Sunday, November 13, 2011

DIY Sunday: Chevron Bookcase

Hello Everyone!

I have a fun project to share with you today! I got a pretty bookcase from my grandmother a few weeks ago. It was sitting in her garage, but it used to belong to her mother. She asked if I wanted it and I said sure! It needed some serious TLC. The paint was chipping. There was some sort of can of mineral spirits or something that had placed on the top and made the paint bubble on the top. The back had been replaced and wasn't painted.

So. Here's the "Before"



and the "After"



So, here's how I revamped the bookcase to something fantastic. The entire process took like two days working for two hours.

Chevron Bookcase

Supplies:

Sandpaper (60 grit. My sander died and I had to use a block hand sander. So I used a rougher grit than normal)
Paint: White Enamel By Krylon, Yellow Sunshine by Better Homes & Gardens
Blue Painter's Tape
Tape Measure
Pencil

Directions:

Step One: Sand

You will want to sand enough to get out the surface scratches and to make a nice rough surface for the paint to stick. Now, this bookshelf is old...at least old enough to belong to my great-grandmother. There's a good chance that there was lead paint on it. So wear a mask and have good ventilation. Wash and dust the bookcase after you sand it.

Step Two: Paint Your Base Coat

I started out and painted everything with the white enamel paint. I ended up doing two coats. This paint is supposed to be low odor. Which is definitely not the case. I ended up opening up all the windows.

I used a paint pad instead of a paint roller this time and I loved it. It covers thicker and faster than a roller. I might be a convert...at least when it comes to furniture.

Make sure you let this coat dry before starting to tape!


Bookcase all painted and ready for tape.
Step Three: Tape...and Tape...and Tape

So, this is where the tutorial really gets tricky. I did a lot of reading before starting my process and I learned somethings I didn't read about.

First of all. To do my design I did not use a cardboard cut out of the design, which most websites do. If I had, I might have a more precise design but I didn't care if it was completely perfect since it was in the back of the bookcase. I just wanted a fast method. I didn't find a complete tutorial on how to just use painters tape.

This is what I did and it worked pretty good.

The 6 inch Painter's Tape Method.
(I'm claiming this method as my own since I made it up on the fly!)

First of all, I cut all my blue painters tape 6 inches long.


Taping my design. Using my 6 inch precut tape method.

Then, after cutting my tape, I measured 3.5 inches from the top of the bookcase. I did a light pencil line all the way across the top. You can erase the pencil afterwards, or leave it. You will be painting over it.

After measuring the line, I used that as a guide for all my points of the zig zag. I did a (very) rough sketch of it here:


(Click to enlarge)

After doing the first row of tape, I just measured down 3.5 inches from each point and did a little pencil line. I then used those marks as a guide to do my second row. Since all the tape is cut the same, it just be pretty easy to make a uniform design. You will want to make sure you keep the points in line vertical.

Another rough draft to give you the visual:


(Click to enlarge)

You should now be able to do the entire design continuing to mark 3.5 inches from the point in the row above it. The process goes pretty quick once you start if you pre-cut all your tape.


Taping done and ready for yellow paint.

Step Four: Paint Yellow & Touch Up

Now, I'm not exactly sure how you can do this without having to go back and do some touch up. I tried all the tips I found to prevent bleed and they didn't seem to work. I pressed the tape down with my fingernail. I also took the tape off while the paint was still wet. So, be prepared to wait for the yellow to dry then go back and touch up the lines with some white using a nice art brush.

So, I did was one coat, let it dry. Then I did a second coat but then I pulled the tape off while it was still wet. This was supposed to help bleeding, but it didn't do the trick completely.

Step Five: You're Done!

Let your paint dry & enjoy your new fantastic new bookcase!





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12 comments

Bethany said...

Great job! I love it! Has Lila tried to climb it yet?!

TheDabblingCrafter said...

Not yet, but she does like to hid around the corner and peek her head around!

Lexi said...

I love it. Looks great!

Lexi
http://cupcakedaydreamer.blogspot.com

{Steph} said...

This is SO fun! I'm pinning it for future inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

Brit said...

Wow, that is an awesome transformation! Great job :)
Britney
www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com

Jamie @ DIY Home Sweet Home said...

They look great. I love your blog. I'm your newest follower.
Would love to see you DIY Home Sweet home.
Jamie
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/

lesley said...

this is great. i really love the pop it gives to that bookshelf!

lesley
www.freakingcraft.blogspot.com

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

It looks amazing. Such a lot of work, but so worth it. The chevron is fabulous. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

Julianne said...

I LOVE it! i'm your newest follower! id love if you followed me back!

Julianne
www.sewfantastic.blogspot.com

TheDabblingCrafter said...

Thanks Everyone! It was a really fun project.

I tried to follow everyone back..what fun blogs to read!

Chris said...

Hi there, you did a fabulous job with your bookcase. It looks awesome. Thanks for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris

{Steph} said...

I still love this so much!

I gave you & your blog an award today. You can see it here:

http://stephssilverboxes.blogspot.com/2012/02/blog-award.html

~Steph @ Silver Boxes

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