Name: Theresa
Location: Los Angeles
Time: 3 days including drying time approx. 12 hours
Cost: $60
AT:LA reader Teresa found a 1950's maple antique bookcase on Craigslist and transformed it into something more glamorous using some Martha Stewart decorative paper from Michael's, a new coat of paint, and wine storage hardware. Take a look below at how she tackled her January Jumpstart, from start to finish, with her pics, tools, and instructions and VOTING...
Share step by step instructions for how you completed the project:
Remove shelves. Put on mask and sand all surfaces (including shelves) of bookcase until smooth and free of any existing paint or finish.
**do not sand inside back of bookcase where you will be putting paper.
Dust all surfaces from any wood dust. Paint all surfaces with primer. Let dry and repeat with second coat. ** do not primer inside back of bookcase where you will be putting paper.
Take wine glass holders and 1 shelf. Turn shelf upside down and prep for making holes to fasten wine glass holders. Measure and mark where the holes will be and create holes with drill bit. Set shelf aside. ** drill bit must be smaller than screws.
Paint all primed surfaces with semi gloss paint. Let dry and repeat with second coat.
Take pieces of plywood. Take the two 6"X 1 1/2" pieces and place the 6" X 2" piece in between. Take wine bottle holders and prep for making holes to fasten them to the plywood making sure that the insides of both wine bottle holders fasten to the 6"X 2" plywood piece. Measure and mark where the holes will be and create holes with drill bit. Then, take 8 screws (5/8 size) and fasten wine bottle holders to the plywood.
When shelves are dry take wine glass holders and fasten them with 8 screws (5/8 size) to the shelf that you created the holes in.
When bookcase is dry take spray adhesive and spray one corner of the paper and fasten to one of the corners of the bookshelf. Continue to work in sections with adhesive and paper until entire inside back of bookcase is covered with paper. Making sure to smooth out any air pockets.
Take wine bottle racks fastened to plywood and fit to inside top of bookcase. While holding in place, screw with 1 1/4" screws into each center of plywood (3 total).
Add shelves in any pattern that works for your glasses and bar accessories
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This kind of DIY is my favorite, because it is something that can be done relatively quickly (I did one myself in a couple hours, as an Ikea hack.), allows for a lot of personal touches, and it makes for a great reuse of material. Yours looks great.
view streepyj's profile
You squeezed a lot of glamour out of that old bookcase.
view jendavid99's profile
I love this one on principle. It's purple!* It's a bar!
*or does my monitor deceive me?
view mmadden's profile
Would you mind posting where the hardware is from?
view Courtnyleigh's profile
This is great! Just a quick question -- what's the very thin shelf for? (Also - you have fantastic taste in gin. :) )
view laetitiae's profile
hi everyone!!
thanks for taking a look -- so....
yes. it is purple -- but actually looks blackish purple but the way the sun was coming through that morning makes it really purple.
the hardware is from ikea it is called "RATIONALE" BUT it is NOT available or even pictured on the website. boo.
the very thin shelf is for bar towels and either a killer wooden bar tool set or one of those nifty wine openers that can open wine in one fluid motion -- haven't decided yet.
just a quick FYI: there is room on the top for a tray and shaker and tools and to mix drinks --- i didn't picture it because i just moved in and don't have one yet! i only managed to have the booze on hand.
** Also, you can change out the paper whenever you'd like!! I bought the paper on sale for 3.00 a roll and picked out 2 more patterns that will work well -- OR you can get really great wallpaper -- which was my initial idea but would have taken too long to order and receive. Check out the link about wallpaper online right here on APARTMENT THERAPY!!
view theresag's profile
You have captured true vintage. The colors are perfect and i love the you've highlighted the concept of 'less is more'
This is true art. Great work:)
view michelleanderson816's profile
I shall bite your style, my friend.
Love it.
view Missdanelle's profile
Absolutely lovely! You've inspired me.
view quercus's profile
absolutely lovely! one of those "why didn't I think of that?!"...
view Gomez's profile
Just an idea--finish off the back of the bookcase, put casters on the base so you can turn it around. Then you could put two bar stools in front and have your own portable bar.
view wannabemartha's profile
I love this. Love, love, love it. Excellent work!
view NashvilleJen's profile
I found the wine and glass hardware at Ikea! - in the section where they sell kitchen racks and utensils. i couldn't find it on the website but the the store carries it-- at least the Emeryville location does
view dcho's profile