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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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! 🙂
Trim any excess with scissors.
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.
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.
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?
My mini salt and pepper shaker collection, which has been living in my craft studio for quite some time.
I have a thing for opposites and, just like my living room china cabinet, I love mixing funky with traditional.
It totally works for me.
This fun fabric gives each shelf it’s own individual background look.
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.
Here’s the before again.
And the fun and funky after.
This just makes me soooo happy. Honestly, I could just sit and look at it for hours. 🙂
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
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!
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.
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.
Thanks Pam! These shelves are really so easy to dress up for any decor. I hope you see one soon. 🙂
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
Thanks Dona! I’ve been feeling a little retro these days. 🙂 Looking forward to hearing about your thrifting.
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!
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. 🙂
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. 🙂
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!
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.
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.
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!
Thanks AnnMarie! I think a pine shelf necklace holder would look awesome with a fabric back. And you most definitely can do it. 🙂
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!
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. 🙂
Love your rehab of the pine shelf. I a definitely admiring your salt and pepper shaker collection!
Thanks Sharon! It is fun to collect the S&Ps, and they’re usually quite inexpensive.
Wheee, love that fabric!!
Tania
Thanks Tania! Me too. 🙂
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!
That’s wonderful Lynette! You’re so welcome. 🙂
Hey Tuula,
Love the makeover!! That fabric fantastic! Thanks for sharing your project.
Thanks very much Patricia!
Loving it. Really like the colors in your fabric.
Great job.
Thanks very much Colleen! It’s a happy fabric that’s for sure.
Snappy!!! What a fun result. I must try this!
Thanks Mary! I hope you do. 🙂
I like it. Pretty fabric.
Thanks very much! I’m really loving funky fabrics these days.
What a pretty makeover. It is so bright and pretty.
Thanks very much Debra! I think I’m entering my second childhood. lol. I’m loving bright and colourful fabrics these days.