I wish I had a true before picture of this shelf. I found this at a thrift store several months ago for about $4.00. It was a dated, dark brown with terrible paneling as the back that was broken in several places. My hubby replaced the back with a thin plywood and I primed and painted it in a bright white.
This shelf was then neglected for a few months. I have moved it from place to place in my office, never really wanting to work on it. I had zero inspiration. I was ready to pitch it and get it out of my site. A couple of days ago, I made the 40 minute trek out to Hobby Lobby and found some beautiful scrapbooking paper (along with tons of other fun stuff.) Now, I am not a scrapbooker, but lately I’ve been looking at the papers out there and getting tons of inspiration for my painting. So, I bought a book of paper, not really knowing where I was going to use it, but knowing it would come in handy for various projects. While cleaning my office I came across my forgotten shelf. The paper! Mod Podge! Inspiration at long last!
So, I pulled out my new jar of Mod Podge (the very first one I’ve ever purchased) and found a paper that I thought would look cute on the shelf. I measured and used my paper cutter to make perfectly straight cuts.
I did a dry fit to make sure everything looked good and then applied the Mod Podge with a foam brush. No matter how much I tried to smooth out the paper, there were bubbles…argh. But, the strange thing was when it was fully dry, there were no bubbles. OK, I’ll take it.
I applied two coats of Mod Podge total and then did some decorative painting on the knobs and the drawers to tie them in with the paper. And ta-da! My neglected shelf is finally finished and shop-worthy.
I think it will look so cute in a bathroom or a girl’s room, even a kitchen. Why not? There’s a little grove for plates, so it would be perfect for displaying a tea cup & saucer collection.
I kept the decorative painting very simple and matched the floral detail in the paper.
As a side note, am I the only one who thought it was Modge Podge, not Mod Podge? 
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I’m posting this to Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch , Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors, and DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land.
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Cute shelf. I also thought it was modge podge…
I like your painting detail to match the paper. Nice touch! I just bought a bottle of mod podge this week to start on crafting. The last time I did that type of crafting was in the 70's…it was very popular then. Okay, I've just dated myself!
Living it up at Lakewood,
Cindy
I called it modge podge also even after buying it for years. Then I noticed when I started blogging the correct spelling. Too funny! Love your shelf. Have have used the Mod Podge since the 70's also Cindy of Plant some roots. We will date ourselves together.
I've always thought it was Modge Podge as well. Didn't even realize it until you just pointed it out…learned something new!
Liked the update on the little shelf….the scrapbook aisle is always a great inspiration aisle, even if you're not a scrapbooker.
Happy Saturday.
Jane
Love the shelf the color you used is great! I so thought it was Modge Podge!
I'm not a scrapbooker but I love scrap booking things, especially paper. I'm always trying to find a different way to use it. Thanks for the idea. I love the way it looks on the shelf. It reminds me of vintage wallpaper.
Also, thanks for fixing my typo.
Stephanie
Cute shelf. I love using paper on little furniture pieces! Have a great weekend!
Love that shelf! You really worked wonders on it. Linda
I did the same thing with my china cabinet and just love how it turned out, sweetpea! Love gluing things around my house to jazz them up! Yours turned out darling….
xoxo,
Connie
That looks fantastic! And um, I thought it was Modge Podge, too! I still say it that way sometimes.
It looks adoreable. Love it. The paper you picked out is lovely and your painting just makes the piece. Great job. Hugs, Marty
Great job, and yes, I thought it was Modge Podge (and I even have a jar of it in my craft stash). :0)
Have a great weekend!
Zuzu
Oh I love it! How cute it is! I have an old brown shelf hanging around in one of my closets. I think I am going out to buy some scrapbook paper and white paint so I can try this.
It is lovely. Thank you for sharing this great idea.
Lee Ann
I LOVE that shelf, and wish I could have it in my own home! Very cute!
-Grace
I love this piece and the paper you chose. Beautiful! I love Mod Podge and use it all the time. I only realized it wasn't modge podge a couple of weeks ago. I even blooged about it here http://poplarporch.blogspot.com/2009/10/where-have-i-been.html
As for the bubles that gave you such a headache… if you spritz your paper very lightly with water before you use it you won't have that problem. Even though it dries flat, it's frustrating when your applying it to work with the bubbles. Hope that helps for your next project!
Shari @ Poplar Porch
Painting it white made it better, but the painting you did on the knobs and corners of the drawers made it shine!!
I'm an English major, so the pronunciation did not escape me… and it has forced me to cringe a lot when I hear it!
Ah, the trials of being a literary snob! 
Welcome to a wonderful world though! So many fun things with Mod Podge!
So cute, love that color in the paper, and all the little details. Hope you're doing well. Have a great weekend!
Debra
Love the new look… very fresh looking… very nice job.
Hugs Deb
I love it when inspiration strikes after you have been shuffling a particular piece around for a while. It is like a Eureka moment and makes what we do totally worthwhile. Nice work on the shelf!
I honestly never thought to use my craft paper like that! Might have something else to do with not being able to find Mod(ge) Podge in my podunk town. Yours looks fantastic, I'd buy it!
anne
This is really cute!! It would be nice in a bathroom or little girls room!! YUP definetly!
http://spindlecottage.blogspot.com
oops I gave the wrong link again
http://spindlecottage.blogspot.com/
Ha! My fingers always insist on typing Modge Podge and I have to go back and correct it! The shelf looks great ~ aren't scrapbook papers fun to work with. I don't scrapbook either but I love all the papers and you can use them for so many projects.
Mod Podge is the best
. Looks great! Hoping to stop by your shop sometime tomorrow between 12 and 2! 
Super cute! I thought it was Modge Podge as well. Thanks for sharing!
Another great use for scrapbook paper. I'm so glad you got inspired!
Too cute for words,
and Tiffany blue no less…
smiles.
Confession – I still type "Modge Podge" sometimes accidentally!
Love your shelf!
Love the shelf!
As soon as I get my little boutique launched, I will start adding some of my painted furniture to the party.
Rhonda
The shelf is adorable esp. with your additions! They should rethink the nane mod podge anyway..modge sounds right! I was looking back at your family room-so comfortable-I am hoping on a craigslist Ektorp sofa-we went as scheduled and they didn't answer the door…he emailed "sorry" & come next week…You seem happy with it? This one's beige, but I would like to get the white cover-wash well?
Thanks!
~Nancy
Turned out really cute…great job
GReat job on the makeover.
cheri
HA ! I didnt know it wasn't until you just told me! I've always said modge podge!
Just darling…what a clever girl you are…Loved this idea…Thanks for sharing…Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
Oh my gosh is that cute! I love the paper and it's a little dark on the edges so it looks aged.
Very cute work! I posted some Modge Podging this week too and the funny thing is that I spelled it the wrong way too!! ACK! All better now…thanks to you! Again, wonderful job!
Adorable little shelf, ♥ the aqua backing.
It turned out wonderful. Great job!
LOVE! I am a sucker for shelves!
Cute shelf, I have painted one just like it. Also white. Maybe I'll go for a paperback also, yours looks so nice.
So cute! You did a great job. And I love the paper you used!
XOOX
Jen
LOL..I STILL think it is called Modge Podge…LOL
Cute project! TFS
That looks great! I love the little paint details that coordinate with the paper.
ADORABLE!!:)