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You are here: Home / DIY Home Decor / Living Room Projects / Pine Shelf Makeover with Some Paint & Fabric Love

Pine Shelf Makeover with Some Paint & Fabric Love

By Tuula McPhee (This post may contain affiliate links.)

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This pine shelf makeover was a much needed labour of love.

I see these types of shelves all the time in different shapes and sizes, but I’m not really a pine loving gal… unless you put it in a fabulous rustic cottage in the mountains by a babbling brook.

That I would totally be into. 🙂

But this bland and boring pine shelf? Not so much.

This baby’s going to become a piece of shelf art. Easy peasy.

 

pine shelf makeover

It’s quite a large shelf, and I knew it would be perfect for displaying one of my collections.

I found it last fall and it’s been sitting in my living room waiting and waiting and waiting for its makeover.

 

pine shelf makeover

Even though it’s been rather cold here this $2 shelf’s wait was finally over.

I couldn’t paint outside so I spread one of my painting sheets over  my kitchen table.

 

painted pine shelf makeover

And gave it two coats of ReStore Ooops white paint love.

The white makes such a lovely frame for these shelves with no backs, which are perfect for adding fabric.

 

supplies for pine shelf makeover

Like this $1 fabric from my stash.

It’s a fun and funky piece of colourful retro goodness, but any fabric that you love could be used.

 

covering back with fabric for pine shelf makeover

This is the truly transformative part, and it’s quite easy too.

Turn the shelf over so the front is on the bottom and place the fabric over the back, making sure the good side is under.

The underside is what will be seen at the front.

 

stapling fabric on back for pine shelf makeover

When you’re happy with the placement staple the fabric in place, starting at the centre of each side and pulling it just taut as you go.

Then make your way around all four sides, pulling and stapling until you’re all done.

I used 6 staples along the sides and 8 along the top and bottom.

You don’t have to bother stapling along the backs of the shelves. That’s really not necessary.

Yay for less work! 🙂

 

Attaching fabric on back for pine shelf makeover

Trim any excess with scissors.

 

attaching hangers for pine shelf makeover

This shelf didn’t have any hardware so I found some in my stash and attached it to the back.

Pine is a soft wood so it’s easy to screw into.

I used some clear Gorilla tape to hold down the excess fabric along the top.

 

adding picture hangers to wall for pine shelf makeover

Now for the hanging.

Measure how far apart the hangers are on the back of the shelf, from centre of one hanger to the centre of the other.

Then measure the wall and mark with a pencil for the picture hangers.

I usually eyeball the height, but a level could be used if needed.

 

funky fabric pine shelf makeover

And Voila, my pine shelf makeover is done.

That bland and boring shelf has become a quick and relatively easy piece of shelf art.

I was pretty tempted to leave it just like this, but that kinda defeats the whole purpose of why I did this pine shelf makeover in the first place.

So what collection did I choose to add to my fun and funky shelf?

 

funky fabric pine shelf makeover

My mini salt and pepper shaker collection, which has been living in my craft studio for quite some time.

 

funky fabric pine shelf makeover

I have a thing for opposites and, just like my living room china cabinet, I love mixing funky with traditional.

 

funky fabric pine shelf makeover

It totally works for me.

 

funky fabric pine shelf makeover

This fun fabric gives each shelf it’s own individual background look.

 

funky fabric pine shelf makeover

My vintage anthropomorphic radish set looks a little lonely on the top shelf, but I’m hoping to find more of that type to keep it company.

 

pine shelf makeover

Here’s the before again.

 

funky fabric pine shelf makeover

And the fun and funky after.

This just makes me soooo happy. Honestly, I could just sit and look at it for hours. 🙂

 

funky fabric pine shelf makeover

Every time I walk by going up or down the living room stairs it just makes me smile, and for me that’s what decorating is all about.

A pine shelf makeover like this can be so easily customized to any decor by the fabric that’s used. It could be traditional, country, shabby chic, contemporary… whatever your’s heart’s content really.

The possibilities are totally endless. 🙂

Thanks so much for reading, and until next time…

keep on keepin’ on!

XOX

 

I sometimes share my projects and posts at these fabulous parties listed here.

Filed Under: Living Room Projects, Storage Projects

Previous Post: « What the Heck Is It? #17
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gail @Purple Hues and Me says

    May 9, 2017 at 7:20 am

    The finished piece looks amazing, Tuula! What a great idea to cover the back with fabric! By doing so, it really transforms the look of a plain open shelf unit. Well done!

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 9, 2017 at 8:07 am

      Thanks so much Gail! I fell in love with the funky fabric when I found it and was just waiting for the right project to use it. Fun fabric always livens things up.

