I've been trying to come up with a pun on this door-to-bookcase project — you know, something like opening the door to a new bookcase or some such cleverness. But, well, as you can tell by that sentence alone, i have not had much success. So let's just make it simple: this project is totally rad!

I love a project that re-imagines stuff that would have otherwise been bound for the junk heap. And Gail, from the blog My Repurposed Life, is the queen of such projects! This time, she has turned an old wood door into a stunning new bookcase.

It took a lot of work and some mad skills but I love what Gail was able to do with an old door. In addition to reusing the door, Gail was also able to find the paint and primer in the 'oops' area at Home Depot so the entire project was super cheap.
Gail provides a thorough post on the project, including a number of photos of the process of building the shelves, on her blog — My Repurposed Life.
Images: My Repurposed Life


Nomade Express Slee...
It's great but I thought the chipped old paint was way better.
Agreed, should have left the chipped paint.
"I've been trying to come up with a pun on this door-to-bookcase project"
You should just shelve that idea.
cool! thanks for featuring my door/turned bookshelf!
People in these parts don't "get" the whole chippy paint thing. I built this to sell, so I painted it with that in mind.
gail
Aw, it's unfortunate that the chipped paint couldn't stay, but I understand needing to appeal to a client. The shelves are spaced interestingly. I think I like that they aren't even, for the sake of oversized books everywhere.
I like the hardware!
I LOVE red. So I don't mind losing the chipped look. I'd buy it! :)
Blech, I hate chipping paint. Love the red!
@Canyak- I love it :)
@ STH, as do I. Imagine the crap it would leave behind on the floor and if someone's hand was left with the stuff. Yuck.
We just bought a new farmhouse and the previous owners used a couple old chippy doors and shutters to make an entertainment unit in the living room. Its very neat! Love this repurposing idea!
I like this a lot. It's not immediately obvious that it's made from repurposed doors, which makes it more interesting. I think the red paint helps bring out the details. The peeling paint would have been over the top and would have appealed only to a very specific buyer. Do you know what the doors were originally a part of?
no way...new door is way better...LOVE the Red :) awesome choice. How BOLD of you!
Excellent transformation; the results are well worth the labor. And, the red is just right.
Bet you have great shelf-esteem now.
I'm not a fan of the 'distress' look..never have been. I think the red makes it fun and appealing. Nice job.