The Final Hurdle

By Kate Riley December 5, 2009

Months ago, I chanced upon some bookcases at the local Villeroy and Boch that was closing its doors.  When I found out the outlet store was selling their displays for $20 dollars each, I was inspired to remodel my blah blah brown home office. 

Perhaps you recall the twin glass shelf towers that I transformed way back in August that sit on the other side of the space.  Those were easy peasy.  The accompanying bookcases ?  Not so much.  I didn’t realize at the time I brought them home how much extra work it would take to get them into ship shape.  It took me three months to face facts – these required more than just a quick coat of paint.  They had some problems that required extra attention to detail. 

Here’s a peek at one of the two bookcases we just finished that give me that built in look, an extra work table, and plenty of storage.  They were the final hurdle to completing the home office remodel. 

In the store before, and now installed in my office.

bookcases before and after

Problem Numero Uno:  We had to hide this horrible rough cut trim exposed on the sides.  Yeah, that part was hidden when I handed over my money.  I didn’t notice that until I brought them home.   

 cabinet patch side

Solution ?  Patch with a new strip of smoother birch. 

birch patch 

hand saw patch

 

Fill gaps with wood filler and sand it down. 

wood filler

sand patch

A coat of primer came next – nice thick oil based Zinsser – it bonds to everything.   

prime bookcases

The crown was another problem because it was short on one side.

patch crown 

I pried it all off because I thought I had to replace it. 

pry off crown

Then I realized since the bookcases were right up against the wall, I could patch the exposed side with a piece of the hidden side.  So that’s what we did ! 

After a quick patch, I caulked it, then sanded it down.

caulking

sand caulking

Both of the bookcases got two coats of latex paint after the primer was dry.  I had every intention of spray painting these cabinets, but then realized it would cost me too much to spray and I needed to fill in the gaps in the beadboard trim that the interior of these cabinets. 

paint for bookcases

 paint between ridges

FYI, Ace’s ‘Calm Beige’ is a color match to Rustoleum’s Heirloom White.   I had to color match since I used the Heirloom White spray to repaint the twin towers with glass shelves that also sit in the room.  

Patched and painted, the crown looks fab.  

crown patched and painted

The table was too long and would have blocked my closet doors, so Mr. CG cut it down for me with our SkilSaw.

skilsaw

Then I painted the back of the cabinets with Valspar’s ‘Seafoam Storm’, another color match to the grasscloth wallpaper I installed back in August. 

seafoam storm painted back

After four months of sitting in my garage . . .

bookshelves before

I’ve now got two freshly painted bookcases in my home office.  Here’s one of them !

bookcase painted final

Santa has come a little early this year – I can’t wait to show you the space fully complete.  Fingers crossed, it will be this week !

38 comments

  1. Oh Kate, they look fantastic! Obviously it was quite an undertaking, but you both did a wonderful job. I still think $20 was an amazing deal!

    XO*Tricia

  2. Boy did you ever get a deal but oh the work you had to do. I am jealous because I want them. They look so great! I can’t wait to see the whole room.

  3. fantastic, as always. And I’m super impressed that you were able to fix all the little problems – you are my DIY Idol.

  4. This is exactly the kind of shelving I need in one of my basement rooms. I never thought about watching for store displays…great idea. You both did a wonderful job on them.

  5. It really looks lovely, Kate. What a steal of a deal. Can you imagine what anything close to that would have cost anywhere else, or even to build? Lovely, and with built in lighting. Can’t wait to see how you fill it.

  6. I’m sure it was a lot of work, but soooooooooooo worth it! I would absolutely love to find such a deal! Can’t wait to see the whole room reveal!

  7. Oh it does look like a ton of work, but they are wonderful the way you have them finished. I really look forward to the finished project. Hugs, Marty

  8. Wow, it looks fabulous! You are such an inspiration, and your ideas are ingenious!! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, Nicole

  9. For $20?? Amazing! Looks like a million bucks to me. Wish I lived nearby so you could show me some of the places you find these great pieces. Maybe your luck would rub off on me. ;)

  10. Lucky girl! You find the best things out there in your journeys. I love these pieces, what great additions to your gorgeous office space. AND, we sure do think a lot alike on things. I’ve got a whole table of silver things too that I’ll be unveiling on Thursday for my party! I love all your baubles & that pink bling is so pretty. I’ll try to join in your party on Tues. too, I think I’ve got a post for it.

  11. Beautiful, Kate! I can’t wait to see your completed home office. You’ve done such a great job with it so far!

  12. Gorgeous! I’m crossing my fingers and saying an extra prayer that I come across a display liquidation that consists of more than rusted rounders, dusty stepstools, and boxes of hangers.

    Your office is fantastic! :)

  13. Brilliant! You are amazing. You’ve inspired me yet again…I have two in my family room that would look awesome in this color. You know me, I’ll send you finished pics of course when I’m done, however it’s probably going to be longer than a mere 4 mos., lol! I can’t wait to see your completed office.

  14. Beautiful! Lucky girl you, I don’t know where you find the time to hunt all this stuff down AND transform it AND blog about it AND live your life! (What’s the secret?)

  15. I can not believe you got those for $20 ea! That is a steal. You did a great job fixing them up – can’t wait to see it all put together.

  16. I think if people has these must be very beautiful.We women must be beautiful when go shopping .We must be charming .That is wonderful.

  17. These are so beautiful and you guys did a great job! The white looks so crisp and clean!Beautiful! Lucky girl you, I don’t know where you find the time to hunt all this stuff down AND transform it AND blog about it AND live your life!

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