apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

What I would do is get the glass replaced - it's cheap and easy. Just take your measurements to a custom framing shop and they'll cut you some glass!

Then, paint the bookshelf the same color as your wall. Now, when looking at the bookshelf, the back wall of each shelf - paint that the lovely green you have up on your wall. It will really make it seem much larger than it is, and it'll help it blend seamlessly into the decor you've already got.

Good luck!

I wouldn't bring paint within 10ft of it. The finish is so nice and seems to be in good condition. Same goes for the wrapping paper (the horror!) on the inside. There's plenty of colour and pattern from the books themselves.

At a maximum, I might consider staining the wood to change the colour, but I'd hesitate even to do that.

I wouldn't put anything on the green wall, but if you really want to, maybe put a small framed botanical print (to bring in the green), or whatever your taste is - nothing too big though. There is already a lot going on in that corner it seems and the color is powerful enough on its own.
I don't think you should paint the bookshelf either. Get some new glass as previously suggested, and clean it out a bit so it is less cluttered (or try to find things to put in there all of the same general color so even if it is full, it is more seamless).
If you are interested in the wrapping paper idea, you could cut some that fits the shelf (not the back) and adhere it just in the corners with a couple pieces of double-stick tape (like a drawer liner idea). That way, it won't ruin the wood or limit possibilities later, but will bring in some other pattern/color.
I might relocate those mirrors above too... I'm just not feeling the love with those. :)
Good luck!

Think about why you like this piece... does it have great lines, seductive materials (wood, glass...) great aquired character...

It sounds like you don't really love this piece and are hoping that you can muscle it into something that you do like. While I commend this I would think that a better use of your time/energy/money would be to find a piece that has something about it that you DO love even if it needs a bit of work. That way the time/money/energy you do invest will not be in an attempt to "make it work" rather it will be invested in perfecting a piece you already love.

Also keep in mind that to restain the wood you'll have to remove the old varnish/polyurethane/finishing and that's a pain in the...

Three steps:
1) Clear some of the crap from the top of the bookcase, only leave the green vase
2) Replace both panes of glass with either frosted glass or fluted glass; it will hide the clutter and integrate it with the green tones of the room
3) Just under the thermostat, put a small horizontal shelf (like the ones they have at CB2 or West Elm), in a dark wood finish. This will allow you to tie in the wood of the bookcase with the rest of the area.

And no, don't paint the wood :)

Normally I would say paint it! But in this case, I would need to see what else is going on in the room and if it could, in fact, work with the other wood finishes.

However, I definately agree with replacing the doors with frosted glass. Nothing is actually needed on your top shelf because your artwork comes down low enough. Perhaps a small bowl or tray for keys, if near the entry. (I cannot tell where this area is located in the apt.) In addition, I would leave the green wall alone, the color is enough.

If the finish of your piece is in good condition, perhaps see if you can make a trade at a local vintage store for something that more suits you. When it comes to old wood furniture, there is almost always someone out there looking for exactly what you are willing to alter and who wants it exactly the way that you don't.

Ditch the case and carve out new storage and shelving space under ths stairs, some open for display and some closed off.

I like Jeffrey's suggestion the best. Sounds like you aren't in love with this piece to begin with. Ditch it and go with built-in storage if you can. I think it would look much better in that space.

I think a plain color in the back would be fabulous and you could use that same green! then clean out some of the books so you can see more of it and leave the rest of the wood as it is ( as it's a beautiful piece and you don't want to ruin its future or its value ). That will also tie it into the green wall beside it. It's very easy to replace the glass and you'll be so proud of yourself for doing it!! Seriously it takes 5 minutes.

