Laminate Bookcase Makeover-Part 2

So, way back when, I posted the first laminate bookcase that I gave a makeover to. Then it took me several months to get around to doing a post about the second bookcase's new look. I think it's because I like how the taller bookcase is decorated and accessorized better. This one is a bit too cluttered compared to the first one, but it is useful for storage purposes. Here she is hanging out in a corner of our master bedroom.

This bookcase had the same paint treatment as the first one. Some primer followed by a coat of Behr's Pot of Cream paint in semi-gloss. I had to whack the shelves in place with a hammer because they were so tight fitting back into the bookcase after the layers of paint were added.

I also added the same moulding around the top using my nail gun friend.

I found some pretty damask wrapping paper at Hallmark to add to the back of the inside. I love the blue and brown colors together.

I decided to use the bottom shelf to hold my scrapbook albums. I wished that they matched a little better because all the colors look a bit chaotic together. I thought about doing a little curtain in front like I did for the taller bookcase, but the scrapbooks stick out too far outside the shelves for that to work. I also added a couple picture frames and some candles to fill in the shelves.

Over the bookcase, I decided to hang this shadowbox I bought at Marshall's for $12.99. The front of it has a handly little door that you can pull open to easily get to the inside. I figured it would make a nice place to hang and display some of my jewelry using the pearl pins that were included with the box to hang the necklaces and earrings on.

The door keeps my necklaces  safe away from Emma's little paws. She looooves to chase after my necklaces. In face, she even comes running as soon as she hears my jewelry box or the shadowbox door open and tries to grab the necklaces out of my hand.

I added a scrap of beadboard to cover the top of the bookcase. This also helped hide the gap between the edge of the top of the bookcase and the inside edge of the trim around the top.

A reminder of how the bookcase looked before in all her light oak glory holding books in my craftroom/workout room/storage area/room in progress:

And now:

Sweet Slumber

I haven't posted any room idea photos in awhile. I used to post them at least once a week when I started my blog. I'm trying to come up with a better way to get all my photos onto Blogger easily, but for now it's easier to leave my room idea galleries linked to my old Wordpress blog. Since I've been doing several projects to make my bedroom more of a cozy retreat, I thought I'd share a few lovely bedrooms to give you some ideas and inspiration for your own spaces.

All images from BHG.com except the first one. I don't remember which site I found that one on, but its gorgeous.

I love the colors in this one because it's similar to my room. It also looks like a small room with some creative storage and display ideas.

Loooove the ceiling, can I have one of these please? The curtains seem a little odd to me though. Maybe it's just me.

While I'm not sold on the disco ball looking light fixture(although it is definatley unique!) I do love the colors in this room and how they painted the backs of the shelves a darker color. It really makes the accessoires pop.

This room's not really my style, but the colors are very soothing and I love how they added fabric on the headboard.

This one is also not my style, but I do love the colors used and how they layered all the bedding and pillows together. There are a lot of patterns in this room, but they all work together because of the consistant color scheme and the mix of bold patterns along with those that have less impact

Restful Retreats

I haven't been posting as many inspiration photos lately. I've been so busy using some of those ideas in my own home. I hope to have one of our bathrooms finished up soon and some pictures of that to share after a long weekend of painting and laying down new flooring.


I also have some mini projects in the works in our bedroom. I want our bedroom to be a relaxing retreat and have the feel of a lovely cottage or a getaway at a charming Bed and Breakfast. One way to create a calming mood in your room is to use soft, cool colors such as blue. Here are several gorgeous bedrooms that are decorated with different shades of blue.

Coastal Living

Coastal Living

Coastal Living

Southern Living

Remodeling Ideas

My Home Ideas

Remodeling Ideas

My Home Ideas

Places of Rest

I spent much of the weekend working on arranging and decorating around the house. I painted my headboard, changed our dresser hardware, and rearranged the living room. I'm still getting everything situated so photos of my own rooms will have to wait. Since my master bedroom has been my main project lately here are some gorgeous bedroom retreats I have come across. All images are from Country Living and House Beautiful.

I just love how they draped the curtains around the bed and the window:

Not sure what's up the green shag rug, but I love the rest of the room from Country Living:

While this room isn't exactly a master bedroom unless you are in a 1950s TV sitcom, I really like the color scheme they used. It feels like a tropical getaway in your own house. And how cool is that ceiling?

The Beauty of Stained Glass

I just love stained glass windows, especially in old homes and churches. The intricate designs and vibrant colors look wonderful when sunlight streams through. They really can add a nice historic and unique style to a home. If I ever build a home someday, I would love to able to include a stained glass window or two. I also love the ones that are also just clear glass, but have the leaded borders between various geometric designs. They have a nice craftsman style look. Here are a few pictures I had saved of elegant stained and leaded glass.

Or you can even hang a stained glass window or panel on the wall like the photo below.I always wanted to take a class sometime to make a stained glass panel or lampshade, but the supplies are a little expensive.

Weekend of Bright Inspiration

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend as we celebrate with friends and family. Keep those in the armed forces and those who have lost loved ones in the continuing fight for freedom in your thoughts and prayers. Here is a collection of fresh and cheerful rooms to browse, all from Coastal Living.