      Reply
    • Pam says

      May 9, 2017 at 8:59 am

      Wonderful idea…I see this type of shelf all the time at thrift stores….next time I am claiming one of them. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Tuula says

        May 9, 2017 at 10:19 pm

        Thanks Pam! These shelves are really so easy to dress up for any decor. I hope you see one soon. 🙂

        Reply
  2. Dona says

    May 9, 2017 at 8:35 am

    Oh, that fabric is priceless!!! Love it, and what you’ve done with it! I actually did a little thrifting yesterday! I’m going to email you about it!! Dona

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 9, 2017 at 10:18 pm

      Thanks Dona! I’ve been feeling a little retro these days. 🙂 Looking forward to hearing about your thrifting.

      Reply
  3. Donna Wilkes says

    May 9, 2017 at 9:47 am

    I can just imagine the huge smiles people get when they enter your home – filled with delight at the whimsy peeking out everywhere. The shelf is a winner!

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 9, 2017 at 10:22 pm

      Thanks Donna! I’m trying to have something in every room that makes me smile and/or laugh. That way even when a room is a mess I’ll still have something to smile about. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Debbie B says

    May 9, 2017 at 11:28 am

    I’m so glad your brain works the way it does and you are willing to share that! There is a member in one of the Facebook buy-sell groups I belong to who posts retro and vintage fabrics often, and for CHEAP. I will be looking at it in a new way now. 🙂

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 9, 2017 at 10:23 pm

      Thanks Debbie! I don’t see retro fabrics often in the thrift stores around here so when I do I snatch them up. I just love the vibrancy of the colours. So fun and happy!

      Reply
  5. LINDA N. SCHRADER says

    May 9, 2017 at 11:58 am

    Neat idea…I agree with you on the pine this shelf is make of. I do like some pieces of furniture made of knotty pine though. I also collect small S&P shakers. I could fill your shelve probably 4-5 times. Your’s looks very nice. I’m thinking about getting out a printers drawer & checking to see if some shakers will fit.

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 9, 2017 at 10:24 pm

      Thanks Linda! The good think about this large shelf is I have a lot of room to add more to my collection. I would love to find a printers drawer. I’ve never seen one in my neck of the woods.

      Reply
  6. AnnMarie says

    May 9, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    So so cute!! How easy is that…I could even do it. I have an ’80’s pine shelf with hooks on it for necklaces and it really needs the cuteness factor. This idea just might do it!

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 9, 2017 at 10:27 pm

      Thanks AnnMarie! I think a pine shelf necklace holder would look awesome with a fabric back. And you most definitely can do it. 🙂

      Reply
  7. FLORENCE @ VintageSouthernPicks says

    May 9, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    What a great idea! I never thought of this! I have a shelf with an open back, so I’m going to look around in my fabric stash!

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 9, 2017 at 10:29 pm

      Thanks Florence! I’m always amazed at how fabric can bring something rather boring to life. I’m so happy my project has inspired you. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Sharon@BlueWillowHouse says

    May 9, 2017 at 9:10 pm

    Love your rehab of the pine shelf. I a definitely admiring your salt and pepper shaker collection!

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 9, 2017 at 10:29 pm

      Thanks Sharon! It is fun to collect the S&Ps, and they’re usually quite inexpensive.

      Reply
  9. Tania says

    May 9, 2017 at 9:15 pm

    Wheee, love that fabric!!

    Tania

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 9, 2017 at 10:29 pm

      Thanks Tania! Me too. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Lynette says

    May 9, 2017 at 9:18 pm

    I have a bunch of these shelves that I have had collections on. I also have lots of cool fabric. I think I see a project in the works!
    Thanks for the great ideas Tuula!

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 9, 2017 at 10:31 pm

      That’s wonderful Lynette! You’re so welcome. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Patricia B says

    May 10, 2017 at 1:09 am

    Hey Tuula,

    Love the makeover!! That fabric fantastic! Thanks for sharing your project.

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 10, 2017 at 8:05 am

      Thanks very much Patricia!

      Reply
  12. ColleenB. says

    May 10, 2017 at 9:08 am

    Loving it. Really like the colors in your fabric.
    Great job.

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 10, 2017 at 5:32 pm

      Thanks very much Colleen! It’s a happy fabric that’s for sure.

      Reply
  13. Mary Boger says

    May 10, 2017 at 9:44 am

    Snappy!!! What a fun result. I must try this!

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 10, 2017 at 5:32 pm

      Thanks Mary! I hope you do. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Broken Bit Mosaics says

    May 11, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    I like it. Pretty fabric.

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 11, 2017 at 9:56 pm

      Thanks very much! I’m really loving funky fabrics these days.

      Reply
  15. Debrashoppeno5 says

    May 12, 2017 at 9:49 am

    What a pretty makeover. It is so bright and pretty.

    Reply
    • Tuula says

      May 12, 2017 at 4:36 pm

      Thanks very much Debra! I think I’m entering my second childhood. lol. I’m loving bright and colourful fabrics these days.

      Reply

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