Do not paint the bookcase. From what I can make of it, it looks lie a Danish Modern piece which is currently very popular again (I grew up with that type of furniture, it is all solid wood, dovetailed construction and stands up well to every day living). I agree with Julian you either have to love the piece and if not then sell it on Craigs List (there are alot of people who jump at getting original 1950/1960s Danish pieces)and replace it with something more contemporary and that you really love.

thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

while the piece isn't really one of my favorites, right now getting something else isn't really an option as i'm a grad student and money isn't expendible for furniture. also, built-ins aren't possible because we live in a co-op and don't own our townhouse.

i think i might go with the frosted doors, because although we've pared down our books quite a lot, we just aren't getting many more out of there.

the basket is the junk-drop when we come in the door. while it's close to the door, it must not be close enough, because often we drop things on the chair that's about two feet from the basket. the glass pieces are wedding gifts and my great-grandmother's. i would like to keep them out, but am unsure of where to put them.

also, re: the source of the piece, i am not sure where it originally came from, but i suspect it might be older than the 50s/60s. i found it in the attic of my husband's parents' old home in springfield, illinois, and they say it belonged to my husband's grandfather and they think he got it at the book-bindery where he used to work.

I didn't realise at first that those were mirrors above the cupboard. The reflection is really cool and I thought they were some sort of art piece in panels. I would take all the stuff off the top of the cupboard, then take a photo just framing those mirrors and from an angle like the photo above so you just see white/green wall and angle reflections. Then get it printed in a size appropriate to hang on the green wall.

I wouldn't paint it, but I second the fluted glass idea. I think the glass pieces look nice on top of the hutch, but I would get rid of the other stuff it makes it look too cluttered. I would also shift some of the clutter from the top shelf in the case to toward the bottom. That way it doesn't catch the eye. Try to organize the books by size that will also make it seem less cluttered. You can also place one of the glass bottles inside to break up the constant flow of books.
As for the green wall - I have the same color walls in my house and framed black and white photos or prints look great on them. If you have three of the same size you can frame them all in similar frames and hang them horizontally.

I agree, I would not paint it. I think it's beautiful as it is.

If you can't do built-ins, you're sorta stuck. I'm no fan of stained wood (except on the floor), so I say paint it green to match the adjacent wall. All you wood lovers will hate me, but if you can get a glossy finish on it I think it might take on a somewhat more modern look.

I wonder how it would look with green-tinted glass, to match the wall. That might save you having to paint it. If there's a light socket behind it, you could even light the interior so that it glows, using those cheap little cabinet lights from Ikea.

I'd also recommend replacing *both* panes of glass with something modern and shatterproof - I'd be worried about kids getting their heads cut off by shards if that other pane breaks.

You could also just get a plain piece of glass to replace the one that's missing, then cover both of them with one of those frosted plastic films. Not only will they obscure the interior, they'll also protect the glass and keep it from shattering if it ever does get broken. I think they're even available in a range of colors now - you may find a close match for your wall.

If you live in a humid area and want to destroy books, put them behind glass - the missing pane has probably stopped the contents self destructing. NEVER apint shelves for books - they wear and you just have to keep doing it again (and again).

This is an art deco bookcase or china display cabinet. Look at the stepped top, rounded edges & handles on the doors. Run some lights into it & use it for display. If the shelves aren't fixed replace them with glass.

Or replace the glass AND SELL IT. Just because it was grandad's doesn't mean you should live with something you don't like.

paint it the same green as the wall.
also paint the stairway rail (metal + wood) that green.
don't put anything on the green wall unless it's a cool clock.

(i apologize if this has already been said,
i didn't read the other comments. i'm tired, but i love that shade of green + the framed art)
p.s. the door hinges would look better white too :D

after taking a 2nd look at the picture,
i also recommend replacing the glass fronts with wood panels + clearing the top off. don't put anything on there or the green wall. it will look so much cleaner with the clutter out of sight. paint the interior green too :D

I second the botanical print idea.

Instead of altering the shelves to suit the wall, how about putting a simple print with a wood frame which match the colour of the shelf on the green wall? The print can be a deep brownish/black line botanical illustration....

i like the idea of frosted glass. if thats too expensive you can get plain glass and put velum on the inside. definately take most of the stuff off the top. the reflection in the mirrors is interesting but, i think they should go else where. nice green on the walls. ignore the thermostat, its not the problem.

If you live in a humid area and want to destroy books, put them behind glass - the missing pane has probably stopped the contents self destructing.

That's a point. The glass could always be replaced with a metal mesh or screen of some kind, either painted or unfinished. I'm not sure what would work well with a somewhat deco piece like that, though. Would probably be cheaper than glass, and has the advantage of being shatterproof.