages www.theboondocksblog.com

The How To:

I started off by cutting up the book pages.  Don’t worry this book was so awful I actually used some pages to cover the glass sliding doors on my mid-century cabinet.  I still had lots left over so I figured I’d use them here.  No pages were harmed and I’m sure they got better use here since no one was going to read this book.

Anyway getting back to my tutorial, I cut the edges along by folding and then tearing by hand.  No scissors needed. I would brush the Mod Podge on the shelf and then carefully apply the page.

When I got to the edge I’d fold it over and apply the mod podge then glue it on.

book pages being applied around the edges, How to Change the Look of a Shelf with Book Pages www.theboondocksblog.com
Once I got to the corner, I cut it diagonally, and folded the top down and then folded the right hand piece over it like you would with a gift wrap.
applying book pages to the corner of the shelf, How to Change the Look of a Shelf with Book Pages www.theboondocksblog.com
Here you can see how it makes a < shape in the corner.
Applying book pages, How to Change the Look of a Shelf with Book Pages www.theboondocksblog.com

​I just continued going over the edge and under.  And then I worked from underneath starting from the inside.
Applying book pages to the bottom of the shelf, How to Change the Look of a Shelf with Book Pages www.theboondocksblog.com
I waited for a few hours till it had thoroughly dried and then sealed it with several coats of Mod Podge on top.
Applying the mod podge as a sealant, How to Change the Look of a Shelf with Book Pages www.theboondocksblog.com
​And then it was time to place some of my things on top. See how they stand out without the black color underneath.  They almost look as if they are floating – like these!

​I know you can’t see this on the screen but the color of the pages matches perfectly with the wall color which is a soft cream. It turned out really great!

The finished shelf with decoration, #IkeaLackwallshelf #Modpodge #Decoupageproject #Shelftransformation #Newlookfordarkshelf #Bookpageideas #easyDIYproject How to Change the Look of a Shelf with Book Pages www.theboondocksblog.com
Isn’t that basket the cutest?  I’m not going to tell you where I found it, although I think you can probably guess.
Picture
​The heart shaped box is from a  Valentine’s Day project.
Shelf decoupaged with book pages for a new look, #IkeaLackwallshelf #Modpodge #Decoupageproject #Shelftransformation #Newlookfordarkshelf #Bookpageideas #easyDIYproject How to Change the Look of a Shelf with Book Pages www.theboondocksblog.com
And this old ice bucket has been re-purposed so I can store my smaller pieces of wrapping paper. 

You can see to the left that a small bracket was added and I painted that a cream color too so it’ll blend in.

ice bucket repurposed to hold gift wrapping paper, #IkeaLackwallshelf #Modpodge #Decoupageproject #Shelftransformation #Newlookfordarkshelf #Bookpageideas #easyDIYproject How to Change the Look of a Shelf with Book Pages www.theboondocksblog.com
Here is what my work area looks like. This is a reality shot folks.  I have to have everything in front of me so I can work.

​I have the cork board to my left with various wires I use for phones and cameras.  They are hanging on push pins but that works just fine. And the framed board used to be  a Christmas Decor.  I even keep a bunch of mini clothes pins on the calendar in case I want to attach something.

Can you see why I wanted to lighten up that shelf?  It felt as if the former black shelf was about to topple over on me.  Now it is light and fun!
​ 

The work area with desk and shelf, #IkeaLackwallshelf #Modpodge #Decoupageproject #Shelftransformation #Newlookfordarkshelf #Bookpageideas #easyDIYproject How to Change the Look of a Shelf with Book Pages www.theboondocksblog.com
Now I need some advice.  Should I do anything with that desk?  It is metal on top with a unique design made to look like cut pieces of wood.  And what about those legs?  Should I refresh them a bit make them a bit brighter?
Detail of shelf with book, box and heart shaped box, #IkeaLackwallshelf #Modpodge #Decoupageproject #Shelftransformation #Newlookfordarkshelf #Bookpageideas #easyDIYproject How to Change the Look of a Shelf with Book Pages www.theboondocksblog.com
As you can see I have lots of decisions to make in the next few months because I have slowly begun work on our bedroom, which also serves as my office area. 

With simple ideas like this one on how to change the look of a shelf with book pages I should be done in no time.  Ha!  I hope you don’t believe that.

Help me out a bit and let me know what you think ought to be done with that desk.

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Changing the look of a shelf with decoupage, #IkeaLackwallshelf #Modpodge #Decoupageproject #Shelftransformation #Newlookfordarkshelf #Bookpageideas #easyDIYproject How to Change the Look of a Shelf with Book Pages www.theboondocksblog.com
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Barbara Chapman ~ French Ethereal

Thursday 7th of June 2018

Hi Mary, I love how your shelf turned out! {I think I began a comment yesterday but got called away, so I know I didn't finish. :) } Modge Podge is great stuff! I loved making things with it when I was a kid and it's fun to see how it is used here today!!! Glad you are getting to work on your bedroom now ~ always nice for a refresh. :) Looking forward to seeing your bedroom as you refinish the room, new linens, etc., Hugs, Barb :)

Mary

Friday 8th of June 2018

Barbara this is not even a refresh. This is trying to make some sort of semblance of a room. Haha!!

Lorin Small

Wednesday 23rd of May 2018

Hmmmm..... maybe a gray charcoal around the edge of the faux butcher block to tie the color of the print on the pages and paint the white page color on the legs and the rest of the bottom. I would look for a fun print with all those colors and wrap it on those several Drop Acoustic Panel Ceiling Tiles for a super large bulletin board. Putting in the wall between the desk and the shelf, connecting the two pieces. That should make on unified piece and look cleaner even if you have to have a bunch of stuff out. For the super large bulletin board you could continue you page gluing gig😉

Mary

Wednesday 30th of May 2018

That is a great idea Lorin, Because there is always chaos in front of my desk on the walls. It would actually look spectacular.

Debrashoppeno5

Wednesday 23rd of May 2018

I like the new look. And you make decoupaging look so easy. Now for the desk, I would love to see what you can do with it!

Mary

Wednesday 30th of May 2018

Decoupage is an easy way to change something and if you don't like it after a while just strip it! I need to work on that desk soon.

Katrin

Wednesday 23rd of May 2018

Mary this shelf is so you! It looks a lot better like this and fits in so nicely above the desk. And the desk is really cute, maybe go two tone, white legs and stained top??

Mary

Wednesday 30th of May 2018

Katrin those legs definitely have to go lighter, and the idea of a stained top is good too. I just need to find the right paint because the top is actually metal.

Linda at Mixed Kreations

Tuesday 29th of May 2018

I love the new look of the shelf, and how you have everything staged. Looks really nice! I like the darker top of the desk, but maybe lighten up the rest.

Mary

Wednesday 30th of May 2018

I agree Linda, the legs need to be lighter and I can maybe work with the top in some way.

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